Breastfeeding must knows

This newsletter from Pregnancy Without Pounds came at just the right time.. I was wanting to find all these information to post here on breastfeeding. Hope you get some use out of it.

My pregnant friends, do you feel like you have all the information you need to successfully breastfeed?
Breastfeeding might be a natural process, but many new moms are surprised that they actually need to get the hang of it.
Read these 10 Breastfeeding Must-Knows below and spend your first moments enjoying your new baby instead of worrying about breastfeeding :) I must say that all of them are true (which is why I am posting it here) and I have added my own comments next to the tips ;)

Just as each pregnancy is a personal experience, so too is breastfeeding. In fact, I find there are typically 3 groups of moms:
1. Those who love it from the very first latch, never have a minute's pain and were practically born to nurse;
2. Those who have a hard time with sore nipples/milk supply/latching and find it hard to imagine that they'll ever love it; and
3. Those who decide that they are just NOT going to do it at all - it's not for them.

I DEFINITELY believe that breast is best (me, too!!) , but I know that it doesn't work for everyone. So as with all decisions that us moms have to make, get educated and do what YOU think is BEST for BOTH you and your baby.
If you do decide to give it a try (which I hope you do!), be sure to give yourself a chance to settle in. Although breastfeeding is a NATURAL process, it may take longer than you think to get used to it. This is so right. In fact, with Arthur, it took us about 2 weeks to get it right... but, we just weren't giving up.

That's right, as natural as nursing is, I know that I had TONS of questions. I must say I just couldn't stop researching and reading up on breastfeeding while I was pregnant. And, true enough, these were the recurring questions... and, no matter how much research, I was still in doubt... For example, I wanted to know if I had to prepare my nipples. I also wanted to know WHAT it would feel like and if it would hurt? And most importantly, I wanted to know HOW to actually feed.

So, here's my list of 10 Breastfeeding MUST-KNOWs (not only for mom, but also for baby!):
1. When your breasts get engorged for the first time (hello milk supply!!), apply a cool compress, like frozen peas. You can also try washed cold cabbage leaves (but don't leave them on too long they can drain your milk).
2. Drink lots of fluid. I know you've heard this before, but your hydration level REALLY affects your milk output. So aim for at least 8-10 glasses of water a day. Try to have a glass of water next to you whenever you're nursing. This is a really important tip especially to those who begin to wonder if they have enough milk. The thing is, milk is rarely not enough... it all depends on how you feed.. whether the baby latched on properly.. whether you are taking in enough fluid... I was about to give up but we were lucky enough to have met a doctor, Dr Amy, who'd gave us this advise... it REALLY made a big difference!

3. Keep away from spicy or garlicky foods, especially at the beginning. I slowly started introducing more foods at around 4 months and found it worked well. I did try this one out more than once. For me, I only dared introduce the curry and tom yam after Arthur is one. How? Well, I purposedly ate curry and then look out for abnormalities in behaviour while nursing and sure enough... he is very unsettled and indeed, was sucking and 'scolding' while he nursed.. yes, everytime I took curry... After a few times, I simply stayed away from curry. If you are thinking this is too much for you, curry lover... think again.. the result is a healthy baby with a great immune system!

4. DON'T wash your nipples with soap - warm water is good enough.
This is also very important as you do not want your little one to be sucking on all that soap... and, you do not need to wash it every time you feed, too. (maybe, laze moms would like this). Don't get me wrong.. I am not trying to discriminate here but some breastfeeding Moms I know actually told me they breastfed because they are lazy to wash and sterilise those bottles.

5. If your nipples get irritated and sore, squeeze some breast milk on to them and rub it in. Really, this works! You don't need any special gel or cream... though, if you have been feeding right and the baby did latch on, you will hardly get sore nipples.

6. RELAX! Stressing out WILL affect your milk supply, so do your best to "go with the flow". 7. Make sure your baby is latching on correctly from the VERY BEGINNING - this will ensure good eating and prevent sore nipples. Just in case you don't already know, a good latch means a wide-open mouth like a yawn over your areola. This is indeed the MOST IMPORTANT to note. If you have read my breastfeeding journey, you'd understand better. Anyway, as a new Mom, I lacked confidence in doing it right. As such, I nursed with some experienced Mothers around me.. MIL, Mom, Sis, Aunties... great, great No! Especially when all of them did not really breastfeed their own children. Did not really means... they simply gave up when people around them started to say things like "there's not enough milk"... "not enough nutrition".. etc... Really, determination is the key here especially when you do not belong to a family where breastfeeding is the norm. Have I told you that at intervals of time up til when Arthur is 12 months, my MIL was still trying to persuade me to stop breastfeeding? I know enough to bother with statements like these, now... So, get your own space, filled with pillows or however you see it comfy and let that be your breastfeeding space in the first few weeks... once you have established a good flow and gained enough confidence to be sure, you can almost breastfeed anywhere, even on the go! (with the help of the sling). Really, think of nursing while you walk around.. ;)

8. Expect to nurse often in the beginning. New babies eat at least 8 times in a 24-hour period. And don't worry if your feeds feel like they're REALLY long in the beginning, they DO get a lot shorter as your baby becomes more efficient at feeding! For Arthur, I must admit it was a tiring routine to begin with... he nursed almost every 1 1/2 hours!

9. When your baby is born his/her stomach is the size of a walnut, so don't panic if you feel he/she is not drinking a lot. Aim for small, frequent feeds (this info REALLY helped me out!). If you're at all concerned, don't be shy to ask your doctor. This is so, so true and this is where people around you will keep saying that your baby is not drinking enough.. especially when they don't see you nurse for a long time... even with bigger babies, once they get the hang of it, they can empty your breasts full of milk in less than 5 minutes! If your doctor doesn't understand, get a lactation consultant. I tried getting many advises from doctors but really, not all of them can provide useful enough information on this topic... even those who call themselves 'children specialist"... you'll know more if you read my Breastfeeding Journey I won't say I am an expert but really, with some of those doctors I met... I'll say it's better off seeking advises from people who did breastfeed successfully than with those doctors.

10. Make sure your baby has LOTS of wet diapers to keep hydrated. A baby should wet at least 6 diapers per day. Breastfeeding is a wonderful gift for both you and your baby - don't be scared. Also remember, though, that if breastfeeding doesn’t work for you, don’t beat yourself up over it - there are many more ways to look out for your little one’s well-being! This is also important! I must admit that I forgot to look out for this and Arthur was almost dehydrated! In the beginning, he only wet one nappy a day and Mom was wondering why... You see, Arthur was a bit different... as long as I gave him the breast when he cried, he is contented. We only knew later that he actually did not get enough milk in the very first few days... Don't worry too much about this.. just look out for those nappies!

Poetic Babywearer

Came across this in The Baby Wearer's Forum... simply must share it with you...

Ode to Healthy Babywearing

Use your sling wisely & use it well.

Are you doing it right?

Here's how you tell: Smile for your little one, holding her close and near

Check that her breathing is soft and clear.

Is there a round seat for her rump?

Legs below and her head above?

Carry your baby with comfort & love.

-L.Walthery

A Mei Tai or a Pod?

So, I was going to sew a Mei Tai, right? No... now, I am not sure which I'll be sewing.. a mei tai or a podaegi (pod) or both??! Maybe, you can give some comments on shich I shall try out with first.. considering I am to carry a 12kg toddler.

A little on each...

Mei Tai

(photo taken from www.meitaibaby.com)

Traditionally, the Chinese mei tai was a square or nearly square piece of cloth with parallel unpadded straps emerging from the sides of each corner. It was traditionally secured by bringing all the straps together in a twist with the ends tucked. The mei tai did not become well-known in the United States until 2003, when several designs that added padding, a longer body, longer top straps and a more "wrap like" tying method were created and made popular.

Podaegi

(photo taken from http://ellaroo.com/podaegi.php)

A podaegi (sometimes translated as podegi or podeagi) is a traditional baby carrier design from Korea. It is a piece of fabric that wraps around the mother and baby and is secured with two long sashes holding the baby in place on a mother`s back.

There are four (that we know of!) hands-free ways to carry the child, from infancy through toddler-hood, including one method that does not use the shoulders to carry baby's weight. This makes the podaegi particularly well-suited to a variety of body types and physical conditions. All of these characteristics come together in a versatile and practical baby carrier for anyone who needs to get things done.

If you've read Distribution of Baby's Weight, you'll know that the carriers used in babywearing your little one can generally be grouped into three - one shoulder, two shoulders and the torso carries.

While the Mei Tai is more like a wrap and shall be able to do most carries and distribute the weight all over the body, the Pod is more a torso carrier... then again, from the instructions, the pod looks much simpler to sew but it has a little extra blanket that will hang out, unlike the Mei Tai, which is all tucked... which looks better to you? Which one are you more interested in to see a blog on?

"We don't go out often"

That's probably the most I've heard from the last market day in my attempt to promote the sling to those who are carrying their babies. It simply means that they view the sling as something one would use to carry their babies when they are out and about... in other words, replacing the stroller.

Well, I have been thinking of it ever since. I am not a very good seller. At such comments, I'd usually just give them a smile and accept the comment. Just as those who'd told me that they are pregnant... those who'd prefer their maids/caregivers to carry their babies... how much do you think I should tell them without them feeling that "You are just trying hard to sell your slings!". How far can I go on to truly share with these people the joy behind having their babies close to them, out or at home?

I am sure that there are moments when we are at home that babies cry for attention. Whether they are fussy, parents/caregivers will know that they are those times... whether they are a tiny newborn or a toddler two.. they are those times... Believe me... there are those times. This is when babywearing helps.. A LOT.

Sharing with you my occassions with babywearing at home... I've worn Arthur while I was doing the laundry, while using the computer, at times when we just want to stand by the windowsill to enjoy the scenes... of course, for play, too. I'm sure there are more than these but I just can't get it out right now.

Perhaps, it is because I am a Stay At Home Mom without a helper/maid/assistant or whatever you may call them. So, really, it's just Arthur and I at home most of the time and sometimes he can really be very clingy.

The Malaysian culture has it in such a way that most homes (at least those I know of) have a helper... where both parents need to work to bring in the bread. So, if the parents are tired.. the duty is simply passed on to the carer or kakak (Indonesian maid). I heard on the radio one day.. sad but true... the first ones Malaysian babies learn to greet these days is "Kakak". I didn't want that for sure... My baby, at six months, started showing his preference towards his then caregiver over me... that's why I decided to quit.

But then again, aren't there moments when you got home from work.. eventhough you are tired, that you wish to have your baby close to you?? Well, at moments like this.. just wear them... effortlessly... ;)

The next comment that came up most?? "Ohh... isn't that similar to what Kakak is using to carry baby?"... think about it.

Distribution of baby's weight

If you have been researching on baby slings, you would have come across many different styles of slings available. Ring sling, pouch sling, wraps, mei tai, podeagi.. just to name a few. Yes, there are more available and the differences is in how they are constructed.

If you have been following this blog, you would know by now that I strongly recommend the pouch sling as it has given me the confidence and convenience I needed. Simply the best, for me.

However, in my mission to promote babywearing, I am aware that you may be aware and curios of other slings that are available (or not available) in the market, too. So, this is to share with you my research, comparing the different types of carrier.

Basically, the slings can be grouped into three: whether it uses your torso, one shoulder or two shoulders in supporting your baby's weight.

Torso : Torso carries are excellent because they distribute your child's weight to your lower body and do not put any stress on your neck, shoulders or upper back at all. However, they are not as secure for heavier babies as with small babies. Here, we are talking about the wraps, podeagi or even our very own sarong.


One shoulder : Usually easy to learn and versatile to use, this is known to be good for small to medium sized babies. However, if used to carry a heavy toddler for long hours, this may just not be the best. Depending on the length of time that it is being used for at one go, it might also work well with heavier babies. The most common one shoulder slings that you can see available are the ring slings and the pouch slings. However, a wrap or the sarong can also be your one shoulder sling！

Two shoulders : Though more complicated and not very user-friendly, the two shoulders type slings are known to be the most comfortable slings around as they are able to distribute the weight to be where you want it to be! Anything you wish to do with any baby carrier, you can do with a wrap! Takes time to learn, though.. I am trying this out at the moment. Try it out, too! You can make yourself a no sew sling in no time! Mei tais belong to this category, too.

Arthur is a growing baby. At almost 12 kgs now, I must admit that he is pretty heavy to be worn for long hours in a pouch sling. I used to wear him for 4-5 hours when I was on a shopping spree without much strain. However, about a week ago, I had him in the pouch for about 2 hours and I can feel that my legs (thighs) are getting tired... maybe it's from all the walking around... maybe it's Arthur (cos my legs are meant to carry myself?)... no back pain or sore arms, though.

Then again, it was 2 hours! What do you expect? There are occassions that I had to carry Arthur with my bare arms (like when getting off the car and into the house)... my arms feel tired and aching only after 10 minutes or so!

Anyway, as Arthur is growing and I read that the two shoulders types slings are better with heavier babies, I might just try to sew a mei tai... not sure if anyone else would be interested in this, though...