The END...

The END...

The end to my breastfeeding journey with my 1st born ~> baby Sienna

The end to my breastfeeding journey with my 2nd born ~>  baby Skyler
25th December 2016 marked the last day of my breastfeeding (BF) journey. 

I have been fully breastfeeding my 2 kids for the past 4.5 years in total!!! 

(Minus a few months during my pregnancy with baby Skye ~ click here to find out why). 

Wowwww...didn't know I could last this long!!! I guess all mommies are supermommies...
My ultimate goal was to BF till baby Skyler turned 3 years old (31 Jan 2017)... I almost made it ~ just shy by one month plus! 

***It's okay, this momma still deserves a pat on the back***

So we started to wean baby Skye off by having Mr. Hubby put the 2 kids to sleep in their own (shared) room !!! Finally they get their own room (after moving into our new place) n yayyy to us, the parents, for having the WHOLE queen size bed to ourselves and not having to squeeze n curl up like a "udang" aka shrimp!!!
***The feeling is Ohhh-sooo-awesome***
And NO MORE WAKING UP to feed... baby Skyler n mummy can finally sleep thru the night!!! Say no to "panda bear" eyes and no more feeling like a walking zombie... this momma haven't had her beauty sleep ever since the babies were born!!! N COFFEE!!! Yes, I can drink however much I want n like without the guilty feeling (I used to limit myself).

Okay now back to the story (got a little sidetrack)...
So, it worked but with a little tears and wanting mommy. Every night before Mr. Hubby puts Baby Skyler to bed, I made sure to tell him that he's a big boy now, no need nen-nen aka (.)(.) anymore, pray as a family, kiss our goodnight kisses n off I go! Kudos to Mr. Hubby for making bedtime fun and exciting as he will tell a story each with their favorite cartoon characters in it (which they get to choose their fav characters every night)... and then some days Mr. Hubby will let the kids tell him a story n put him to sleep instead!!! Happened a few times where they 3 feel asleep together ... oh wait, Mr. Hubby was the 1st one to be knocked out.... yayyy to mommy having the WHOLE bed to myself!!! Muahahaha...

But then when it came to their afternoon nap, this momma was left to put the 2 kids to sleep... and since I was there lying with them, Baby Skyler was on auto-mode and automatically latch on to me!!! I tried my best to say NO but he's so persistent and adamant that either I gave in or succumb to having my shirt ripped off... yes, it was that BAD!!!

So basically I was still BFeeding him once a day... Looking back, this was a GREAT outcome coz dropping off feedings gradually made my transition super easy as oppose to going "cold turkey"!!! I did NOT get engorged AT ALL and did not suffer any side effect whatsoever.... no mastitis, no block ducts, no aches, no pains!!! I was dreading and expecting the worst....

Thankfully Mr. Hubby got good news that he will be starting his new job beginning of 2017 which was the highlight of it all ... he would be WORKING from HOME!!! No more driving 2 hrs to n fro work...yayyy!!! More quality time with the kids...N best of all, Mr. Hubby can put the kids down for naps too....couldn't this be any more perfect???PERFECT timing!!!

To add the icing on the cake:-

Mr. Hubby and I came up with an ULTIMATE plan!!!
Since we were over at Karthik's parents place during Christmas (for 1 week), we decided to use the grand parents as the "art of distraction"!!! we told Sienna that the crib/baby cot that she was sleeping in whenever we were at the grandparents place, has been donated. So she immediately declared she's sleeping with the grandparents... and as always, "monkey see,monkey do!!!". Skyler wanted to join in the fun too...Little did he know what he was signing up for.
He cried for his momma once the lights were out... it didn't last long, and I declared victory!!! It happened just for 2-3 nights straight n lasted less than 5 mins...
It came naturally and of course with some coaxing.

Update -
A few weeks passed by, n there's still milk coming out when I press my (.)(.)...
I do really miss having our bonding time but at times it CAN and WILL get frustrating too... definitely a love-hate relationship!!! I knew it was for my baby's own good and n i knew he won't be a baby forever...and yes, my baby has grown up!!! Thus, this ends my breastfeeding journey!
A long journey with bumps here and there, uphill and downhill, but it was well worth it...

...

To all the mothers soon to deliver... Breastfeeding is NOT EASY... U need to be surrounded by supportive family especially hubby! U need to have determination, perseverance, hard core, commitment, hard working, strong willed, "kiasu", etc...
But let me tell u, it is soooo WORTH IT...
All the best... "Jia yu"... "GAMBATEH"... "Fighting"!!!

Baby Skye has only fallen sick twice! All thanks to the wonders of this liquid gold...
*sad**happy**sad**happy**sad**happy**... Arghhhh mixed emotions till this very day!!!
I miss my bonding sessions...only bf mothers will understand ;)

Next milestones:
.say bye bye to all the diapers in the house... diaper FREE!!! We are working on that...starting with nap time first...wish us all the best...

Disclaimer: That's Sienna being silly and wanted to join in the fun too!!! no breastfeeding was involved for this "baby"!!! Just for "show & tell" purposes ;)  

Baby Skyler first formula milk - bellamy's organic

For the past 27 months and still going, I've been breastfeeding baby Skyler non stop 24/7 round the clock... and a total of 4 years being a breastfeeding momma to my 2 kids!!! 4 years of being a HAPPY milking "cow".

This lovely parcel couldn't come at a more perfect timing as we were in the midst of transitioning baby Skyler to stop night breastfeeding...yes, he still wakes up 3-5 times every night!
***This momma has been zombified with grossly looking eyebags***

Previously, with our first born, baby Sienna, it was a smooth transition for her. When I was a few months pregnant with baby no2, we introduced all sorts of formula milk to Sienna but she just didn't take any!!! She would run a mile away after smelling n tasting all the formula out there, even up to today. She miraculously stopped latching on once we started her on fresh milk n amazingly, slept through the night!

Click here to read about the end to my breastfeeding journey with baby no#1

Unfortunately, that wasn't the case for baby Skyler ... we introduce fresh milk to him during the day but still wants to latch on round the clock!!!

First on our taste test list:
Bellamy's Organic Toddler Milk drink (stage 3) from 12 months onwards.
Perfect for BOTH my kids.

I was skeptical at first when I was making the formula milk as it brought back memories of making all the different samples of other brand's formula milk. The smell n taste scares me. It's no wonder Sienna didn't take any. I have this thing whereby if the adults can't accept the taste of it, why feed it to your kids?

Surprisingly Bellamy's Organic Toddler Milk drink (stage 3) proved me wrong!!! The taste n smell resembles fresh cow's milk!!! YES of course it does... *duh* just take a look at the ingredients list ...

"Ingredients: Organic full cream milk powder, organic skim milk powder, organic maltodextrin, organic soybean oil, inulin, organic lactose, organic demineralised whey solids, lecithin (soy)."

"Our products use only the finest ingredients and NASAA, the nation’s leading organic body, certifies all our products."

"Organic baby products, just like organic food in general, are a good choice when you want a natural product that hasn’t been produced with harmful chemicals, but it’s even more important that babies get an organic, pure start to life, without harmful toxins in their diets."

I did not tell either of the kiddos that I'm feeding them a new brand of milk. I hid the tin away and secretly made it in hiding. Sienna knows all too well how the appearance of a formula milk. The other day, she quickly questioned me as soon as she saw the tin when the parcel arrived.

And bingo!!! BOTH kids drank their milk as if they were drinking their normal fresh milk. Even mixed it into their favourite Milo drink.

Talking about tins, did you know that Bellamy's tins are fully recyclable and BPA free? The plastic lids are also recyclable! <-- this momma learnt something new everyday! *Yayyy* and *Double Yayyy* to saving mother earth!!!

If you know me (or have been following me), this momma is all about the 3Rs!!!! Nothing goes to waste in the "Chaw-Naga" residence. Not only that, Mr. Hubby/me will do the walk of fame to drop off our recyclables every once/twice a week! And we do it proudly. I'm so happy to know that:

"Bellamy’s uses producers who have a culture of reduce, re-use, recycle"

2nd on our taste test list:
Bellamy's Organic Vegie Pasta Alphabets.
(All ages - from 8 months)

A brief background. Let me first tell you that ALL babies will happily eat all kinds of vegetables until they reach a certain age, about 2 years old when they learn to talk and their taste bud fully developed. Sienna will pick out all greens, carrots, etc... I will have to hide it or feed her with distractions (playground, TV, iPad). I know, don't judge! ***rolls eyes*** A mum gotta do what a mum's gotta do.
She's slowly getting better at eating her veggies since this mommy told a white lie saying she will grow taller n more beautiful like a princess if she eats her veggies.

So back to the taste test. I made pumpkin+eggplant+cilantro+coconut milk green curry chicken to go with Bellamy's Organic Vegie Pasta Alphabets. 

My little helper who wasn't feeling well that day but yet was eager and volunteered to help!

The pasta was a hit!!! Not so the curry sauce (on a side note: Mr. Hubby thought it was the best curry he ever tasted... ***really, am not lying***)

Sienna n Skyler finished all the pasta n even requested for more!!! They finished their dinner in minutes and even fed themselves till the end. The colorful pasta and the cute alphabets kept Sienna entertained all throughout her meal.

3rd on our taste test list:
Bellamy's Organic Vegie Macaroni
(All ages - from 12 months)

This time this momma went Asian fusion!!! 

Stir fried minced beef with garlic+onion+tomato+cilantro+mixed verbs to go with Bellamy's Organic Vegie Macaroni. 100% success!!! 

It took longer to finished their dinner cause they were playing and having too much fun with the macaroni shaped into "O"s. Their plates were wiped out together with the sauce. They asked for second, third helpings till there was no more. Mr. Hubby and I didn't even get to eat any macaroni. Same case as the alphabet pasta!

Things to note: for both taste test 2 and 3, the pasta/macaroni can be eaten just by itself without the need to make any sauce! This momma obviously didn't read the instructions. But since my kids are older (no longer babies), meat ought to be present and added into their diet.

Last on our taste test list:
Bellamy's Organic Pear and Apple snacks
(All ages - from 12 months)

This momma saved the best for last and kept this snack hidden for days as I knew that my kids are fruit lovers, what more in a snack form!!! And this momma was right... there was none left!!! It was devoured and none was spared "alive". I had to plead with them for a piece for this momma to do a taste test as well. 

Verdict: intense flavor and yummy!!!

Overall verdict: This momma is very happy with the taste but even more HAPPY to know that I'm feeding my kids with the best ingredients.

"Choosing Bellamy’s certified organic baby formulas and foods starts your baby off on a path to healthy mindful eating so that they continue to grow into healthy happy children."

You may find out more of the company’s information and products at:

~Company website: 

www.bellamysorganic.com.sg 

~Facebook: www.facebook.com/bellamysorganicSG

~Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellamysorganicsg/

Disclaimer: We (#SiennaSkyler) were presented with a gift package for the purpose of this review. All opinions are solely ours.

The END...*sad**happy**sad**happy**sad**happy**... mixed emotions till this very day!!!

The end to my breastfeeding journey.... it is indeed a bittersweet moment!
didnt plan to totally wean baby si off but i guess baby Si self weaned herself.
On aug 5th, (after seeing my gynae 3days before, and my first day back in malaysia), I started to drop baby Si day feed but still continued to bf her during throughout the night. She would still ask for (.)(.) aka nen nen during the day but I told her that she's a big girl now and big girls drink fresh milk!!!
Tips: baby Si went on a milk strike... So this mummy decided to add some chocolate milk to her fresh milk, and voila... She's loving it :)

My gynae had mentioned to stop breastfeeding right away as it is harmful for baby karmie2 which I don't totally agree with him cause in my case, I am not a high risk pregnancy and neither was my 1st pregnancy with baby Si...and many mothers has successfully tandem breastfeed while being pregnant! Oh well, I thought I needed a break after breastfeeding baby Si for 16+ months!!! And thinking and planning well ahead what will happen once I'm in hospital to deliver since baby Si doesn't take formula milk and plus she doesn't take bottle feeding and I have surrendered my pump, sterilizer long long time ago!!!
My gynae even prescribed me a hormone pill (Duphaston 10mg-42 tabs..1 tab 3 times a day).
He mentioned that it will strengthen my womb... So my next qs was, is it specific to my case? Is something wrong with my scans that i need it? His answer was no... Just in general it is better to take it for all pregnant mothers....
Shesshhhh....
Note to self: no drugs while pregnant...actually say no to drugs!

I thought it would be hard to wean her off night feeding as she's addicted to it...ever since she was born, every2 hours (on the dot) she would wake up for nen nen...then at ard 8-9 months, it increased to every 3 hrs and finally ard 1 yr + it went up to 4 hrs! Imagined how this mummy has never slept more than 4 hours straight!!! *zombified*
Then once I started dropping her day feed, she miraculously started to SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT (STTN)!!! U wouldn't know how it feels like to finally get my beauty sleep!
I never plan on totally weaning her off of breastfeeding! But I guess God has His plans and His timing! On a positive note, I get to rest well during the night while being pregnant (this 2nd pregnancy is much harder - morning, afternoon, nite, midnite puking sickness, feeling nausea the whole day)...

I'm glad baby Si transitioned amazingly well... I read a lot about how other mothers have to resort to using lemon or vinegar on their (.)(.) to discourage their lil ones, how their (.)(.) will get engorged which then leads to high fever and shivers, block ducts, mastitis, using the cold cabbages method, hot/cold compress, drugs, etc...

I was just thinking the other day how a gadget can be 100% loved by working mothers and yet at the same time 100% hated by stay at home mothers...it is the BREAST PUMP!
Can u think of another gadget?
Don't mention iPhone vs Samsung! Coz some iPhone users would like some features of the Samsung phone and how some Samsung users secretly wished they had some of the iPhone apps! Some are even converts... :p

To all the mothers soon to deliver (including me)... Breastfeeding is NOT EASY... U need to be surrounded by supportive family especially hubby! U need to have determination, perseverance, hard core, commitment, hard working, strong willed, "kiasu", etc...
But let me tell u, it is soooo WORTH IT... All the best... "Jia yu"... "GAMBATEH"... "Fighting"!!!

Baby Si has only fallen sick once! All thanks to the wonders of this liquid gold...
*sad**happy**sad**happy**sad**happy**... Arghhhh mixed emotions till this very day!!!
I miss my bonding sessions...only bf mothers will understand ;)

Next milestones:
.Wean baby Si off her "drug" aka pacifier (goal: before 2 yrs old)
.potty train (goal: +-2 yrs old)