Breastfeeding in Public

Here are some products that helped me breastfeed discreetly yet comfortably in public places:

1. Nursing brassiere - The removable cup flaps provide easy access.

2. Nursing wraps/bibs - They keep you covered while breastfeeding and keep your baby away from distractions while nursing.

3. Tube top - If you aren't comfortable with nursing wraps, a simple tube top can help keep you covered when nursing. Wear one under a shirt and just below your nursing bra. This way, when you pull up your shirt to nurse, your tummy area remains covered.

4. Nursing blouses - These blouses have hidden slits and panels for easy access. I got mine from Blissful Babes and Mommy Matters.

I also suggest that you practice at home by breastfeeding in front of a mirror so you'll get a good view of yourself and know how little of yourself is actually exposed. Be confident about breastfeeding in public. When people see that you are comfortable with what you're doing, they won't feel awkward as well. Lastly, remind yourself that breastfeeding is nature's way so there's really nothing to be ashamed of.

Latch

When I was halfway through my maternity leave, I began thinking (and worrying) about how I will be able to continue breastfeeding after I go back to work. Although I already found plenty of materials in the internet about my concern, I felt somewhat alone. I wanted to meet other breastfeeding moms. I wanted to hear what they have to say about breastfeeding while working.

Like an answered prayer, a TV ad caught my attention. It showed testimonies of breastfeeding moms and mentioned an organization that offers support to breastfeeding moms... Latch. I visited the website, sent an email about my interest in learning more about the group and its activities and asked for tips on how to continue breastfeeding even after I return to work. Within the day, I received a reply and became friends with one of their breastfeeding counsellors (Jen) who was very nice and patient in answering all of my questions.

I strongly recommend Latch (http://www.theperfectlatch.com) to moms and moms-to-be. It is a support group that conducts breastfeeding workshops and other services that will help moms know more about breastfeeding.

I guess this is my chance to thank Latch (and Jen) for all the support given to me. Up to now, my baby and I are still enjoying the amazing benefits of breastfeeding! Thanks, guys! You rock!

More Pointers on Breastfeeding (Part 2)

Yes, breastfeeding while working can work! Yes, it's possible and yes, many working moms have been successful in continuing to breastfeed even after they have returned to work. Again, the key is commitment and when you start to falter, remind yourself that this is the best choice for you and your baby.

Here are some tips that made breastfeeding while working work for me:
1. Find time to talk to your boss and your teammates about your decision to breastfeed. You need to express milk every three hours so it will help if they are aware of these adjustments in your schedule. Let them know about the advantages of breastfeeding so they will know where you are coming from. Remember, studies show that breastfed babies are usually healthier than formula fed babies. This means less number of days of having to take a leave from work to take care of a sick baby.
2. Now is the best time to test your time management skills. Plan your day. List down the things that you have to do and fix your schedule so that you will have the time to express your milk. In my case, I come to work early so I will have the chance to pump milk before office hours start. Morning and afternoon coffee breaks eventually became pumping sessions for me. I also express milk before I have lunch. As a result, I manage to squeeze in four pumping sessions during the day without affecting my usual work schedule. I'm confident you will also figure out a schedule that will work for you. The idea is to be able to express milk every 3-4 hours to maintain your milk supply.
3. You may want to invest on a double electric pump that is efficient in expressing breastmilk. Of course, you can always express milk manually. It's really a matter of choice. In my case, I decided to invest on a Medela Pump In Style unit. The product never failed me. It made pumping sessions convenient for me because it is very efficient in expressing milk. I am able to simultaneously empty both breasts in a matter of 10-15 minutes. The pump is also of good quality. I bought it when I had my second child and was still able to use the pump when I had my third baby.
4. If you have a refrigerator in the office, you may store the milk there during the day and transfer them into a handy cooler before you leave the office. Keep in mind though that your officemates may not be comfortable seeing breastmilk-filled bottles so you may want to put the bottles inside a paper bag so they'll go unnoticed.
5. Label every milk container with the time and the date you have expressed the milk so you will know when to discard them if unconsumed.
6. Nursing your baby should, ideally, be the last thing to do before leaving for work and the first thing to do when you arrive home. Inform the person looking after your baby if you are on your way home. You may want to have the last bottle skipped so that your baby will be ready to nurse the moment you arrive. Your baby is far more efficient in emptying your breasts than any other breast pump so nurse as much as you can.
7. You and your baby should be inseparable during the weekend. Breastfeed your baby during the weekend. This will help you maintain and even boost your milk supply.
8. During pumping sessions, try bringing with you a picture of your baby to help you relax. The let-down reflex is easier achieved when you're relaxed.
9. Make sure you have extra bottles or milk storage bags with you in case you need to stay late in the office.
10. Finally, maintain a positive attitude about the whole thing. Remind yourself that this is one thing only mommies can do so cherish the experience.

Again, I am happy that you have chosen to breastfeed. I hope that more and more moms will make the same decision. =)

Some Pointers on Breastfeeding (Part 1)

There are so many things that can be written about breastfeeding and while I am trying to put together the things I have gathered through personal research, I will share the ones I have learned through experience.

During pregnancy and the first few weeks after giving birth:
1. Read. Read. Read. Knowledge is power. You will know how to address your breastfeeding concerns when you educate yourself (as much as you can) about breastfeeding.
2. Equip yourself well. Like pregnancy, you will also go through many phases when breastfeeding so I suggest getting a book solely about breastfeeding to guide you along the way. Now you don't have to spend so much. That's what book sales are for! I found a copy of "The Nursing Mother's Companion" in one book sale store for only PhP70. It became my breastfeeding bible...quick reference to questions I had and quick fix for every discomfort as well (like sore nipples, plugged milk ducts, etc).
3. Having a partner who also believes in breastfeeding is also a great help. He will help you resist the temptation of resorting to formula.
4. Surround yourself with supportive friends and relatives. Learn from the experience of friends who have been there.
5. Be open to your OB-Gyne about your decision to breastfeed your baby so that necessary arrangements may be done with your hospital of choice.
6. After giving birth, you may think about having formula milk in the house, just in case. I had the same idea in mind during the first day. Up to now, I thank my hubby for reminding me about the things I have read about breastfeeding and for assuring me that my milk will come and our baby will be okay. And he was right. Having a can of formula in the house will only lure you to bottlefeed your baby and during the first few weeks when you are still adjusting to the routine (spelled out as engorged breasts and sore nipples), I tell you, that can of formula milk in the house will be a very tempting option. So make it easy on yourself... ban the can of formula in the house and give yourself a full chance to provide nourishment to your baby.
7. Nursing brassiere that fits well will also make breastfeeding easier for you because it has removable cup flaps providing easy access especially when breastfeeding in public.
8. Nursing pads will save you from milk stains on your blouse due to leaks. There are washable and disposable ones available in the market. Whichever you may choose to use, the bottomline is to make sure they're clean and changed often to avoid infection. I use Pigeon's disposable nursing pads. A box containing 36 individually wrapped nursing pads costs PhP300-400.
9. During the first few days, as milk comes in, your breasts will suddenly become engorged. The better choice is to nurse, nurse, nurse. You may also gently massage your breast while the baby is nursing to help relieve the discomfort.
10. Breastfeeding may be painful during the first few tries. Check if your baby is latched on properly. Like you, your baby is also getting used to breastfeeding so the important thing is to try and try until both of you have mastered the correct position and latch. For sore nipples, air drying them after feeding worked for me.

More tips on my suceeding posts!

Planning to Breastfeed?

When I started this mommy blog, I promised myself I will write something about breastfeeding. I am a mom of three boys. My first baby was mostly formula fed as I gave up on breastfeeding after the first month. I tried mixed feeding with my second baby. He was breastfed when we were together and was given formula milk when I was away. I was able to do this for nine months. Finally, my third baby was exclusively breastfed during the first six months of his life. Yes, not a single drop of formula milk touched his lips as I was more than determined to solely provide his nourishment. I started mixed feeding him during his 7th month, when he was ready to take solids as well. Simply put, I am a convert when it comes to breastfeeding.
Reality-check: Breastfeeding is not a bed of roses. It is a commitment as it can be challenging for the mom - physically and emotionally. At some point, a breastfeeding mom's social life may have to take a backseat because she is "tied down" to her baby especially during the early months when milk supply is still being established. A working mom, on the other hand, will have to find time to express milk every 3 hours during the day to keep the milk supply up. Breastfeeding in public is also an art that a breastfeeding mom should learn. In between all these, she will have to cope with sore nipples, leaking milk and plugged milk ducts from time to time.
Given all these, why, then, should you breastfeed?
Experience has taught me that to be successful in breastfeeding, one should be fully convinced that breastfeeding provides the best nourishment for a newborn. One should be a believer of the amazing benefits it can give not only to the newborn but to the mother as well so that no amount of discomfort or inconvenience can and will discourage you and make you change your mind about breastfeeding.
To do this, my only advice is: educate yourself about breastfeeding. Read as many materials as you can that talk about breastfeeding and its benefits. It is also equally important that you read about challenges you may face while breastfeeding. Becoming aware will help you learn how to cope with each difficulty that may come in the way. I assure you, everything you will read about breastfeeding will come in handy when you're actually there. I am also confident that breastfeeding your baby is one decision you will never regret.
To get you started, I will try to put together everything that I have learned about breastfeeding in another post and also try to give some breastfeeding tips that have done wonders for me. Meanwhile, hold that thought because you're on the right track in giving your baby only the best.