Breastfeeding 101

Alhamdulillah, I was fortunate to be able to breastfeed Iman even until today. But of course, there were times when the supply was low and the demand was super high. There were also times when I can simply throw the half-drink milk. There were times when I'm caught-up with work I missed my pumping session sampai baju basah kuyup. There were times when I'm just being lazy to pump, hence less no. of bottle for that day. My time and day include extra half and hour for the pumping session. 

There are 4 of us in the office who expressed milk everyday. Kenalah berebut nak duduk dalam bilik tu. Kadang-kadang, both of us sit next to each other facing the other way round to express milk. Memang menarik ketika duduk berdua. Confirm, susu tak keluar banyak.

I must say that it was indeed a challenging-tough-job to be a breastfeeding mom. Kiasu to the max, I tell you! But the good thing is, you sure know that you only give your baby the best milk in the world. Alhamdulillah, Iman takdelah sakit serious sepanjang minum breast milk. Sakit biasa-biasa tuh ada lah (biasalah nak membesar bagaikan johon mestilah ada sakit sikit-sikit) but alhamdulillah, she is one big healthy baby, syukur!

me, once upon a time ago.

And, very economic too. Itu paling penting. I do not have to be worried to go get Iman her formula milk powder. Formula milk powder is very expensive nowadays as if it was made by gold powder. Sigh!

After more than 14 months, I decided to mix formula milk & breastmilk. Ini semua gara-gara Iman refuses to drink milk in the bottle (that's another battle for first time mom to encounter, good luck!). Dah berbagai jenis botol susu dah di beli and it shows no signs of improvement. So, I give-up! Breast milk is to be added into her morning cereal and the formula milk is to be served twice a day - morning & night. She still refuses milk in the bottle, so she drinks the milk in a cup. Kira bagus jugaklah tuh. At least she drinks milk.

Slowly, I reduced the number of time to express milk because the demand is low (super low!) but I keep on adding the supply. At the end, supply melimpah ruah. 

At 18 months, I have totally stop expressing but I still direct feed Iman.

Now, I want to stop breastfeeding entirely and I want to train Iman to stop asking for my boobies. Yes, she can't live without my boobies. To the extend that she wants it not for the milk but for leisure. Kadang-Kadang Selalunya, I can't do anything just because Iman nak bergayut and it gets difficult to move. Kalu tak bagi, she can just throw tantrum (sebab dah pandai buat). She knows where to get it - simply angkat my baju. Not that I don't like the way she does it but she's already feeling comfortable with it and I foresee that if I don't start training her now, she will never stop asking for it. She's turning 2 soon, so yea...

The question is now, how can I do it - the hard way or the super slow way?

Some people suggested that I put something on my breast (like chilli powder or coffee powder) for Iman to taste it and eventually she will stop asking for it. Kau gila letak chilli powder? Mau terbakar breast nanti. 

Some people suggested that I talk to Iman that it is not her time anymore to breastfeed - but that's going to be super slow man!

How can I do it? Mothers? Anyone? Help!