Breastfeeding Journey II

When I found out I was pregnant, EG asked me if I want to upgrade my breastpump. Of course I want. :)... I was using Unimom for Eunice's time. It served me well. But this round, knowing that it's going to be another long journey, I bought Medela Pump In Style Advanced instead. I got it from Amazon.com and EG's colleague was really kind to help me to bring all the way back to Penang for me!

I have read that for 2nd baby, mother will have more milk. I prayed for that. During pregnancy, I felt my breast duct was a bit painful, the sensation is similar to when I had mastitis during Eunice's time. I was worried that it'll be a roadblock for me to breastfeed my baby. Thank God the sensation went away in my later part of my pregnancy.

EG said I have breastfed Eunice for 19.5 months, so I must do the same for Natalie, if not more, to be fair he said. :).. Well, I agree.

I direct latched Natalie after she's born. No bottle feeding. I insisted to direct feed. When I came home on my 4th day (I stayed extra day to observe Nat's jaundice), I felt my breast was very engorged. So I pumped, and I got 6oz output! Wow, amazing.

I pump once a day during confinement to clear my breasts. I can get 7oz easily, while I direct fed Natalie most of the time. So in the end, I fed Eunice my breastmilk since I dunno what to do with it. :)

After I started working, my supply was abundant. Averagely I get 8-10oz on my every pump session. And I tried not to over supply, hence I still only pump 3 times a day, even Nat has slept through the night. And I still get 27oz-30oz of output everyday. As a result? Not only my freezer is full, now both my girls are on breastmilk fully. Yes, you heard it right! Eunice is on breastmilk AGAIN. :)

I tried not to stuff up my freezer since EG didn't want to buy another freezer for me. I have to agree with him that as long as it's enough supply, no point stocking up so much. My girlfriend told me, it's a good problem actually. I have to agree with her. Oversupply is always better than under supply.

I love my new pump. I could get 7-10oz in 15 minutes. My friends sharing the same pumping room in office often shocked with my efficiency! It's good because work is crazily busy  now and I won't take so long in the room pumping like during Eunice's time.

I sure hope I can breastfeed Nat up to 2 years old. For 2nd baby, even breastfeeding is such an enjoying process. :).. Guess my friend is right, with a good pump, it surely makes the breastfeeding journey more pleasure! :)

4th day post partum, my golden creamy milk

My new companion for the next 18 months, or more :)

National day present - pumped 14 oz one go!

Freezer door full during confinement

1.5 mths post delivery

Effect of durians - 19oz one go! I also went @.@!!!

My freezer today on 28 Dec 2012

Natalie's Update

Once, a friend told me, you won't enjoy when you have the first baby because you're too stress up, for the 2nd baby you'll enjoy it much more. And that's what I am experiencing now. :)

Since we took care of Eunice ourselves, both EG and I were kinda ready to go through all the "hardship" again with Natalie's arrival. However, I thank God that Natalie is a much easier baby than Eunice. She enjoys going out, and she sleeps most of the time. She sits in her stroller and she's quiet as long as she's carried. :)

Time really flies with 2 kids at home. We're just busy with house work and preparing meals/milk for the kids and Natalie is already 4.5 moths old, going to be 5 months old soon.We're very happy with our little girl's milestone. In her 2nd month+, she could actually turn from her back to her tummy. She gave us a shock. What a strong girl.

At her 4th month now, Natalie can:
1. Lift head while lying on tummy @ her 1st month
2. Reponds to sound since confinement
3. Stares at faces since confinement
4. Follow objects with eyes since confinement
5. Gurgles and coos @ her 2nd month
6. Hold her head up high @ her 2nd month
7. Turns from back to tummy @ her 2nd month
8. Does mini push up @ her 3rd month
9. Rolls all over the mat from tummy to back to tummy @ her 3rd month
10. Grasp a toy with her hands @ her 3rd month +
11. Smiles & laughs

Whenever I carry Nat up on a sitting position, she'd "stand" on my tummy with her legs straight. :).. We do think she has very strong legs. Even confinement lady said that.

And the best part about Natalie is, at her 4 mths+, since 19th Dec, she has been sleeping through the night! Her last feed is normally around 8pm-9pm, and she'd sleep for 12 hours, sometimes even longer, without waking up to drink. I tried picking her up to direct latch but she cried. I was worried initially, but later I read that sleeping is more important than drinking. So, I let her be. Hence, as impossible as it sounded, I also started to sleep through the night. What a luxury it is! I could actually do some of my stuff after she sleeps.

I have to agree with some ppl that Natalie is a very contented baby. We brought her to watch a musical play from our church on Christmas, All Nat did was to lie on my chest, slept 2 rounds, woke up but stayed on my chest quietly, throughout the whole 2 hours! I could actually finish watching the whole play! :)

And yes, she's breastfed, of course. She doesn't drink as much as Eunice, at least 30% less, but her weight gain is on par with Eunice's with Eunice was a baby, hence Dr said there's nothing to be worried about since her weight growth is above average. She sleeps more than she drinks, I guess she grows in her dream. :)

26/10 - Flipped herself

Doing push up

@ Altera Family Day :)

My pretty little girl

2/12 - Sitting straight up in her bumbo