Weaning

Just when I am thinking or rather asking myself if I should wean Yuxi off breastmilk, I saw the manic mummy column by Clara Chow on My Paper today. I have always enjoyed reading her column, and now this article aptly describes how I feel about weaning. Just like Clara Chow, my decision to wean wasn't a straightforward one.

Yuxi is now 5 months and 1 week old, and I have been exclusively expressing milk for the past few months since she was 4 days old. Seriously, I don't enjoy the pumping milk experience, being stucked in the same position for at 15 to 20mins (in the early days, it was 30 mins to an hour plus alot of pain and tears!) a few times in a day. Always having to plan ahead what time I need to pump, and where I might be (for eg. if I am going out and may miss a pumping session, I'll have to pump before I go out, and pump again after I return, or reschedule my 'outing' so to fit my pumping schedule). Also bringing along my pump if I'm out for extended hours. Storage of milk is also another hassle. I have to make sure wherever I go, I need to store my milk in refrigerator, or warm up the milk first and put in warmer bag if Yuxi is due for feeding soon. Otherwise, will have to pack formulae millk along. Also worrying about maintaining supply, increasing pumping session when supply dips... Not forgetting all the pump parts, storage bottles, drinking bottles that I have to wash and sterilise A FEW TIMES EVERYDAY.

I guess the worse thing about expressing milk is that sometimes I ended up making my children wait for me while I pump. Sometimes Yuxi will give me the oh-so-poor-thing look and please-carry-me cries hoping that I can pick her up while she lies beside me, but I have to tell her 'Oh give mummy a while more ok, mummy is pumping milk!' Sometimes, I also got Yule to 'look after' Yuxi while I retreat to the room to pump. (This not exactly bad, as she learns to be a responsible jie jie.) And also the late night pumps.. many nights, I wished I could just sleep with my baby in bed, but I have to make sure I get up to have a final pump before I sleep. Likewise in the morning.. my mornings are always so busy as I have to feed, pump, bathe baby within 2 hours before she gets tired again for her morning nap.

Despite these complaints that I have, I am proud that I have done it! Not a remarkably glorious result slip that I have produced, compared to many mummies who have done it for many months and beyond 1 or even 2 years. Kudos to these mummies! Though my 6 months is nothing compared to them, I am glad that I can say I really did it despite my initial target of only 3 months, after my horrible bf experience with Yule that gave me such a phobia! And I am so proud that Yuxi is now a very fair and chubby baby weighing 8kg! Thanks to my breastmilk! It is precisely because Yuxi is growing so well.. she is now a typical baby who is 白白胖胖.I am happy what my breastmilk has offered for her, thus I was torn whether I should continue to do this pumping business.

Nevertheless, I have decided to stop. Yuxi is taking her occasional formulae milk well, and even her semi solids well. I am about to return to work. I can't continue to pump while at work, I also wouldn't want to rush around after work to get home to pump, as I will probably have to pick up Yule from childcare as well. I also don't like the idea that I have to wake up before 6am to pump in the morning so that there's time to get ready for work. This is the timely moment to wean.

The good news? Finally, I can pick up my baby whenever she cries. Finally, I can sleep at 9pm with my baby. Finally I have more time to myself and my children. Finally, I can stop thinking what time I need to pump.. and finally, I can stop washing all the pump parts and bottles A FEW TIMES EVERYDAY. And now, I don't have to worry what am I to do if I am still pumping milk while holidaying at resorts world in Dec, and what am I to do to make sure my supply stays after I return to work.

Interestingly, my supply dips after I begin to think about weaning. My breastpump is also losing its suction power... maybe its really signaling me that its about time... making it easier for me to make this decision to wean.... in perhaps one more week's time, I will reduce my pumping session from 3 to 2 times a day. Then I will start to use the frozen milk in the freezer. When all the milk finishes, Yuxi would probably be already 6 months old. I can only say I'm so proud of these 6 months.

Without the people around me, I wouldn't have made it this far. My mother-in-law and mother who would help to 'jaga' the kids if I have to pump.. also Yule, who despite asking me irritating questions and scrutinising me while I'm having my private pumping session, has been really nice to help me 'entertain' Yuxi while I pump... and my hubby who sees me through the difficult early days of blocked ducts, fever, low morale and tears.. and keeping me company at night watching movies while I pump despite being tired at work.. also my friends who are breastfeeding or breastfed before who gave me encouragement, inspiration and an example to follow.

Manic Mummy Column in My Paper on 25 Oct 2010