I just like to share here my little tips on Ramadhan & breastfeeding. But I bet a lot of muslim momies out there has been reading a lots of same kind of tips or other kind of tips that may works for you… Basically same with other mommies, dates is a must for me, breaking fast and ‘sahur’ time. Before I’m a mommy, I think 1-2 pieces dates was good enough (plus I’m not very fond of dates), little that I know you actually have to consume at least 5-7 dates, be it breaking fast and ‘sahur’. And I found through forums, the nicest way to consume them, by blending few dates with fresh milk. But I have limit time to blend…hehe.. so what I did, with little time especially during ‘sahur’ (??). I eat kurma and drink milk at the same time. Seriously, it’s funny feelings but at least it doesn’t feel or taste too sweet .

Thank God that I’ve been through 10 days Ramadhan with baby Hannah. I got few experience on how do I managed in Ramadhan. Since 2008 been through Ramadhan with 2 pregnancy and 2 breastfeeding moment. Not to say that I made it through without hitch. I’ve been through flatulence when breastfeeding with pregnancy, vomitting due to pregnancy, there was a moment I can’t even drive home… or was too weak to pump on the evening of Ramadhan. All in all it becomes my utmost precious experiences.

I just like to share here my little tips on Ramadhan & breastfeeding. But I bet a lot of muslim momies out there has been reading a lots of same kind of tips or other kind of tips that may works for you… Basically same with other mommies, dates is a must for me, breaking fast and ‘sahur’ time. Before I’m a mommy, I think 1-2 pieces dates was good enough (plus I’m not very fond of dates), little that I know you actually have to consume at least 5-7 dates, be it breaking fast and ‘sahur’. And I found through forums, the nicest way to consume them, by blending few dates with fresh milk. But I have limit time to blend…hehe..

so what I did, with little time especially during ‘sahur’ (??). I eat kurma and drink milk at the same time. Seriously, it’s funny feelings but at least it doesn’t feel or taste too sweet .

RICE is a must for me during pregnancy and breastfeeding in Ramadhan. And my husband knows this, so he is the one who’s going to prepare them before ‘sahur’ (as I was stuck breastfeeding baby, in bed). This helps a lot. If you are not the type who eats heavily during ‘sahur’, please try little by little. Who know you need to go through Ramadhan & breastfeeding ‘again’ in the future. And water is a must. Preggie moms especially, if it’s hard to consume plain water, consume juice or anything tasteful but you must drink…from breaking fast up until you meet ‘sahur’ again. Have a drink by your bedside and consume whenever you feels like it. Other than that, i change my pumping schedule. Basically I pump 4 times per day, during Ramadhan it will still be 4 times. If non-Ramadhan months, I will start pumping after early morning, during this Ramadhan I pump at 5.20 am after sahur so I can pump and drink at the

same time. I will finish pumping in 15-20 minutes, and continue to pray and basically went to breastfeed back and get a little rest, as I went for work a little late in fasting months. Baby also is less fussy at this moment if they are asleep and usually still sleepy, so somehow it’s easy. The next pumping session is 10 am; the usual 1.30 pm becomes 2.00pm as I will take a nap in the afternoon after Zohor prayer. Ok…sometimes its 2.30pm. or I pump as early as 1pm and take a nap after that. It’s a must for me to take a nap or at least lie down, first. I need to get some rest. 2nd, make me less talkative. And the last session will be at 5pm, or during driving back home. Or if I feel too thirsty, I will shift the pumping session to after berbuka/iftaar and pump either by tandem nursing or by breastfeeding my baby first then pump a little. No matters how much you get, make sure at least try to pump 4 times per day and not less than non-fasting months. Basically fasting months will not effect your milk production, if the demand is still up. If they are affecting you milk production, especially in early days of the fasting-month, do try to make sure you’re not dehydrated.

(by Maisarah Bt Abd Halil)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of BaiBoo-Family Service.

I breastfed my eldest son, Samuel since 2002 till he was 2 years old. Since he was a baby till 6 months, he used to be very chubby. The same situation goes to Daniel who was born in 2005. However, as soon as they started solid during the 6^th month, they gradually loose the fat. Their flesh became softer. Initially, I thought it is because my eldest did not take much solid. However, when my 2^nd son had more solid and still not getting chubbier, I questioned on the effectiveness of breastfeeding. Did we, the breastfeeding mother, did not feed our baby well as compared to the formula-fed baby? The comfort we receive was our babies have higher immune system than the formula-fed babies and this comforts us a lot. However, why weren’t they grow as chubbier? Were they drinking less milk or was our milk getting lesser and lesser as the babies grown?

I started searching on the Internet for any reason. Anything that can inform me that my decision to feed both

sons was right. I could not gather any conclusion besides the reason due to the lack of understanding of hind and fore milk. The fore-milk is the amount of milk that comes immediately when a baby sucks. The main purpose of this milk is to quench the baby’s thirst meanwhile the hind-milk that comes later in more creamy and richer calorie plays a role to satisfy a baby’s hunger. [1] The fore-milk is very little of fat as compared to the hind-milk. However, it will take a while for the hind-milk to come. The baby needs to drink longer for the milk content to change.

How this fact does affect my babies’ growth? I was taught by my grandmother that we should often start feeding our baby the breast that we last stop. Example, if previously I fed my son on the left breast, later I should switch side and start from the right breast.  According to this practice, our baby will get more fore-milk and less hind-milk.

Now, I have a 1-year old son, Ezekiel Ling Zhi Zhong, who I am experiment with this theory. Unfortunately, he does not feed long enough on the breast due to the environment distraction. Therefore, I cannot see the result of the experiment. However, when I pump the milk after Ezekiel drinks, the milk would be richer and creamier than previously.

So, for mother who wants their baby to continue chubby, this is what you can do. You can choose to feed your baby on the same breast during the whole day. If your baby wants fast flow milk, switch to the other side of the breast. Alternatively, you can use any breast pump to pump the milk first then feeding your baby on the breast. This will ensure the baby to get most of the hind-milk.

Through my babies are not getting any chubbier than formula-fed babies, I am still very contended to feed my sons simply because the information from the internet has educated me about the 101 reasons[2] of breastfeeding our babies. I simply love it because not only it creates the extra bonding between my sons and me but also they can drink the milk in any position, any time, any location they like.

(by Ling Siew Woei)

[1] Elizabeth Jay, March 3, 2009

[2] Leslie Burby, 1998-2007

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of BaiBoo-Family Service.

(by Maylee Gan Suat Lee)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of BaiBoo-Family Service.

When I was a first-time mother four years back, I lack of knowledge about many things on baby care and motherhood not to mention about breastfeeding. However, I am blessed of having a team of breastfeeding mommies and allies; Toh, Ning, Elaine and Flo who gave me much support, advice and tips from beginning while I was pregnant till when I delivered. And now I am extending my support and sharing my experience to other moms on breastfeeding though my blog and to people around me.

Both my two kids have been fully on breast milk during their first six months of life. I manage to breastfeed my daughter, KY (picture) till she is one year old.

At the beginning, when I first started my breastfeeding journey; I faced a lot of resistance from the people closest to me. My mom and my mother-in-law who, unfortunately did not have the same mindset that breastfeeding could go beyond the one month confinement period; gave me a lot of pressure to stop breastfeeding.

My mom even to the point obtained the pills which she said can help me to stop the milk supply. I was flabbergasted and rejected. As I was staying with my mother-in-law then, it made things a bit complicated. I had to be strong and confident in my daily effort to answer or listen to her daily objection towards breast milk. All the common myth that breast milk causes jaundice, breastfeeding made baby’s tummy windy, etc….

Not to mention that my own battle with my own tiredness and low supply then made me felt the more helpless and depressed. However, I must say the support from my husband and my friends helped me to pull it through.

When I had my second child, S. (picture left), I am more confident and skillful. However, this time; I faced with another challenge. My son is lactose intolerant. And according to my Pediatrician, breast milk also contained lactase which causes the diaper rash to get worst. I, then, did my research online and ask for help from breastfeeding counselor and lactation consultant. And, I am persistent to find a way to continue my breastfeeding mission. Alas, it was only a temporary condition, and till now I am still breastfeeding my 26 months boy.

I am glad I persevere. Now my hubby and mother-in-law have become breastfeeding advocate of sort, sharing the benefits of breastfeeding to people around them.

And more importantly, breastfeeding allows me to build a special bond with my kids. I strongly encourage all mothers (working and non-working alike) to give the best immunity and best start to your child through breastfeeding. Once decided, don’t be shy; get all the help you need. And especially to working mom, get a good breast pump. It will definitely help to make “milk-pumping” session; a hassle-free and more enjoyable task to do daily.

And lastly, to all new mommies, persevere the first tough two weeks of breastfeeding and you shall be able to enjoy months of sweet bonding memories with your child just like I did and still doing. I am not sure when my boy is ready to be weaned but I am still enjoying this “intimate” moment with him while I can. Time passes quickly, cherish it while we can.  And when the journey ends, we can look back and give ourselves a pat and say, “Well done, you did it” Yey!

(by Molly)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of BaiBoo-Family Service.

Ramai juga yang rasa pelik bila saya mengatakan anak saya menyusu badan. Soalan biasa yang saya terima, “macam mana nak kerja kalau menyusu badan?”. Bila saya ceritakan bagaimana, mereka mendengar dengan penuh minat. Tapi ada juga yang masih memberi pelbagai alasan. Terserah kepada pendirian masing-masing untuk menilai. Saya masih lagi dengan pendirian saya, susu ibu adalah yang terbaik!.

Saya sebenarnya mula mengetahui bagaimana cara untuk menyusukan bayi ketika di pejabat lama saya. Bila tiba waktu tengahari, saya kagum melihat ibu-ibu di pejabat saya meluangkan masa untuk mengepam susu. Setiap hari mereka lakukan tanpa jemu. Di situ mula saya tercetus hasrat, jika ditakdirkan saya dikurniakan cahaya mata, saya akan cuba memberi susu ibu kepada anak saya.

Ditakdirkan hasrat saya tu terlaksana, tahun 2009 saya disahkan mengandung. Hampir 5 tahun penantian, barulah saya dikurniakan cahaya mata. Bermula saat saya mengetahui saya mengandung, saya mula membuat penyelidikan sendiri. Pencarian di internet dan pembelian bahan bacaan bagi persediaan menyusu bagi ibu bekerja. Walapun bayi saya masih belum lahir ketika tu, saya dah bersemangat dan berkobar-kobar untuk merasai pengalaman pertama menyusukan anak saya.

Feb 2010, lahirlah permata  hati saya, Zulaikha. Kali pertama menyusukan Zulaikha, saya dibantu oleh staff nurse di hospital tempat saya bersalin. Setitik susu pun tak keluar. Tapi saya tak mengalah. Sebab paling penting, rooming in dengan anak untuk stimulate susu keluar. Saya masih ingat lagi, hampir dua minggu susu saya masih tak keluar walaupun macam-macam cara dah saya lakukan. Berurut, tuam dengan kain panas & mandi air panas, mandi herba. Tapi susu saya tetap tak keluar. Tapi itulah dugaan bagi saya. Kali pertama susu saya menitis keluar, air mata saya pun menitis juga. Gembira sangat kerana selama 2 minggu anak saya terpaksa minum susu formula. Saya masih ingat juga, betapa sakitnya nipple saya bila pam menggunakan pam elektrik, sucking terlalu kuat menyebabkan nipple saya luka. Tapi, saya masih dengan pendirian saya, tetap susu ibu untuk Zulaikha.

Bagi saya, dugaan paling besar adalah, sokongan orang disekeliling. Saya bersyukur kerana ibu saya sendiri sangatmenggalakkan susu ibu. Dialah orang pertama yang menyokong hasrat saya. Begitu juga suami saya. Ada juga org yang rapat dengan saya, memperlekehkan hasrat saya untuk menyusu sepenuhnya dengan susu ibu. Memang betul-betul menguji kesabaran saya. Tapi saya masih dengan pendirian saya, tetap susu ibu untuk Zulaikha.

Dua minggu sebelum saya bekerja, saya mula membuat stok susu untuk anak saya. Walaupun pada mulanya susu saya tak banyak, saya tetap cuba pam susu saya setiap hari. Pelbagai tips dan petua saya cari di internet. Saya pratikkan. Sehingga kini, saya masih lagi menyusukan anak saya. Zulaikha kini dah berusia 6 bulan. Sudah berakhir Eksklusif Breastfeeding. Tapi saya telah nekad, untuk teruskan menyusukan Zulaikha sehingga dia berusia 2 tahun.

Sejak saya mula mengandung, saya telah mencipta blog sendiri. Tujuannya hanya satu, untuk kongsikan pengalaman saya sepanjang mengandung, menyusu dan membesarkan anak saya. Saya bersyukur, blog saya mendapat sambutan dan paling menggembirakan saya, ramai juga ibu-ibu yang berhasrat menyusukan anak mereka setelah membaca blog saya. Sharing is caring. Saya juga berharap agar lebih ramai ibu-ibu yang mengetahui betapa berkhasiatnya susu ibu dan menyusu anak adalah perkara yang paling menyeronokkan.

(by Norsarini  binti Salim)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of BaiBoo-Family Service.

After we brought her home, I wanted her feed her but she was so happy feeding from the bottle that she used to start crying whenever I tried to breastfeed her. I became so frustrated as she was not breastfeeding that on her fourth day that I decided that what ever happens I’m going to make her breastfeed. During her feeding time, suddenly I had an idea and I decided to try that out. I made her suck on an empty bottle. When no milk came from her favorite bottle she had no other means than to suck on my breasts. This way I successfully made her to suck on my breast. And since that day Shaivi has been breastfeeding and I made sure that my little princess gets all the benefits of breastfeeding.  And now all she wants is to breastfeed and not the bottle.

(by Kavya Madan)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of BaiBoo-Family Service.

Namun begitu, cerita aku tidak sama seperti ibu-ibu yang lain; di mana mereka berpeluang memegang, memeluk, mengucup dan menyusukan anak mereka seawal jam pertama kelahiran. Annur Afiqa, puteri sulungku dilahirkan secara caesarean pada jam 4.13 petang, tanggal 2 September 2009. Keputusan untuk melakukan caesarean di saat-saat akhir kerana jantungnya telah lemah mengundang episod lain untukku. Aku dibius sepenuhnya sepanjang pembedahan dilakukan dan pada jam 4.30 petang, aku sedar tetapi dibius kembali kerana doktor mengesyaki ada jangkitan pada paru-paruku. Aku dihantar ke ICU dan anakku ditempatkan ke wad pediatrik. Aku cuma sedar kembali pada jam 8.30 pagi esoknya. Dengan pelbagai wayar berselirat di kedua-dua tangan, oksigen di mulut, aku terus bertanya suami, apa yang anakku minum? Suami memberitahu anakku dicucuk di tangan dan dimasukkan air, belum diberi susu apa-apa. Mengalir airmataku kerana sudah lebih 12 jam aku berpisah dengannya.  Hatiku bertambah sedih apabila doktor memberitahu “Your breasts engorged. Awak kena pam susu, kalau tidak, awak demam nanti”.

Ditemani jururawat, mereka membantuku mengepam susu menggunakan pam yang dibawa suami, namun tiada susu yang keluar. Aku hampa, menangis lagi. Ada jururawat yang mengajarkan kaedah mermet tapi aku betul-betul tidak berdaya melakukannya. Akhirnya, nurse memberikan pam elektrik model Medela kepadaku dan aku cuma memegang corong pam sementara pam itu bekerja. Aku akhirnya mendapat 2 oz kolustrum dan jururawat membantu melabel serta memberikannya kepada suami. Pertama kali melihat kolustrum, aku menangis lagi kerana tidak berkesempatan untuk memegang dan menyusukan anak sendiri. Kali kedua pam, baru aku melihat susu. Bermula saat itu, jururawat dan suami lah yang membantu aku mengepam susu dan menghantarnya ke wad pediatrik. Aku ditahan di ICU, Afiqa pula kena jaundis: ini membuatkan kami tidak dapat berjumpa. Ketiadaan anak di sisi benar-benar meruntun jiwa dan kerana tertekan, pernah bacaan BP aku naik sehingga 180/100. Seboleh-bolehnya aku tidak mahu Afiqa disuap dengan susu formula, itu pendirianku.

Pada hari kelima kelahirannya, barulah kami dapat berjumpa. Pada waktu itu, aku juga dapat keluar ICU dan diletakkan di wad bersalin. Suami dan sepupuku yang kebetulan jururawat membawa katil bayi ke sisi dan serta-merta airmataku gugur kerana pertemuan pertama itu. Bibir mungilnya bergerak-gerak dan lantas aku susukan dia. Kuasa Allah, walaupun itu adalah kali pertama Afiqa menyusu terus daripada payudara, Afiqa seakan-akan telah biasa dan terus melekap pada areola. Aku melihat dia bersungguh-sungguh menghisap: memberi ransangan pada payudara, dagunya melekat pada payudara dan aku melihat urat di sekitar telinganya bergerak. Aku juga dapat rasakan sekitar rahimku berdenyut dan seakan ditarik-tarik. Aku yakin, anakku dapat menyusu dengan secukupnya. Benarlah, niat yang baik mesti akan dipermudahkan Tuhan. Keesokannya, kami dapat keluar wad dan aku terus menyusukannya secara eksklusif dan rutin mengepam juga aku lakukan untuk meransang penghasilan susu, terutamanya waktu malam.

Hari ke 25 kelahiran Afiqa, aku dipanggil untuk kursus selama sebulan dan aku tidak boleh menangguhkannya. Sebenarnya, aku menghadiri temuduga kerja itu sewaktu sarat mengandungkan Afiqa dan aku Berjaya, tetapi perlu menghadiri kursus dulu. Dengan linangan airmata, di saat-saat akhir Afiqa ditinggalkan dengan mertuaku dan aku cukup ralat kerana tidak sempat membuat stok sekurang-kurangnya seminggu untuk dia. Stok yang sempat dibuat hanya untuk sehari dua. Punah impianku untuk menyusukannya secara eksklusif. Anakku diberi susu Enfalac pada minggu pertama meninggalkannya. Namun aku berniat dalam hati akan melakukan relaktasi dan berdoa “Ya Allah, janganlah susuku kering dan jangan pula nanti anakku menolak untuk direct feeding”. Kali pertama berjauhan dengan anak, barulah aku memahami apa itu bengkak susu sehingga demam. Ada petua menyuruh meletakkan isi sayur kubis dan ia memang berkesan padaku. Pernah baju basah kerana terlalu lama di kelas dan melepasi jadual pam ku. Waktu rehat dimanfaatkan dengan mengepam susu sebaik-baiknya. Selama sebulan aku berjauhan, aku berjumpa hanya pada hujung minggu. Samada aku balik ke Perak atau mertuaku membawa Afiqa ke sini. Setiap hujung minggu, Afiqa dapat direct feeding dan susu yang aku pam akan dibawa ke Perak sebagai stok. Selama sebulan di hotel, aku pam sekurang-kurangnya 4 kali sehari dan paling minimum aku akan dapat 25 oz sehari. Pernah peti sejuk tidak berfungsi dan stok susu rosak dan terpaksa dibuang. Aku tabah dan berniat hanya nak melakukan yang terbaik untuk anakku.

Alhamdulillah selepas kursus dan bekerja, aku dapat bersama anakku dan aku juga bersyukur taska yang menjaga anakku menyokong usahaku untuk memberikan anakku susu perahan yang dibekukan dan mereka tidak kisah untuk memperosesnya. Di tempat kerja juga, masa rehat aku manfaatkan untuk membuat stok susu Afiqa. Kini, Afiqa sudah lebih setahun dan aku masih menyusukannya dengan susu ibu. Walaupun kadang-kala menangis juga kerana putting digigit, aku katakan padanya “Jangan gigit Sayang, Ummi sakit. Afiqa minum je, OK?”. Banyak kali melakukannya, memang benar, anak mendengar apa yang kita ulang dan minta berkali-kali. Aku yakin, jika kita benar-benar ingin melakukannya, Tuhan akan permudahkan caranya. Walaupun keadaan mendesak untuk memberikannya susu formula seketika dulu, aku bersyukur Afiqa tiada masalah untuk menyusu kembali. Aku akan tetap menyusukan Afiqa sepenuhnya dengan susu ibu sahaja!

(by Roslina binti Ismail)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of BaiBoo-Family Service.

Terkenang setahun yang lepas, ketika aku melahirkan Sa’id, aku rasa sangat bahagia walaupun bertarung nyawa untuk melahirkannya, aku redha. Sehari suntuk aku menahan kesakitan yang amat sangat. Alhamdulillah akhirnya terbalasjuga segala kesakitan itu apabila melihat matanya yang begitu besar melihatku. Sa’id tidak menangis pun sewaktu dilahirkan hanya matanya yang bulat sahaja terkebil-kebil melihat alam baru. “Bulatnya mata, pandainya tengok ibu dia”, terdengar olehku bisikan dari Nurse di sebalik tabir. Ahh bahagianya rasa melihat anakku sihat dan selamat. Lagi bahagia rasanya bila aku sendiri yang menyusukannya. Orang kata, susu ibu 7 kali ganda lagi bagus dan baik daripada susu formula. Manakan sama susu yang Allah buat dengan susu yang manusia buat, ibaratnya seperti barang asli dengan barang yang tidak asli. Dan aku nekad untuk menyusukan Sa’id sepenuh masa memandangkan aku surirumah dan hanya berniaga kecil-kecilan di rumah sahaja.

Sekarang Sa’id dah setahun sebulan. Begitu cepat masa berlalu, sedar tak sedar Sa’id dah pandai berjalan dan menendang bola. “Siapa dulu yang kat dalam perut tendang-tendang Ibu?, kejap nampak tapak tangan kejap nampak tapak kaki..hahaha” tanyaku kepada anakku Sa’id. Kini setiap malam pasti ada kaki dan bontotnya singgah di kepalaku, di mukaku mengejutkan aku untuk menyusu. Mudahnya aku rasa sebab aku tidak perlu bangun untuk membuat susu hanya dengan berbaring sahaja Sa’id dapat menghisap susu. Sa’id akan menghisap susu apabila lapar dan akan berhenti sesudah kenyang. Ini dapat mengelakkan risiko bayi terlebih minum kerana susu ibu hanya akan mengalir apabila bayi menghisap sahaja. Tiba-tiba “Errrkkk!!!” kuatnya Sa’id sendawa kekenyangan. Gelakku sendirian, dalam waktu yang sama dihatiku puas kerana dapat menyusukan Sa’id sehingga kenyang. Alhamdulillah, senang dan mudah kerjaku.

Bila teringat kembali perkembangan Sa’id, dah agak lama Sa’id tidak demam dan sakit, akhir sekali ketika Sa’id berusia 6 bulan itupun disebabkan terima imunisasi atau suntikan. Agaknya mungkin sebab antibodinya kuat kerana salah satu kebaikan susu ibu ini dapat menguatkan antibodi bayi. Melalui pembacaanku, salah satu dari kebaikan penyusuan susu ibu, tubuh bayi dapat membentuk antibodinya sendiri bagi melawan jangkitan penyakit. Sa’id juga tidak sembelit dan meragam kembung perut, dan aku tidak perlu susah-susah memikirkan susu apa yang dapat disesuaikan dengan perutnya. Dalam erti kata lain aku dapat menjimatkan duitku dari membeli susu formula yang agak mahal. Susu ibu semestinya percuma sahaja.

Susu ibu adalah pilihan yang terbaik bagi memenuhi keperluan bayi bermula dari saat kelahiran mereka. Malahan bukan sahaja baik untuk bayi tetapi baik untuk ibu juga kerana melalui penyusuan susu ibu, dapat membantu ibu mengembalikan bentuk tubuh badan kepada keadaan asal sebelum mengandung. Aku dapat merasakan berat badanku kini telah kembali sediakala. Sewaktu sebelum mengandungkan Sa’id beratku adalah 48kg, ketika mengandungkan Sa’id beratku naik kepada 66kg dan kini Alhamdulillah beratku seimbang iaitu 50kg walaupun aku banyak makan supaya dapat memproses banyak susu untuk Sa’id. Terima kasih Sa’id kerana menguruskan badan dengan mengambil lemak-lemak di badan ibu ini.

Sehingga ke hari ini, saat ini Sa’id masih lagi menyusu susu aku, walaupun aku rasa susu aku tidak melimpah ruah seperti dahulu namun aku percaya ianya cukup untuk anakku dan aku bersyukur kehadrat Ilahi kerananya. Seperti yang aku tahu, selagi bayi menghisap susu ibu, selagi itulah otak akan menyampaikan arahan untuk kilang susu terus beroperasi. Dengan sebab inilah, aku begitu yakin untuk menyusukan Sa’id berterusan sehingga dia berusia dua tahun nanti kerana pengeluaran susu ibu akan diproses berterusan dengan permintaan dan keperluan bayi.

Setiap ibu pasti inginkan yang terbaik untuk anak-anaknya, begitu jugalah denganku. Pada pandanganku penyusuan susu ibu ini memberikan seribu kebaikan dan tiada tolok tandingannya dengan susu formula. Bagiku khasiat susu ibu terlalu banyak kebaikannya dan salah satunya lagi ia dapat meningkatkan tahap kecerdasan fizikal dan mental anak-anak kita. “Sa’id, Ibu inginkan yang terbaik untukmu, jadilah anak yang soleh akhlakmu, sihat tubuh badanmu dan bijak akalmu, InsyaAllah”. Monologku sendirian.

(Hanisah Mohamad)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of BaiBoo-Family Service.

After the euphoria of the birth and discharge from the clinic, coming home is not always easy. You feel overloaded and you find breastfeeding complicated and tiring. You have the impression of not being able to go out and being “locked” at home. Or maybe you also think you have too little milk and are uncertain if the baby is drinking the right amount of milk. But let’s take a calm look at things.  Relax during breastfeeding. Remain calm. Imagine how lucky you are to be able to breastfeed – even if it scares you a bit and you wonder how you will manage everything!

If your baby is crying, it’s probably hungry. Therefore, you only have a choice: breastfeed it. But you will also have to learn to tell the difference: after several weeks, the baby crying doesn’t mean exclusively that he is hungry. It can also be that his diapers are wet, he is tired, or simply that he wants to be cuddled. You will learn when to do what by paying good attention.

Generally, a newborn needs to be breastfed every 3-4 hours. As time goes by the time between feeds will increase (since the milk the baby drinks changes and the baby also drinks more at each feed).

Most babies develop an individual regular drinking pattern. In the next few pages you will find a table which shows the theoretical number of meals per day according to the baby’s age. You can check there, but remember that these are average figures. Maybe your baby drinks more often or less often, or maybe more in the mornings and less in the evenings. It will – like all people – have its own rhythm.

Also your body will adapt to the rhythm of your baby. Maybe you will experience how your breasts swell and the milk is coming, when your baby is crying (and even a few minutes before the baby gets hungry). Sometimes you will be waiting impatiently for it to wake up, after its feeding time has passed for a bit, as your breasts are already ready for feedingThe most important thing if you are breastfeeding is that you are relaxed.

Breastfeeding is a magical experience, but it takes a bit of getting used to. You are a bit afraid and wondering how it works? Don’t worry breastfeeding is something that can be learned.

Breastfeeding offers a lot of benefits:

• Human breast milk is the healthiest form of milk for human babies and has all everything that is important for the development of the body and the brain of the baby.
• At any stage, even if your baby is premature, the nutrients in your breast milk re adapted to the need of the baby.
• Your milk contains antibodies that support the health of your baby and help to prevent diseases and allergies.
• The colostrum (the milk that is produced in the first days after the baby is born) helps the baby to eject the meconium.
• Breast milk is sterile, has always the right temperature, is always available and doesn’t cost anything.
• Through breastfeeding the mother and baby experience deep bonding.
• In the first weeks after the delivery, breastfeeding helps the uterus to get back to its usual size. It can be accompanied by contractions and pain, but it helps the mother to recover faster from the delivery.

Be aware that it is very important that the mother follows a balanced and healthy diet while she breastfeeds.  Nicotine, caffeine and alcohol are absorbed by the body and go directly to the milk so you shouldn’t smoke, drink coffee or alcohol while you are breastfeeding.

Also inform you doctor that you are breastfeeding. Any medication, that may be prescribed for you, can be transmitted into your milk this may harm the baby.

How to breastfeed?

How to choose a breast pump?

How to overcome breastfeeding problems?

Benefits of breastfeeding for child and mom.

Baby’s normally begin to have visible teeth at six to ten months of age.

Babies who bite during breastfeeding can cause pain and injury to the nipple. However, it is not possible to bite and nurse at the same time.

To teach your baby not to bite, immediately remove the infant from the breast as soon as a bite begins. Place your baby on a safe surface, such as a blanket on the floor. You can then offer a teething toy.

Watch your baby closely while nursing. Before s/he starts to bite, bring the baby more deeply onto the breast, which may prevent the bite. Offer a cold teething ring or cloth to suck on prior to nursing to make the infant more comfortable and less likely to bite. If you follow these steps consistently, the baby usually learns quickly not to bite.