Well, we've been VERY busy taking care of Olivia. Since it's just me and the wife, we really had to take this head on and it's been quite a challenge. Bernice hasn't been able to get a good night's sleep since then cuz she wakes up every 1.5-2 hours to feed. We decided that Olivia should be breastfed so we also have to live with the challenges that go with it.
I'd actually recommend breastfeeding as with everyone. I'm sure any new parent will be aware of that and I'd just like to share also some thoughts I've learned, read, and realized, to consider to give your baby the milk he or she deserves.
The Challenges: Well, breastfeeding takes commitment from the moms mostly especially at night but also with the dads since from birth to early on, your baby might ask to feed every 1.5-2 hours. So literally forget your 8hr sleeps at night!
Mothers/your wives may have a hard time also with the stresses on their nipples because of the baby so you might also want to invest in some nipple cream. Get those that are safe for the baby.
Some moms might have a hard time feeding in public. Bernice initially had a hard time accepting and adjusting to it but I'm very proud that she's slowly adjusting to it. Of course it's not like just take out the breast and feed... it's more like going to the station or doing it with her breastfeeding cloth cover.
In every feeding of course, there should be the burping part after so also remember to help out in that stage especially at night because the tendency is to just feed then sleep since the baby goes right to sleep after feeding. If possible, try to burp them before they drift off.
The Benefits: Well, I don't think I need to spell out the benefits here because your doctor might have explained them to you for the most part so I'll just go over some obvious ones and others.
Of course most important is the nutrition they get from breastmilk. If the baby is exclusively breastfeeding, then they're getting their food and drinks all in one. No need for anything else! They're also getting nutrients only breastmilk can give, which is important to their early development.
The other benefits are that there's no bottles to clean. No bottles to sterilize. No bottles to carry around when you go out. No waiting time for baby to feed, which means lesser time for them to cry.
Also important also is the bonding between mom and child. Bernice has tons of stories about Olivia while feeding. Baby tends to call her mom to look at her and she would actually make sounds or pat mom to look at her :)
So there! I'm sure there are a lot more I missed, which I will leave for you to experience yourselves.
I'm trying to catch up with the blog while the baby is asleep and while work isn't as heavy. As much as I'd wanted to blog daily, it's really hard for a new dad so I guess that's also one lesson for me hehe
Cy
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