When I Doubted Breast Milk

Achievement Unlocked: 18 months of exclusive breastfeeding with my little Queen B!

And though she be but little, she is fierce. - Shakespeare

As most breastfeeding mothers and lactation consultants will say, the first three weeks are the hardest but after that it gets easier. I am a testament to that statement. The first three weeks of my breastfeeding journey were filled with cracked and sore nipples, constant leaking, blocked milk ducts, and sleepless nights as Georgina nursed every 2 to 2.5 hours. Yet despite of the difficulties I have experienced, never did I doubt my capability to produce enough milk for my baby and its astonishing benefits to her. Of course, I’m also blessed with a great support system in my husband, our families, and our friends. I have never thought that I will ever consider giving formula milk to my little Queen B. But last month after Georgina’s vaccination schedule and check-up, I seriously gave it a thought.

After turning 6 months, my little Queen B’s weight-and-height-gain rate greatly decrease compared to the previous months. Her monthly weight gain is only 100-grams. J and I were not worried because she remains in the normal range according to the Child Growth Standards of World Health Organization (WHO). Yet last month, at 17-months of age her weight was only 7.7-kg while the normal weight is supposed to be between 7.9 to 12.9-kg. I was devastated. My niece,whose experience with neonatal sepsis and dehydration I have shared to you in this post, is even heavier than her and she is only 8 months of age!

Our little Queen B at 2 months of age wearing a dress sized for a 9-month old. 

At 18 months of age, she can still wear the same dress. 

Our little Queen B started sleeping through the night consistently around 3 months of age. Every now and then there will be a week of waking up in the middle of the night which coincides to her teething and if, sadly, she is sick. Nowadays, she can last 8 hours during night time and 4-5 hours during day time without nursing. I mostly follow her cues in nursing, if she asks for it I try to breastfeed her as soon as possible.

We introduced solids at 6 months of age and mostly followed the Baby-Led Weaning Technique. In Baby-Led Weaning (BLW), parents offer the baby a selection of nutritious finger foods suitable for the baby’s age. Like most babies, at first Georgina mostly played with her food and will just be able to ingest some every now and then. It took more than half a year for our little Queen B to eat a substantial amount of solids consistently. It was frustrating to dispose away food I have especially prepared for her. Admittedly, I got worried but her continuous fast development in motor skills and lack of illnesses abated any uncertainties I might have.  

The month before our vaccination schedule, J and I noticed that Georgina’s appetite have grown considerably. She was able to finish the portion I have served and sometimes even asks for more. I really thought that it will ensure her normal range status in the Child Growth Standards. I was proven wrong when we saw her weight in the scale (She doesn’t lose weight though but only gains small amounts). Coincidentally, our little Queen B was sick also. She started coughing the day before our vaccination schedule. That week she barely ate and on a few occasions even vomited the small amount food she was able to ingest because of her coughing. It was then that I started thinking about giving formula milk and for the first time, I doubted my milk’s ability to provide the much needed nutrients of our little Queen B.

I have read various articles (like this one from The Alpha Parent which comes with various studies to support its claims) that explained why formula fed babies tend to be heavier than their breastfed counterparts. One of the reasons why experts believe that formula fed babies tend to be heavier is because unlike in breastfeeding, formula feeding is prone to overfeeding thus these babies consuming more calories. (Take Note: There are a lot factors to weight gain. No one is saying that formula fed babies will be fat automatically.) I was thinking that with supplementation of formula milk, my little Queen B will gain back her roundness.

Thankfully, I have not craved in to my worries. After taking antibiotic, slowly my little Queen B’s appetite grew back. Last Sunday night, she even surprised us when she ate with gusto our dinner of leftover Beef Nilaga ala Cansi (J cooked this on Saturday evening and Georgina did not even want to taste it). Also, J and I observed that her climbing skills are developing so fast lately (much to our apprehension). She can now climb her high chair and the stairs are now much easier for her. These and more help me realize again that the weighing scale is not the only scale that matters. I become, once again, confident of breastfeeding and coincidentally this insight happened on August 1. From August 1 to 7, we are celebrating World Breastfeeding Week. Here in the Philippines like in the United States, the whole month of August is even declared as National Breastfeeding Awareness Month. Truly, this is an assurance from God that I have done the best thing for my little Queen B. Breastmilk is His creation after all!

Of course, I know I still have to take measures to boost Georgina’s weight and height gain but I now realize that formula milk is not the solution. There are other ways to do this like serving more nutrient-and-calorie-dense food. This will be the third week we are buying avocado, a well-known nutrient-and-calorie-dense food, and our little Queen B loves it. I am also trying my best to be more relaxed during meal times. I must admit that I became quite anxious and unconsciously pressured her to eating more. I will also offer the breast more often. Georgina can get caught up in playing and not notice her thirst and hunger so I have to be more intentional in breastfeeding her. I hope these actions will help her gain weight naturally. If she still doesn’t regain her baby fats, I will just have to keep in mind that J and I were skinny kids (I know I know it is not obvious right now). Genetics do play a major role to our body shape.

Happy Breastfeeding Awareness Month to all!

#xoxo