I know three mommies who are expecting this year – a cousin who is having a girl, and two friends who are also on the way. All of them are on their second or third child so they are no longer expecting baby showers for the babies. Besides, most of them are wise enough to invest on things that will last on their first baby – strollers, crib, playpens, walkers, all in neutral colors – so the second baby’s expenses will be cheaper.

I’ve been telling them to try breastfeeding a second time as well. They can get a cheap breast pump from AllegroMedical.com and if it wouldn’t work out, at least they haven’t invested so much.

Breastfeeding is really an effort as much as it is a learning process. It is not easy – so you have to be armed with all the information and determination you will need to be able to succeed.

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I can’t hardly say that enough.

I have two kids and I breastfed them both. Only with Matthew I lasted for only three months – I was about to go to school, didn’t know any better, and my Mom wasn’t able to breastfeed us either so I thought it was OK.

Fast forward to Martha, I was determined to breastfeed her so I bought a breast pump to help me express milk for her when I am away at work. It was hard – I had to give up a lot of time from my break and lunch hour to be able to meet my quota for her milk.

But it sure had its rewards. Martha is a lean and strong baby. She is not really sickly, save for her asthma. I lost all my pregnancy blab when I was breastfeeding (but after I stopped gained it all altogether).

You can get yours at AllegroMedical.com. Founded in 1996, and now serving more than 1 million customers, Allegro Medical is one of the largest and most technologically advanced independently owned online retailers of life enhancing products in the United States.

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It seems this year will be a baby boom like last year. I dont know if this is because my age is now nearing the age where most women bear children but in my work environment alone, I know six ladies who are pregnant. This doesnt even include the online friends who i know are expecting and those that are trying to conceive. It actually brings me nice, warm feelings that nowadays, breastfeeding is being strongly advocated by the government and enforced in all hospitals. Breastfeeding is now easier thanks to companies coming out with products that help mothers lactate and feed their babies even when they are away at work.

The baby feeding bottle from Tommee Tippee is exactly what its name says – Closer to Nature. Its teats/nipples are designed to mimic the natural flex, movement and softness of a mom’s breast, to make switching between breast and bottle easier than ever before.

Most babies have nipple confusion when mothers mix feed with breastmilk and bottle feeding but with Tommee Tippee products, it makes things easier. As said in their site, “The unique shape of the Closer to Nature easi-vent teat encourages your baby’s natural feeding action so that switching between breast and bottle becomes second nature.” It actually received the Mother and Baby Gold Award too.

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I am so thankful I breastfed my babies. With Matthew, it was too short, only 2 months, but I didn’t know any better. With Martha, I lasted 10 months, 2 months short of my goal. But I was proud because I was working full time and Martha was in Cavite for 2 months and I was able to sustain my milk. If things would have been different, I really think I would still be breastfeeding up to now. Martha stopped feeding from me at 7 months so it contributed a lot to a drop in my milk. Add to that a promotion which required me to go night shifts and my milk was a goner . Breastfeeding is hard. Without the proper knowledge and preparation, a mom can be depressed and disheartened. Even your clothing style will change, since you are feeding on demand, your shirts and bras would need to have easy access. There are open tip bras which can help, it can make you feel sexy and still be able to nurse. I have read mothers who had sore and cracked nipples use these bras so their nipples can get some “air”. Hmmm, that might be an interesting sight! *laughs*

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If you are looking for custom research papers, you can go this site and get a referral: www.custom-writing.org. Their papers are 100% plagiarism-free, and have great customer service by offering unlimited revisions. My sister is looking into offering her service as an editor for thesis dissertations as well. She used to do that when she was working for the military generals in the government.

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NEWS

I miss breastfeeding.

My Dad breastfed from my grandmother until he was around 4 years old, and occassionally until five. He has several diseases – diabetes, COPD, Congestive Heart Failure, emphysema – but amazingly, he is still strong. His tenacity to live amazes me. He’s not even bed ridden. I’d like to think part of that is the immunity he got from his Mom. He was born large – 14lbs – I kid you not – so diabetes was really in his future. His doctors told him he was lucky he developed diabetes late already – he was 55.

I would definitely recommend breastfeeding to all mothers, even for those who do not have enough milk. I attempted to reorient Martha to nurse from me because she was still interested when she sees my b**bies but being at work is a hindrance (out of sight, out of mind).

Knowledge is power. Perseverance is the key. Dont hesitate to seek out support from breastfeeding communities. Goodluck mommies

Technorati Tags: breastfeeding, guiness world record of breastfeeding moms, breastfeeding mothers

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It is official.

I have gone for 48 hours without pumping. Martha is now weaned from breastmilk.

It came easy as a decision – stress was killing my output, Martha was grabbing my pump all the time and wanted my attention, and I felt it was time for me to stop – all the cons were outweighing the pros.

So I decided to try to wean last weekend. Martha did not drink any milk for 10 hrs. straight – I panicked! So I pumped and pumped. Last Tuesday was hard for me. There were yaya problems in the house (well, it has never ended naman kasi) and Martha was walking all around the house. I had to work. So you know the story.

I did not make it to my goal of one year. Im a BIT guilty. But I know I deserve a pat on the back (and more) for sticking it out this far. Many of you know how much I went through this journey. It would have been easier for me if I was staying home, or if Martha still fed directly from me, to be able to keep up my supply and not physically drain me while working.

I will miss the breastfeeding experience – the bond I got from seeing Martha at my breast, seeing Martha blossom into a healthy baby all because of MY milk, but I wont miss my pump – all raggedy and dirty and very very much used – I will retire it forever. Why? Because I will upgrade to a Medela when I get to have a child again. Will I breastfeed again? Definitely.

I still recommend breastfeeding for all mommies and babies. But do not be too hard on yourself if you cannot. If you need to mix feed, do so. If you need to pump exclusively, do so. The keyword here is: TRY. Do not deny yourself the experience. If it doesnt work out, fine. Move on. But the benefits are very very rewarding.

I’ve learned time management, perserverance, diligence, sacrifice all because of this. The first few weeks were crying sessions – bruised nipples, engorged breasts. But man, the experience is an experience itself.

And I feel a layout coming The only regret I have was I never took a picture of Martha feeding from me. Drats.

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I had a low moment last week. I got sick and tired of pumping. And I really wanted to quit. I got so busy at the office, at home, with the digital community, that I felt taking time to pump was eating away my time. Good thing I realized I was wrong – and that I will not waste the almost 9 months Ive been giving breastmilk to Martha to have her go with formula. My goal is to pump until she is a year old..which, when you think about it, is already almost 4 months away from now! Im assuming Martha will wean early. She really prefers eating solds already and has been drinking my milk when she is sleepy. Since I only have one pump, an Avent Isis manual pump, I thought of buying another one to lessen my time, and take advantage of my let downs. Breast Pump Reviews have given best feedback about Avent’s breastpump so I want another one. Im just thinking if getting another one would be worth it – if I will only pump for 4 months, if I can go exclusive breastfeeding again (since Martha supplements with 2 bottles of formula now), and if ever Id get one, Id get it abroad – Avent is ridiculously priced here in the Phils. Maybe I can buy pumps which are just slightly used? I need to discuss it first with Edil.

Im just so proud because the wives’ support group I currently belong to has now na official member/teacher of La Leche League. She has been an inspiration to me to really aim to breastfeed Martha when I was just pregnant with her.

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