It's ironic that as we celebrate the breastfeeding month this August, I have to wean my nearly 16-month-old from directly breastfeeding from me for medical reasons.
I have been diagnosed with placenta previa totalis and there's a rare chance that it will change before I am due. As is the case, according to my doctor, there is the threat of bleeding that could result to an emergency C-section before I reach my full-term. Since direct breastfeeding involves nipple stimulation and the release of oxytoxin that could contribute to contraction and trigger bleeding, I have been adviced to wean my child from suckling from me.
Although I don't feel any uterine contractions during breastfeeding and I haven't bled since I got pregnant, I can't take any chances for the sake of my baby. The goal is to bring her to full-term healthy.
On a brighter note, I am happy that Caitlin is past one year old with a very good appetite for healthy and nutritious foods so I need not worry too much about her health.
Besides, in the past six months, she has been feeding less and less from me. Sometimes even sleeping through the night without milk. It bothered me at first, thinking that I will dry out of milk, but was gently reminded that breastfeeding, then and now, continues to be demand-led.
So by the time that I have been told to wean, Caitlin has been feeding to sleep roughly four times a day.
Weaning, like beginning your breastfeeding journey, can't be established overnight. I am at least glad that I don't have to stop abruptly because of something I took that could harm Caitlin, for example. So I had the luxury to take weaning a day at a time.
On the first week, I have successfully removed one daytime session only to put it back one day to pacify her when she's all weepy and cranky from lack of nap.
On week two, breastfeeding has been cut to three sessions with the introduction of about one to two ounces a day of fresh goat's milk to her diet since that's only how much she would take.
We're now on the third week and have successfully increased her goat's milk intake to about two ounces during the day and another two at night. The breastfeeding sessions have been cut to two. One in the day and when she wakes up in the middle of the night.
She still prefers breasts at night and I give in or else we all wouldn't be able to sleep.
I have two more months to go before I am due, and I am uncertain what week four will bring. But I am happy to have reached this far, and provided this much for my daughter.
Breastfeeding is a wonderful experience. Yes, you will have your bad, awkward, tiring, and at first, painful moments. But when you get past those, the bond that forms between mother and child is priceless.
Happy breastfeeding month Everyday Mommy!
- Mommy Smiley
I have been diagnosed with placenta previa totalis and there's a rare chance that it will change before I am due. As is the case, according to my doctor, there is the threat of bleeding that could result to an emergency C-section before I reach my full-term. Since direct breastfeeding involves nipple stimulation and the release of oxytoxin that could contribute to contraction and trigger bleeding, I have been adviced to wean my child from suckling from me.
Although I don't feel any uterine contractions during breastfeeding and I haven't bled since I got pregnant, I can't take any chances for the sake of my baby. The goal is to bring her to full-term healthy.
On a brighter note, I am happy that Caitlin is past one year old with a very good appetite for healthy and nutritious foods so I need not worry too much about her health.
Besides, in the past six months, she has been feeding less and less from me. Sometimes even sleeping through the night without milk. It bothered me at first, thinking that I will dry out of milk, but was gently reminded that breastfeeding, then and now, continues to be demand-led.
So by the time that I have been told to wean, Caitlin has been feeding to sleep roughly four times a day.
Weaning, like beginning your breastfeeding journey, can't be established overnight. I am at least glad that I don't have to stop abruptly because of something I took that could harm Caitlin, for example. So I had the luxury to take weaning a day at a time.
On the first week, I have successfully removed one daytime session only to put it back one day to pacify her when she's all weepy and cranky from lack of nap.
On week two, breastfeeding has been cut to three sessions with the introduction of about one to two ounces a day of fresh goat's milk to her diet since that's only how much she would take.
We're now on the third week and have successfully increased her goat's milk intake to about two ounces during the day and another two at night. The breastfeeding sessions have been cut to two. One in the day and when she wakes up in the middle of the night.
She still prefers breasts at night and I give in or else we all wouldn't be able to sleep.
I have two more months to go before I am due, and I am uncertain what week four will bring. But I am happy to have reached this far, and provided this much for my daughter.
Breastfeeding is a wonderful experience. Yes, you will have your bad, awkward, tiring, and at first, painful moments. But when you get past those, the bond that forms between mother and child is priceless.
Happy breastfeeding month Everyday Mommy!
- Mommy Smiley
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| One of those rare times when she gets to drink her fresh goat's milk. |
