Confession of A New Mommy : Breastfeeding & Confinement Story

I have a really tough breastfeeding and confinement days.

I believe Allah is so fair and He doesn't give you a test that He knows you can't handle.

As everyone knows, I had a smooth pregnancy and delivery journey. Alhamdulillah. But I had a really tough breastfeeding and confinement journey. My I was really struggling with bonding and motherhood at first.

Breastfeeding

I thought breastfeeding was easy? Uhh, no one give me a warning how difficult it could be? I never saw my sisters struggling with breastfeeding before. I was so mentally unprepared! The milk won't came out at first, probably because I was so tired and there are a lot of people visited us on the first day, so we can't bond that well yet, since the baby was passed to others more instead of me. Future note, don't tell anyone you had delivery a baby until you feel a lot better. First child, no experience, I was so excited I texted almost every of my friends. And B texted his family and friends too 😂 BIG mistake.

I was so stress out because B and I wanted to fully breastfeed our baby. We don't even prepared with the bottle and formula milk. Thank God my mom, my sisters and my sisters in law help me a lot. They reaffirmed us that it is normal for the milk to come a bit later. My SIL bought the bottle and formula milk for the baby, because B still insist that the baby doesn't need a formula milk. He was afraid that the baby doesn't want my milk anymore. 

Alhamdulillah after the confinement lady came and give me massage, the milk started to flow out more. Alhamdulillah we stop formula milk immediately. 

But then the pain started. Baby doesn't know how to latch properly, my nipples crack, breast engorgement yada yada. Let just say I was having the most rough time of my life.

Confinement

I was so excited for confinement before the delivery, because I wanted to be pamper. 😂 Man I was wrong. I was so tired all the time. I don't get enough sleep. I don't get enough rest. No one told me it was going to be this hard! I thought delivery was the hardest part? No.

It was double the pain for me because my jahitan luka bersalin tercabut. I was supposed to recover within one week only, but I'm still in pain for at least 4 weeks! Fuhh Talked about this on my anniversary post. 

Thank God I have a very strong and supportive support system. B woke up every night to give B yo me when it's time for breastfeeding. He give bath and change diapers everytime he's at home. Mak and Ayah help give baby bath and change diaper until I'm fully recovered. Mak cook for me, pantang food but still delicious. How to lose weight? Urgh

The best part about confinement is when the confinement lady came. I get so excited to be pamper! And she is so nice and good!

I am so thankful for my family and friends visits. At least they cheer me up. I got so excited every time anyone of my friends visit. 

💡 MOMMY'S TIPS :

1. Announce your delivery after you get full rest and have time to bond with your baby. 2 weeks after delivery or after confinement. You won't feel guilty to stop people from visiting you.
2. Keep calm. Calm mommy, calm baby.
3. Nipple cream helps a lot. I used Madela Purelan and Frankincense Essential Oil.
4. Join breastfeeding community. I join one in Facebook, The Breastfeeding Advocates Network, TBAN. You will feel a lot better knowing that you're not alone and knowing that you're not the only one who feel like a loser. True story.
5. Sleeps when your baby sleeps.
6. Don't think about chores. Don't do chores.
7. Drink a lot of water. Have water bottle with you all the time. Breastfeeding is hard work.
8. Eat healthy for you to recover fast and for your milk booster.
9. Spend a lot of time with your baby. Bonding time.
10. Don't play phone while breastfeeding!
11. It's okay that you're not the one who bath your baby, who change their diapers at first. You need a lot of rest. Don't feel guilty.
12. Get helps! Your husband, your family or even your confinement lady.
13. Preparation before your delivery is IMPORTANT. I labelled all of my baby's drawers, cause I know B will ask me where did I put everything. I already label everything so it makes everything so easy! 
14. Enjoy the journey! 
15. IT WILL GET BETTER!

Alhamdulillah everything is better now. I can fully breastfeed Nafeesa, and she sleeps so well at night. She is so well behave and doesn't cry much. I can feel the bonding now. 💙

One thing I realized is that when I calm, she definitely calms too. So, calm mommy, calm baby. Happy mommy, happy baby. When I feel stress out, I will take a deep breath and try to calm myself because she will definitely cry if I feel stress out. That's how strong our bonding is I guess. 😂  Can't wait for you to grow and we can learn and play together! Hello bff. 💞