When I got pregnant with Ria in 2010, I was determined to breastfeed her because I understand the benefits of it. My parents were so supportive with my decision. My sisters were not able to breastfeed their daughters for a long time so I was really determined to do it.

October 9, 2010. I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. It was an emergency CS because of my blood pressure. I was unconscious from 9am to past 5pm. When I woke up, I was still sleepy so I grabbed the chance to sleep again. I was not able to see her not until we decided to room her on the second day. I was also reluctant because I did not know parents can room in their babies. All the while, I thought babies were supposed to stay in the nursery.

When Ria was brought to our room, I tried to breastfeed her. We also had a pump with us. Ria was a fast learner. She latched on naturally although I did not know if she had extracted milk. I tried to pump but nothing was coming out. So when we were discharged, I asked my husband to buy Natalac capsule as recommended by my OB. The very next day, I leaked.

I breastfed her whenever she asked for milk, even during the wee hours. I was really tired because of the sleepless nights nd frustration that she just won’t quit crying. I was undergoing postpartum too.

During our well baby check up, her pedia noticed that she was so yellow. She knew I was breastfeeding and giving water to Ria. She advised me to stop breastfeeding her for 24 hours and give her formula milk instead. She also said I should not direct feed her as the jaundice was caused by my milk. So I had to boil my milk before giving it her. Ever since, my milk supply slowed down as she was already on formula milk and breast milk (supplemental only). And yes, Ria’s color became normal after that. 

After three months, I started to work again and my supply really dwindled until it was gone when Ria reached five months. And that was the end of my breastfeeding journey for her. She became dependent on formula milk.

The month after I totally stopped giving her breast milk, she got really sick. Good thing she was not admitted. Then I realized she surpassed December and January without getting sick. She still got breast milk that time.

So I failed. I was not able to give her six months of breastfeeding requirement. I did not know the things that could have helped me. I did not know the unang yakap, giving breast milk within the first hour of birth, the term exclusive breastfeeding. I did not know that we shoukd not give water when the baby is breastfed.

So now that I got pregnant after four years, I researched because I want to successfully breastfeed our second child. Good thing I joined the group Breastfeeding Pinays (BFP) on Facebook. I learned the things I did not know. The do’s and don’ts of breastfeeding. I also bought the book “The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding” by La Leche League. Now I know better than before. I thought breastfeeding is just breastfeeding. I did not know that it would take a lot of commitment and research on how to breastfeed.

I also discovered that jaundice ’caused’ by breastfeeding is just jaundice. Others may call it breastfeeding jaundice where the child does not receive enough milk or breastmilk jaundice, the one said by the pedia, when there are enzymes in milk that causes the slow down of liver process causing the bilirubin to stay inside the baby’s body. Mommies in BFP said that I should unlilatch if the baby becomes yellow to excrete the bilirubin faster.

I also discovered water intoxication that causes jaundice. We gave Ria a lot of water when she was born because we thought she should receive water. I did not know that breastmilk is composed of 80% water already. There’s no need to give water.

I also researched on the recommendations of World Health Organization. At least 6 months of exclusively breastfeeding and breastfeeding with supplement of solid food until two (or beyond). 

I am still researching if breastfed babies should not be given vitamins until 6 months. I checked WHO but I think they are ok with vitamins while breastfeeding. Well, I think I’m gonna ask DOH regarding this.

This time, I am really determined to breastfeed our second baby until weaning time.