Breastfeeding for the First Time

Being a first time mom, I had no idea what breastfeeding really entailed. I thought it would be easy and thus, I did not even take breastfeeding classes. Actually, I did not also know that the mommy support group LATCH already existed at that time.

Good thing I had my sister Geraldine with me, who was trained under UP-PGH Neonatologist and another wonderful breastfeeding advocate Dra. Mianne Silvestre. While I was still in recovery, my sister gave strict instructions with the nursery staff that my son would be breastfed exclusively. My sister had already planned the feeding strategy without my knowledge. Hahaha!

Since my son was not immediately roomed-in with me, it took me about 3 hours after giving birth before I could visit him at the hospital's nursery. Honestly, I was more groggy, sleepy and nervous than excited. Good thing my husband and mom were with me when we first visited my son at the Nursery. My first time to breastfeed felt awkward since I did not know about proper positioning and latching then. My mommy could only say words of encouragement since my mom said that both my sister and I were both formula fed babies.

With a little struggle, my son was finally able to latch. He sucked a little and went back to sleep and that moment marked the beginning of our breastfeeding journey.

P.S.
I strongly encourage moms to read up or take lessons on proper positioning and correct latching as this would prevent breastfeeding problems on the long term. LATCH conducts FREE Breastfeeding Classes at the Medical City in Pasig, six times a year.

Birth of a Mother

“The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new.” (Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh)
 

I remember that it was almost 12 midnight when my partner Bryan, my sister, my mom and I rushed to the hospital. I was 38 weeks then and I thought I was just having a mild case of indigestion. But my sister told me I was already having contractions. Funny that I did not seem to feel them. I may be one of the lucky ones who has a high tolerance for pain. Upon examination by the resident doctor, I was already 5 cm dilated and was told that I would give birth in a few hours. So, my mom and Bryan waited outside the delivery room while my sister (a pediatrician) accompanied me inside the labor room. Luckily, I was the only mom in labor so I had the labor room all to myself. The resident doctor and nurse kept watch since there was nobody else. My sister sat beside me and assisted me whenever I felt like throwing up or when I needed to go to the toilet. 

After drifting in and out of sleep for about 3 hours, my OB Gyne arrived and after examination, I was already 7 cm dilated. At that time, my OB Gyne discussed with me about breaking my water bag so that my baby can drop further in my pelvis. After the procedure, I felt the contractions intensify and labor became more painful so I decided to request for an epidural. I was actually not prepared for an unmedicated natural birth. 

After 3 more hours, I was awakened by a need to poop. The medical staff said that it was a sign that I was about to give birth. So, they wheeled me into the delivery room and everything went by so fast. What was so funny was that in between pushing the baby out, I was teaching my sister how to operate the camera to make sure that she captures the moment.

Finally... after the third push and at the break of dawn, I heard my baby boy's first cries. He was dried on top of my tummy and immediately thereafter held close to my cheek for a few seconds. Take note that this was pre-Unang Yakap days and so I was not able to hold and breastfeed my baby immediately. My baby was brought to the nursery while I recuperated in the recovery room, still feeling numb from the epidural. They said I had a little fever and kept me at the recovery room for 2 hours.

Soon afterwards, I was transferred to my room and the first thing my sister and I asked for was to Room-in my baby so that I could breastfeed. However, Rooming-in was also not standard practice in the hospital at that time. So, at about 10 am, I insisted on going to the nursery to breastfeed. 

Words cannot explain the range of emotions upon seeing and holding my baby, especially when he latched onto my breasts to feed. That moment marked the beginning of our breastfeeding journey.

Paying It Forward

With the birth of my son 4 years and 9 months ago, I became a full-time breastfeeding mom.

Having a baby was planned while deciding to advocate for breastfeeding was sort of "accidental." Like many first time moms, I thought breastfeeding was easy. I did not prepare for breastfeeding nor take any breastfeeding classes because I thought instincts would guide me into breastfeeding. I later realized that breastfeeding is a learned skill and that a lot of support from family, friends and co-workers would be needed for me to succeed. 

Hopefully, by writing about my journey into breastfeeding and the people who helped me succeed, my story would help other moms with their breastfeeding goals. This is my way of paying it forward.

February 8, 2012 - Sydney Tower, Australia. 

My son and I took a much needed break from all the walking and touring we have done throughout the day. At this point, my son has been breastfeeding for the past 3 years and 10 months :-)