"I gave birth 11 months ago. I have prepared myself for an exclusive breastfeeding journey, read all the books, joined most of the breastfeeding groups here on Facebook, and took all the galactogogues even before giving birth. 

Hardcore breastfeeding mommy ako kumbaga. Then came my delivery, it was not an easy normal delivery. I stayed 14 hours, did Unang Yakap and early latching.

At first, I thought I was producing less, so unli-latch talaga kami sa hospital. Pati hanggang paguwi. Second night, I observed LO having bouts of inconsolable cries. I thought it was just kabag as my mom says. Third night, ganoon pa din. No sleep at all. Zombie mode. Unli-latch pa din. I even increased my malunggay capsule dose. Malunggay to all my meals. I even have M2, but none of them worked. 

It was day 4 of my son when I noticed he became yellowish. And noticed yellow to orange stains on his diaper. I knew there was something wrong. It was also his 1st checkup.

My ever supportive Pedia says he didn't gain weight, as losing weight the first week is normal but to a certain measure only. He was crying most of the time, if not sleeping while latching.

I know mali talaga, siguro, nakakatulog na lang siya kasi napagod na siya kaka-latch, and wala pa ding milk. I tried pumping, patak lang. I know hindi basehan ang pumping to gauge milk...pero patak? Grabe lang. Then Pedia recommended observing if he's giving me enough wet diapers and mawala jaundice and mag gain ng weight kasi nga pinupush ko ang breastfeeding.

Pero siyempre, I didn't give up my breastmilk. And I realized, hey, I'm not a bad mom. I feed my baby. Regardless if it's formula or breast milk.

As of today. He is 11 months old, he can consume about 15 oz of formula, while unli-latch pa din sa akin. He is gaining weight and super bibo baby. We are practicing Tamang Kain. And LO is kind of eating na din. Yehey!

At first, I pray to breastfeed him for at least 1 week, para sa colostrum, kahit colostrum lang kako para healthy baby ko. At 1-week nag-stabilize supply ko, dumami ang milk, so sabi ko, please hanggang 6 weeks, just before he has his vaccine, para healthy pa rin siya. Then hanggang 3 months po sana madami pa milk ko tapos ok na...hanggang sa 6 months po tapos mag solids na si LO, pero since I am still milking, sige na.. hanggang mag self-wean na lang si LO. I will still continue our mixed feeding journey...until the last drop.

Fed is best. Again, motherhood is not just milk.

 ~Aidelenn Wong-Bajandi

Founder of Mixed Feeding Moms PH