I had a panic attack over the weekend, well, I think I'm still a bit worried.
I breastfed my first-born Liam for two years so when I had Sam, I promised that I will do the same. Seeing all the benefits of a breast-fed baby, I was for breastfeeding. I didn't encounter any problems with me nursing Liam even if I went back to work since I had my very reliable Avent pump. When we got here, he was already one year and two months old and I didn't have to express anymore since I didn't go to work and by that time, I was already mix feeding him with formula and solids.
So, why the panic attack? Well, two weeks ago, before I got sick, I just had so much milk. To the point that it's squirting like that of a water hose. Sometimes I feel bad because I just had a bath or I just changed Sam's clothes, only to end up being soaked with breast milk. That part of breastfeeding was the one I didn't like. But I didn't complain, after all, it's for the good of Sam. I think it was Thursday of last week when I started to feel some changes. Aside from the size changing, I didn't feel engorged anymore. So I tried to express using my hands, to check, but only a few drops came out! I panicked right away! I mean, what happened?! Did I get dehydrated€? Sam didn't stop feeding from me even if we were both sick. AND Sam is just 8 months old! We're still like a year and four months away from our target end date!
Well good thing that I was able to catch and have a chat with one of my friends in Manila, who is also for breastfeeding. She shared her experience, that she too had this phase, especially when she is about to have her menses. But she assured me that my milk supply will still be ok as long as I continue to nurse Sam and express. She also said that she doesn't feel engorged as well unlike the first few months of her baby. Her daughter is now a year and 4 months and she still nurses her. So there. I just thought that I'd have the same experience like when I was nursing Liam. Well, only goes to show that it is really different for each child.
Now, I'm playing it safe. I'm drinking plenty of fluids/water, still let Sam feed with me (I guess she's getting what she needs since she doen't cry when I latch her), and drink malunggay capsules. Hoping that my supply lasts until she turns 2!
