7 weeks and our breast-feeding journey

 

 

You are now 1 month and 3 weeks Little Pebble!

 

We went to see another pediatrician last 23 October. She said that you now measure 52 centimetres (about 20.5 inches) and weigh 3.5 kilos. We will likely be switching to this pediatrician. She supports breast feeding and is lucid with her explanations regarding most of Mommy’s queries. She also has a baby-friendly system of scheduling check-ups.  We see her on a particular time slot instead of waiting interminably until our turn gets called.  Mommy believes that we should limit your exposure to the hospital as much as possible especially with your undeveloped immune system. 

 

Remember we mentioned to you before that we will be breastfeeding you? It was challenging the first few weeks after you were born but we have finally gotten over the hump.  We did well as a team – you, Daddy, and Mommy. Mommy also had lots of support from her breastfeeding advocate friends.  

 

Thank you Ninang Cristine for this book!

 Why are we going through all this trouble of breastfeeding? Penelope Leach in her, “The Essential First Year” enumerates the following benefits:

 

1.       Breast milk is uniquely right for you adjusting itself to your age, stage, and even conditions. If the weather is warm and you need extra water for example, breast milk will adjust to the situation and provide it (which is why, we don’t need to give you water just yet).

 

2.      Breast milk changes within each feeding to accommodate your appetite.  This not only means more contentment but less risk of obesity.  The first milk you get from each breast, the foremilk, is low in calories so you can suck for thirst and pleasure without feeling too full.  It’s when you empty the breast that you get the high-nutrient hindmilk (this explains why you have to feed at least 10 minutes from each breast).

 

3.       Breast-fed babies have fewer or less severe respiratory infections and long-lasting colds and fewer episodes of wheeziness and glue-ear than bottle-fed babies.

 

4.       Breast-fed babies suffer fewer urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal infections, and bouts of diarrhea (breast-fed babies will hardly get constipated too!).

 

5.      Breast-fed babies are less likely to develop juvenile diabetes (Mommy is concerned about this given her family history of diabetes).

 

6.      They are less likely to become obese in childhood (Statistics show that childhood obesity is on the rise which is easy enough to substantiate.  There is a substantial number of rotund formula-fed 10-month old babies in our building.).

 

7.       Breast-fed infants’ immune systems are more effective, which reduces the risk of disorders such as asthma and eczema, even where there is a family history of them.

 

8.       Breast-feeding reduces the small chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome even further.

 

Here’s the clincher why we must persist with breastfeeding, Little Pebble.  Research suggests that breast-fed babies turn out to be more intelligent.  Recent large studies found that six-year olds who have been exclusively breast-fed as babies score an extra 5.9 points in a battery of IQ and performance tests!

 

We have been spending quality time as a little family the past three weeks, bello. Daddy (a.k.a. the Master Chef) has been whipping up dish after dish for us. He probably fears you and Mommy might revert to Mommy’s bacholerette tuna dinners once Daddy goes back to work. Of course we won’t.  Ever since you’ve been in Mommy’s tummy, we don’t do those tuna-from-the-can dinners any longer, have we? Mommy has been learning to cook and even Daddy has noticed that Mommy has not mentioned anything about bringing her favourite Australian canned tuna when he flew over six weeks ago.  We are conscious now of what Mommy eats because you are ingesting the same. Mommy, whose blood probably contained more caffeine than water before she had you, is disciplining herself with her coffee intake.  While breastfeeding mothers are allowed about two cups of coffee a day, Mommy does not go more than a cup per day.  During your early weeks, she would just take a sip from Daddy’s espresso or cafe latte.  

 

Daddy has gone back to work this week and it’s just been you and Mommy getting up for the late night and early morning feedings.  We’ve missed a feeding or two (Mommy sleeps like a log).  Daddy said Mommy has to put the alarm clock far from her reach so she gets up instead of reaching over for it.  You’re not supposed to go for more than four hours without feeding.  So we will try that tonight, shall we, bello?

 

POSTSCRIPT:

 

You can now easily move your head from side to side.  Check out this video!
 

 

 

We’re still working on getting into a reading habit. We will eventually get there.

 

Thank you Diane for the bedtime book!