Sudden drop of milk supply

Last month I experience a sudden drop of milk output. It happen so suddenly, the day before I can pump out 5oz for two session, then suddenly drop to less than 2oz for two sessions! I was puzzled, and thought to myself if its something that I ate or did I do something differently, was I stress? Only a few days later that I realise the reason behind the sudden drop of milk output, my ovulation has started. Fortunately, its only temporary, once my period comes, my milk output back to normal. That is why, it is important not to jump to conclusion that your milk is dropping and stop pumping. Eventhough I experience the low output of milk when I pump, I still continue pumping and massaging my breast, so that I'm still able to continually breastfeeds my baby. My baby is now 10 month old, he is an active child. I hope I'm able to breastfeed him, so that he'll grow up healthy.

Please don't throw your baby like its a rag doll !!!

I went down just now to buy myself a pack of Milo 3-in-1, on my way out I saw a picture that made the headline, the picture of a baby boy, about the same age as my son. The boy was crying, and looks shivering. I read the story briefly, the baby was thrown into the sea by the mother itself!! How could she do that?? She is a beggar who was trying to avoid raid by the officers during an anti-vagrancy operation (in Tawau). I cannot comprehend what is on her mind when she decided to ditch her baby in the sea. What is wrong with our society nowadays? All I can think of is that she is probably an illegal immigrant, or probably not her own baby or maybe not in the right mind, but even so, I still cannot understand how a mother could do that to her own child. What happen to her motherly instinct? What happen to her conscience? I won't even throw a kitten or puppy into the sea. I won't even leave my baby for a second (if I'm not working), I would do anything I can to protect my baby, that is what we call motherly instinct, and this person has none of it. Even animal has a motherly instinct to protect their young. It breaks my heart to see the picture of the baby, it was as if I'm looking at my own baby, crying, shivering and alone. This is the sad truth of our society nowadays, abandoned baby in the dumpster, throwing baby from the building (already been a few cases in Peninsular), and now throwing baby in the sea to avoid raid, doesn't make sense, does it? What are we as a society can do in our part to avoid all this sad news from recurring again and again? Can we teach a person on how to be a mother? We may teach them on how to care for their child, how to bath the baby, how hold the baby and how to breastfeed them, in this process may create a bond between mother and child.
Honestly speaking, before I've a child I always wonder if I can be a good mother, can I give my baby the love and care that he deserve? For me, its a learning process for a first time mother. But through out this time, I grow to love my baby more and more each day. The learning process involved how to bath my baby, hold him in my arms, sing to him, breastfeed him, change his diaper, feed him when he's hungry, comfort him when he cries, read him bible stories, play with him and laugh with him. This process create a bond between me and my child. I make an effort to learn how to care for my baby and provide him with the best that I can give. I bought books about parenting and read a lot of articles from Internet. I'm a working mother and only able to spend time with my baby after work and during weekends, and because of this, I make an effort to spend quality time with him and playing with him as much as I can. I don't want to look back and says ' I wish I've spend more time with him, now that he's all grown up, he has his own friends...' and ponder of how time flies. I will give my baby as much love and care that he deserves, because now is the time when he needs me the most.
For me, breastfeeding creates the bond between me and my baby that no one else can replace, breastfeeding is the only special moment for us. And for that, I'm thankful that I'm able to breastfeed him (even if not exclusively), I'm thankful for the Malaysia's government effort to promote breastfeeding among mothers, I'm also thankful for the many information I got from people even strangers from around the world for their sharing in breastfeeding. 
It's not always smooth sailing, there are times when I felt too tired (in the early months) and sleep deprived, having my mother and husband and a helper around to take shift when I needed them to really helps a lot. It is important to have at least one more person to help especially in the early months. You can't handle everything yourself, even if you can, stress will eventually get to you and you will eventually create a sense of resentment towards your child.
Dear mothers everywhere, you can buy the best toy in the world for your baby, but at the end of the day, he only wants your companion and your love. Even if he has a hundred toy lying around for him, without someone (a mother) to play with him and laugh with him, its just going to a meaningless thing lying around. This is the time for you to nurture him, so that he will grow respecting others and loving others as you've taught him love.

Unwanted babies

I read the news today, and yet again another sad news regarding abandoned babies. It breaks my heart each time I read this type of news. I cannot imagine how a mother can carry a baby for nine months only to abandon them after they're born. The worst is when I read about the young mother who threw her baby from the 3rd floor of a building, what kind mother would do that to a baby? A monster probably, cold blooded person without any conscience. A child is a gift from God, as a mother, we've the responsibilities to take care of them and nurture them. Some couples try so hard to conceive, having to go through disappointment after disappointment only to be able to have a child of their own. Yet some other people doesn't even appreciate this precious little life.
Being a mother, I cannot understand whats on this cold blooded monster minds. I would give anything for my baby, even life itself. 

Interesting book and article about breastfeeding

Every now and then, I do some research about breastfeeding. Especially on how to increase breast milk. This website really helps me a lot, and I hope will benefit other mother as well. I learn a lot through this website regarding breastfeeding.
One book that I enjoy reading is "The Breastfeeding Mothers Guide to Making More Milk". It has a lot of information regarding breastfeeding, if you've always wondered why your milk is low, this is a good book to read. I hope you will find it useful as much as I did.

Simple things baby do that gives us joy

My little one just turn 8 months, everyday is full of surprises. I always give him his stuff toy (Ducky), and each time he play with his ducky, he always look at the ducky hair moving (because of fan) with full of interest. Last night the same, so I showed him how the ducky hair moves by blowing at it, to my surprise, he started making the same blowing expression as I did towards the ducky hair. That moment is just too cute, he is learning new things day by day.
He doesn't like to be left alone, even when I'm just around the corner. He enjoys having me or my husband playing with him. It's good too, because babies learn a lot by monitoring what other people do, spend more time playing with your baby to help him with his development. I just bought new toys for him, to occupied his time, but also to help with his development.

How to increase and maintain milk supply?

I've been breastfeeding my baby for almost 8 months now, I'm glad that I'm able to maintain my milk supply. Like many mothers who prefer breastfeeding, I always try to find ways to increase my milk supply. I tried many methods other mothers tried and succeed, such as, papaya soup (raw papaya, sliced and cook as soup) and fish bone soup (you can find the recipe here). Some mothers seems to be lucky to have abundant of milk supply, probably due to genetic. I envy those who are able to produce 4oz - 8oz per pumping session, and I thought that I should produce such amount, I only realise (after reading books and articles about breast milk) that average women only able to produce around 2oz or 3oz of milk per session (both breast). Those who are able to pump 4oz and up are over supply (how lucky!). I should count my blessing, because atleast I'm still able to pump out milk at this time (almost 8month now). Although I find that on a good day, I'm able to pump 4oz (very rarely), but most of the time only manage to pump 3oz, and certain time 2oz or nothing at all. It makes you wonder why the inconsistency, doesn't it? I think our mood and the way we think does effect our milk output. Some says that if you're under stress or depress, milk supply will be low.
Our diet also does affect our milk output, we should eat balance healthy diet because the nutrient in our food will eventually goes to our milk. Its true that breastfeeding women gets hungry faster. I always feels extra hungry after every feed for my baby, and extra thirsty too, so I always make sure I've my snack and a bottle of water nearby and I never skip a meal. Oat milk drink and oat cookies are two things that I always make sure I've enough stock. Oat milk can improve milk supply, and its good for our body too, not to mention delicious to eat and drink. I also find that if I eat food that is extra oily, my milk output is more, such as margarine (on loaf of bread) or fried noodle or chicken with skin (steam chicken). If you're afraid of gaining weight because you keep eating, I can tell you that as long as I'm breastfeeding, I still maintain my pre-pregnancy weight until now.
Drinking lots of water also helps to maintain your milk supply. I drink atleast 3 bottles (1800ml) of water each day, even at work, we need to make sure that our body is not dehydrated. Every morning for breakfast I will drink a glass of oat milk or oat meal drink (3-in-1) and two sandwiches (kaya and margarine), and lots of water through out the day. But it doesn't mean that you have to force yourself to drink, just make sure you're not thirsty and don't drink too much carbonated drinks.
Some women take galactagogue to increase their milk supply, however, I find that it only works for some women. I did take recommended galactagogue such as fenugreek, but it didn't work any wonders for me. I also tried Sacred Tea for Nursing Mothers, it is able to maintain my milk supply but didn't really increase my milk supply to double or triple as it did to some lucky women. It's worth a try as a last resort. But make sure you've done your research first and better to consult your doctor before taking any galactagogue.

Letting your baby suckle your milk often can also increase milk supply, and hence the concept more demand more supply. The more you breastfeed your baby, the more milk comes in. If you're working, it is good to have a dual electric pump, and express your milk every 3 - 4 hours for at least 10minutes each session. However, some mothers say that they express better with hand or manual pump, therefore it depends on each individual. I usually express my milk at lunch time and before going home for 10-15minutes. Thinking about your baby while expressing will help letting down and the flow of milk, I don't have problem with this as I think about my baby all the time.

If you really need help in breastfeeding or the technique of breastfeeding, you may contact your lactation consultant in your area. If you reside in Sabah, Malaysia, you can call the admin at Likas Hospital for the contact. I still have their contact, if you need it, you may email to me at smallwonders33@gmail.com.
Baby brings joy in our life, provide him with the best, your milk contain the best nutrient your body can give, and whats more, its free.
Playtex Drop-Ins System - Breast Milk Storage Kit

My delivery story

During my pregnancy time, I'm one of those people who wanted to have a normal delivery for my baby. My husband and I went for the pre-natal course, and they taught us various techniques of exercise to do prior to the delivery day. Honestly, I did follow the steps they taught us probably for a few days then I stop. I'm just too lazy and my belly is too huge so I couldn't be bothered to do it, excuses after excuses, which I now regret. Everyday, I'll tell myself I'll do it next week, after all, it's still a long wait, weeks turn to months and that day finally came. I was like 'Uh Oh!', too late. So, for you ladies out there who is still pregnant, remember to do your exercise, you have to find a way to motivate yourself, having a supportive husband is a plus.
I find that my delivery story is somewhat funny. It was New Year's Eve, and like every year, my dad will have free tickets for New Year's Eve Dinner Buffet at Shangrila. I consider myself one of those lucky preggers who're able to eat anything they want without any problem. I probably eat too much that night that my water just broke. But I didn't feel any pain, we went to the hospital anyway to check in. The nurses ask me whether I feel any contraction, and I ask her back 'What does contraction feels like?' so the answer is obviously no. The private hospital I went to has a nice single room with a plasma TV and a private bathroom. I wish I've taken a shower that night because the day after the delivery, I can't even wash my hair (due to confinement). I was waiting anxiously until finally I felt my contraction, it was slow at first, then it becomes more frequent and painful to the point I can't even stand and need my hubby AND the nurse to massage my back to relieve the pain. I can't describe the pain, it was everywhere from my hip to my tummy. At that moment, I felt really blessed to have a supportive and caring husband by my side until the moment I gave birth. After 8 agonising hours of pain, my doctor finally came to check on me again and he told me 'Only 3cm', that means 7 more cm to go. According to him, it usually takes 1 hour for the pelvic to open for 1cm, and in my case it takes longer because my contraction is not frequent (every 3-5minutes). He give me two option, to wait or to arrange for surgery, I decided to wait another 4 hours. He came again after 4 hours and check on me, it remain 3cm, which means either induce labor (which means to wait another 6 more hours of excruciating pain) or surgery. My hubby who can't stand to see the pain I'm enduring, beg me to go c-section. After we decided for surgery, I've to wait another hour for the operating theater to be available. That one hour is the longest one hour I ever felt, the pain is worst than the pain I felt the past 12hours, every minute I ask my hubby where's the doctor, where's the nurse, omg, I can't do this anymore I tell him. Finally they prepare me for delivery, and my hubby who is as scared as I was, hold my hand through the process. And finally we heard our little prince cry, and from that moment on, I forgot about the pain I felt before and all I felt is pure happiness. Nothing in this world can describe the pain I felt, but if I was to relive the process all over again for my baby, I would do it ten times more if I have to.
It was New Year's day, and the happiest day of our life. From that day on... our life begins a new and exciting chapter with our bundle of joy.