In conjunction with World Breastfeeding Week, which is usually held during the 1st week of August, I'd be celebrating it for a whole month, by resolving to post as many entries regarding breastfeeding as time permits me to.
There is one thing that I hardly speak about openly, and that is Nunu’s not so prim and proper nursing positions, styles and habits, save for this entry about my 'catwoman' experience. When she was younger, yes, she does have her quirks (the lip-smacking, the twiddle-dee twiddle-dum, the hair tugging, the legs-paddling arms-flailing) but nothing that I couldn’t handle at that moment.
At around 8 or 9 months, Nunu had started a variation of the kangaroo position (baby on top of mommy), where she places both legs on either side if me, straightens it and jiggles her tushy in the air! I began to think, dear lord, is this normal behavior? Before long, she discovered more acrobatic styles and stunts akin to that of a contortionist that not only exasperate and annoyed me, but caused more than just aches and pains on my back.
And I was chary of talking about it with anyone, probably I was embarrased and convinced that my daughter was a total weirdo, or at least she was displaying abnormal behaviour. The only people who knew about this closet- behavior was the people I’m comfortable with while nursing – Martian, my mom, MIL, who all, more than once, expressed their disapproval at Nunu’s lack of manners. Only Tok never seemed to mind, and encouraged me to believe that I'm not doing something wrong.
I’m pretty sure that a lot of first time breastfeeding moms are aghast, if not amused, to discover that when the baby gets older, they would adopt several feeding styles that ranges from cute, to curiously funny, to down-right outrageous.
Probably I was too naïve and misinformed from all the breastfeeding references that I could get my hands on to think there are only a few tried & tested and “appropriate” nursing positions, i.e the clutch hold, the side lying hold. Even the kangaroo position (or cross body/face down lying position) wasn’t even a prime suggestion from nurses and experts, until very much later, Tok gave me the idea to place Nunu on top of me after I complained of back pains. And both Nunu and I grew so comfortable with the new position that it becomes our preferred position. I love the way that I can tuck Nunu snugly in my embrace so that her head rests on my arm. That is before she became heavy enough and started mistaking my tummy as a mini trampoline. So you can imagine my horror being blindsided like that by my bosom buddy who suddenly developed aggressive tendencies.
After laying low for a while, I decided that I gotta find some connection with other long suffering moms, kindred souls perhaps. I posted a message on my favourite breastfeeding & parenting forum, but I was very careful with my choice of words as not to expose to much details, for fear of being branded an irresponsible mother.
To my surprise and utter delight, many moms chimed in and the confessions came pouring (just read the first few threads in the forum, and please please read mamaampang's post! simply amazing kid she has there!)
Almost all nurslings will develop those quirky habits, and apparently some believe that the more active the child is while nursing, the more 'creative' he/she is! Ha! Well wad'ya know! After some deep thinking, I've ditched all the misconceptions that I had before (while checking myself every now and then for signs of denial! hah) and concluded that children who mastered their own preferred techniques are a perfect example of children having minds of their own.
So the point of me writing this is that, although breastfeeding could be the most beautiful and at the same thing the most harrowing experience for a mom, she should be equipped with the knowledge of the "Lexicon of Breastfeeding Styles" , it is just as important as other aspects of breastfeeding and especially if it's concerning your expectancy along the journey of nursing your child.
And of course, for the sake of your mental health as well.
More stories about my little 'penagih dada' (tr: boobie junkie?) coming right up...
There is one thing that I hardly speak about openly, and that is Nunu’s not so prim and proper nursing positions, styles and habits, save for this entry about my 'catwoman' experience. When she was younger, yes, she does have her quirks (the lip-smacking, the twiddle-dee twiddle-dum, the hair tugging, the legs-paddling arms-flailing) but nothing that I couldn’t handle at that moment.
At around 8 or 9 months, Nunu had started a variation of the kangaroo position (baby on top of mommy), where she places both legs on either side if me, straightens it and jiggles her tushy in the air! I began to think, dear lord, is this normal behavior? Before long, she discovered more acrobatic styles and stunts akin to that of a contortionist that not only exasperate and annoyed me, but caused more than just aches and pains on my back.
And I was chary of talking about it with anyone, probably I was embarrased and convinced that my daughter was a total weirdo, or at least she was displaying abnormal behaviour. The only people who knew about this closet- behavior was the people I’m comfortable with while nursing – Martian, my mom, MIL, who all, more than once, expressed their disapproval at Nunu’s lack of manners. Only Tok never seemed to mind, and encouraged me to believe that I'm not doing something wrong.
I’m pretty sure that a lot of first time breastfeeding moms are aghast, if not amused, to discover that when the baby gets older, they would adopt several feeding styles that ranges from cute, to curiously funny, to down-right outrageous.
Probably I was too naïve and misinformed from all the breastfeeding references that I could get my hands on to think there are only a few tried & tested and “appropriate” nursing positions, i.e the clutch hold, the side lying hold. Even the kangaroo position (or cross body/face down lying position) wasn’t even a prime suggestion from nurses and experts, until very much later, Tok gave me the idea to place Nunu on top of me after I complained of back pains. And both Nunu and I grew so comfortable with the new position that it becomes our preferred position. I love the way that I can tuck Nunu snugly in my embrace so that her head rests on my arm. That is before she became heavy enough and started mistaking my tummy as a mini trampoline. So you can imagine my horror being blindsided like that by my bosom buddy who suddenly developed aggressive tendencies.
After laying low for a while, I decided that I gotta find some connection with other long suffering moms, kindred souls perhaps. I posted a message on my favourite breastfeeding & parenting forum, but I was very careful with my choice of words as not to expose to much details, for fear of being branded an irresponsible mother.
To my surprise and utter delight, many moms chimed in and the confessions came pouring (just read the first few threads in the forum, and please please read mamaampang's post! simply amazing kid she has there!)
Almost all nurslings will develop those quirky habits, and apparently some believe that the more active the child is while nursing, the more 'creative' he/she is! Ha! Well wad'ya know! After some deep thinking, I've ditched all the misconceptions that I had before (while checking myself every now and then for signs of denial! hah) and concluded that children who mastered their own preferred techniques are a perfect example of children having minds of their own.
So the point of me writing this is that, although breastfeeding could be the most beautiful and at the same thing the most harrowing experience for a mom, she should be equipped with the knowledge of the "Lexicon of Breastfeeding Styles" , it is just as important as other aspects of breastfeeding and especially if it's concerning your expectancy along the journey of nursing your child.
And of course, for the sake of your mental health as well.
More stories about my little 'penagih dada' (tr: boobie junkie?) coming right up...
1 comment:
boobie junkie?
that's a good one, anne!
LOL :D
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