Before I gave birth, I’ve set my mind that I will breastfeed and read a lot on how to produce a lot of milk. So right after I delivered, I made sure to walk (even with a nasty episiotomy) to the nursery within 24 hours. Good thing that there is a breastfeeding room at The Medical City where moms can visit their babies anytime to nurse.
I didn’t realized it was difficult to make a perfect latch and I think nothing was really coming out of my breasts but I know that the baby’s sucking motion would eventually lead to milk production. I continued going in and out of the breastfeeding room and trying my best shot at nursing.
After 3 days, I felt bad that maybe my baby was not getting enough milk (or if there is any milk at all from my breasts) so I decided to mix breastfeeding with formula. Then I got my manual breast pump and discovered I was already producing colostrum 3 days after delivery. So I pumped every 2 hours and collected colostrum which I then transferred to feeding bottles.
Fourth day, I was already producing milk but not that plenty. I still used the traditional manual breast pump and collected around 1 oz every 2 hours. Yesterday, I was already producing 2 oz and last night I had engorged breast. Milk was flowing out of my breasts already. It was painful but I felt proud I am lactating! 😀
Philips Avent Manual Breast Pump
Today I used the Avent Manual Breast Pump that my mother-in-law sent me from the US. I collected 4 oz in less than 30 minutes! I knew I could collect more but I stopped myself because over pumping is not good. I am also trying to teach my baby to latch properly but it is not a big deal to me if he doesn’t like to feed directly. I don’t mind collecting milk and transferring them into storage cups (my mother-in-law also sent me Avent storage cups) 😀
I am glad I have the Avent breast pump because it is super easy to use, no pain, and it saves a bunch of time that I can still blog 😀
Got milk?
Breastfeeding could be frustrating during the first week but by not losing hope, having patience, and believing in yourself that you can do it – you will pass the hurdles and let your baby enjoy nourishment at its finest 🙂
