Me and my sisters were all formula-fed; the milk wars were very strong in the 80s and 90s. We were all on S26 during 0-6 months and then Promil onwards. I also watched my younger cousins go the same route, though it was Gain for their 6 month onwards.
The manufacturers and advertisers really did a great job in pushing formula milk, that hospitals automatically assumes a pregnant woman in labor who checks in brought formula milk with her. As a kid, knowing the expensive tag price that came with these milk, asked my mother how poor people feed their babies. She said am, the rice washing, or by breastfeeding. I felt sorry for them. I associated breastfeeding with inability to provide.
These days, breastfeeding advocates started popping up like crazy. They seemed so passionate about their cause, which reminded me of feminists (insert negative connotation). But seeing their reasons made me appreciate why they are fighting. A really good friend and colleague of mine shared her experience as a first time mom: she regretted not being able to breastfeed. Her newborn had been crying and she had no milk coming out so they panicked and fed him formula. There’s no going back. Only to realize later on the baby can survive even if they havent fed him.
On our Family Planning Seminar during the required Pre-Marriage Counseling, breastfeeding was discussed. The health workers were talking in layman’s terms, almost street language, so I wasnt able to have in depth understanding on why breastfeeding is the way to go; nevertheless, my husband, fiance back then, and I really decided to pursue breastfeeding for our babies. The main takeaway from that seminar is that our babies are human and should feed on human nourishment, not the one of cow’s. After all, they have 4 stomachs. How can we expect our babies to keep up?!
When I got pregnant, this is one of the things I started researching on. I dont have much close friends that are moms; those who are didnt breastfeed. My mom and sister did not breastfeed as well. I was just going on article after article, blog after blog, arming myself with as much information as I can. I’ve met wives of ministers as well (when I tag along with my husband) who shared their tried and tested techniques. I was groping but I’m getting help every now and then.
When I reached my 3rd trimester, I started focusing on (and praying for) my capacity to produce milk, now that miscarriage and premature worries are out of the way. The grocery we frequent always do not have malunggay, the wonder gulay, so I ate oatmeal instead. I even ordered lactation cookies (courtesy of rikainpink) on my 9th month. These paid off because I would see leaks whenever I clean my nipples.
Fast-forward to delivery day. Inside the recovery room, the NICU nurse placed my baby on one side and she started feeding. Very smoothly. She fed again after we transferred to our room. Smoothly, again. Very happy. My mother-in-law kept commenting on how lucky I am to have a good supply.
Day 2. I was annoyed with my IV because I couldnt feed on my left. We tried to but she preferred the right one; left wasnt as protruded. She slept almost the whole day and we had troubles waking her up. The nurses and doctors said she probably absorbed anesthesia from me.
Day 3. Relatives came. Being the first apo and apo sa tuhod, lolas started to carry her. The crying started shortly thereafter. She was very persistent, her cries sounding more like a 1-year-old than a newborn. They started having concepts like the age-old nasanay sa karga, so they were testing how I would fare as a mother. I eventually gave in, picked her up and started feeding her. She stopped crying the moment I lifted her and slept after a few sucks. They laughed at me and said I lost.
She started the crying spree again at midnight. We tried everything: checked her diaper, checked her temperature. She just fed so it was out of the question. Her dad was getting annoyed and retreated to the sofa, making me tag along. He questioned where I was going every time I moved and told me she shouldnt be picked up so she wont get used to it. Of course, no mother can ignore her baby’s cries so I headed back, arguing that she’s a newborn and that she possibly isnt capable yet of manipulating us.
We went back. My husband felt that she was feverish. He immediately checked her temperature while I called our ninang who is a pediatrician. Her temp was 37.7 degree Celsius. Our ninang told us to give her a sponge bath and feed her. We felt ashamed of ourselves so we did as told, then I placed in our bed so I can readily feed her when she wants to.
She had another 37.7 the next day so we continued the sponge bath and constant feeding. She didnt have a fever anymore but her lips looked so dry. We called our ninang again, she said our baby was still hungry and can hear it from her cries over the phone. It was frustrating because I’ve been feeding almost non-stop, and sometime in the afternoon, she seemed so fussy already. So we concluded: my milk wasnt enough for her. Our ninang pedia told me to go buy S26 BUT use a medicine dropper so she wont have nipple confusion.
While my husband ran to the nearest drugstore, I cried. A lot. I prayedto be able to breastfeed. I wasnt providing well to my daughter. I neglected her cries.
He came back with a small box of S26 and I immediately prepared a small serving of milk, just enough for the recommended amount of 30cc or 30 drops. She calmed during and after feeding. We felt relieved yet heartbroken at the same time.
We realized I havent recovered yet. At the hospital, I was on IV so I was well hydrated. I dont really eat much and I didnt think that would have an effect. Also, I’m not the type who can really drink 8 glasses of water a day.
She started crying again after a few hours. I breastfed her, and same thing, became fussy after a while. I pumped to prove our theory — not a single drop came out. I told my husband we’re going to the ER.
At the ER, I shared our situation. I specifically said kulang ako sa gatas. She told me, “I-formula na po si baby. Wag na ipilit.” I was seething mad deep down but I kept my cool. I knew my husband was doing the same as well. The ER doctor called my daughter’s pedia, told me to visit at our pedia’s consultation hours the next day, then gave me a prescription for S26.
We went back home, sadly. I was hoping they’d put my daughter (and me) on IV to rehydrate, but we got really sad news. Formula. No. Wag ipilit? No way. Why wouldnt I?! I was going to push for it. I was going to recover and fast.
We prayed hard. My husband’s family came to the rescue as well, bringing me malunggay-based food and soup every meal. My husband was literally feeding me, making me malunggay tea, and bringing me water and juice every now and then. Whenever I cry, he would tell me to stop and save the water from my tears for baby’s milk.
The next day, we brought our LO to her pedia. She seemed a lot different from the ER doctor. She said she wanted to see our baby personally, mentioning something about not being on the same group or league or whatevs with the ER doctor. She agreed with the dropper method and just told me to keep breastfeeding, and to consider taking malunggay supplements.
Day in, day out, I fed my daughter with my breastmilk. We kept the dropper method to a very minimum, like when she’s really unconsolable. Even then, we try not to finish the 30 drops. My supportive husband stayed beside me to feed me, hydrate me, and take over thr housework.
After a couple of days (and with the help of a video decoding baby’s cries), we won the fight. Her lips started looking pinkish and glossy. She started losing the dehydrated signs. I see milk dripping out of my nipples after she pushes it out of her mouth.
So in retrospect, feed your baby, whenever she wants to. Dont forget to take care of yourself because your baby relies so much on you. And that sanay sa karga is a load of crap. Hold your baby; she needs it.
P.S.
My husband and I talked much about pushing for breastfeeding. We tried computing how much we’ll spend on formula milk if I gave up after what the ER doctor told me. He said he’d rather invest that money on a Lactation Specialist. I agree.
I suggest that if you have troubles with breastfeeding, immediately contact one. I was lucky enough to get a recommendation from a seller at Carousell (I bought my one and only, to date, nursing dress from her). And do talk to breastfeeding advocates to ease up with the stress. The Carouseller helped me during those tough times.
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article sponsered by Northern Michigan certified lactation consulting and Mother Hubbards Country Cupboard
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