32 Days Left - Gynae Visit

2.5kg now. Head continued down towards mommy's pelvis with his back facing us. Good boy.

Other than the regular checkup, today, we (more like mommy) had a VERY IMPORTANT lesson on breast feeding from Dr. Ong. I think a single word from Doc worth a million arguments between the couple ... sigh...

Anyway, just wished to share this with all mommy-to-be, including Dr@co's mommy. There are 5 Obstacles for Success Breast Feeding:

1. DESIRABILITY
Dr. Ong can't emphasize enough that, other than mother herself, no others can help. The mother's will and desirability is the utmost important factor that leads to the success of a breast feeding.

"If got, got lor!" kind of attitude is NOT enough. Most mothers fail for sure when they have this attitude.

One should know that most of the breast feeding were difficult at start, especially the first few days following birth. However, difficult to start doesn't equate to cannot start. In fact, "I don't have milk" is no more than an excuse for their lack of desirability.

Mothers must have STRONG desirability and will to keep it up ... then mother has passed the first and most important hurdle.

2. SUPPLY = DEMAND
At birth, mommy supplies only colostrum, which comes only little amount, often a spoonful. But colostrum is far more richer in nutrients and anti-bodies than others food sources, which are essential for baby. The small quantity is generally enough for the first few days of baby.

At this stage, however, most mothers fear that their baby doesn't have enough. With fear, they generally can't help but to supplement baby with formula milk to make it "enough". That's where the breast feeding fails, i.e. baby stops suckle and wanting their food supply from the easier way - milk bottle.

When baby stops demanding from mother, mother's body signals to stop supply, which puts breast feeding to an end.

So, instead of fearing, why not determine if baby had enough? But how much is enough? Well, can't monitor the amount through input? Try output. From the output, we should be able to determine if our baby had enough for the day.

The next limb of this obstacle is STRICTLY NO BOTTLES. For what ever reasons, no bottle feeding (whether expressed or formula milk) AT ALL in the first stage of your breast feeding. Bottle feeding would affect the baby, rather than the mother. At start, when baby finds it (a lot) easier to gain milk from bottle, the baby would refuse to suckle. There will be no win case for mother's breast over bottle, even the lowest quality and lousiest design bottle ...

But it you must, spoon feed the baby instead, rather than bottle feeding. It is possible and workable.

3. TECHNIQUES - Positioning and Latching
During the stays in hospital, try to gain as much guidance as possible from the experts. There are TONS of helps when the mother is still in the hospital. At home, the mother is on their own. The confinement lady would generally not help you in breast feeding. In fact, some may even hinder progress, as they may be the "If got, got lor" attitude.

Dr. Ong also advised, if possible, staying few more days in the hospital for that reasons, instead of rushing home. Mothers often give up on breast feeding due to their ignorance.

4. COMMUNICATION
Mother MUST communicate to express her need. Nobody would know or oblige to know your need, if it isn't spelled out ...

If the monther has any specific preferrences on anything and everything, please make it clear to the nurses, in hospital. Keeping it with yourself does not good to everyone, including the mother and the baby.

It must also be cleared that some requests are not a standard practice as different mother may have different needs. When not sure, JUST ASK!!!

In the hospital, why hesitate to ask when you have already pay for the services?

That goes back to the spoon feeding mentioned above. Mother MUST inform the nurses to do that when it is so needed. It is not a standard practice to spoon feed the baby. In fact, it is easier for the nurses to feed baby with bottle.

5. Engorgement
It can be painful, yes. But mother is SOOOO close to the success. It will be a real pain if give up now. There are lots of ways to deal with engorgement. JUST ASK!!!

There are more on practicals, of course. But what good would the practicals be, if the mother can't even started? It is up to the mother.

From ME: Daddy can only be the finger pointing to the designation, not the designation. Mother has to get there herself.

A note to all daddy-to-be, don't bother to "educate" her about breast feeding when she is not ready to listen. Let the expert to do the job, a lot easier. But knowing that yourself is equally important. Your support is essential. JUST BE THERE FOR HER!!