Breastfeeding: Promoting It Even If I Didn’t Get Lucky The First Time Around

Our family pic after I breastfeed in the hospital

I was determined that I will be breastfeeding our daughter. I was ready but that was only what I thought. There were challenges that faced me. When Kelsea came out, we chose not to room-in so that I can fully rest from my birthing experience. I underwent natural birthing but eventually led to CS operation because of our baby’s increasing heart rate. Since we didn’t do rooming-in, I signed a waiver instructing the Huggery not to give formula to Kelsea so that I can exclusively breastfeed her. She was brought to me every 3 hrs for feeding (more on latching since I didn’t have milk yet on the first few days). When my IV was removed, every 3 hours (sleepy or not) I went down to the Huggery to latch. I was having a hard time 🙁 She latches only for the first 1 or 2 minutes then she lets go. Good thing, the hospital supports breastfeeding so the nurses were very patient in teaching me how to latch correctly. Every time Kelsea lets go, I call the nurses to help me again. I was happy at times when she’ll latch for more than 5 minutes but that happiness turned to worry when she stops. Do I have no milk? Or is it too little and she can’t get enough? I was given malunggay supplement to help boost my milk. And I was also advised to drink lots of liquids. Luckily, my milk came out on the 4th day.

From then on, what I did was mixed-feeding. I would pump every 3 hrs but only got 1 or 2 oz of breast milk. Not enough. I still drank my supplements and liquids. We even massaged my breasts to help the flow of milk. But still it wasn’t enough 🙁 My breastmilk became more like vitamins to her in small amounts. I was stressed. We decided not have a nanny (until now)  to be hands-on which made me even more tired with all the chores that needed to be done and the pumping in between. I did that for 2 months and that was it. The law of supply and demand didn’t work on me. My breastfeeding journey ended.


Kelsea drinks formula milk until now (gotta wean her soon). Life went on. I joined an e-group called NewlyWedsAtWork (N@W) where fellow moms (and moms-to-be) share stories, tips, advices and anything under the sun. This group is very helpful and supportive. There were discussions about breastfeeding and I learned a lot from them. How I wish I’ve joined this group earlier. If only I can turn back time. But I shouldn’t have any regrets. I could just make up to breastfeeding on our next baby. I have learned a lot on my breastfeeding experience and from the discussions of breastfeeding advocates in N@W. 

Those two months of giving (little) breastmilk to Kelsea is already priceless for me. I did my best. Maybe I lacked support and more knowledge about it but I’m ready to take this challenge again when time comes for our next baby. I’ll even ask help from a lactation consultant. I promised to be more determined on this very important role as a mom. Because breastmilk is really the best for babies. 


Despite that experience of mine, I still promote breastfeeding. I can’t lead by example but I can do my own little ways. I encouraged my friends and sister-in-law, who gave birth after me, to breastfeed and never give up easily. I shared what I’ve learned from books and experiences of N@Wies. Some of them weren’t successful like me. But some are still enjoying giving breastmilk to their kids and I’m really happy for them. Thinking more on how to promote breastfeeding, even though a mom can’t be seen in public nursing her child, she can tell everyone that breastfeeding is the best without even uttering a word. How? Simply, by wearing a statement shirt! These are very “in” nowadays so why don’t we make the most out of it to promote breastfeeding? I love wearing t-shirts and I won’t mind wearing one that says “Breast is Best” 🙂 Wearing them would be plus points especially to breastfeeding advocates who goes around the country informing everyone the benefits of breastfeeding.

Kudos to all breastfeeding moms out there! 🙂