10 weeks Post Partum: Isetan Nex Nursing Room

One of the better nursing rooms i have come across.
Its practically empty on a weekday noon/afternoon.
2 nursing rooms with door and lock, 3 changing stations, hot water available, plastic bag to store/throw biohazard waste or other stuff.
Expect a queue during weekends.

Shaved her hair last weekend at Babyspa Nex.
Just walk in, no need to make appointment.
Price: $18
They will provide a red packet to store all the hair.
Reason for shaving: she is shedding hair on her baby pillow so might as well.

Made lactation cookies with Faith and Charlene a few days ago.
Super yummy but have yet to eat a single cookie.
Half the time I'm tied to the baby..sometimes barely have time to cook lunch or shower.
Camp in bed with her as she needs help to be put down to sleep.

And these days she sleeps for a longer stretch at night so i have to pump cause you know, rock hard.
Brand: speCtra s1
This is my yield:
Average of 100ml in 5mins, on one side.
Lactation consultant said its good production (:

I have yet to touch a single packet of frozen breastmilk in the freezer though.

Final gynae checkup / Laid back breastfeeding

On my last follow up with Dr Poon, he checked my wound, i did the pap smear test, and also we talked about family planning.
My next appointment is in a year's time.
Finally no more visits!!
Just super grateful for Dr Poon's medical advise and help throughout the 11 months (9 months pregnancy and 2 months post partum).

I weight about the same as 2 weeks post partum: 45.4kg.
Not restricting my diet, i take 3 main meals a day and 2 snacks in between.
To produce quality milk, take your supplements and eat a balanced meal.

Where did time go?
Audria is 2 months old this coming Saturday.
Days of butt wiping as come and gone in a flash.
Her facial features are now swallowed in her own baby fats hehe.

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2 days ago, i met Uma, the director of Mother and Child for my lactation session.
I benefited so much within that 90mins session.
She answered all my questions professionally and with patience.

Arriving at 4pm, she took Audria's weight and did some medical checks, asked some routine questions. After that, she guide me on the laid back position and explained why this method works so well. I nailed it within the first 30 secs. WHAT? So easy??? I've been struggling with the stupid cradle, cross-cradle and football hold the last 7 weeks i wanna murder myself.

Uma said Audria is growing well at 7.5 weeks, 3.72kg.
She has almost doubled her birth weight of 2.15kg.
Power of breastmilk (:

Considering the fact i have been struggling with latching issues, she said some babies just drink with more noise than other babies. So long as my nipples are not sore, and she is gaining weight, she is not concerned with the "clicking sound" i have described.

1) i no longer have to strain my arm muscles to breastfeed Audria
2) this position works well in public places with a nursing cover
3) reflux is no longer as terrible as before with cradle, cross-cradle and football hold
4) the clicking sound is gone FOREVER thank God!!!
5) it works well as the baby gets heavier
6) no longer have to burp her for a long time and deal with messy regurgitation problems as she is in the upright posture during feeding

She also taught me how to do the side-lying position properly.
Its good when I'm sleepy at night but yet have to nurse Audria.
We also discussed about comfort latching, milk storage and baby routines.

There is actually a follow up session with Uma next week, but i may just go the following week instead. I am more interested in the "baby cafe" session whereby mothers come together, nurse during that 2 hour session with a lactation expert sitting in, coffee, tea and cakes, discussing about baby or breastfeeding problems (:

Overall, i highly recommend you go see Uma if you are experiencing any sort of breastfeeding issues. And see her early, don't wait till baby is 7.5 weeks old then go fix your problem like me.
Breastfeeding is meant to be enjoyable.
With the problem fixed, I'm looking to breastfeed Audria for as long as i can (:

Below's a photo of me working on the laid-back position:

7 weeks Post Partum

And so, we survived another 2 weeks after the confinement month.
Been going out more often with Audria (:

Needed to build confidence nursing in public and also handling a newborn.

Actually, i have once again been struggling with breastfeeding.
The latch has been pretty inconsistent.
Booked an appointment with the director of MotherandChild for lactation consultation tmr.
Decided to fix the clicking sound (when LO latches) and also to ask for help on more positions. Audria is getting heavier. Certain positions are no longer feasible like football hold.
Cradle and cross-cradle aint working too well for me either.
I am intending to ask Uma for help on:

1. laid back position
2. lying down position
3. nursing on a public chair position
4. sitting on a bed position

It cost $150 for the first session, followed by $130 subsequently.
They do general health checks on LO and will also take her weight.

Since i have been exclusively direct latching Audria, i realised:

1) zippers and buttons make a whole lot of sense for breastfeeding
2) im in my robe all day everyday at home, messy hair, don't care
3) i can pretty much go anywhere with baby and a nursing cover. I am a mobile cow.
4) been drinking lots of fluid, oat/soy related food. Cod and salmon is a bonus in my diet for extra milk
5) trying not to "waste" let-down by stuffing my nipples in her mouth, it gets messy
6) i feel so bad when we miss a feeding at night (she sleeps through the night on some days) and once she wakes up for her first morning feed, the let down sprays like mad on her face and lips
7) i dont pump and latch. its either i latch OR i pump. i don't see a need to build a stash since I'm a stay home mum, and also, their needs change over time. Pumping will mess up my brain signals. My breast will configure to the baby's needs.
8) i haven't forget the true meaning of breastfeeding. its the best nourishment for my baby, a provision from God that I'm ever grateful for.
9) on days i doubt my milk supply. but you see, LO poos and pee 7-10 times a day so I'm always reassured I'm doing a great job feeding her despite the lousy latching.
10) i have yet taken any milk supply boosters or lactation related cookies. A balanced diet is really what we need.
11) i have only used the pump (spectra S1) once because my breasts was rock hard and i needed some form of relief. There are less than 8 packs of frozen breastsmilk in my freezer. Those shall be kept for emergencies but I'm not sure when it will be utilised.
12) Initially i have thoughts of weaning once she starts solid (6 months minimum), but now, i just wanna provide for Audria as long as i can
13) breastfeeding may be a natural for some mummies but honestly, it messes up my mind. Especially when I'm having trouble helping Audria get a good latch. It means she is taking in more air, which translate to more burping time required. I am in the midst of fixing this problem. And i pray after the session tmr, my breastfeeding journey will be an enjoyable one.
14) pregnancy and delivery is now a piece of cake to me; caring for a baby and the breastfeeding journey is truly the real challenge.
15) they are always hungry. why? Breastmilk digest easily as compared to formula. Any sound that she make gets me jumpy. "hungry again?". Just latch on Mummy. Haha.
16) my appetite has tripled. i can eat a lot. A LOT.
17) one feed at a time, one day at a time.

Audria is considered as an easy baby to care for (at least to us), of course we face challenges during those grow spurt days. Purple crying and all.
We can really only give her hugs and carry her till she stops fussing.
In one tunnel, out of the tunnel. Into another tunnel. Its a phrase all babies go through so we are just gonna take it with a pinch of salt when she cries inconsolably. God help and have mercy on us!

Good luck mummies! (: