Behind the Myth.
As i am in the joy of knowing there are 6 happy couples around me who are pregnant (in almost the same timing too! yayy for baby bloom!), i feel the urge to write some knowledge based on my personal experience on my early days on breastfeeding. You know, to justify my midnight googling and endless parental seminar and tons of borrowed books about it.
Here's a list of myths about breastfeeding that need to be busted (pun intended, momma.) and how i swallow my chill pill and surviving it till this date :)
Myth #1: Breastfeeding is easy.
NOT TRUE!
Breastfeeding is the hardest encounter from my 9 month pregnancy till my son is 1 year old. It does get easier for my second kid, but does not mean i get to skip the bleeding breast, the engorged and sore breast, and the high fever and fatigue part.
How to make it better? Firstly, get a good start by learning it beforehand. Get experienced help and engage Lactation Consultant, especially while we still in the hospital after the delivery, it is the best time to learn by doing together with your baby. Make a daily appointment and be kiasu about it, ask many many many questions.
Secondly, for the hard pain of trial and error during the beginning (probably 2-4 weeks to get the mom and baby set a good routine) is unavoidable. These are the main reason for many mommies to quit early, but trust me, don't. Think and appreciate it as a special bonding moment just for the two of you (it doesn't last forever). And remember, the baby is as blank as you are.
Myth #2: I have small breasts, I cannot breastfeed.
NOT TRUE!
Well, lets not define a woman by the cup size she wears. Let me enlighten you with the truth: Breast size does not equal breast capacity. Breast Milk comes from Glandular tissue, not fat tissue. The fact that many mommies failed were purely psychological and other time it is because of improper latching technique. The improper latch leads to decreasing milk supply, and within 2 months, it will be auto switch off.
How to make it better?
Firstly, believe in yourself that your body can produce enough milk. Secondly, If the problem lies on the latching, try power pumping it.
(check my previous set routine)
Tips:
Prolactin levels (the hormone responsible for milk production) are highest at night, so those night latching (or pumping sessions) are important for milk production.
Myth #3: Breastfeeding will cause my breasts to sag.
Hmm.... Somewhat not true.
My obgyn told me that breast sagging is due hormonal change during pregnancy stage, not breastfeeding. What happen is our breast ligaments stretches almost double the size (i went from size 34 to 38, sometimes 40!) As we dont have muscle inside our breast, we cant simply tighten it back to its original perky form.
How to make it better?
He also mentioned that we can try to do lots of swimming or arm exercises to try to slightly tighten it back. But, as much as we want to be the hottest mommy right after giving birth, we need to learn to love our new body and appreciate each scars and mark, a reminder of much love we are capable to give for our little angels... Anyway, if image is really important to you, the right kind of bra (and the right kind of husband) will give the confidence back at you in no time :)
Myth #4: Breastfeeding helps you lose weight.
TRUE!... i think.
Our bodies burn almost 20 calories to make just an ounce of breast milk. Yay!! The bad part is, those hunger will also creeping in your mind and tummy too. I keep on snacking and digging through my fridge to find edible things almost every 2 hours. While diet is not allowed on breastfeeding, overeating might lead to add weight.
How to make it better?
So what is the best calorie intake?
Extra 300-500 calories per day in addition to our daily intake before pregnancy. I always believe in exercise can do so much more than just a diet. But of course, the term exercise now is changed to bottle washing, carrying your baby to sleep, and cleaning up the toys.
What about fluid intake? yes please. My personal experience on drinking water after i pump or nurse makes a huge difference. It really gets filled up within 2-3 hours.
What about milk? If you really like milk, go ahead and drink it! However, try to take fresh milk instead of pregnancy milk, as a nurse told me that it is all filled with fat content. It is meant for mommy who had problems on their diet, these sort of milk is good to replenish what is lost. A normal healthy diet of vegetables, fruits, grains and proteins is
all we need. And for the last thing,
mommy, we do not need to drink milk to make milk.
Myth #5: Breastfeeding mom won’t know if her baby had enough milk.
NOT TRUE!
This thought always worries me every time i do a direct latch, i would rather pump it out and see how much milk my baby can drink and how long can it last till she gets hungry again. If you happen to be curious mom like me, do try pumping it out sometimes. But if you are set for 100% direct latch, then there is a trick to find out:
Check your baby's diaper. If its wet and heavy, then you dont have anything to worry about. Do note that your baby need to nurse anytime he or she wants for at least 2month before two of you develop on a fix routine.
Myth #6: Breastfeeding ties the mom down.
NOT TRUE!
After my experience with Nayaka, which i failed to do direct latch, the time consumed for bottle washing, pumping, sterilizing were actually a lot more hassle and time consuming. When we need to get some fresh air to the nearest mall, it feels like i need to carry the whole kitchen and baby room with me. With Nadia doing direct latch, it is soooo much simpler! We just need to bring a nursing cover. And, if its not for the sake of going back to work, i want to eliminate the pumping sessions altogether ;D
How to make it better?
Practice makes perfect!
*fist up high*
Myth #7: No milk (or not enough) during the first 3 days after birth.
NOT TRUE!
Firstly, newborn babies delivered fresh from the oven has a capability to survive 72 hours (that is 3 days) without food. So do not get panic if you have little or less milk coming out these first few days.
Secondly, based from this
chart, we know that there are different stages of breast milk. The first stage is called Colostrum.
Colostrum production are in small amount but they are thick and filled with the best antibodies, perfect for our newborn's tiny tummy. A way to determine the size of our baby's stomach is by their fist.
Important thing to remember, Breast Milk is easily and quickly digested, so your newborn might get hungry again after 2 hours. Personally i would nurse as and when Nadia needs, there was a point where i am not sure that she might just need it for comfort instead of hunger, yet after 2 weeks we managed to get our routine right.
Myth #8: There is no such thing as nipple confusion
NOT TRUE!
My pediatrician told me that babies takes a different skills to master latching on from our nipple and latching on from artificial nipple (bottle teats). So when your baby gets a slow milk flow from the breast and then gets rapid flow from a bottle, he or she will figure out quickly what they prefer to. That explain Nadia's gagging when we first time introduce her to the milk bottle when she's about 1 months old. But soon after 2 days, she has mastered it. And now she even loves to drink water straight from my tumbler. It is fascinating how our little ones adapt to our lifestyle :) While many breastfeeding fanatics suggest no bottle feeding for the next 4 month, i was yearning for my (at least) 5 hour straight sleep.
Same goes to the exclusive latching. Sometimes the baby will need you just for comforter, cuddler, pacifier, whatever you name it. After 4 months of exclusive breastfeeding, the baby will most likely turn down the bottle too.
How to make it better?
Personally i wouldn't want 100 percent of neither side (also my maternity leave only covers for 3 months). Sooner or later we need to introduce the bottle slowly, so we gave her once or twice per day using the bottle and increase to only day time. While night time is good to direct latch, mainly because less hassle to wake up and prepare the milk (more sleeping time!); as well as the Prolactin level is high at night time (which hopefully means longer Breast Milk supply!)
Myth #9: There is no value in giving Breast Milk after 12 months because the quality of breast milk begins to decline after six months.
NOT TRUE!
The composition of human milk changes to meet the changing needs of baby as he or she matures. That is why i promise myself to take less of junk food (altho sometimes i am guilty of yummy indomie for supper) and take better quality food intake. Sometimes when Nadia had constipation, i try to eat banana and papaya more often too. That is the beauty of Breast Milk and that special relationship between mom and her babies. :)
What about formula milk? Truth is, the advertising company has been hardworkingly doing its part to promote the goodness of each brand and being competitive to one another. But as compared to Breastmilk, which has over 300 ingredients including white cells, antibacterial and antiviral agents etc. Formula milk has only 40 (non-living) ingredients.
Myth #10: You Shouldn't Nurse if You're Sick
IT DEPENDS.Unless your breast has some infection that the doctor asked to throw away all the pumped milk (i had major hard time doing it when i had mastitis) Continuing to breastfeed while you have a cold or the flu actually helps protect your baby from that same illness. The antibodies will be passed down to your baby everytime she nurse. Another reason why Breast Milk is considered as a powerful fluid for your baby.
Bonus Myth: If You Don't Nurse, You're a Bad Mom.
YOU DECIDE.
I have my ups and downs during breastfeeding my 2 little angels. From Nayaka, being a new mom, i hate that desperate-panic-expression he made when he couldnt latch on properly. It made me panic too. My milk supply was low and almost negative. We decided to get Formula milk. which 2 days later after we bought, my milk supply miraculously comes out and i even had oversupply by the 3rd months. However, due to pumping only without a direct latch, my breastmilk only last till Nayaka is 8 months old.
With Nadia, i have made a promise to do it better from the start, learning it intensively at the hospital and never give in to Nadia's cry. Till today (Nadia is 10mth and 6days old) i am still breastfeeding her.
I had my oversupply again, but this time around is not as bad. We started to introduce Nadia to the Formula milk too, once a day or every 2-3 days. So that she can have a taste.
So mommies, if after all is done and for some reason you have decided not to breastfed, it doesnt make you a failed mom. Provide your baby with formula milk that you believe and feel good about, and move on. dont get stressed all over it. Your baby will be healthy and happy with your love and care :)
Thaaaat is my long list *phew* i hope it is useful for you mommies (and future mommies to prepare!)
Now, did i miss anything? any mommies out there wants to add on?
4. Add the sugar in 3 stages, beating for a few seconds after each addition. 
5. Spoon the batter into the prepared soufflé dish / ramekins until it reaches the top. Use the back of a knife / spatula to smoothen the top surface. Wipe any excess batter 
After removing from oven, using a small sieve, decorate with icing sugar and your 
