My Breastfeeding Success Story

From the first day i knew that i was pregnant with our first child, i knew for myself that there was no other way i am feeding my baby but through my breast. i felt that it was THE only way a baby takes nourishment, at least for the first few months of her life. (im sorry if the statement offends mothers whose feeding for their newborns came in formula milk.) i did all my research on the topic and read countless posts from mommy bloggers who generously shared their breastfeeding journey and the many things they did to succeed on it. believe me, when you want to breastfeed your child, you need all the experiences you can gather not only to give you pointers, but more importantly to push you not to give up easily.

While breastfeeding is the most fulfilling, most satisfying feeling a mother can have, it can equally give you disappointments and woes along the way. especially on the first few days of your child when your milk supply has not been established and your child cries non-stop because she seems not satisfied with the amount of milk you feed her, the feeling of frustration shoots up on you that the easiest thing to do is just give up. imagine the mother that you are, yet you are not able to provide the basic need of your child. i could have fluently given up had i not read accounts of breastfeeding stories. thank heavens for internet. hihihi

The principal thing one should know in breastfeeding, just as in economics, is the law of supply and demand. our bodies supply the right amount of milk relative to the requirement of our babies, as dictated by the frequency of feedings or the number of times babies go to our breasts. and boy, for over a year and eight months that i have been nursing my daughter, i must say i have learned this by heart. this is the reason why i have maintained my milk supply even after i stopped taking lactation pills or eating foods that may help increase the production of milk. it should be remembered that while babies continue to nurse through the breast, the mother never ran out of milk.

Also, the immense benefits of breastfeeding should be underscored. the government did not just create laws (RA7600 and RA 10028) specifically giving attention to the issues of breastfeeding for nothing. even the advertisement of formula milk for babies 2 years old and below are prohibited in order the stress out the importance of breastmilk for babies. i personally think most mothers are aware of the benefits it gives to their children, yet many choose to neglect it thinking that formula milk is a perfect substitute and provides the same value. sadly, it does not. and i stand on this premise, thus my determination to succeed in breastfeeding-- nothing short of the best for my daughter.

Lastly, as the common saying have it, the best things in life are free. and such is breastmilk. why do you want to spend thousands of pesos for substitutes, when you can have the perfect ones at no cost.

Through it all, I am just so thankful my nipples aren't inverted and my daughter latched on perfectly right away. it would have been a difficult breastfeeding journey. but in the end of it, the will to breastfeed in order to provide the best for my daughter and the realization of the primary purpose why women have breasts drive me to do and gave me the determination to succeed on breastfeeding.