Are you still looking for YOUR reasons to breastfeed despite so much reading on the internet?
Or are you still having any concerns about breastfeeding, such as,
I know breastfeeding is good for my baby, but what if my milk supply is not enough? What if the process is too painful? How can I deal with the engorgement while I am working?
Maybe I should not start breastfeeding in the first place?
Perhaps what you need is just a little more reassurance and confidence from other mothers, especially working mums like you.
Here we have four successful working mums thriving in different careers, sharing their reasons why did they choose to breastfeed their babies despite their hectic schedule.
Let’s read on and find out what made them decide to breastfeed their babies.
Reason #1 to breastfeed from Dr. Yasmin: It’s the nature of a mother.
Working as an OBGYN in Hospital Sungai Buloh, Dr. Yasmin has 8-month breastfeeding experience.
While specializing in female reproductive health, pregnancy, and childbirth, she wishes to enlighten every mother about breastfeeding in this way:
It’s the natural thing to do.
On top of this, she stated that everyone around her encourages her to breastfeed as it benefits both the mum and the baby.
Reason #2 to breastfeed from Carmen Yong: It’s good for your baby!
What does a mumpreneur who fixes your craving for cold and warm desserts tell you about breastfeeding?
As the founder of Sugirl Desserts, Carmen Yong has a 6-month breastfeeding experience.
She strongly advocates for breastfeeding as followed,
Our breast milk contains a lot of immunities and antibodies.
And guess what? This is really good for our babies!
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breast milk is indeed an ideal food choice for babies. The three main benefits of breast milk for babies include:
- It is safe and clean with antibodies to guard your children against many common childhood illnesses.
- It can provide your babies with the necessary nutrition up to the second year of their lives.
- Breastfed children thrive better in terms of academic results and physical health.
Reason #3 to breastfeed from Fiqa: It’s a gift to your baby!
Owning an online boutique, Fiqa honours breastfeeding to provide her babies with the best.
How am I so certain about this?
I found out that Fiqa has been breastfeeding for four to five years.
The reason behind Fiqa’s persistence is that breast milk is natural without high sugar content.
More importantly,
It (breast milk) is from the mother itself.
Reason #4 to breastfeed from Siew Pei: It’s a must!
Working as a lactation counsellor, Siew Pei always deals with new and expectant mothers to help them to understand the process of breastfeeding.
As she helps women to effectively breastfeed their babies, Siew Pei personally has a 6-month breastfeeding experience.
Here’s why she chose to breastfeed her own baby:
To me, it seems like I don’t have other options but it’s a norm that we must breastfeed.
So, let’s strive and believe in yourself that every mother can succeed in breastfeeding!
It’s just a matter of how well you prepare yourself and what can you do to make the process smoother and less painful.
Read on to find out how these mothers work their way through the process of breastfeeding.
Additional support besides the WHY to breastfeed
The quote of ‘when the why is clear, the how is easy’ is equally applicable to breastfeeding, so do not hesitate to look for assistance or recommendations from experienced mothers.
We have Dr. Yasmin talked about the importance of having some background knowledge about breastfeeding beforehand.
This is essential before you embark on your breastfeeding journey.
Here’s why.
Breastfeeding is not as natural as it seems.
With the information that you have read through about breastfeeding, you would know the challenges and hurdles to expect during the process.
On top of this, Fiqa recommends breastfeeding mothers to just pump consistently in order to have adequate milk supply.
Her words are indeed undeniable.
When there’s a demand, there’s a supply.
Thus to breastfeeding mum out there, don’t give up and be persistent.
We understand that it would not be easy and it’s tiring, especially when you need to sacrifice your bedtime to look after your babies.
But we assure you that your babies can get more out of your sacrifice.
On the other hand, Carmen gave some recommendations on breastfeeding necessities for working mums.
She emphasized on a good nursing bra as a must-have product for every nursing mum.
Some takeaway points from her about a good nursing bra include:
A good nursing bra can make you feel good and look good. At the same time, it will actually make you breastfeeding journey smoother as well.
If you need more clarifications on breastfeeding, check out our detailed articles about breastfeeding.
Be certain about your reasons to breastfeed
For your babies, nothing is better than your breast milk.
Not only that these working moms encourage breastfeeding, but even the World Health Organization (WHO) is also taking initiatives to advocate for breastfeeding.
According to WHO, we should breastfeed our baby for at least 6 months to ensure the long-lasting benefits for both the mummy and the baby.
So, whether it’s about the antibodies and nutrients in the breast milk or your child’s close relationship with you after breastfeeding, be clear and determined about your WHY to breastfeed.
You will see how breastfeeding can be easier than you imagine and how contented you will be when you look at your loving child in your arms.
Always remember you’re not alone in the journey of breastfeeding. Just ask for professional help whenever you face any struggle in breastfeeding.
At Motherhood Malaysia, we always support every mother on the journey of breastfeeding.
Last but not least, Happy World Breastfeeding Month to all breastfeeding mums.