My breastfeeding journey - The end

Today is the day I finally stop breastfeeding.

The feeling isn't easy, although I have thought of quiting much earlier in Feb, but I'm still dragging on since to Kaith has not wean off her mid night feed.

But I have decided to put a full stop today and I took the Bromocriptine pill given by doctor to stop my breast milk production. I need to take 2 pills each day for 5 days and the milk would then slowly stopped, well it's the same as how I stop breastfeeding Dillon last time.

I only managed to breastfeed Dillon for 8 months and now Kaith for 9 months, it's not very long but I'm proud that I've at least keep it up for more than half a year. My breastfeeding journey has been pleasant and I've enjoyed it very much, I'll never forget the precious intimate moment I had with my 2 lil' ones....


Dillon at 8 months old then; Kaith at 9 months old now

How to quit?

As mentioned in my previous post, I have decided to discontinue breastfeeding Kaith and wanted to wean her off the midnight feed, up till today I’m not able to “achieve” it yet. Kaith still wakes up around 3am for milk, even I tried to cradle her back to sleep without giving her milk but I failed, and she doesn’t want pacifier as well.

Last 2 days, I’ve asked my maid to room in with Kaith while Dillon sleeps with me, hoping that maybe Kaith won’t wake up for milk if it wasn’t me sleeping next to her.... too bad it’s the same, worst still my maid needs to wake up & make milk for her while I need to wake up to express milk, which is more hassle and more tiring for both of us.

So now everything is back to usual where Kaith is sleeping with me and I’m still breastfeeding her midnight.

Any tips on how to put a stop to this?

It's time....

I have decided to discontinue my breastfeeding journey.

In fact I've initially planned to stop after Chinese New Year but I'm yet to wean her off mid night feed so I still keep it up till now.

Kaith will be turning 8 months by next Monday & she has already started on solid food. Although I wish to be able to breastfeed longer, but as a full time working mum, it's really not easy to keep it up due to work commitment, plus there is a demanding boy at his terrible 2s at home. :)

Anyway, I'm happy & proud that I've achieved my "target" (to breastfeed at least 6 months), so it's time to nicely put a full stop to my breastfeeding journey now without any regret .... :)

I have truly enjoyed both of my breastfeeding journey and I think they are one of the most beautiful moments in my life, and the greatest gift I had given to my kids.

My bag

This picture is taken at my office pantry, and this is my cooler bag, which I'd carry to work with me everyday. I bought this bag from Fabulous mum, and it comes with ice sheets. The bag (with ice sheets) is insulated to keep the milk chilled for up to 12 hours and it comes with separate pocket to keep the breastpump and accessories. Some of my colleagues even mistaken it as a camera bag, hahaha LOL.

My breastfeeding journey - Part 4

After 4 months breastfeeding Kaith exclusively, she is now taking formula milk occasionally as my milk supply is lesser, and also she has increased her milk intake to 5.5oz already (she weighs a healthy 6.8kg now)

It's my bad that I didn't pump as frequent lately, sometimes due to work time constraints; and sometimes due to my weekend activities where I'm always on the go, I just couldn't keep up to my feeding and pumping schedule.

Nowadays she is taking formula once every 2 days, the rest of the time are still on breast milk. Same as Dillon, I don't plan to start Kaith on solid until she is 6-7 months old.


Look how much she enjoys sucking on her fingers...hmmm.... yummy.... :)

My breastfeeding journey - Part 3

Ever since the 8th day Kaith was born, I've been breastfeeding her exclusively and today is the 112th day in my breastfeeding journey.

It's been about 1.5 months after I returned to work. Everyday I would carry along my cooler bag with all the accessories to office and I normally need to pump twice a day at work. I consider myself a lonely ranger because no one else is doing or had done so in this office.

I would say with my past experience, it's so much easier for me to breastfeed this time. Though at times I do feel tired & tied up but I never thought of giving up. I know this is the best I could give to my baby (& the best way for me to lose weight too, hehehe). I'm planning to keep this up until Kaith turns 8 months, or even longer.... - to be continued

P/S: The good thing is, I've lost another 1 kg this month :)

Part 1 & Part 2

My breastfeeding journey - Part 2

Everyday when I go to work, I have to bring along my cooler bag with all the necessary items eg. breast pump, storage bottles, cloth, nursing pads & cooler block. I normally would breastfeed Dillon before I leave for work around 7.30 - 8am. Then I would pump once around 11 -11.30am and another around 4 - 4.30pm in order to maintain my milk supply & ease my engorgement.

Sad to say I have no choice but to pump in the office washroom as there isn't a nursing room or any vacant room in the office.There are only 2 cubicles in the washroom & at times when I'm doing my routine, I do feel bad that I have to make people wait for long. There are also some male colleagues who will make funny faces when they see the cooler bag & bottles of milk I kept in the fridge but I couldn't care less of what they think.

When I'm back home, I will either breastfeed Dillon or pump, depending on the timing (he need to take 7oz each feed). I can't sleep through every night due to engorgement, if Dillon is awake I will feed him direct, otherwise I'll still need to get up & pump. It's so tiring & there are few times where I actually fell asleep half way pumping the milk.... :P

I manage to breastfeed Dillon for 8 months, after which I have decided to take a break as I was planning for 2nd baby. Now when I think back about it, it's a bit of waste that I didn't keep it up longer...... Well I will try to breastfeed my 2nd baby longer and hopefully I'll have a smooth journey this time. - to be continued

My breastfeeding journey - Part 1

No one in mine or my in-law family have had the experience in breastfeeding so when I'm determined to breastfeed Dillon (actually I don't recall what makes me decided to breastfeed my baby), I need to do lots of reading from the web, books & ask for advice from friends, I've also attended a seminar held at Pantai Bangsar.

Right after Dillon was born & cleaned by the nurse, he was placed in the labour room with me, the nurse taught me how to let him latch on properly & then he immediately start sucking...... It was such a peaceful scene & I definitely won't forget this beautiful moment in my life.

When we returned home, I continued to breastfeed him but I'm so stressed that I don't seem to have the milk flowing in, so I decided to mix feed with formula milk in bottle as I don't want to push myself too hard. Being a 1st time mum without experience, I was so frustrated & nearly gave up on breastfeeding if I have not got the support from my hubby & some breastfeeding mums. It was real tough for the first few days & finally it got better after I had my Malay urut session on the 4th day. The milk flow started to establish & I began to gain back the confidence in myself.

When I have to return to work after 2 months of maternity leave, it's another challenging part in the breastfeeding journey for me........ to be continued in next post......