To Breastfeed or Not to Breastfeed….

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This is the question… Que no? As many of you know, I have 3 chiquillos. I have an 11 year old, a 4 year old and a 3 year old. With my 11 year old, I was a typical new Mamí. I had the nursery all coordinated, the cutest maternity clothes, and the greatest baby [...]

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To Breastfeed or Not to Breastfeed….

Posted by Liz on Mar 13, 2010 in La Vida/Growing up Latina | 17 comments

This is the question… Que no?

As many of you know, I have 3 chiquillos. I have an 11 year old, a 4 year old and a 3 year old. With my 11 year old, I was a typical new Mamí. I had the nursery all coordinated, the cutest maternity clothes, and the greatest baby showers. I loved being pregnant for the first time. Although, because of my heart condition, I was considered “High Risk”, but other than that, my pregnancy, labor and delivery were uneventful. When the time came to decide if I was going to give Chi chi or Formula feed, the first thing that came out of my mouth was Chi chi! I was dead set on BFing. I had the nurse and Lactation Consultant come to my room and teach me all the trick to BFing successfully. I was 22. Breastfeeding hurt. It hurt like hell! I couldn’t do it! For the life of me, I couldn’t get over the pain of him latching on. So, I gave up! I tried to BF for 2 weeks. From then on, he was on Formula. Next: Jonah

Fast forward 7 years. Yes, it took us 7 years to get pregnant again. This pregnancy was the complete opposite of my first. For the first 3 months I bled. Then I got Gestational Diabetes, went into Pre-term labor, and in the end the mocoso bouncing baby boy, ended up being breached. C-section for me! This time, since there was such a big age difference with the boys, I was even MORE determined to BF. I had the nurse and Lactation Consultant come over and re-train me for BFing. I gave it my best. I really did. It HURT! I couldn’t do it… again! This time though, I decided to pump. Oh yes! I pumped for my nene. For 1 whole year, I pumped every 2-3 hours. Day and Night. My loving hubby, gave me the privilege of becoming a SAHM. It was hard, but at least he was drinking my milk. I loved it. I didn’t have that special bonding time as other BFing moms do with their little ones, but I was satisfied with the fact that he was drinking my leche. Next: Sarai

Sarai was a complete surprise. I found out I was pregnant the day after Jonah’s 1st birthday party. The little ones are 1 year and 9 months apart. This pregnancy was somewhat normal. Well, normal in the sense that I already knew what was going to happen. I had No bleeding this time, but I knew I would get the GD, and surely I did. Also, to my great joy, she was breached. Yay, another C-section for me! This time though, I did try to BF without the pump. I tried, and failed! For 6 months I pumped. In total, including my last pregnancy, I had been pumping for 1 year and 6 months. By this time, I got tired from it and switched my Niña to formula.

I am A-Ok with all this. I tried my best to BF directly from my chi chi, but it just wasn’t in the stars. Now here is my dilemma….

Jeremiah was in such GREAT health. He was rarely sick. I think he was about a year and a half when I had to take him to the ER for the first time. Don’t get me wrong, I thank the Lord Almighty for that. Jonah on the other had visited the ER 5 times in his first year. He already broke an arm. He just got over having Pneumonia. He’s had more stomach “bugs” than I care for. He’s thin. For the longest time he had VERY thin hair. He still has very thin, nappy hair…like me (:

Since starting Pre-school last September, he’s had more cold’s like you wouldn’t believe! Again, I thank Jesus that these are all just minor illnesses, but still… ya know?!? Sarai is the same as Jeremiah. She rarely gets sick. She’s strong and healthy. Her immune system is more resistant than Jonah. She’s never had an ear infection (again, knocking on wood)!!

I do have to ask….Is breastfeeding really all that better? Jeremiah was a formula baby. Sarai was a halfer. Jonah was a FULL BLOWN BF baby, yet he’s the one who gets sick ALL THE TIME! What the heck, gives?!? I complete support BF 100%. But in the back of my mind, I always think of my kids. Maybe it’s different with each kid? Maybe I’m completely off my coco!?! Maybe it’s an Asian thing, since Norman is Filipino. I don’t know?

This is something that I wanted to blog about for a while. If any of you have had this happen to you, let me know. I would love to hear what you have to say. I only know of 1 other person, this happens to. She’s my best friend, with 3 kids also….

To Breastfeed, or not to Breastfeed… That amigas, is the question!

What Did You Think?

Jennifer Klein
March 13, 2010 at 3:12 pm

I breastfed Hayden for 19 months, and Trevor for 12 months. I think Trevor got more minor colds in his first years than Hayden because he was exposed to much more. Hayden’s first year in daycare he had all of the common childhood illnesses, which is normal. Trevor gets ear infections because of the way his ear canal is shaped. I think a lot of it is genetics. Breasyfeeding babies generally are healthier while you are feeding them, which is why doctors reccomend it. Their immune systems aren’t designed to fight off nasty things as tiny babies!

My brother and I were both NOT breastfed, and we were fine. My Mom wasn’t allowed to because of health conditions she suffers from and the medications she takes. Don’t stress, the first year of school plus the fact that you have probably had him around other children from a much earlier age probably accounts for the illnesses.
Marcela
March 13, 2010 at 4:58 pm

I was almost not going to comment! But I have to! I am such a big proponent of breastfeeding!

I love you but have to disagree!

There are so many studies and reasons that prove breast is best. The American Academy of Pediatrics actually recommends you breastfeed for atleast 6 months. Here is a good link to benefits: http://www.mothering.com/breastfeeding/preparing-for-breastfeeding

Have you ever thought about what if you hadn’t breast fed Jonah? Maybe he would have visited the ER a whole lot more?!?!? Maybe he would be more sick.

I respect every mothers decision to breastfeed or not. Formula was made for babies and mothers where breastfeeding was impossible . I personally feel it wasn’t made to be an option, but it has become that. For some mothers its harder than others. Some don’t have the support or breastfeeding education to make it work.
What I do know, is that mother’s milk has so many more benefits than something made in a factory. It is just natural. It’s better for baby, for mother, for the environment.

Your children are absolutely beautiful and I admire you for trying to breastfeed with all of them and being able to pump for so long for Jonah and Sarai. The truth is deciding to breastfeed or formula feed doesn’t make you or say what kind of mother you are. It’s a whole lifetime of mothering that makes you.

Well enough of my ranting! You did a GREAT thing with the breastfeeding so please please please don’t doubt yourself!
Kory Kazanjian
March 13, 2010 at 9:13 pm

Hey this is a great post. I’m going to email this to my friends. I stumbled on this while googling for some free songs, I’ll be sure to visit regularly. thanks for sharing.
Keith Copher
March 13, 2010 at 9:29 pm

Thanks for a great post and interesting comments. I found this post while looking for some music news. Thanks for sharing this article.
jennifer klein
March 13, 2010 at 9:38 pm

Liz, don’t beat yourself up over any of this. I choose to breastfeed my babies and they still get sick. Sure, it’s what is best and what nature intended but it doesn’t mean a child will have immunity to everything throughout their whole life.

You are a FANTASTIC mother, and try not to second guess yourself in hindsight. It will get you nowhere!
admin
March 15, 2010 at 2:38 pm

Marcela,

I was thinking of you the whole time as I was writing this. It’s nursing moms like you, that made want to conquer BFing. I’m sad in a sense that I did get to actually BF the little ones, but like I said I was satisfied with them still drinking my milk… even if it was through a titi. Also, don’t ever feel like you should comment anywhere… ESPECIALLLLLLY here! (: I have a story to tell you.

This happened about 2 weeks ago, but I’ve had no time to comment on your blog. ):

I overheard the kids talking about their cousins and for some reason I kept hearing the name Jeremiah. I started to concentrate on the name and they were saying that Jeremiah was their cousin… I told them NO, Jeremiah is not your cousin, he’s your brother! Jonah said “No, mommy… remember Jeremiah our cousin at Sid the Science kid.” He was talking about your Jeremiah!

HOW CUTE!!!! OMG, I thought to myself…. I have to tell Marcela!! (:
admin
March 15, 2010 at 2:38 pm

Jenn,

I swear you always know how to make me blush! You ROCK with your comments!

Thanks Chica!
Lin
March 15, 2010 at 2:58 pm

Great post Liz! I dont have kiddos yet but have always wondered if I’d be able to do the whole BF thing. I’ve known for a while that I’d like my child to drink my milk so pumping was always an option but BF is still up in the air. Not gonna lie, I’ll probably try it when the time comes.
admin
March 15, 2010 at 4:14 pm

Lin,

When are we gonna see sum bebes?!!? Come on girl, get cranking!!!! (O:
Unknown Mami
March 18, 2010 at 11:38 am

I think it is absolutely different for every child, that’s why I don’t think women should be made to feel guilty if they use formula for whatever reasons.

I tried breastfeeding exclusively and it just wasn’t in the cards for me. She had far more formula than breast milk and she is very healthy. My friend breastfed exclusively and her daughter gets far more colds than my daughter. You just never know.
admin
March 18, 2010 at 10:26 pm

THANK YOU!!! See what I mean. I just find it SOOOO weird when things like this happen! (:
Amanda (Garibay Soup)
March 23, 2010 at 9:59 pm

I straight out refused to even try with my 1st born ~ I was 19 and there was no way that baby was going anywhere near my soar chi chi Baby #2 same thing.. yet after 2 days when my milk came in I wanted to, and I was too late!

So baby #3 whenever it may come I’m going to give it a whirl, BUT I must say… I am not so anti forumla as a lot of people are. My children were formula fed and they have been super healthy! So I’m okay with my decision as well.
judy gutowski
March 24, 2010 at 6:58 am

Thank you for sharing your story. I am glad to hear you are at peace with your breastfeeding outcomes. You are to be congratulated for continuing to try with each b aby. I am curious to know what the credentials were of the lactation consultants who helped you and if you receivedhelp after you left the hospital. The title “lactation consultant” isn’t protected. This means the person could have taken. An 8 hour course or be an IBCLC which has. Education, clinical and examination requirements. It makes a difference in the care you receive.
admin
March 24, 2010 at 9:54 am

She was the LC that the hospital I gave birth at provided. I have an aunt and sister in law, who worked for WIC at the time, and even they couldn’t help me the pain….

Thank you very much for your comment! (:
admin
March 24, 2010 at 9:55 am

I hear ya!

Even now, Jonah got sick (AGAIN) over the weekend, and I’m suspecting he has asthma! Can you believe that?!?! AHHHHH!
Leslie Limon
March 28, 2010 at 2:47 pm

I’m new to your blog and enjoying it. After reading this post I just had to comment!

I breastfed all four of my kiddies. My oldest for 15 months. I stopped only because I was 3 months pregnant with my 2nd child. I breastfed him for 23 months. Si! Almost 2 years! My youngest two, I breastfed for exactly one year. My kiddies are all pretty healthy, except my son that was breastfed for 2 years. He is always sick! Well, not always, but he does have a lot of problems with his asthma. Pero eso si, my kids are super smart!
admin
March 28, 2010 at 5:55 pm

Bienvenida Leslie!

I will give you that! My Jonah is SUPER smart! Aveses me sale con unas cosas, que pa’ que te cuento!

Thanks for your comment, chica!

(Yikes, almost 2 years!?!?!) lol….