Blocked milk ducts for company over the weekend

My breast friend ;)

I can't remember when was my last post on breastfeeding... (this blog is also to document my breastfeeding journey) For the record (my record) I have now breastfeed for 1 year and 3 months (almost). A few more months to go insyaAllah. Akif still bf on demand..anytime he wishes, anywhere he wishes... Though he has taken solids, his bf sessions never seems to lessen. He still wakes up once or twice for night feedings too. He musta love mami's milk very much, huh? Hehehe..

Anyway...last friday evening, my right breast felt lumpy & hard. I goggled and found related articles to help me find cure/ solutions. Through my readings, discovered that I had blocked milk ducts. Tried feeding Akif to reduce the engorgement but he eventually refused because very little milk came out. Pumping also did not worked. Nor did hand expressing. I was kind of in phobia because I had once experienced a bad case of mastitis 7 years ago. Praying very hard that this will not turn to that.

[ A plugged (or blocked) duct is an area of the breast where milk flow is obstructed. The nipple pore may be blocked (see Milk Blister), or the obstruction may be further back in the ductal system. A plugged duct usually comes on gradually and affects only one breast ] source : Kellymom

[ The common causes for blocked @ plugged milk ducts are....engorgement or inadequate milk removal, infrequent/skipped feedings, pressure on the duct or nflammation] source : Kellymom

Came Saturday, there were still no improvement. I heat compressed, massage, pumped.. After a few rounds, I finally saw the 'plug'. Tried to remove it but could not. And it was painful too (not kidding). But milk has started to come out again so I let the expert, Akif do the job. Alhamdulillah, though has not fully recovered, the engorgement has however subsided.

So..if you have a case of blocked @ plugged milk ducts, here are what you can do..
1. To reduce / prevent engorgement
     a. Continue to bf on the affected breast
     b. Bf on the affected side first
     c. Vary baby's position at the breast
     b. Hand express @ use a pump if the baby is not willing to nurse
     c. Heat compress - Hot shower @ try using a dispo diaper - fill it hot water. If the temperature feels  
                                     right (the wet diaper), press the inside against your breast. The warm stays longer
                                     compared to wet cloths.

2. Do not fall for myths such as the unremoved breast milk has turned bad@sour if your baby is unwilling to nurse due to plugged milk ducts. No such thing! Breast milk are sterile and they stay sterile as long as they are still in the breast. Baby refusal to nurse normally could be due to many other reasons such as difficulty latching-on due to breast engorgement or low milk flow as ducts are plugged/ blocked.

Lumps or bumps should go away in a day or two. If none of the above works, you should consider consulting a certified LC or your doctor.

For a better understanding and to read more on blocked @ plugged ducts, you can go to the links below
- Breastfeeding-mom.com
- Kellymom.com
- askdrsears.com
- Loveyourbaby.com

Love note : Breast milk is best!

Happy Breastfeeding Week Mommies!

Just 10 Steps- The Baby Friendly Way

What are the 10 steps?

10 LANGKAH KE ARAH PENYUSUAN IBU YANG BERJAYA

Setiap kemudahan yang menyediakan perkhidmatan perbidanan dan penjagaan bayi baru lahir perlu:

1. Mempunyai polisi penyusuan ibu secara bertulis yang disampaikan kepada semua kakitangan kesihatan secara berkala.
2.  Melatih semua kakitangan kesihatan dalam kemahiran yang perlu untuk melaksanakan polisi ini.
3.  Memberitahu semua ibu mengandung tentang kebaikan dan pengurusan penyusuan ibu.
4.  Membantu ibu-ibu memulakan penyusuan ibu dalam masa setengah jam selepas kelahiran.
5. Menunjukkan ibu-ibu cara menyusukan dan mengekalkan penghasilan susu walaupun mereka terpaksa dipisahkan daripada anak-anak mereka.
6. Tidak memberikan bayi-bayi baru lahir makanan atau minuman selain susu ibu kecuali atas sebab-sebab perubatan.
7. Mengamalkan penyusuan di sisi ibu (“rooming-in”) – membenarkan ibu dan anak bersama-sama selama 24 jam sehari.
8. Menggalakkan penyusuan ibu mengikut kehendak bayi.
9. Tidak memberikan puting tiruan atau puting kepada bayi-bayi yang menyusu susu ibu.
10. Menggalakkan penubuhan kumpulan sokongan penyusuan ibu dan merujuk ibu-ibu kepada mereka selepas keluar hospital atau klinik.

Further info can be view at http://duniasusuibu.com/bantuan-dalam-penyusuan/penyusuan-ibu-hanya-10-langkah-menurut-cara-mesra-bayi/

This card is courtesy of duniasusuibu.com

To all breasfeeding mommies, this card is for you. Please feel free to collect & paste them at your site.

Susuibu 2nd Support Group Meeting : Myths in Breastfeeding

Joined my first SGM last Sunday. Excited sangat caused i got to meet many BF mommies. Exchanging stories & experiences.

Though the topic was Myths in Breastfeeding, the discussion was more on how to manage the myths. Byk sgt myth..antaranya banyak sangat pam akan menyebabkan susu kering, bayi lelaki lebih kuat minum dari bayi perempuan, susu breast kanan makanan dan susu breast kiri minuman, BM kalau tak diminum terlalu lama ( atau tak pam out) akan masam dll. Normally this myths comes from our elder i.e grandmother, mother, mother in law. So to simply answer without knowing the right facts would make make it hard especially for new mothers. Coincidently, an experinced mommy has written about all the myths she could think of. To read about them, please visit ibufarish's blog here and here.

Here are the pictures at the SGM..

Group Mama Kamariah

Mommies who came

Liza of Snuggbaby representing Malaysian Babyweares explaining on the Safety in babywearing

Mommies from the MBW

Demo on how to wear the Wrap

Can't wait for the next SGM :)

Jom kita pergi ramai-ramai...

Tina Scores!

Dah seminggu tak update blog hehe..
Bukan tak ada cerita, tapi tak ada feel lah hmmm..

Ni pun Akif tengah main dalam cot & Hafiy tengah entertain Akif ^_^

Back to Tina Nursing i bought from Fabulousmom...
Out of 10...Tina gets 8 yayyy..
Very comfortable..to wear on its own or as camisole (as innerwear)
Support is good..i'm on the busty side so..if i tell you it is good, means it is ;)
Easy for nursing

However...since the tank is kind of low neck (it's a tank, duhh ;P)..i made a small adjustment to the neck part. Added some lace so that whenever i wear my low neck shirt with the tank (without my hijab when i'm with my immediate family), my cleavage is covered.

The outcome...wallah!

Nursing Outside of Your Nest Essentials

From my previous entry here, here and here you would know that i'm new at this whole BF thingy despite being a third time mother. BF it self was not easy at first, let alone nursing in public (NIP).

So, let me share with you what TO ME are the most important things to have/do when you choose to NIP. (take note is a choice you make and there are other choices if you choose not to NIP).
1. Be comfortable
I wasn't a first. Akif was still too young at that time so he had to be guided to get a perfect latch. And it was impossible to do so without taking an amount of my breast out of my clothes. So..there i wa struggling to put my nipple into his mouth and at the same time trying to cover my breast and my tummy from getting exposed. My struggles caused Akif to be uncomfortable which at the end made him screamed his lungs out.

If you are worried about people staring, then what you should to is stare back at them. They will surely look away. Trust me..tried it and it worked!

Babies are very sensitive. If we are not comfortable, they too will get uncomfortable. Hence resulting to a very disappointing experience/moment.

Practise how you would NIP before you go out. Practise makes perfect!

2. Good nursing bra
I don't know how some mothers can nurse without a nursing bra. Wouldn't folding/ pushing your normal bra to the side whenever you want to nurse can in the long run damage your beautiful bra?

Once you have mastered unfasten and fastening the clips, BF will be a breeze. It's good to have a well supported nursing bra and make sure you have some with padding to wear with your plain clothes cause nipples tend to perk up after nursing. You definitely don't want be caught 'perking' off guard, right?

3. Nursing cover (NC)
When i first started BFing, i know it is a must have. I'm very shy about my assets so NIP must be done discreetly ;). But because the ones i like were kind of out my budget and because i don't know how to make one, i end up not owning one, at first. Then i found a way to have my own NC without having to spend or do very much from mama shmontel.

It went well a first but not anymore. You see, my baby is the type who likes to roam his fingers around when nursing. So the NC often gets in his way therefore would cause him to get upset. So out of the list goes my NC. But i still bring it along whenever i'm going out,just in case.

4. Nursing tops
This is most essential i think. But believe it or not, i don't own one. Not because i don't want to but because i cannot find one that fulfill my requirements/needs. I want a nursing top that is..

a. Not tight..i.e generous cut
b. preferably long sleeve so i can cover my aurah.
If not then i have to put on my cardigan to go with it it.
c. Long enough that it covers and ends slightly under my bottom.. (approx. 32" to be precise ;))
d. Large enough to fit me..i'm a size 16

So far, there are local brands selling nursing tops but none really suits me. Sleeves are normally 3/4 and length wise, not long enough as they always fall on the hips..not below. In the size department..hard to find one that fits comfortably.

So, I end up wearing my normal t-shirt or blouse. But what's lacking when wearing these normal clothes is tummy easily get exposed when you lift it up to nurse. To solve that problem, i have ordered two Tina Nursing Tanks from Fabulousmom. They are on clearance sale @ 50% discount! They can be worn under any clothes, the bust part drops down easily for nursing and has a built in shelf bra which provides good support.

Last time i checked, they are on its way to my door step. Hope this will be the only next best thing i need to make my NIP a pleasant& enjoyable one-for me and my baby ;)

Will keep you posted on how the tanks scores.

* For more NIP tips, please go here

Breast Feeding - Getting Started

How to get started with breastfeeding:

The process of breastfeeding and your milk change as your baby grows and develops. A newborn's feeding routine may be different than that of a breastfeeding 6-month-old. As the baby grows, the nutrients in your milk adapt to your growing baby's needs. The anti-infective properties also increase if you or your baby is exposed to some new bacteria or virus.

• early breastfeeding
  The first weeks of breastfeeding should be considered a learning period for both you and your baby. Do not expect to work as a coordinated team immediately. Give yourselves plenty of time to recuperate from labor and birth, develop a daily routine, and overcome any initial breastfeeding difficulties.
  
  It may help to keep a simple checklist chart to mark daily feedings and diaper counts until your baby is gaining weight appropriately. To make a chart, take a piece of paper and number down 24 hours from midnight to 11 p.m. Then make several columns for breastfeeding, wet diaper, and stool, and put a check in the appropriate column as it occurs. (Some mothers add extra columns for pumping sessions and alternative feedings if a baby is having difficulty and they must express milk and offer it or a substitute at times.)
• day 1
  Most full-term, healthy babies are ready and eager to begin breastfeeding within the first half hour to two hours of birth. Then many sleep or act drowsy for the next two to 20 hours, so a baby may not be very interested in breastfeeding again on his/her birthday. However, a baby should breastfeed several times that first day. Expect to change only a couple of wet and dirty diapers during the first 24 hours.
• days 2 to 4
  Although he/she may need practice with latching on and sucking, by the second day your baby should begin to wake and cue (show readiness) for feedings every 1 1/2 to 3 hours for a total of 8 to 12 breastfeedings in 24 hours. These frequent feedings provide your baby with antibody-rich first milk called colostrum and tell your breasts to make more milk. Your baby should suckle for at least 10 minutes and may continue for about 30 minutes on the first breast before letting go, or "self-detaching," without help from you. When he/she finishes at one breast, you can burp and change his/her diaper before offering the second breast.
  
  As with Day 1, you probably will change only a few wet and dirty diapers on baby's second and third days, and do not be surprised if your baby loses weight during the first several days. The number of diaper changes and baby's weight will increase when your milk "comes in."
  
  You may feel uterine cramping when breastfeeding the first two or three days, especially if this is a second or subsequent baby. This is a positive sign that the baby's sucking has triggered a milk let-down, also called the milk-ejection reflex (MER). It also means your uterus is contracting, which helps minimize bleeding. A nurse can give you something to take before feeding if needed for the discomfort. Some mothers briefly feel a tingling, "pins and needles," or a flushing of warmth or coolness through the breasts with milk let-down; others notice nothing different, except the rhythm of baby's sucking.
  
  Because your baby still is learning, you may experience nipple tenderness when he/she latches on or during a breastfeeding. Other factors also may contribute to this tenderness, but usually it is mild and disappears by the end of the first week. If tenderness persists, develops into pain, or nipple cracking is noted, contact a certified lactation consultant (IBCLC).
• days 3 to 5
  The volume of breast milk produced increases dramatically at about 3 or 4 days after birth, and the milk is said to have "come in." Your baby probably will drift off after his/her 8 to 12, 10 to 30-minute feedings and act more satisfied after a meal. Within 12 to 24 hours, you should be changing a lot more wet diapers. The number of dirty diapers also increases, and the stools should be changing in color and consistency. From the dark, tarry meconium stool, they should progress to softer and brown color before becoming a mustard-yellow and loose and seedy. Weight gain should also pick up within 24 hours of this increase in milk production, so your baby begins to gain at least half an ounce (15 g) a day.
  
  You may notice that your breasts feel fuller, heavier, or warmer when your milk comes in. Some mothers find their breasts become uncomfortably engorged due to increased milk volume and tissue swelling. Then the breasts feel hard and tight; the areola and nipple may seem stretched and flat, making it difficult for a baby to latch-on. The most important thing to do when your milk first comes in is to move the milk out of your breasts by feeding your baby frequently. If your baby has difficulty latching on because of severe engorgement:
  • Soften the nipple and areola by expressing some milk and then let baby latch on.
  • Breastfeed or express milk by hand or breast pump frequently (every one to two hours)- your breasts should feel noticeably softer after breastfeeding or pumping.
  • Apply cold packs or sandwich bags filled with ice or frozen vegetables to the breasts for 20 to 30 minutes after a feeding or pumping session. The application of cold packs has been shown to relieve the swelling that may interfere with milk flow. Some women do report improved milk flow if they also apply warm compresses to the breasts for a few minutes immediately before breastfeeding or milk expression, but there are no studies that support this as effective. Using heat for more than a few minutes could increase the amount of swelling.
• days 5 to 28
  Your baby will become more proficient at breastfeeding as the first month progresses. Expect to feed your baby about 8 to 12 times in 24 hours and for approximately 10 to 30 minutes at the first breast before he/she lets go of the breast without your help. You can then burp the baby, change his/her diaper, and switch to the second breast. Usually, a baby will breastfeed for a shorter period at the second breast, and sometimes he/she may not want to feed on the second breast at all. Simply offer the second breast first at the next feeding.

  Babies that guzzle their food nonstop may self-detach in 10 to 15 minutes; babies preferring to savor their meals often take 20 to 35 minutes on the first breast, because they tend to take a few several-minute breaks between "courses." Whichever type your baby is, it is important to let him/her choose when to let go of the breast, as this self-detachment will increase the amount of higher fat/higher calorie milk (hindmilk) your baby takes in.

Your baby should continue to:

• Soak six or more wet diapers.
• Pass three or more loose, seedy, yellow stools.
• Gain more than one half ounce (15 g) a day, more than four to five ounces (120 to 150 g) a week, or one pound (454 g) a month (from lowest weight), regaining birthweight by 2 weeks.

Your baby probably will go through several two to four day "growth spurt" periods when he/she seems to want to eat almost around the clock. Babies commonly experience a growth spurt between 2 to 3 weeks, 4 to 6 weeks, and again at about 3 months. It is important to let a baby feed more often during these spurts. Within a few days, your baby will have returned to a more typical pattern.

Let your baby set the pace for breastfeeding. Pay attention to his/her feeding cues. The number of feedings each baby needs and the length of time each feeding lasts will vary from baby to baby. Trying to force a breastfed baby to wait longer between feedings, or fit a particular feeding schedule, can result in poor weight gain.

Source : internet, can't remember the site (sorry!)