My breastfeeding challenges # Part 1

As much as I wanted to fully breastfeed my baby,
I have ongoing challenges I'd love to share with moms out there.

I personally think breastfeeding need 3 very basic things.
Rezeki, semangat & determination.
All the other things are just accessories
(e.g. breastpump, cooler bag, storage bottle, ice packs, etc).

And the best personal advice I could give :
Learn about your own milk & your own bodily function.
What others are giving are just guidelines!

Jiwa kacau I baca post kat Facebook moms yang buang susu because all the silly reasons. I understand if their supply are abundant or it reaches the expiry date, for me who's struggling to keep my baby on breastmilk, I've tested it to the extreme.
Trial and error. Kalo tak sedap, baby will reject. It's natural.

And those who manage to exclusively bf, do not judge a mom who couldn't. I believe they must have their own good reason having chosen not to give their love one the best option available.

So here goes my challenges.
Challenge #1: Inverted nipple.
It causes baby to have hard time latching on. Lucky it was just on one side so she can continue nursing on the other :)

Solutions:
1. Pumping will help form your nipple.
2. I'd swear by Medela Softshells/Nipple Former!! Works when you don't even know it ;)

Challenge #2: Sore nipple.
I know it's common. The fact that it hurts so much when baby suckle, I find it's soothing at the same time. Tapi sakit mmg boleh menitik air mata. Nak pump pon tak boleh. Mama told me not to wash the nipples using soap as it will dry the area and make it worse.

Solutions :
1. Nipple cream. I tried Purelan & Lanolin. Prefers Purelan ;)

2. Soft shells again!!! Love it to the max!!!
It covers the area from any contact with fabric and ensure fast healing.

3. Using the right size breastshield for pumping.
The fact that my nipples rub on the breastshield is the reason causing the sore. Thanks Nasrah for asking. I managed to find answer for her and help me heal myself ;)

Click image to enlarge.
Challenge #3: Excessive lipase in breastmilk.
It turns out my milk contain excessive lipase (enzyme to breakdown the fat in the milk for digestion) that cause the milk to smell fishy (other moms might experience soapy/metallic smell). 

Initially, due to lack of knowledge and experience, I thought it was my handling that caused such faulty smelling milk. Hampir semua susu yang dibekukan hasil perahan dalam pantang berbau sangat tengik. So memang tak boleh buat stok. Susu yang disejukkan ok pulak. I think when it freezes it changes all the composition. And my baby refused to take it. Yelah, dah ada yang fresh, kenapa nak accept yang frozen kan?

Thanks to Yaya for posting that subject ;) I googled and found some moms lagi teruk. If chilled pon susu boleh tengik. So I bersyukur la sikit... heh.

Solutions:
1. It was suggested to scald the milk. Scald = panaskan dalam pan hingga naik buih2 kecik kat tepi pan, tapi jangan sampai mendidih. I did a few times and yes bau mmg kurang...
2. My baby became less fussy and agreed to take it when I was away. Haha.
3. The lipase content reduces by time I think, sbb skarang dah ok.

Get more info on lipase in breastmilk here & here.

To be continued.