Page 87 - May 2018 - December 2018 Issue

minutes which was a trial seeing my baby asleep. I Times passed that I only pumped 1-2 oz a day, it was on his
learned that block pumping was also effective in building 24th month, we decided to change the milk of our baby. It
stash prior returning to work. I realized that my left breast was a challenge trying different powdered milk. Ram did
produces more milk. I also experienced engorgement not liked any of the powdered milk we gave him until my
wherein my breast produces more milk. I can feel the office mate suggested to we try fresh milk under the brand
pressure and expansion of the breast. During this time, I SILK. It was also approved by his pedia. The fresh milk
had difficulty in pumping the milk and I needed to apply supplemented his food intake. We are still focus on
hot compress. In the mornings, our bedsheet got wet “tamang kain.” To date, our three year old son eats what we
because of the milk flowing freely while I slept. Thus, I set on the dinner table. We are fortunate that until now he
had to wake up and extract by hand expression. still breast feeds.

By the second month, RJ and I were happy that our baby
was exclusively breastfeeding. And the milk he got from
me was enough to meet his needs.
At the beginning, we were not knowledgeable in
choosing the right breastfeeding pump. We want one
which was efficient and able to extract milk without me
feeling the pain. I used the manual pump for five
months. But when the valve broke I bought a dual
electric pump under the brand Horigen.

With four weeks remaining before going back to work, I
was pressured to build the stash needed in order to
sustain my son’s milk while I was at work. Luckily I was
able to produce 3-5 oz milk per day (150 ml). I religiously CHALLENGES:
pump two to three hours while my baby was sleeping or
playing. We stored the extracted breastmilk in the freezer 1. Cracked nipples. This occurred on my first month when
using storage bags bought from SM Department Store. my breast was adjusting in producing milk. Try putting salt
Back then I didn’t know that milk bags should be flatten water and wipe the affected area.
in order to save space. Finally I was able to build the stash 2. Breast engorgement. My breast produced more milk in
totalling of 96 oz (2880ml) which was enough supply on the first month and normalized in the succeeding months.
top of the milk I pumped in the office. The stash is also
for emergency in case my breastmilk supply is affected 3. Growth spurt. Adjusting to his new environment, Ram
by stress from work, milk sickness, traffic,and work gets irritated or cried easily. This was also the time that I
schedules despite the 40 minutes breaktime for doubted my supply of breast milk was enough.
extracting milk. 4. Teething period. The stage when he pulls or bites my
nipples. It was really painful. But eventually he got over it.
5. Pumped milk. When my breast milk stash was
completely depleted I felt the pressure that I cannot sustain
the volume of milk I needed to produced in a day. I almost
considered milk donations from my office mate. Luckily, I
was able to cope up with the breast milk Ram needed for
the day since he was already eating solid food.
BENEFITS:

1. Provide the antibodies that my son needs against
illnesses.
2. Promotes healthy weight. Breastfed babies are more
likely become “siksik”.
Stash built during maternity leave 3. I easily lossed weight.
4. No hassles when travelling since we are not carrying
Maternity leave was almost over and I was struggling with feeding bottles.
separation anxiety. I worked 12 hours in a five-day 5. It saved us money from not buying formula milk
workweek. I prepared the following to continue my
breastmilk extraction while in the office: thermal bags, Breastfeeding is a choice. Whatever circumstances you may
pump, storage bottles, tissue, nursing cover, and a piece of encount, having a mindset to provide the best nutrition for
my baby’s cloth. In the office, I managed my time by your child will lead you to the journey of breastfeeding.
pumping milk every three hours. I did not pump milk Many obstacles may come your way, most especially if
beyond the fourth hour since I will experience breast you’re a working mom. Schedule of pumping will be
engorgement. It always feels nice knowing that I can affected by your corporate responsibilities. But knowing
extract 15 to 16 oz of breast milk. When fresh pumped milk your priorities as a breastfeeding mom is not that hard. A
was not enough for Ram’s daily consumption, my helper or ton of determination is reciprocated by the amount of milk
I, would get the extra frozen breast milk from the freezer that you will produce. Always remember, your sacrifices at
the night before. present will give your child life-long benefits in terms of
health, physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
The cycle continued when at work I pumped and when at KUDOS TO ALL #PADEDE MOMS ALL OVER THE WORLD!
home Ram latched. When my little boy reached his 6th HAKAB NA!
month and started eating mashed veggies, my supply got
lower. It explained the demand and supply. But whatever Source:
the volume of milk I pumped in the office it supplemented http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph
the small meals given to him in a day. https://medlineplus.gov

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