Breast Feeding (Part 2) - Review : Medela Swing

When I was pregnant, I was undecided between Avent or Medela. After a quick survey and asking my mummy friends, I've decided to purchase Medela Swing, a single electric pump. Was tempted to get Freestyle which is an electric double pump but it was so darn expensive at around RM2,000! 

Thank God I made the right decision. I love my Medela Swing to bits and pieces. The pump has been following me everywhere - to work, to the shopping malls, to other people's house. Yes, I've been pumping very diligently for my little milk guzzler at home. 

What I love about Medela Swing.

- The 2-phase expression is absolutely wonderful! It mimics the sucking of a baby to stimulate more milk production.

- It is quiet so the whole world won't know that I'm pumping.

- It's portable and can I can opt to use batteries or electric. Perfect for full-time working mums like me who is always on the go.

- Simple to use, wash, and assemble.

- You have an option to convert it into a double-pump. DIY yourself and refer to the Youtube video. It's very simple :)

What I don't like about Medela Swing - I occasionally have the problem of backflow of milk into the tube back into the motor! Grrr ~ So inconvenient to wash. There's this one time it was so bad my tubing had mold! Yuck

Alternatively, drop by to Enjoy Breastfeeding where you are allowed to try the pumps before deciding on which on which suits you best.

Love;
Mummy Geri

Breastfeeding (Part 1) - The Journey So Far

Today I want to talk about my breastfeeding journey so far. I'm not gonna lie.. it's not easy. People has the misinterpretation that breastfeeding is the most natural and easy thing to do. It's not. You need sheer determination and perseverance to not give up and give in to that tin of formula milk. 

You have to constantly battle with supply issue - not everyone is blessed with abundance of supply. Some mummies even have too much of supply they suffered from mastitis. Sometimes I get blocked ducts and lumps too - it's annoyingly painful and you would have to massage it to unblock the duct.

Thank God I have good support from my parents, friends, and my confinement lady - else it would be an uphill battle. Of course, joining sites like The Breastfeeding Advocates Network (TBAN for short) on FB really helps a lot - where all mummies come together and connect to share a common goal i.e. breastfeeding. 

Being an exclusively breastfeeding mum who is also working full time, you have to be extra hardworking to pump out your milk to ensure that the baby has enough supply at the daycare. Thankfully I have an understanding boss who is ok with me taking time off to pump in the office.

Truthfully I did occasionally think about quitting but when I look at my boy thriving on the breastmilk and growing up strong and healthy, I know what I'm doing is the correct thing. And then I will persevere one month at a time.

I guess at the end of the day it is mostly your mental and how determined or stubborn you are that makes breastfeeding a success.

My personal target is to fully breastfeed Isaac until 6 months old. Thereafter, I will set another milestone. :)

.. 2 more months to go ...

p/s: My only qualms is that I wished I could have direct latch him more. Now I've became an exclusively pumping mum. I miss having to direct latch him. Maybe for #2, I will try harder at latching. :) 

Love;
Mummy Geri