Needles are my breast friends

During my breastfeeding career, I suffered from plugged milk ducts on at least 3 occasions. When it happened the first time, I panicked like a headless chook, not knowing what to do. After feeding my infant, I noticed that a portion of my breastmilk was not emptied.

It felt kind of lumpy, not soft like usual after a feed. The nipple looked normal to the naked eye but it felt like a film of skin had formed overnight and was causing a blockage. I tried expressing in the shower but it wouldn’t budge. I could literally see the milk trying to pop from the nipple. Imagine squeezing a balloon filled with water, you will get the idea.

As it was already late, I stayed home and waited for the next feed instead of rushing to the hospital. It was still there after my baby’s burp. By then, it was looking a little red and tender to the touch.

I knew that I had to unplug the duct because I wanted to keep infection and the dreaded mastitis away. I tried rubbing the nipple gently with a damp cloth but nothing happened. I was getting desperate and was totally pre-occupied with nothing but the nipple.

Next, I tried the breast pump. Nothing.

Then I tried squeezing the breast manually again, not a drop of milk came out.

After staring at the nipple for … like eternity, I decided to treat it like a zit!

“Who Else Has A Bright Idea?” By nhuisman

My Eureka moment.

“Silver Needle and Golden Thread” by CarbonNYC

A humble needle to the rescue!

Alcohol Wipes. Photo by Amazon

Before I pricked the skin to release the milk, I wiped the “instrument” with an alcohol wipe to clean it first. The way I prick the skin on my nipple is exactly the same if I had a zit on my face with a facial needle to get rid of the exudate.

What a relief!

The lump in my breast disappeared immediately and the milk gushed out quickly.

“Water Balloon Burst” by Praveen M Tomy

Why do we get plugged milk ducts? It could be due to infrequent nursing. I got mine after sleeping for more than 4 hours straight. Also, I believed I had compressed the breast by sleeping on my belly and trapped the milk inside.

When I had the opportunity to meet up with other Moms, naturally, I wanted to know how they dealt with this issue. One told me to turn the baby upside down to nurse. Another said : “Keeping on nursing until the milk comes out.”

I recommend that you try hot towel/heat therapy and massaging the area. In the meantime, continue to breastfeed for 1 day (24hours).

What happens if all that doesn’t work?

Well, it is time to go to the hospital or call your lactation professional. Look out for fever during this time because you may have an infection that requires medication.

Thanks for reading!

Till later,

Jo

Why Oxytocin is good for you

The Oxytocin Factor
by Kerstin Uvnäs Moberg

Now that you have decided to breastfeed, to take the plunge of feeding every 2 hours initially and 3 hours thereafter, and later still, every 4 hours when your babe starts to elongate and becomes heavier, how do you juggle and adjust to all that?

Strange as it might sound, nothing.

According to La Leche League International :

“…the repeated suckling of the baby releases oxytocin from the mother’s pituitary gland. This hormone not only signals the breasts to release milk to the baby (this is known as the milk ejection reflex, or “let-down”), but simultaneously produces contractions in the uterus. The resulting contractions prevent postpartum hemorrhage and promote uterine involution (the return to a nonpregnant state).”

What else can Oxytocin do for you?

I’ve got 6 benefits for you.

1. Helps fight anxiety
2. Increases pain thresholds
3. Assist growth and recovery
4. Helps in relaxation and general well-being
5. Reduces blood pressure and cortisol levels
6. Initiate a variety of favourable social interactions

Oxytocin Molecular Structure
by Wikipedia

Some of us refer to it as “love hormone” because it makes you feel good. It’s OXY-TO-CIN, spelt with a C, not an X! (Then again, when relationships turn sour, that’s when the X comes in and that’s when you are called an ex)

Pitocin® (oxytocin injection, USP), Synthetic

The advances of science allows drug companies to bottle them up. Some of you might have already used it during labour. It is not called “quick birth” in Greek for nothing. If you did, and your doctors did not explain to you the full details of its side-effects, you can read it on this manufacturer‘s website.

Our human body self-regulates for the purpose of providing nutrients for our babies. While breastfeeding, the release of this hormone makes you feel relaxed and even sleepy sometimes. I can attest to it!

After you have rested, slept, you will probably feel re-charged and refreshed. And the breasts? They too, had a good rest and will be ready for the next feed.

The amount of milk granted by Ms Mammary Gland is dependent on the demand of the child. It goes into a ferris wheel of supply-and-demand. More demand = more milk. Ladies, don’t fret over your babies not getting enough. They will be satisfied.

Now that you know more about Oxytocin’s prowess, wanna outdo yourself by another month of breastfeeding? I hear an “Aye?”  If not for anything else, your milk is contamination free. Still not convinced? Check this out.

Thanks for reading!

Till later,

Jo

Birds of the same feathers… (flock 2gether)

“Onotoligical specimen of identical plumage invariably congregate to the closest proximity.”

My ex-classmate, Emily C from High school would sprout this sentence into my face ever so often that I had to look it up. That’s right, you guessed it.

Leave by Big Golf

It simply means, “Birds of the same feathers, flock together”.

To succeed in your breastfeeding journey, you will need SUPPORT. Lots and lots of it and back-up plans as well.

Surround yourself with people who share the same values as you. Stay away from naysayers politely and concentrate on doing your own things.

They won’t be of much help. Not with their droning of “Come on, give the baby infant formula, he/she is crying already, stop the crying immediately!”

It can be rather intimidating if it is coming from your husband or in-laws.

Show them your determination and practise patience. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Everyone in the household needs time to adjust and get used to the little bundle of joy, including you.

Allow time for acceptance. Do your “buying-in” before the baby arrives. Sell the idea that breastmilk is best milk to everyone, especially your spouse/partner. The next level of people to convince, what I call the ” outer ring”; people who are not in the marriage/partnership, would be your employers (if you are going back to work) and surprise, surprise, your Mother or Parents-in-law.

Mother-in-Law interference complaints are very common amongst my clients. The cops were called in when Su and her Mother-in-Law clashed. She was frustrated when her newborn was not latching on properly and started to cry incessantly. Due to her inexperience, she had expected her baby to latch on straight away after delivery. Not all babies are able to latch on instantly. It is a learned skill.

Each baby is different, just like how each of us are unique.

Whenever you find yourself in an intense situation, quickly suck your tummy in and take deep breathes. Take your baby out for a stroll for some fresh air. Calling time-out will allow you to regain some composure.

Some Mother-in-Laws are very protective and will do anything to prevent the baby from “starvation”. Understand that they have good intentions and they too, love your baby. See it from their perspectives and you will not be so boiled over by the time you return from your walk.

Take one day at a time, you will reach your destination. Do not give up.
“Fall seven times, stand up eight.” A Japanese Proverb.

Cultivate a network of like-minded friends or join breastfeeding social clubs. Common interests groups aim to foster relationships and offer support for one another. Being on the same page has its merits. It is especially helpful when you are faltering. It is like summoning all those players from the bench to play on your behalf, to give your strength.

Giving your baby breastmilk and overcoming obstacles are part and parcel of motherhood. Be as cool as a cucumber and as calm as a summer sea. Some of my clients swear by the benefits of meditation. You may like to explore that option. Check it out here.

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.Source: Wikipedia

During your breastfeeding journey, in order to optimise your success, always try to “Begin with the End in Mind”. This term was coined by Dr. Stephen R. Covey. It is listed as habit # 2 of  “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”

[Source]

More on this author : “Recognized as one of Time magazine’s 25 most influential Americans, Stephen R. Covey has dedicated his life to demonstrating how every person can truly control their destiny with profound, yet straightforward guidance. As an internationally respected leadership authority, family expert, teacher, organizational consultant, and author, his advice has given insight to millions.”

Dr. Covey’s teachings has improved my life and perhaps it might benefit you too.  Try it and let me know if it works for you. Good luck!

Thanks for reading!

Till later,

Jo

When things get in your way

Continuing from my last post, I’ll answer Steve of Steve Pavlina.com’s question :

“What if something gets in the way of your commitment?

Here are some of the steps you can try if things get in the way of your breastfeeding commitment.

• Re-Evaluation : When things do get in your way, you need to gather your bench warmers and re-evaluate your situation. Many heads are better than one. Take a deep breath, step back and look at the challenge with a different lens.

• Take a break : Have a shower, have a hot cocoa, relax. Analyse the situation and identify its cause(s).

• Improvements : Focus on possible actions/solutions that can help with the situation .

• In the same boat : There are other mothers just like you and me in the same circumstance. There is no point in beating yourself up when things go wrong. Just be patient and learn from your mistakes. We have our own learning curves and so does the baby.

• Yak /Write : Talk to someone, it could be your lactation nurse, your doula, your spouse/partner or anyone whom you are comfortable with. If you don’t wish to talk, write these thoughts in a journal, acknowledge your thoughts and process your emotions. You will feel better later.

• Challenge yourself : View the issue at hand as a challenge that can be overcomed. “For every problem there is a solution which is simple,clean and wrong.”  Henry Louis Mencken

• Self – Affirmation :  This is an important step in getting things out of your way. After incorporating self-affirmation in your life, you will notice that something has changed in you. Your outlook in life will likely be more positive than before.” You may like to try these phrases : “I let go of limitations”, “I choose to change my challenges as opportunities” and “I can accomplish anything I set my mind to”. More here.

For those of you new to self-affirmation, here’s what Erin Henry from Huffington Post has to say :

“If I were feeling defeated, I would write down an affirmation stating that I’m strong enough for anything that comes my way. It became easier over time. I felt like I had been given the ability to reprogram my thinking and undo the false subconscious thoughts that had been building since I was born. I started looking at our universe as one big yes, as opposed to before, when I saw a lot of nos.

I am happy to say that today I am not a glazed donut, but I am an optimistic person who believes in my potential as a human being and has faith that I am always supported in life.”

New Wright Military Aeroplane by
The Library of Congress

The Wright brothers believed in themselves, and thank God for that! Otherwise, we would never be able to fly from point A to point B.

I hope the above 7 tips are useful to you. Share them if you like. If you have other tips, I’ll be happy to hear them and add on to the list.

Thanks for reading!

Till later,

Jo

To nurse or not to nurse… that is the question

By Jan Riordan, Karen Wambach: Breastfeeding and Human Lactation, Fourth Edition (Riordan, Breastfeeding and Human Lactation) Fourth (4th) Edition by -Author- (2009)

How many of you have gone through that question over and over in your head? Discuss it in great details with your loved ones, including your mother-in-law?  Aye, you would love to nurse your new born baby, and understood all that was touted to you.

Breastmilk is THE best milk….cows drink cows’ milk and babies drink breastmilk. It doesn’t help when latter-day disciples of Florence Nightingale go on and on like a pre-recorded tape recorder regurgitating at the maternity ward or during house visits.

To be honest, don’t you just look at them like Eveready batteries? That goes on and on and on?

What’s the numero uno key ingredient in successful nursing? Drum roll….. COMMITMENT.  I repeat, it’s commitment. There’s no way you can go around the merry-go-round mulberry bush without this essential component. It is like a promise. You make it and you stick with it.

Definition : “Commitment is defined as the act of binding yourself to a course of action.”

According to the founder of StevePavlina.com, he said :

“Put your head underwater and keep it there for a while. You’ll soon realize that you’re 100% committed to breathing. Notice that you don’t make excuses not to breathe. Notice that you don’t worry about motivating yourself to breathe. Notice that you don’t need to justify your desire to breathe.

You just breathe.

Commitment is action.

No excuses. No debate. No lengthy analysis. No whining about how hard it is. No worrying about what others might think. No cowardly delays.

Just go.”

He went on to ask this question :

“What if something gets in the way of your commitment?”

Now that you know what you are in for, I shall answer Steve’s question in my next post.