For the longest time, I wanted to share my breastfeeding journey. But as the months turned to a year to 2 years and now, coming to 3, I worry getting too wordy and boring. Therefore, I shall share in parts in hopes for a digestible read.
For my first post, I want to talk about lactation foods that I've tried and tested.
Disclaimer: As all bodies are different, what works for me, may not for you and vice versa. Sometimes, it may have an opposite effect so please try with precaution. I had my failure to launch in the beginning but fortunately, I managed to get back on the breastfeeding wagon. This is what I've learnt and proved useful to me.
Before I start, please take note the basic necessities of breastfeeding which are:
⊚ Constant latching or pumping
Even if you supplement with milk formula, you still need to latch or pump because by the end of the day, demand = supply.
⊚ Drink plenty of fluids
The basic quota is 2 litres per day but some need up to 3 litres per day. Fluids is not restricted to plain water. It could be the soup that you consume, watery fruits like watermelon or your cup of Milo.
⊚ Eat well
Breastfeeding burns between 200 - 500 calories per day on average so you need to make sure you have enough energy to burn. Do not skip your meals and if you must, grab a little snack while breastfeeding. For me, I tend to get more thirsty while doing the deed so I always have a bottle next to me instead of food.
⊚ Rest and have less stress
Now, this is easier said than done with all kinds of different scenarios of every household. I had post-partum blues, depression and anxieties for the first 2 months after delivery. As I got better, my breastfeeding journey also got better. So if you can, take that quick break and most importantly, give yourself some slack.
As mentioned before, I had struggled with supply and demand. Sarah drank plenty of milk and I couldn't meet her demand no matter how hard I tried. Her diaper was hardly full from my milk and although a super full diaper does not necessarily mean full tummy, some days, her diaper was not even average. On top of that, she tends to poop after a feed so she always ends up hungry again. I was like "Girl, you don't even give me time to refill"
I ended up testing some supplements and goodies to help me. Please take note that I tried all these items for at least 1 month to monitor its results. There is no miracle cure for anything; whether it is a supplement for the body, skin or hair. Everything takes time and 1 month is usually a minimum.
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MEDICATION/ HERBS/ VITAMINS
⊚ Domperidone
I got this from my doctor and despite my sister saying it helped her, it didn't help me a bit. When I sought for this, I didn't have the proper knowledge. That was why, it was one of the things I went for first to boost my milk supply. Domperidone is actually medicine for the stomach but it is known for having milk boosting side effects. If you truly wish to try this, please use it as a last resort and do not use it in a long run as it does have side effects.
⊚ Fenugreek
Another recommendation from my sister and other moms but it didn't do jack for me either. I ended up just finishing the bottle that was given to me and gave it a pass.
⊚ Mamom Candy
Mamom is a vitamin candy which caters as a milk booster among other health benefits. I was told to give it a try. I ate 2 bottles worth and despite the great reviews from the other moms, it didn't work for me. It tastes sweet like candy but the end of the day, it was just candy to me.
Everything is about trial and error, ya? After this, things started to look good.
⊚ Milk Up candy
Not giving up, I gave a try to another name brand of a similar product. Milk Up Candy worked for me! There was an increase of supply and not only that, my milk was fattier to a point I tend to get painful milk ducts.
⊚ Moringa
Moringa is a plant that has plenty of benefits such as being nutritious with vitamins, lowers cholesterol, lowers blood sugar levels, etc. One of which is happened to be a milk booster. This plant was not only recommended by my lactation consultant from KKH but also Jhon's mom. You may cook moringa plant like any vegetable dish (If you are from Singapore, you may get some from Little India), eat it in pill form or in a tea form. I drank Moringa Tea (found in the Organic section of most supermarket) a bit later part of my breastfeeding journey. It helped a lot on days when I start to run low and it gives me energy too when I feel too fatigue to handle.
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FOOD
⊚ Fish and papaya soup
This dish is commonly recommended among us Asians, it is even one of the recommended meals in KKH. Although it does not help boost much of a supply for me, it does help by hydrating via food. With that said, eating it or any soup all the time, is pretty sian.
This dish is commonly recommended among us Asians, it is even one of the recommended meals in KKH. Although it does not help boost much of a supply for me, it does help by hydrating via food. With that said, eating it or any soup all the time, is pretty sian.
⊚ Kurma Milk
I had read up that kurma milk does wonders with breastfeeding. The first time I tried was DIY. Maybe it was the ratio I did but it did nothing for me. Fast forward many months later, I tried Farm's Fresh Kurma Milk and voila! My breasts were always full, ready to be emptied.
I had read up that kurma milk does wonders with breastfeeding. The first time I tried was DIY. Maybe it was the ratio I did but it did nothing for me. Fast forward many months later, I tried Farm's Fresh Kurma Milk and voila! My breasts were always full, ready to be emptied.
⊚ Durian
There were stories of durian of being a milk booster so when it was in season, and coincidentally, had some sponsored, I took a jump on it. I don't know if it was the pure happiness of enjoying a good meaty and bitter-sweet durian or it was the durian itself or both, I was engorged as soon as I was done. Fun fact! If you eat enough, the durian taste will pass through your breast milk! I did tasted a few droplets the next day and it had a mild durian taste. hahaha
⊚ Chicken Liver
Chicken liver caught me by surprise. Mak had gave some food for us and one of them was fried chicken liver. I was happily eating it until I realized that my breasts were sore and full. It was almost an instant effect!
Chicken liver caught me by surprise. Mak had gave some food for us and one of them was fried chicken liver. I was happily eating it until I realized that my breasts were sore and full. It was almost an instant effect!
⊚ Salmon
Salmon is known for being a good food so it comes to no surprise that it made it to the milk booster list. Salmon works well for me whether it was sashimi or some grilled salmon. After a meal, I could feel I was filled up faster.
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DESSERTS
Please proceed this with caution. Unlike the previous goodies I've mentioned, these goodies are the most addictive for their scrumptious sweetness, even more if you are a sweet tooth.
Please proceed this with caution. Unlike the previous goodies I've mentioned, these goodies are the most addictive for their scrumptious sweetness, even more if you are a sweet tooth.
⊚ Mamalait
The name Mamalait tends to pop up often when other moms were talking about lactation cookies. I was hesitant at first but eventually tried for fun. Her cookies were delicious but unfortunately, my body didn't respond to it.
NOW, her brownies though.......
fast forward months later, while at an Expo convention, I came across to them again but bought her brownies instead. Now, they worked for me. I don't know if there was a difference in the ingredients besides it being cookies and brownies but I was filled up faster than usual after munching them. The brownies are of the right texture for my personal preference; not overly sweet, moist and not too dense. It was truly hard to ration them every day.
⊚ Singapore Lactation Bakes
Not a fan of their cookies only because I am used to strong flavors. So, if you like simple flavors, you may like this. Unfortunately, their cookies also had no effect on me so that was my first and last order.
⊚ Lacta by Hardies
Lacta by Hardies popped up on my IG feed after a while and despite the brownies from Mamalait worked for me, it is also a little heavy in the pocket and weighing machine. hahaha I wanted to give lactation cookies another shot and Lacta by Hardies is my favourite. Their cookies were absolutely delicious, addictive and most importantly, increased my milk amount.
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The name Mamalait tends to pop up often when other moms were talking about lactation cookies. I was hesitant at first but eventually tried for fun. Her cookies were delicious but unfortunately, my body didn't respond to it.
NOW, her brownies though.......
fast forward months later, while at an Expo convention, I came across to them again but bought her brownies instead. Now, they worked for me. I don't know if there was a difference in the ingredients besides it being cookies and brownies but I was filled up faster than usual after munching them. The brownies are of the right texture for my personal preference; not overly sweet, moist and not too dense. It was truly hard to ration them every day.
⊚ Singapore Lactation Bakes
Not a fan of their cookies only because I am used to strong flavors. So, if you like simple flavors, you may like this. Unfortunately, their cookies also had no effect on me so that was my first and last order.
⊚ Lacta by Hardies
Lacta by Hardies popped up on my IG feed after a while and despite the brownies from Mamalait worked for me, it is also a little heavy in the pocket and weighing machine. hahaha I wanted to give lactation cookies another shot and Lacta by Hardies is my favourite. Their cookies were absolutely delicious, addictive and most importantly, increased my milk amount.
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OTHERS
⊚ Exercise
This came as a surprise but exercising boosts my milk supply too! Initially, I thought it was because I drank more water due to working out but I when I water parade on a normal day, there were no difference. Another mommy also shared the same sentiments with me. We concluded that the endorphins probably boosted our supply.
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Obviously, I do not try all these goodies all at once, ya? It may be detrimental to your health so eat wisely and take note of your diet.
Let me share you my equation to my breastfeeding success.
MilkUp Candy definitely helped jump start my milk production. I constantly ate them initially, 2 tablets in the morning and 2 at night for fast acting results. As my milk starts to increase and steady, I ate 2 tablets per day. I ate them for 1 year.
The milk boosting food, I ate them whenever I can. If there's a choice of salmon, I would always choose salmon and as for kurma milk, I drank them occasionally. As for the lactation cookies, they are more of a treat for me mostly because I don't want to be a cookie monster and regret with too much of a weight gain. haha
As I surpassed the 1.5 year mark, I weaned off the goodies one by one and eventually relied mostly on Moringa Tea on days I feel exceptionally tired and needed a boost. I hope my post helped any new moms out there and perhaps you may consider some of the things that I've mentioned.
This came as a surprise but exercising boosts my milk supply too! Initially, I thought it was because I drank more water due to working out but I when I water parade on a normal day, there were no difference. Another mommy also shared the same sentiments with me. We concluded that the endorphins probably boosted our supply.
ⓞⓞ ⓞⓞ ⓞⓞ
Obviously, I do not try all these goodies all at once, ya? It may be detrimental to your health so eat wisely and take note of your diet.
Let me share you my equation to my breastfeeding success.
MilkUp Candy definitely helped jump start my milk production. I constantly ate them initially, 2 tablets in the morning and 2 at night for fast acting results. As my milk starts to increase and steady, I ate 2 tablets per day. I ate them for 1 year.
The milk boosting food, I ate them whenever I can. If there's a choice of salmon, I would always choose salmon and as for kurma milk, I drank them occasionally. As for the lactation cookies, they are more of a treat for me mostly because I don't want to be a cookie monster and regret with too much of a weight gain. haha
As I surpassed the 1.5 year mark, I weaned off the goodies one by one and eventually relied mostly on Moringa Tea on days I feel exceptionally tired and needed a boost. I hope my post helped any new moms out there and perhaps you may consider some of the things that I've mentioned.
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