Shared Experience

When I 1st became pregnant, my husband and I attended the Parent Craft Course at Karin Grech Hospital. It was very interesting and encouraged me very much to Breastfeed my baby. I always wanted to so. Even before I ever imagined I would be pregnant. When I set my mind on something I usually achieve it. My 1st son Jacob was to be born by C-Section. I had some days to prepare myself. This was because he never descended as he was supposed to. Since I wanted a natural birth very badly I was very much disappointed. However since I was fully awake during the birth it was not as disappointing as I thought it would be. I was very much part of it. The second he was born they showed us his tiny face. And we kissed him with tears coming down our face. Then he visited us another time until all the sutures were done. This time he was fully dressed and warm. The minute I was rolled into the Recovery room they latched him to me and he fed as naturally as can be…..

However during the 2 or 3^rd week it seemed as if he would not let my breast go. As a brand new mum I started blaming my breasts that there was not enough milk or something. My husband was very supportive and told me that no such thing could be possible. We had read about breastfeeding lots of time. But as not to discourage myself I decided to give him formula milk from now and then. This helped me rest more and not to give up on breastfeeding. The mistake I made was that when the actual flow started rolling in I never quit that formula milk. Eventually I would have still given him formula since I had to start working in 14 weeks but he would have been less keen on it. I had to quit at 8 months because he started preferring holding onto the bottle and drinking on his own. It was not easy but at least I knew that I did breastfeed him for 8 months and that it would serve as an experience if I had another child. 

By the time Jacob was a year and 4 months old I became pregnant with my second son. I did my best to avoid another C-Section and I succeeded. However due to some complication during the 2^nd stage of labour Ben was born suffering from Mild Birth Asphyxia. He was soon doing fine but my baby was taken to S.C.B.U. I was not allowed to breastfeed him but every ounce of breast milk I could produce was given by bottle. I was not able to hold him because of a very delicate intravenous line the have attached. It was very hard not to hold him especially since I wanted to breastfeed him so much just like his brother. But after 2 days the line was removed and I was able to feed him. He breastfed as if he had done it so many times before…..This time around I never gave him formula. I just persisted and persisted until the flow came and once it does the baby settles down naturally. Mums just let the 1^st month go by and then you are winners. Ben is now nearly 8 months old. I try to express for when I am not there, since I went to work when he was 3 months old, but I don’t stress myself too much. When it’s finished he can take some formula. But the minute I say “hello, I’m home” he will not stay still till he is held in my arms and drinking!!!

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