The Breast Feeding Story

For the first baby - Jay, the breast feeding isn't that successful at all. Therefore, the breast feeding lasted about 2 weeks, baby Jay weight went down from 3.03KG to 1.80KG, where we decided to gave formula to Jay since very young, plus the precious little breast feed express milk.

This time, we came prepared. Thanks to a lot a lot of people's help. Here are some of the facts that we have learned and we finally figure out what went wrong for the unsuccessful breast feeding for the first child. :) The good news is, Kay is sucking a lot of milk from his mom, and mom's milk supply is growing, and no complaints on milk supply, etc etc. It is so successful this time round, therefore I decided to take notes about this topics, and hopefully this can be a references for people who needs it. :) I am not the expert here, but I am speaking of experience only. It may or may not work on other people. Just read it for fun lor...

1. We went to Parent Link, and the consultant there - Katherine, actually explains 2 important facts - the colostrum, the first milk produced after giving birth is very important, and it is not necessary to be a lot. Baby usually taking only a "pill size" of colostrum will be good already. We didn't know about this last time, that is why Boon was a bit upset about having so little milk 3 years ago. This time, we know even 1 single drop of colostrum is enough and also precious, that is why I am very happy to deliver even single drop of colostrum from Clementi to Mount E. :) Of course the other fact is that Kay's stomach is a size of his fist. So, even drinking 5ml or 10ml is enough already at the beginning stage.

During the past 2 days, I delivered few trips of 1 drop colostrum milk. I am happy to do so, and I actually watch Kay drinking that precious colostrum. It was fun to watch, and I felt very good after that...






2. There are 2 types of pumps from Mandela. The one usually you get from the retail store are actually good when you have a steady flow of milk supply. This type of pump may not be suitable for the beginning few days after birth. So, it is best to use the hospital supplied pump. that is because, those Mandela pumps comes with a more sophisticated control that can self adjust the pressure. And this can help to produce more milk at the initial stage. By the way, in Mount E, you can rent the pumps home...

3. OK. If everything else does not work, don't be afraid to consult people, BMSG, or any one who can provide knowledge. In our case, we talked to Katherine from the Parent Link, who taught us the post-natal refreshment course. She is very experience and have provide a lot of solutions, and she is very helpful too. We have to thank her this time. Yesterday, my wife called her couple of times to seek for consultancy. She asked her not to use the pumps and express the milk using hands plus heat pads. And it actually works, and the milk supply is really encouraging last night, and baby Kay really have a full doze of milk for the night.

4. Feed the baby 8-12 times. It is the frequencies that counts. Not the pressure on the pumps or the duration of the pumping or expressing the milk. This piece of info is very useful. As last time, we remember that she only feeds Jay when Jay was crying. It was a bit late when you hear your baby cry. So, don't be lazy, feed him every 2-3 hours even if he or she is not crying...

5. Get the best consultant. For our case, you have to talk to the top of the notch breast feeding adviser, then you understand the whole concept about breast feeding... In our case, the gynae, called to Mount E, and book a sister named Tan Guat Choo. And we went to see her today. And she is really good, using 1 finger poke here and there, and pre-warn my wife that it will be very painful... and after she press and a few screams from my wife, the milk really flows... then I suddenly know what does "打通任督二脉" really means... to her, it is really simple, and most people will stop when they feel pain, but without pain, the milk will not flow, and it will be blocked...

Later when we spoke to Guat Choo, and we found that she has worked in NICU for 9 years in London. And she has a lot of experience, and she can tell what went wrong and offer immediate solution. After a few simple poke here and there, we strongly believe of her abilities. Because we almost give up Mount E's advisor. Then we realizes that both Jay and Kay was born on a Friday night, and then Guat Choo was off during weekends, and we never get a chance to talk to her at all... until just now... She is really good...

We have to thanks... all these people help for the past few days and given us all the knowledges and guidance and make Kay's breast feeding to be so successful. We enjoy the whole event today... as today is the first day where Mommy breast feed Kay... and the Kay latched on Mommy on first try and had been very successful. The first feed was 10ML, second feed was 20ML, and then 25ML.... so, feeding is successful, the baby is happy, my wife is happy, and as for me, I am happy too... the whole day pass by just like that... instead of sending the milk, the milk cow is actually been delivered to Kay, and he got the feeds every 2-3 hours... steady...

:)