My heart broke this week when our little Brenzie got hospitalized due to cough and colds. He got the virus strain from Trixie and Brandon, so just imagine what our family is going through these days. We decided to admit him at UST Hospital because he's barely a month old and he can't fight the virus on his own. I was fighting back the tears while we were at the pediatrician’s clinic, waiting for the doctor’s orders for admission. At the hospital, I witnessed twice how the doctors inserted tubes in Brenzie’s nostrils to suck out the thick mucus. I also saw how they put in the needle through his wee little hand for the IV. Watching those procedures was okay for me (I think Grey’s Anatomy prepared me for it) but hearing my baby’s cries was unbearable. My poor little baby, you were so brave! If only I could take the pain for him. Thank God his lungs cleared already and he is now at home recovering. I pray that something like this won’t happen again to any of my kids.
Friday, November 21, 2008
A Mother’s Heartbreak
My heart broke this week when our little Brenzie got hospitalized due to cough and colds. He got the virus strain from Trixie and Brandon, so just imagine what our family is going through these days. We decided to admit him at UST Hospital because he's barely a month old and he can't fight the virus on his own. I was fighting back the tears while we were at the pediatrician’s clinic, waiting for the doctor’s orders for admission. At the hospital, I witnessed twice how the doctors inserted tubes in Brenzie’s nostrils to suck out the thick mucus. I also saw how they put in the needle through his wee little hand for the IV. Watching those procedures was okay for me (I think Grey’s Anatomy prepared me for it) but hearing my baby’s cries was unbearable. My poor little baby, you were so brave! If only I could take the pain for him. Thank God his lungs cleared already and he is now at home recovering. I pray that something like this won’t happen again to any of my kids.
Monday, November 3, 2008
What to Expect When You're Breastfeeding
Through these three years that I've been a mother, I've had many friends who have asked for my experiences in breastfeeding. Like most moms out there, I learned how to do it the hard way. There are plenty of books about breastfeeding which tackle the science and how's of breastfeeding, but nothing quite prepared me for the real thing. And so at 3am while breastfeeding Brenzie, I thought of writing about my experiences breastfeeding, hoping this might be of help to moms out there who are planning to breastfeed.
So, what does it really mean when a mother decides to exclusively breastfeed her baby? Well, aside from the fact that the baby will be getting a lifetime of benefits and the family will be saving a great deal of money (plus the nice perk of mom losing weight quite swiftly), I will honestly say that mom is about to experience something totally new and shocking. Exaggerated, huh? Well, it was really shocking for me. Nobody warned me about the physical and emotional turmoil breastfeeding would bring. Let me share my experiences.
1. Breastfeeding was really painful. Talk about sore and bleeding nipples for about a month. Even though the baby's latch was correct, the nipples took getting used to, so everytime my baby nursed (which was like every hour!), I would cry and keep the pain to myself. When my milk came, engorgement came along with it, which was also painful.
2. Breastfeeding was a sacrifice. I had no sleep for about a year and I had this feeling that the only reason I'm alive was to be a "milking cow." I couldn't go out on my own or have a date with my husband without bringing baby along. (See photo on the right. We brought Trix to HK and I breastfed on board the ferry to Causeway Bay.) I didn't pump my milk; it didn't work for me--- I found it more of a hassle- sterilizing bottles, storing milk, having somebody else care for my baby (I didn't hire a yaya and we didn't live with our parents; we were truly on our own.)
3. Starting to breastfeed was depressing. I found breastfeeding (and baby care) to be more difficult than the lamaze birthing experience! The struggle and pain seemed endless and I needed support badly. I came so close to buying formula milk had it not for fervent prayers and Brandon who really supported me all throughout. He was there when I cried and he never pressured me. He encouraged me to go on by printing out flyers about the benefits of breasfeeding which he posted all around the room to constantly remind me that I'm doing the right thing. This I couldn't forget: he told me that even Lucio Tan couldn't give our baby what I have- my own milk. Thank God for my husband!
4. Breastfeeding was the most difficult challenge of my life. With all the pains and emotional struggles plus learning to love the baby in my arms, breastfeeding really tested my endurance and perseverance. It took me a lot of strength of heart and body to keep going but after a month or two, everything normalized ("I got used to it" is a better way to put it) and I got to enjoy nursing my baby. The bonding between Trixie and me brought fulfillment and I'm so glad I did it. There were no regrets whatsoever. Simply put, it was one of the best things I've done in my life.
To end, I just want to point out that this is my personal account only; other moms might have a totally different experience from mine. I wrote this as honestly as possible just to give a clear picture of what's to be expected, but my hope is that moms would not be frightened by my account, but instead, be ready and eager to take the challenge. I have become sort of an advocate of breastfeeding and I really, really want every baby out there to be breastfed. Breast is best :)
So, what does it really mean when a mother decides to exclusively breastfeed her baby? Well, aside from the fact that the baby will be getting a lifetime of benefits and the family will be saving a great deal of money (plus the nice perk of mom losing weight quite swiftly), I will honestly say that mom is about to experience something totally new and shocking. Exaggerated, huh? Well, it was really shocking for me. Nobody warned me about the physical and emotional turmoil breastfeeding would bring. Let me share my experiences.
1. Breastfeeding was really painful. Talk about sore and bleeding nipples for about a month. Even though the baby's latch was correct, the nipples took getting used to, so everytime my baby nursed (which was like every hour!), I would cry and keep the pain to myself. When my milk came, engorgement came along with it, which was also painful.
2. Breastfeeding was a sacrifice. I had no sleep for about a year and I had this feeling that the only reason I'm alive was to be a "milking cow." I couldn't go out on my own or have a date with my husband without bringing baby along. (See photo on the right. We brought Trix to HK and I breastfed on board the ferry to Causeway Bay.) I didn't pump my milk; it didn't work for me--- I found it more of a hassle- sterilizing bottles, storing milk, having somebody else care for my baby (I didn't hire a yaya and we didn't live with our parents; we were truly on our own.)
3. Starting to breastfeed was depressing. I found breastfeeding (and baby care) to be more difficult than the lamaze birthing experience! The struggle and pain seemed endless and I needed support badly. I came so close to buying formula milk had it not for fervent prayers and Brandon who really supported me all throughout. He was there when I cried and he never pressured me. He encouraged me to go on by printing out flyers about the benefits of breasfeeding which he posted all around the room to constantly remind me that I'm doing the right thing. This I couldn't forget: he told me that even Lucio Tan couldn't give our baby what I have- my own milk. Thank God for my husband!
4. Breastfeeding was the most difficult challenge of my life. With all the pains and emotional struggles plus learning to love the baby in my arms, breastfeeding really tested my endurance and perseverance. It took me a lot of strength of heart and body to keep going but after a month or two, everything normalized ("I got used to it" is a better way to put it) and I got to enjoy nursing my baby. The bonding between Trixie and me brought fulfillment and I'm so glad I did it. There were no regrets whatsoever. Simply put, it was one of the best things I've done in my life.
To end, I just want to point out that this is my personal account only; other moms might have a totally different experience from mine. I wrote this as honestly as possible just to give a clear picture of what's to be expected, but my hope is that moms would not be frightened by my account, but instead, be ready and eager to take the challenge. I have become sort of an advocate of breastfeeding and I really, really want every baby out there to be breastfed. Breast is best :)
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