Keep Calm and Make Milk

It's August, it's celebrate breastfeeding month, and I've wanted to do a breastfeeding post for some time.   So, here is what I have to say.

My eldest fully weaned from breastfeeding at 22 months - it was a 2 month long weaning process. My second girl has just turned one, and she is still breastfeeding. I am personally hoping to hit the 24 month mark - but this round has not been without its struggles. My milk production has not been at its best recently - it has been tough keeping to a tight schedule of feeds/pumps especially with a 3 year old to take care of and a full time job to boot. I can only direct feed my daughter S at night and on weekends. I've also had several long periods away from her, including a 2 week vacation out of the country when I've had to pump and dump my expressed milk. But these are all excuses... I know that if I keep to it, and don't give up, I will hit my 24 month mark, and perhaps more.

This past long weekend has reminded me that the most important thing about making milk is to relax. I am reminded of Ate Lita Nery (a great lactation expert, if I do say so myself) who always told me that I should go get a massage every now and then, to relax, and to stimulate milk production. (Can I just say though that I haven't had a massage since I gave birth - who has time for a massage?!) It didn't have to be a lactation massage. It only had to be a massage that can relax you. The key word is RELAX.

Made via http://www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/

The past few weeks, I've been expressing less than 10 ounces a day at the office - just about 2 ounces every 3 hours. Just less than three weeks ago, I had spend a weekend in Palawan, and I didn't have the same problem - I had proudly brought home quite a nice stash for my daughter. After that weekend comes the less than 2 ounce every 3 hour sessions and I am in panic mode. The more I panicked, the more I consistently produced 2 ounces every 3 hours - sometimes less. And so I panicked some more.

Then Eidul Fitr was declared a holiday and thankfully, it was attached to a weekend on one end, and attached to Ninoy Aquino day (August 21) on the other end. Instant long weekend. Yey. The weekend has been all about relaxation --- spent some time at the playground; had a breakfast picnic; meals with family and friends; a little shopping. Note: still no massage (again, who has time?!)

Today - I'm back to about 1 ounce per hour (a mini feat) - plus unlimited nursing time for the little one. Production is definitely up. So my tip to all breastfeeding moms, or those who want to breastfeed successfully? Keep calm, make milk. Relax.