SUSU IBU – KONSEP PERMINTAAN & PENAWARAN (DEMAND & SUPPLY)

Assalamualaikum mommies2  semua..

Sebelum kita mula menyusukan anak, mmg kita mesti kumpul ilmu sikit sebanyak ttg penyusuan ni terutamanya ibu2 yg bekerja mcm saya. Biasanya, kita tak didedahkan dengan ilmu2 ni sebelum kita melahirkan mcm sy jgk dan ramai yg dpt ilmu ni melalui pengalaman sendiri dan ada yg tak berjaya utk menyusukan anak pertama sepenuhnya sehingga usia 2 thn. Tapi mmg dh pasang niat tersebut. Bagus, 'mindset' tu penting..=)

Kebanyakan ibu2 yang tak dapat menyusukan anak memberikan alasan bahawa susu mereka tidak cukup/ kering. Pada pendapat saya, Allah telah menjadikan kita sesempurna makhluk di dunia ini dan sudah menjadi lumrah kehidupan utk seorang ibu itu menyusukan anaknya. Mcmmana nenek moyang kita boleh survive tanpa susu formula? Sah2 mereka juga susukan anak masing2..

Okaylah, mari kita mulakan ‘sekolah penyusuan’ kita ye mommies. Perkara yang paling penting yang patut mommies faham adalah konsep demand & supply. Apa tu? Macam dalam ekonomi jgk. Katakan kita (peniaga) menjual ikan di pasar. Katakan kita ada 10 ekor ikan utk dijual. Itu dikira sbg supply (penawaran). Tiba2 yg nk beli ikan (pembeli) ramai plk..20 orang. Maka, tak dapatlah kt penuhi permintaan mereka hari tu. Adakah kt sebagai peniaga akan duduk sj? Tak kan..mesti kt akan usaha untUk dapatkan bekalan ikan yg lebih, tak kira la pancing sendiri ke, dptkan dari nelayan di pelabuhan ke atau apa saja usaha yg boleh dibuat bg memenuhi permintaan (demand) ikan yg lebih td utk keesokan harinya.

Konsep di atas sm jgk dgn susu ibu..badan kita dh set berapa oz susu yg anak kt minum. Kalau mommies rs susu merudum, tgk balik jadual penyusuan kt. Katakan anak biasanya bf 3 jam sekali, tp mungkin sbb leka, dia x mintak susu lebih dr 3 jam, itu dh kira gangguan dlm penghasilan susu ibu. Otak kita akan mendapat signal bahawa supply dh terlebih so kena kurangkan. Esknya merudum la hasil susu. Padahal kita mmg nk maintain hasil susu yg ada. So, kaedahnya mommies..kalau anak terskip 1 sesi penyusuan iaitu lebih dr ms biasa dia menyusu, kt mesti rajin n pam susu tersebut. 

Okay, ada yg tanya kalau susu mmg x ckup mcm mana nk tambahkan production? Sy dh lukis graf di atas utk buat mommies faham. Sy mmg suka ekonomi dulu..hehe. Macam peniaga td, setelah mendapati demand lebih dr supply, dia berusaha dgn pelbagai carakan..sm jgk la kt..kalau Mama B jeles dgn Mama A, dia mesti rajin berusaha (initiatives) melalui pam susu terutamanya lepas susukan anak/ tandem iaitu pam semasa susukan anak/ buat power pumping..Banyak info psl power pumping kt internet ni. Okay soalan mommies lg..’Tp pam pn xde susu mcm mane?’..hehe..Mmg itu la konsepnya..kt pam je walaupun pam angin semata-mata..bukan nk buang masa tp utk hantar signal kt otak kt yg lebih susu diperlukan..kalau kt amalkan pam selalu, bila otak kt dh dpt signal tu, badan kt pn automatik akan hasilkan susu yg lebih mcm Mama A..tp bukan serta merta ye mommies. Ikut badan org jgk. Ada yg sehari n ada yg seminggu dh nmpak kesan..fahamkan konsep (lebih demand - lebih supply) n (kurang demand - kuranglah supply)..tu je..yang penting kita yakin pd diri sendiri dan kuasa Yang Maha Esa..Allah dh aturkan segalanya dengan sempurna. 

Happy breastfeeding mommies..xoxo!!

p/s: Sila buang tanggapan bahawa supplement yg beratus2 ringgit tu akan menambahkan susu ibu ye. Kalau kt ambil 100 jenis supplement pn tp tak susukan anak n pam secara konsisten, confirm susu akan merudum jgk. Elok boleh save bila kt susukan anak sbb tak beli susu fomula, membazir pula beli supplement yg belum tentu kesannya. Ingat ye mommies. Baik gunakan duit tu utk beli pam yg hebat or pg holiday dgn family kat pulau..hehehe..;-)

Breastfeeding (Mindset plays the biggest role)

Salam Ramadhan. I just came back from a forum on ‘World’s Breastfeeding Week’ at Auditorium Kompleks E in Putrajaya. I was hoping to bump into any of my breastfeeding support group on facebook ‘Kumpulan Ibu Menyusukan (KIM)’ but did not as I sat on the front rows..sigh..oh, and I left early too right after the forum ended as it was already over my pumping time..;p

 It was pretty interesting to know that the breastfeeding rate in Malaysia is increasing. Alhamdulillah, I was glad to hear that but do you know the statistics of it? Only less than 15% of Malaysian actually breastfeed their babies if I heard it correctly. Oh my..why? Some of the panels listed the reasons given by the mothers themselves which is:

1. They’re women with careers so they do not have the time.

2. They do not want their breasts to go out of shape.

3. They do not have enough milk.

4. They went for a c-sect, so it is not easy to breastfeed.

I’m no expert but through my experience and the experience of other breastfeeding mothers that I’ve shared, the reasons above are just the mindset which you can overcome by educating yourselves with enough breastfeeding information. Let’s look deeper into the problems ya..

Problem 1

Many breastfeeding women nowadays are working mothers including myself. There are lots of breastfeeding gears sold in the market to fulfil the task of expressing milk. You do not need so much time for you can actually pump while working at the same time. All you have to do is to search for the best kind of pump may it be manual or electric pump that would suit you and your career. My list of breastfeeding gears that I bring to the office daily includes:

i) Medela Harmony Manual Breastpump

ii) Cooler bag

iii) 2-3 ice packs

iv) 6-7 milk storage bottles/plastic bags

and that’s it. Not such a fuss come to think of it since you only have to do so in only 2 years if you’re planning to breastfeed your babies for 2 years that is. Come on mommies. You will see the benefits in so many ways immediately and even more later in life.

Problem 2

You were already out of shape while being pregnant..hehe.. Truthfully, I do not believe so, for many of my breastfeeding friends do have beautiful figures still and some even more beautiful while breastfeeding. We’re not growing any younger anyways, so your figure will definitely change in time my dears. Make use of our body the way it’s made for, I should say. Oh and the best part is..you can eat as much as you want and still loose pounds ladies. Am I in shape?..Alhamdulillah so far I can say yes, I am..(I tried to search for my current picture, then realised that there's none of me alone without the family..oh well..pregnancy sometimes made you lose your confidence on the way you look..need to capture some soon)..;p

Problem 3

Haaa..the most commonly given reason by most non breastfeeding mothers out there. If so, how can some people feed their adopted babies?.. Do they have milk since they did not give birth to the babies?.. This means that milk production can be stimulated especially when you were the one who gave birth to your baby. It’s all on your mind. There are many ways of stimulating milk production such as power pumping. Our brain should be given the signal that more milk is needed and in time it will increase the production. Demand and supply concept mommies. Learn them. 

My experience, my milk was produced 3 days after delivering my first baby. That was when he was diagnosed with severe jaundice. I broke down and tried for the first time pumped as much milk as I can and all I get is about 1 and a half oz of milk. I was not informed that it was enough. A newborn baby’s tummy is the size of a cherry, so it was more than enough. I also never thought that that particular pumping session was how my milk was stimulated but it was. Soon after, my breasts were full and I get to feed my baby every 2 hours and he was well in only 2 days Alhamdulillah. Now I manage to breastfeed both my babies at the same time. My advise is, do not compare your milk production with other mothers because your body is especially designed to produce enough amount of milk needed by your babies.

Problem 4

Okay..this one I cannot accept at all for both my babies were delivered through c-sect but I still manage to breastfeed both of them. Ask your doctors and nurses around to guide you. It is possible and it does not hurt at all come to think of it. The part that was cut open was your tummy and not your breasts..hehe..well okay, of course the tummy part hurts, but why waste time concentrating on the pain when you have a much more beautiful and precious little ones to pay attention to..your babies..trust me, they will definitely ease the pain away from you..

How could you not want to feed these 2 beautiful little angels?..

All I know is that if you have the mindset of breastfeeding your little ones, God will definitely help you along the journey. InsyaAllah..There are many support groups that you can join to increase your knowledge about breastfeeding so feel free to join them. Dig as much knowledge as you can even when you're not a mother yet. The knowledge will come in handy in the future. Happy Breastfeeding Mommies..=)

A mother’s feelings..

Assalamualaikum. I’m writing today to express my feelings that could easily be touched these days. Maybe you’d feel that way once you’re a mother. It’s been hard to hold back tears no matter if it’s for joy or sadness. Latest tears shed were because my eldest son turned 2 years old today. How time flies and he’d grown so beautifully. Alhamdulillah.

I watched Bio channel on Astro last few nights with my husband on baby’s delivery. I watched carefully on the process of normal delivery. It looked so easy. Of course..they only show you when it’s time for the baby to pop out. When the delivery process is over, they placed the baby on the mother’s chest. I then started to burst out crying inconsolably..uhhh..the feeling of jealousy rushed through my every single vein. At least that was how it felt..=(

Okay, here’s the story. My husband and I have 6 siblings each. Mine all girls and his all boys. We’re so used to having many siblings that we wish to give the same to our children. The more the merrier they said, and it’s entirely true based on our experience. Once I found out I was pregnant, I felt like I had wings to fly. ;-)

My first baby - My water broke on the 21/6/10 at 10pm while we were about to go to sleep and did. I felt like going to the toilet at 1am. I got up and a lot of warm water rushed down my legs and we decided to go to the hospital. It was only 2cm opened and the hospital was full so they referred me to another hospital. We went to my panel clinic instead to try our luck. They induced me but my baby stayed put at his normal position and did not budge..I kept on telling him that it’s time for you to come out little one. At about 3pm, the dr told me that I had to go to the OT..sigh..I cried like a river flow..blamed myself, blamed the baby, (for no reason) It’s not like he knows what to do. I’m telling you, a pregnant mother’s emotion is very3 fragile and they are able to do lots of stupid things esp when it’s time to deliver or in confinement and under stressed moments like this. I was transferred to another hospital since I don’t think I could afford the private clinic..by ambulance. I couldn’t tell on how i felt..i never went for any minor surgery and suddenly was going for a big 1..hmmm. Alas, baby Yang Syahir was safely delivered at 6.56pm at 3.42kgs on 22/6/10..Alhamdulillah.

My second baby – Due date was 26/10/11. We waited patiently but 10 days later I had an appointment to force baby to come out and see the world..hehe. I was induced at 11am on 4/11/11 alone without no company. I bared the pain and agony as long as I could and was pushed to the delivery room at hmmm..i’m not so sure about the time for this 1 as it felt soooo long..but I remembered that 6cm was opened after 16hours and baby pooped in me...off to the OT again..redha with God’s fate at that moment. During the surgery, I felt like my heart stopped a few times..I even thought I was dying. I thought of my family throughout the whole surgery. I prayed hard for a longer life for they need me esp my babies and I need them too. I was so nervous when the doctors started asking 'eh..what's wrong with her heart?'..and the nurses asked me if I was okay. Tears ran down my cheeks but the nurses calmed me down and kept on asking me questions to keep me awake. The doctor told me later that I had bigeminy ( a state where your heart alternates one "normal" beat with one "premature" beat). Means that it was beating at irregular rhythm. This time I got to see the whole process. Baby came out at 1.15am on 5/11/11 at 3.64kgs..Alhamdulillah.

Both babies were safely delivered through surgery. I went to both surgeries feeling so alone, scared, and sad. Even my husband was not allowed to be there for me. I was not able to hold my babies and feed them immediately after they were born. The saddest part is that it’s not possible for me to provide them with lots of siblings anymore like what their parents have. I was the first to deliver my babies through c-sec in the family. Maybe that’s why I’m so easily touched when it comes to pregnancies n babies.

Here's the difference..

Normal delivery

My babies delivery

God..You’re almighty..I believe that you know what’s best for me and my family. The sad part was just a test for me to be much stronger day by day. My babies are growing very beautifully and healthily..plus you gave me strength to breastfeed both of them without failing. I love them so very much. I believe that I am capable of doing anything at all in the world now thanks to you dear God..we can choose to live the sorrow and be glum with our past or choose to strive for the best for our future. The choice is in our hands so be glad and cherish your Love, Laugh and Life..while you can..;-)

Here's mine..

Yang Syahir & Yang Syafiy

Obsessed with Pink..am I?..

I still remember that I once loved the colour blue so much. Most of my stuffs were in blue, but that was ages ago..while I was still in primary school as I remember. As time passes by, I'm prone to buying things in pink..eh? Favourite colours can change I guess. 

It was just recently that I realised that I had lots of things that are pink and that was when one of my colleagues mentioned that I looked so pink 1 day cause everything on me was in the same colour. That reminds me that I have lots of pink possessions. These are some of them with me..oh n trust me..just 'some'..hehe..

 My little pink Acer lappy

 My pink Nikon camera (notice the mirror n my office board frame?..pink too)

My pink Elizabeth Arden perfume (Pretty)

                                                 

I need to remember though that my babies are not girls. So no pink litlle things for them then. No pink clothes, shoes, accessories, and etc. But some things that I can't resist myself in purchasing...

 Pink stroller (at least parts of them are in pink and my sweater too)

Little pink boy shirts..hehe..

Okay so that's it..not too much pink things for both of you my darlings. Hey, even your daddy looks great in pink you know. See what I mean..

My boyfriend ;-)

I guess I do love the colour pink so much. It just soothes me almost every time I see it. I don't see anything wrong about it though, no matter what age you are, you're allowed to love the colour. That made me sound so old..hehe..I'm still young lah. I guess I can consider myself a little obsessed with the colour red mixed with white and I know there are lots of pink lovers out there too so I know I'm not alone. Well, my blog is pink too huh?..hahaha..then I can consider it the colour of my love, laugh and life..=)

Cara Pengendalian Susu Ibu Perahan (SIP)

                                                                

1.       PENYIMPANAN SUSU IBU PERAHAN

Letakkan susu ibu yg segar/cair sepenuhnya pada belah bawah peti ais.

Nota:

a)      Segar = Susu yang baru diperah dan tidak pernah dibekukan (tahan 4 hari)

Nota: Susu segar ini boleh dibekukan sekiranya tidak digunakan dalam masa 4 hari

b)      Cair sepenuhnya = Susu yang dibekukan dan telah dicairkan sepenuhnya (tahan 24 jam)

Nota: Susu yang telah dicairkan ini tidak boleh dibekukan semula. Jika tidak digunakan dalam masa 24 jam, susu hendaklah dibuang.

2.       MEMANASKAN SUSU IBU PERAHAN

Jangan panaskan susu ibu di atas dapur, ketuhar. Susu yang disimpan di dalam plastik/liners harus dicairkan terlebih dahulu sekiranya beku dan pindahkan ke dalam botol untuk proses pemanasan.

Gunakan warmer ataupun masukkan 1 cawan air panas dan 1 cawan air kosong dalam mangkuk kemudian rendam botol susu hingga susu suam.

Tuangkan susu yang suam ke dalam botol susu untuk penyususan bayi.

Nota:

Jangan panaskan terus susu ibu yang masih beku kerana ia akan mengganggu komposisi susu tersebut. Susu seharusnya cair sepenuhnya sebelum dipanaskan. Satu cara mudah untuk mencairkan susu beku adalah dengan meletakkan botol/plastik/liner di dalam mangkuk berisi air kosong, dan simpan di peti sejuk bawah sehingga ia cair sepenuhnya.

                                                            

                                                                             

3.       PENYUSUAN BAYI

Sila pastikan bayi dan kanak-kanak habiskan susu ibu yang telah dipanaskan dalam masa 1 jam.  Jika melebihi 1 jam, susu yang berlebihan harus dibuang. Jika bayi masih lapar, sila panaskan stok susu lain. Tiada istilah membazir dalam dunia penyusuan susu ibu. InsyaAllah stok mencukupi untuk anak-anak.

p/s: This is a Bahasa Melayu version notes edited to be printed for babysitters whom mostly are not familiar with the simplest way of handling expressed breast milk (EBM). Do feel free to share this and print them out for your babysitters too. Credit to a mummy @KIM. Happy breastfeeding mummies..=)

I met you before you were born..

My little darling Yang Syahir is almost 2 now and you're growing so beautifully little one. Papa and mama's days would feel empty without you cheering us up everyday.

I know that I made the right decision marrying your papa after I did Istikharah prayer. 1 fine night, I dreamt of us together with this beautiful chubby, wide bright eyed, and curly haired little girl. I was so confident that we'd be getting a girl once I found out I was pregnant but you came out instead. Doubts went through my thoughts and I sighed silently as the dream was not true. But life went on as it was written. Our life's been filled with happiness. Alhamdulillah we're so blessed.

I put you to sleep every single night. Last few nights was when I realised that I met you before papa and mama were even married. I looked at you while putting you to sleep and realised that you are the chubby, wide bright eyed and curly haired 'girl' that I met in my dreams before. Oh my God, even I thought you were a girl. No wonder people kept on asking if you're a girl these days. I thought so too...;p

My lillte boy...=)

Moral of the story is, I need to cut your long curly hair slightly shorter just to prevent the gender confusion..;-) So that was how I met you before you were born my little love, laugh and life......

A letter for beloved baba and mama

Dear love, 

My beloved parents

I’m your 2^nd daughter or may I say 3^rd after arwah Abg Min n Along. I used to feel so left out since u loved Along so much after our brother’s tragic death. I never get to see him in this life. So can’t wait to see him in the other. I never even get to see his grave for it’s situated so far away in Scotland. How I wish I’m given the chance to. InsyaAllah.

I used to blame both of you for not paying enough attention to me and even did lots of mischievous things to attract your attention and to calm myself down. It would be such a long list of bad things that I’ve done but  1 that I can’t seem to forget is that I stole your money to buy all the things that I want (that I don’t really need). I’m admitting my mistake here and I did it not just once. It became a habit and I’m not proud of it..sigh..but thank God I got over it long ago. Please forgive me. I never meant to make you cry ma. Now I regretted for even thinking that it was all your fault. I believe now that it was my learning process. And I did learned it the hard way. I got caught remember..hehe..

My childhood was great but I wish that I’d enjoyed it more rather than thinking of what is missing here n there all the time. It was complete always. If only I could see it back then.  I can’t seem to remember much of it sadly. That I used to blame Along for. She hated me much. But that was when we were small and naive. Maybe that’s why I tend to forget. I understand now that she just doesn’t want to share your undying love towards her with me. Now as we grew older and wiser, we tend to appreciate each other a lot. Both of you are the best parents a child could ever have. I definitely felt the deepest appreciation for what you’ve been through for me n my sisters especially now that I have children of my own.

Ma..you gave me life. You fought all the pain and gave birth to me. You breastfed all 6 of us till we were 2.  That's amazing. That’s the best a baby could ever have. That’s why I’m so motivated to give the best for my babies too no matter what others would say. You taught me everything that I know now. It’s not easy being a mother for you will worry about your children every single second. Life is tough ma. That I can never deny but having you in my life is like having oxygen to breathe in everyday. Thank you so much mama. .for everything.

Thank you for always praying for me dad

Ba..you were always there for me when I needed you. My childhood was beautiful because of you. I can still recall the days when I was sick and you were there for me giving me medicine. And that gesture always made me feel better even without the medicine. It showed that you cared for me. We used to chat together pouring each other’s hearts when I was still living at home. Oh how I miss all that. I can’t even forget all the lunch dates that we had together while the others were not around. And yes..we ate really fast cause you had to rush to work again. I still do that you know. I’m always done with my meals before everyone else..;p  (p/s: I cried inconsolably inside when u gave me away in marriage and said to myself that I'd always be your little girl and I still need you to be with me) I want you to know that you’d always be in my heart.

My convocation

My engagement

My wedding

Both of you were always there for me no matter what occasion. No matter good or bad. That's why you're the best baba and mama. Love you lots!

I’m taking this opportunity to ask for your forgiveness for all of the stupid mistakes I’ve made especially those which made you cry. Please forgive me. I would be on my knees and kissing your feet for this forgiveness but every time I’m in front of you, I turned out stoned.  All the words would come out wrong. This is the only way that I can pour my heart out without gagging, crying hysterically or go crazy for no reason. Yes, especially on Hari Raya. ;-)

All in all, I turned out good I guess. Alhamdulillah. All 6 of us did thanks to you both. I can’t describe of how much I miss being under your guidance and living under the same roof. I still turn to you sometimes though. Having both of you around comforts me a lot. You have always been my strength to move on in life. I can never thank you enough for being my parents. I can never imagine life without either one of you. I feel so blessed to be given the chance to be your daughter. I love you both so much. Even love seems to be the simplest word that I can convey my feelings with. What I feel for you is definitely way more than that. I want you to know that I’d always be there for you like you’re always there for me. Thank you for loving me just the way I am. I promise to try and be a better daughter for you. You’ll always be my love, laugh and life...

Yours Truly,

Hazirah

My own blog..finally..

Assalamualaikum and hello everyone. This is officially my very first entry on my blog. 'My blog'..just saying it makes me so excited for I've been meaning to write for soooo long. I just love to express myself through writings for I think that I'm able to pour my heart out without any interference whatsoever. 

I'm gonna share with you here all of the ups and downs that I've been through in life which colored my personality. Life's been truly blessed. Lets see why...

These trio above are my darlings closest to me. The three Yangs of mine. My hubby, Yang Syazlan, and my babies, 1 year and 9 months old Yang Syahir and 4 months old Yang Syafiy. The best gift from God is my family undoubtedly..all of them including my in laws. Nothing else can ever compare.

We can only be human and humans are not perfect. At least all we can do is cherish all the special moments that we've been through and push aside all the bad memories. They're unendurable but they're also unforgettable. Whatever it is, I love my life and I can never thank God enough for what I've been blessed with....my love, laugh and life.