Relactating

Months before I gave birth to Rania, I had my mind set to exclusively breastfeed Rania. All apparatus (sounds like a science lab experiment) were bought before hand. Not wanting to put too much hopes, I told myself I would breastfeed her for 6 months. Anything more will be bonus.

When my little girl arrived, I had no milk. She refuses to suckle and so she was cup fed at the nursery. Not thinking too much since I was in helluva pain, I didn't worry.

Day 2 she started to suckle. I was so excited but she was constantly hungry. That was when I realised I did not have any breast milk.

I left the hospital at Day 3 without Rania because she was held back for photo theraphy for jaundice for 2 days. When we took her home, she was still on formula. No breastmilk after 5 days. The next day, I had few pathetic drops and was so estatic.

I did all that were advised. Drink warm milo before feed. Massage. Let her suckle.
But she was so tiny and her feed was every 2 hours. So I resorted many time to formula without having time or too exhausted to pump.

But over time my breast milk increased. I was happy to get 2 bottles totalling 180mls per day. That was enough for 2 feeds.

Days before dad passed away, I stopped pumping totally. The family were busy with tahlil and guests who visited mom, cleaning the house. I was also busy moving back to mom's place and rearranging things. I was busy helping mom with all that dad has left behind. Though little, I had quite a number of social PR to do outside home. Time and energy was not on my side. I was too tired to pump.

In fact, I was happy to make a bottle and get enthusiastic Rania-lovers to feed her.

Today, I pump once a day, getting 25mls or if I'm lucky, 50mls a day. Its frustrating. Squeezing the breasts like a bread dough while pumping did not help much.

I'm so afraid of drying up so I went to GNC to buy Fenugreek only to realise it aggravated my asthma syndrome. To think I bought 2 bottles of it!
(If you are a lactating mom and consume Fenugreek, please email me at nuramima@hotmail.com. I'd be more than happy to deliver them to you. FOC.)

I read up about relactation.
It is easier to relactate if your baby is less than 3 mths. Rania is 9 weeks. I have hope. I must restart now.

Challenge is, she refuses to latch cos she is used to the bottle and flow of milk is not as efficient.

I need to be patient.
Initially I bought pigeon electric pump and I was not satisfied. Dad encouraged me by getting me the Avent Manual pump.

He wants the best for his grand daughter. I always told him not to fuss too much about Rania. I know he is excited about his first cucu. I told him,"Don't worry dad. Relax. Take it easy. She is my daughter. I don't want to be kiasu."

He would say,"Ya I know. But she is my grand daughter okay. Grandddddd!" emphasizing much on the last word.
I won't let him down. I will give Rania the best she should have only because her yayi wanted her to have it.

Wish me luck.