Confinement

11 Sep 2011
I was discharged from Mount Alvernia Hospital and it marks the beginning of a one month confinement period for mothers who have just given birth.
This first night at home with my new baby is something that I was totally not prepared for.
Baby fussed at my breast and cried the whole night through. She could barely fall asleep and at the very most only slept for half an hour in my arms or my mother's arms.
My mother and I took turns to pacify her as I was totally exhausted.
(at this point, I think I am still having colostrum and my baby's growing appetite is not met.)

12 Sep 2011
I decided to buy a can of formula milk (FM) to stand by in case she fussed at my breast again tonight. I will top up the night feed with FM. My milk came in a little bit more but my baby is still not satisfied.
I fed her 60ml of FM at 1045pm and she gave me a very puzzling look.
The top up feed made her sleep for 3 hours and it gave me much needed rest.
I nursed her for the rest of the night and she managed to sleep for another 2 hours.

13 Sep 2011
I was wondering if I should give her FM tonight. My gut feel is not to as I find her getting increasingly impatient at the breast and seemed to be waiting for the bottle teat. Amazingly smart babies.. as I only fed her once at night and another time in the day. If I give in to FM tonight, I would jeopardize my breastfeeding endeavor so once again, I go to my Lord Jesus Christ. I cast all my cares on Him and I asked Him to supply all the milk that my baby needs.

My milk came in much more and baby could nurse less impatiently and she ended up sleeping about 2 hours after each feed. She also enjoyed my mother's cradle and would fall asleep rather quickly when my mother carried her. I am so thankful for my mum's help.