I fell in the top up trap

I did my best to supply her with my milk for more than 8 months.

Since I gave birth, I’ve been religiously pumping my milk every 3 hours which actually eats up the time that I am supposed to spend with my husband and daughter and chores in between. Imagine, 8 months of pumping in and outside the house. It’s like I have an inseparable relationship with my breast pump and I am just not yet ready to let go of it. I’ve been doing my best to re-gain the milk supply I had before but I guess there will really come a time when a mom’s milk will start to dwindle. They say that as long as your baby latches on you, your milk supply won’t dry up but my case is different here. (I am an exclusively pumping mom. I breastfeed my daughter through bottlefeeding) :) 

Sounds weird eh? Some might think that I am over reacting, but I am pro-breastfeeding/breastmilk. I feel sad every time I see the amount of milk that comes out of my breasts, and unlike before where I can pump 10-12 oz of milk per session, I am only able to get 1oz of liquid gold right now.  I am not sure what I did wrong, but I know for sure that I fell in the top up trap. So to all breast feeding moms out there, please trust me, because the top up trap is so true.

Here’s a good illustration of the top up trap.

The more you mix feed, the less milk your body will produce. Every ounce of formula you give is one ounce that you told your body not to produce. Do not fall into the Top Up Trap.

When my daughter started taking solids, I've started supplementing her with formula milk to save myself from pumping. There were times that I felt tired and fed up saving milk stash every now and then so it was a relief for me to skip and lessen my pumping session. I was confident that my milk won’t drop because ever since I started pumping, I’ve had a very good milk supply (knowing that I am an exclusively pumping mom).  When I started to mixed fed her, that’s when I noticed that my milk started to dwindle.  I continued my daily routine schedules of pumping milk but I was only netting a total of 4 oz of breast milk per day and I tell you, that amount is very unusual for me. Partly, I'd like to blame myself for losing the supply I had before but I always say to myself that I did my best just to give her the best milk. I had sacrificed a lot of things by pumping milk and I tell you, being an exclusively pumping mom is no-joke and I'd like to commend myself for that.

Take a look at my milk supply before:

Was able to pump this for only 15 minutes; 1 breast only. 

I even donated 90 plus Bags of breastmilk to preemie babies and some baby friends.

and here's how little I get right now. Such a drastic change.

I tried saving my milk by taking lactation drinks and munching on lactation cookies. I’ve increased my water intake and added more pumping sessions. Took some malunggay capsules and eat soupy dishes. But for some reasons, I can not produce more milk.  I've always planned to save milk for my daughter until she turns two years old. I actually look at it as a disappointment because I wasn’t able to reach my goal but what's important is that I was able to give her pure breastmilk until the age of 6 months.

Right now, I am still in the process of re-gaining back my milk supply. I just can't let go and separate ways with my pump.  I still want to give what's best for my daughter. I may not yield enough milk for her, but what's important is I can still give her my precious milk. I tell you, this is not an easy feat for me but I know that I can make it.

 Mother knows best and I know deep in my heart that I gave what’s best for my baby, and will continue giving that to her.  

Ninja mommy

Kudos to all breastfeeding moms out there, most especially to working moms who want to give the best nutrition to their child! ♥ I am a proud full-time working mom on a BPO company (hello night shift), and I always make sure to pump on the dot so I get to save and bring home breast milk for my little one.

A lot of mommies have asked tips from me how I am able to maintain and increase my milk supply. I am one of the lucky mommies out there who has a very good milk supply, and is able to build a lot of milk stash. The milk I am able to pump every day is more than enough than what my baby can consume in a day. ♥ To be honest, I am no longer taking supplements right now (but I used to take natalac when I was 7 months pregnant until I gave birth - 3 week Post partum). I just make sure that I  pump 2-3 hours every day; 10 to 15 minutes per breast. Using an electric pump also helped boost my milk supply. I also drink lots of water before and after pumping; and I make sure to eat rolled oats every day. Instant oatmeal also worked for me.

One thing I've noticed as well is whenever I carry my daughter, my breasts start to leak. Perhaps its the "bonding effect" that triggers my breast to produce milk. I feel lucky because my officemates are supportive with my breastfeeding journey, and they do not mind me whenever I pump at my station.

Just wanted to share my 2nd output for tonight's shift. ♥  I feel like a ninja everytime I pump, because I need to be discreet as I can be. Thank you to Medela swing, because the pump is quiet. Hopefully one of these days, I can already buy a handsfree bra so I can pump and work freely! 

My baby's milk

It's been 19 days since I gave birth, and a lot of things has already happened. They're right, mother's instinct would always kick in whenever your baby would cry. :) This is the first time that I've become hands on to a little baby without seeking someone else's major help. I change her nappies,pacify her, bathe her, put her to sleep and most of all I nurse her.

Breastfeeding a baby will never be easy - but its one of the best things I could give my baby at this early stage.

I can still remember that I had a difficult time nursing Milly on the first day she was roomed in. I was so dissapointed of my breasts because my nipples are inverted. I even hated the "milk code" and opted to give formula milk already. But thanks to the pedia and nurse team for encouraging me to breastfeed and that I should trust my body. And so even if I had a hard time moving because of my wound and dextrose, I did my best to nurse and feed my baby girl. I had her latch from time to time and come 3rd day before we were discharged from the hospital, my right breast started to leak. :) Right there and then, I knew that my baby girl was able to stimulate and gave signal to my breasts to produce enough milk for her.

Now we're on our 3rd week of breast feeding my baby girl, and I'm proud to say that I have a very good supply of milk. As early as now, I am able to express 10-15 ounces of milk per day.

If you're wondering what kind of pump I am using, I have the premium Mimiflo Manual breast pump. Bought mine from Lazada for only 699 pesos. Its performance is A-okay and the output is really good. It's really easy to use and easy to clean.  I'm planning to invest for an electric breast pump as soon as I return to work :)