Sunday, May 9, 2010

the breastfeeding journey

I had to record this for I'd forget otherwise
date when I stopped breastfeeding: April ... (see I forgot already! - it was 2 weeks ago) - April 30 2010
having breastfed baby for 16 months - woo hoo!
okay, complete breastfeeding only for 4 months but still..

I was actually going to stop at about 13 months but then we went to New Zealand and she fell sick and we re-started breast feeding to help her keep some food in and fight the bacteria and that got us started again!

So funny this whole breastfeeding issue: when we started, we said it with great pride - for it was being encouraged by all doctors and through campaigns and posters - that breast milk was best
that was till baby was 6 months old.
then some people looked on in admiration while others tried to dissuade when I continued to breast feed past 6 months
then come 12 months, I had to keep it secret! because almost no one would encourage it anymore. except my mum which was very ironic, considering that intially she was the one who was insisting breast milk is completely insufficient for the baby and that formula was essential!
oh well!
personally, I've very happy and very blessed to have been able to breast feed for 16 months. it really helped me bond with my darling and honestly we both are really close! I mean, that is something really only mummy can do - all things else anyone else can do and was most most happy and willing to do - feed, change, bathe, dress play ... breast feeding however.. ha! only one!

I think it was like this:
complete breastfeeding: 0 - 4 months
breast feeding plust one feed formula: 5 - 8 months
baby rice introduced: 5 months
breast milk and baby rice: 8 - 9 months (india at that time, I did not bottle feed at all)
breast milk, baby rice and one feed formula - 9 - 11 months
breast milk, 2 - 3 feeds formula and solids (rice and paruppu etc) - 11 - 14 months
1 feed breast milk at night - 14 - 16 months

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