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| March 27, 2011; Medical City |
The benefits are numerous. At its most basic, it is the most natural sustenance a mother can give to her baby. It contains antibiotics that protects baby from infection and the onslaught of various sickness. Psychologically, it also strengthens the bond between mother and child and increases the baby's self-esteem.
So, when my first son, Nico was born, despite the fact that he was born through c-section, I did everything I could to ensure that Nico gets my milk although I know he had been fed formula milk already because he had to be incubated and my milk just was not flowing.
But, I did not give up. The doctor said, I just had to pump my breast regularly even though there was no milk flowing. I could not visit my son for breast feeding in the first three days because he had respiratory issues that the pedia said was normal. Nico was a big baby -- but he was in an incubator. I continued to regularly pump my breast.
When I was allowed to go home on the fifth day after Nico's birth, I continued my routine, and it was at home, in the middle of the night, when milk started to trickle to the milk bottle. On our first visit, on Nico's 6th day, I was able to give Nico at least 2 ounces of breast milk.
I continued with my breast pump routine, until I was able to regularly provide milk for Nico which was also getting better everyday. We were able to bring him home on the 10th day.
I fed Nico every three hours following the routine of a baby book I read. And as advised by the nurses in the Nursery, I fed him 15 minutes per breast.
However, after his second month, I started to store the extra milk that I had in the freezer. This enabled me to keep a regular feeding routine for Nico, measuring and regulating the amount of milk that he took. It became easy for me to come to work from time to time. But, it was only on the 6th month that I was able to go back to my regular work routine. Until that time, I continued pumping milk regularly and storing it.
There was even a time when I had to attend a conference in Cebu and I continued with my routine, going to my hotel room in the middle of the day to pump milk and storing it in the mini-bar's freezer. I bought a thermal bag just so I could hand carry the frozen breast milk. I had to explain to the airport inspectors what it was so they could allow me to bring it. I stored it in disposable ziplock bags that were made especially to store milk.
When Rocky came, I did not waver in my choice of breastfeeding him. On Day 2 after his birth, I was already at the Nursery breast feeding him. I did not have to go through the difficult time of regularly pumping nothing. My milk flowed immediately after a few seconds of Rocky's latching.
To me, breastfeeding is a no-brainer choice. I believe its for everyone who wants the best for her baby. If there is anything I want to share to others who want to breastfeed their child it will be the following:
1. Everything starts with a conscious decision to breastfeed your baby. With that decision, one should start to research and read the literature. I know it is natural for a mom to feed her baby, but the literature, the testimonies will make you become more open to the experience and make you realize that there are difficulties that can be overcome.
2. It is not required but truly a wonderful bonus if your husband is supportive of your desire to breast feed. During the first few attempts of pumping out milk and nothing was coming out, it was my husband who accompanied me in those frustrating moments. It had to be him because it was only with him that I was comfortable showing my mammary glands. I don't think I would have been comfortable even with my own mother. He also was up with me in those late nights and early mornings when I had to pump milk and my baby was still in the Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). He continued to give me support even with Rocky, my second baby.
3. Don't give up. The first few attempts will frustrate you, specially if you are a first time mom. Just don't give up. Take moringa capsules to stimulate your milk glands if needed. Drink a lot of milk and eat a lot of soupy food. My favorite was "tinola" (local chicken soup). Help yourself to produce the milk that you need.
4. Breast feeding is practical. I have to admit that the reason why I breastfed Rocky longer than Nico (Rocky breastfed until his 7th month, Nico only up to 4 months), was the high cost of infant formula. At around Rocky's fifth month, Mon and I decided to mix feed Rocky in preparation to feeding him soft food for his 6th month. Mon was in charge of buying the formula. Once, I had to buy it because the milk was about to run out and he was still at work, I was so shocked that a can of powdered formula was P1,200 - P1,600. This was just preposterous. We did not spend much for formula because when Rocky turned 6 months, he preferred soft food. So between baby food and my breast milk, there was little room for the formula milk. Stage 2 baby formula though is a lot cheaper than newborn infant formula. So, now we are feeding him soft baby foods with Stage 2 formula (Nan Two).
5. Breastfeeding also is a major way to lose weight after giving birth. I was 73 kilos the week I gave birth to Rocky. Two weeks after that, when I went to my OB for my regular check up, I was only 63 kilos. 10 kilos lost in the first week alone which I attribute to breastfeeding. Now, I am only 60 kilos. Rocky is now on his 10th month.
6. Finally, it truly helps if you have faith in God and you pray a lot. I did pray a lot during the frustrating times when milk would not come. I truly believed and trusted that this miracle of sustenance will be provided for me and my sons. So, I never doubted that I will have milk for my boys.
So, to all of you who are still choosing between breast milk and formula for your baby, choose breast milk. It is good for your baby and also good for you.
