Breastfeeding Update

Due to my breastfeeding problems, I once vowed that I will stop breastfeeding (to be technical about it, we are mixed feeding) (1) at the slightest hint of mastitis or (2) when baby turns six months.

Baby is now six months and one week and I still pump in the office and we direct latch at night and on week-ends. More than its health benefits, I am really after the convenience of breastfeeding - lift the shirt, pop the boob out and voila, any hunger or crying crisis is immediately averted. Sadly though, my supply hasn't increased, I can only pump around 5 oz. through three sessions in the office so that's just one bottle. But that's better than nothing, I believe. I've made peace with the whole washing the pump paraphernalia and lugging a cooler to work brouhaha - just another day in the life.

Baby has developed this sort of funny habit. Although my incision has healed, he refuses to nurse on my previously defective boob so I still breastfeed him on one side. Now when he's hungry, he turns to the side where my good boob is. When I'm already asleep and he wakes up hungry, he turns to me and frantically claws away at my shirt and boob. Even when my back is turned to him haha, so funny.

So I guess my new ultimatums are, I will breastfeed until (1) the slightest hint of mastitis or (2) I encounter a problem like baby biting me or (3) I run out of milk. :)

P.S. Since baby is now six months old, I should start with feeding him solids but I still haven't decided how to go about it. I don't want to start him with Cerelac and the like. Gosh, I'm so OC about these stuff, I even hate myself hehe.

Leaky Boob Update

After posting that my wound hasn't been healing (most viewed post recently, is it because of the word boob?), I looked down one day and saw the wound was drying and closing up. Maybe because I decided to ditch the Steri-Strip and gauze dressing and just use a disposable breast pad to catch the leak during let-down. With the gauze on, the wound remained wet. With the pad absorbing the milk, the wound has become dry and started to heal (why didn't I think of this sooner? More importantly, why didn't my surgeon???) I want to use the pump already but I'm restraining myself because the wound might re-open again. 

I can't believe I'm excited to breastfeed with my other boob. Despite the difficulties I've encountered, breastfeeding really is convenient - no bottles to wash and sterilize and I get to sleep at night while nursing in a side-lying position. Best of all, it's FREE! I still get plugged ducts (like last night, WTH), but there is nothing like seeing the bebe all drunky face on my milk.

For now, I hope I make it to six months. Two months to go!

Parenting In The Moment

When I was pregnant, I downloaded three pregnancy apps. I dutifully read the articles and the recommended links every night before going to sleep. After hesitating, I gave in to buying the "What To Expect While You're Expecting" book. I read, read, read. 

I figured I'd do the same when the baby came out. Fat chance of that. Sure, I transitioned to the My Baby app from the My Pregnancy app. But I don't religiously open it unlike with my pregnancy apps. It's not like I don't have the time, I go on all my social media apps while breastfeeding. 

Maybe because as new as I am to parenthood, I've pretty much concluded that you have to be in the moment. Reading all the articles can never prepare you for breastfeeding woes, a clingy baby, a constipated baby, hardheaded nannies and overbearing grandparents. This is a lot coming from Little Miss Proactive Me but I'm trying not to beat up myself trying to be the Perfect Mommy.

I guess this doodle from Doodle Diary of a New Mummy sums up my sentiment perfectly:

Really, who has time to read parenting books when you're busy parenting? :)

Baby Must-Haves

Currently stumped on something I'm working on but I need to get the writing wheels working so I decided to write about what I believe are baby must-haves.

Baby is turning 6 months this month. When I was pregnant, I got a Mom Card from SM's Baby Company and there was a list of things to buy for the baby. It was a long list and I was then wondering if I needed to buy everything but I did not. 

After almost six months of mommyhood, these are our baby must-haves apart from bottles and diapers:

(1) gauze diapers - I would pick up a pack whenever I shopped when I was pregnant. For wiping and putting on baby's back when he is sweating. We go through a lot these recent hot days because mommy and lola are praning about the sweat on baby's back haha.

(2) hooded blankets - Also hoarded these. There are two types, the "smooth" kind and the one with a towel texture on one side. Aside from using them as towels, we also use them as baby's "bedsheet" because he doesn't seem to like the crib comforter I bought. Besides, it's too hot so a thin blanket is enough.

(3) baby nail cutter - My mom gave us a small nail cutter for cutting baby's nails. It was small but it was meant for adults. I used them one time and I cut baby's skin. He and I cried, I think I cried even more. So I bought one made for babies and I haven't cut baby's skin again. Yey!

(4) bibs - We also go through these especially now that baby is drooling A LOT.

(5) a good thermometer - get the forehead or ear kind. A baby doesn't have patience for the armpit one.

(6) garterized mittens and booties for newborns - Emphasis on garterized. Old-school mittens and booties have ties and they are a pain to tie up and untie especially when you are sleep-deprived. I don't get it why the oldies prefer them to the garterized ones.

Now that he's gonna be eating soon (and eating well I hope), I'm sure there'll be another list of must-haves! :P