Every mom who's breastfed even for a day knows the pain that can be caused by engorgement (when the breast is not emptied properly due to infrequent or inadequate feedings). Engorgement can actually reduce you to tears. Your breast becomes hard and full. Putting your baby to your breast is not a solution because it will only make matters worse because your baby will not be able to latch on because your breasts are so full. Consequently, baby will start crying and you breasts will hurt even more. :( It's a sad picture I know... but it's a very painful one that I hope you'll never experience like I did.
Well, there are two things you will need in this case: the miracle balm and a breastpump. The miracle balm is... Bag Balm! Not available in Kuwait, but if you need some, let me know and I'll send some your way.
The way to use it is in the shower:
- Apply it liberally on the engorged breast(s) and massage.
- Stand under lukewarm/warm water and continue to massage.
- Ta-da... you will feel instant relief because you'll be dripping milk. :)
Then you can either try putting your baby to your breast or pump a bit (like 2 mins) if you feel it is still difficult for the baby to latch on to the nipple.
Showing posts with label Breastfeeding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Breastfeeding. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Breastfeeding
It's saddening to realize that we live in a part of the world that is currently going through an anti-breastfeeding phase. I really hope it's a phase. Almost all the women I've talked to had little or no support when they ventured into breastfeeding. Either no one helped them through the first couple of days by showing them how it's done or at any minor obstacle they were encouraged to stop.
The Medela website states, "Though breastfeeding is natural, the technique is a learned skill and it may take time and patience for you and your baby to master it. As you become more practiced, breastfeeding will become easier and more pleasurable." This is very true.
Without the proper guidance, coaching and support at the beginning, many women opt to resort to formula. Unfortunately many of the cases I've heard about were situations where the mom could have continued to breastfeed.
One major issue with new moms is, "I'm not producing enough milk!" Trust me every mom produces the right amount of milk for her baby. Resorting to formula as a supplement actually makes your milk supply decrease! The only way to increase your milk supply is to let your baby stay at your breast for as long as s/he wants provided s/he doesn't fall asleep at the breast. The way to measure if your baby is getting enough milk is by counting wet diapers. There should be 6 wet diapers in every 24 hour period. I had a calendar posted up on my closet when my kids were born and I would mark each wet diaper on it. That helped calm me down especially when Mimi was an infant. I had trouble with her latching on because she spent the first week of her life in the NICU and they gave her a bottle so we had a hard time adjusting to breastfeeding. But I was adamant about it even through the engorgement, the sore and bleeding nipples, and the tears. We enjoyed a year and a half of breastfeeding after that (up until I was 3 months pregnant with Oullie).
Other common myths are:
- women who have a c-section can't breastfeed
- women with inverted nipples can't breastfeed
Every woman can breastfeed if she puts her mind to it... even adopting mothers can breastfeed! It's all about educating yourself about the subject prior to embarking on it. A book that I found really helpful was: The Nursing Mother's Companion.
On a final note, also from the Medela website, "No formula can duplicate the unique properties of breastmilk, no matter how many vitamins, minerals and supplements are added to what is basically a chemical formulation."Gosh, even formula packages indicate that "breastmilk is the best food for babies"!
Give your baby the best milk.... give him/her breastmilk. :)
P.S. Maybe I should start a breastfeeding support network. Those of you who are interested, please let me know and we'll start something like La Leche.
The Medela website states, "Though breastfeeding is natural, the technique is a learned skill and it may take time and patience for you and your baby to master it. As you become more practiced, breastfeeding will become easier and more pleasurable." This is very true.
Without the proper guidance, coaching and support at the beginning, many women opt to resort to formula. Unfortunately many of the cases I've heard about were situations where the mom could have continued to breastfeed.
One major issue with new moms is, "I'm not producing enough milk!" Trust me every mom produces the right amount of milk for her baby. Resorting to formula as a supplement actually makes your milk supply decrease! The only way to increase your milk supply is to let your baby stay at your breast for as long as s/he wants provided s/he doesn't fall asleep at the breast. The way to measure if your baby is getting enough milk is by counting wet diapers. There should be 6 wet diapers in every 24 hour period. I had a calendar posted up on my closet when my kids were born and I would mark each wet diaper on it. That helped calm me down especially when Mimi was an infant. I had trouble with her latching on because she spent the first week of her life in the NICU and they gave her a bottle so we had a hard time adjusting to breastfeeding. But I was adamant about it even through the engorgement, the sore and bleeding nipples, and the tears. We enjoyed a year and a half of breastfeeding after that (up until I was 3 months pregnant with Oullie).
Other common myths are:
- women who have a c-section can't breastfeed
- women with inverted nipples can't breastfeed
Every woman can breastfeed if she puts her mind to it... even adopting mothers can breastfeed! It's all about educating yourself about the subject prior to embarking on it. A book that I found really helpful was: The Nursing Mother's Companion.
On a final note, also from the Medela website, "No formula can duplicate the unique properties of breastmilk, no matter how many vitamins, minerals and supplements are added to what is basically a chemical formulation."Gosh, even formula packages indicate that "breastmilk is the best food for babies"!
Give your baby the best milk.... give him/her breastmilk. :)
P.S. Maybe I should start a breastfeeding support network. Those of you who are interested, please let me know and we'll start something like La Leche.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Breastpumps!
Oh what an alluring world it is when it comes to breast pumps!!! I own a Medela Pump in Style Advanced and I love it. But a friend just asked for my opinion since the Pump in Style is a bit pricey. They are considering the Medela Mini Electric Plus which my research revealed is not good for a working mom. However, an alternative might be the Swing though it's a single pump which is a bit of a disadvantage.
Honestly, I don't know what to say. On the one hand, price is a valid obstacle but on the other if we consider how pricey formula is (about 3KD per can... and 3 cans per month...so that's 108KD per year), a Pump in Style (currently priced at 117KD) will pay for itself within a year! But of course that's based on an 'exclusively breastfeeding' plan.
Honestly, I don't know what to say. On the one hand, price is a valid obstacle but on the other if we consider how pricey formula is (about 3KD per can... and 3 cans per month...so that's 108KD per year), a Pump in Style (currently priced at 117KD) will pay for itself within a year! But of course that's based on an 'exclusively breastfeeding' plan.
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