Oversupply and Strong Milk Ejection Reflex

When my milk finally came in with E, I had a raging oversupply!  No, I didn't pump during the early days but I think the breast compressions must have somehow triggered my body to make a LOT of milk resulting in an overactive milk rejection reflex. [Milk Ejection Reflex or MER is what is commonly known as "letdown".  LATCH President Buding shared that she learned from her breastfeeding training in Canada that MER is better used as it is technical and descriptive as opposed to letdown which is negative and implies failure]

As a result of my strong MER, E usually coughs and unlatches when my milk starts to flow - and he not only gets a mouthful of milk but a face full as my milk usually sprays all over his face and clothes!

I did some online research and was able to control my oversupply and help E manage the milk flow better.  He is now 8 months and I do still have strong MER sometimes but it's either E has learned to swallow fast or my management techniques worked ;)

To manage oversupply, I used blockfeeding.  I feed E 2x in a row at the same breast, instead of switching breasts.  This way, the breast A won't be as full during the 2nd feeding and it will regulate the supply in the other breast (B).  This is  because breast B becomes full and won't make as much milk.  Remember that an empty breast results in faster milk production.

Along with the oversupply, I had a strong MER.  During the early days, I utilized a washcloth.  E latches and stimulates my milk, when it starts to flow, he unlatches and I immediately use the washcloth to catch the wild sprays.  When the milk flow slows down, I put E back to breast and he is able to contentedly feed without issue.

One of the suggestions I read here is to nurse the baby in an upright or "Australian" position.  The baby lies on top of mommy's tummy while feeding, allowing gravity to play a role.  However, we didn't use this because E was small (about 2 weeks) when I started to encounter a strong MER.  So I resorted to blockfeeding.

If you are so inclined, you can also pump to reduce engorgement.  However, when you pump, don't pump to empty the breast (again, empty breast results in faster milk production).  Pump just to feel comfortable or to get over the first MER.  Throughout the feedings, there are usually 2-3 MERs and it is the first one that is forceful.  When you get over the 1st MER, the 2nd and 3rd ones are usually better handled by baby.

La Leche League has a detailed page on how to deal with oversupply and forceful MER.  Check it out HERE.

My little models and Happy 9th Month E!

N and E both love posing for the camera! Maybe it is because of the influence of their photographer dad Stan.  I, on the other hand, hate posing.  In fact, whenever we do family portraits, Stan gets irritated because I get irritated after maybe about 5 minutes of posing.  I want shots to be quick and fast!

My kids are the opposite! Both love hamming it up on the camera and in fact, N has gotten to the stage where SHE directs her dad and tells him what angle or what pose she wants.

So when Rone of Mothering Earthlings offered me the chance for my 2 kids to be included in her Model Earthlings program, I excitedly accepted!  We are regular customers of Mothering Earthlings and that's where I get E's bibs and funky shirts.  You can read more about Mothering Earthlings in my previous post.

The kids' loot arrived on Thursday which was perfect since we scheduled E's 9 month pictorial last Sunday.  I know it was late! E was sick during his 9th month-day hence the delay.

N is wearing a Sweetheart Ribbon Headband

In a vibrant Aja Dress.  N requested for this shot!

the little boy is in a Fiddle Tops striped shirt

and loves his Velcro Sneakers

yes, he is a little señorito!

Did you know that you can only get Agoo apparel from Mothering Earthlings? I love their unique designs and have almost all of the girl designs!

Thanks again Rone for choosing my kids to be part of your Mothering Earthlings program!

VitaPops: Candy or Health Supplement?

One of the activities we attended last August was the launch of an innovative product from Unilab - VitaPops - the first & only pop rocks Vitamin C.  The event was held in Active Fun, Global City and was hosted by Donita Rose. Another guest was Daphne Osena-Paez, who like Donita, was an endorser of VitaPops. The theme of the event was "Pop Rockin' Field Trip".  I loved how the organizers included activities for the kids, to allow the moms to participate and listen to the speakers and main activity.

Filipino Association of Babywearers' Babywearing Event is happening

The last babywearing meet happened in March.  We've been working hard and have come up with a logo plus a Facebook page!  But we couldn't let 2012 slip by without organizing another meet.   So the last meet for this year is happening on 20 October 2012, 1:30pm at Renaissance 3000 function room.   
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 The program will consist of an introduction about F.A.B., a talk on babywearing benefits, babywearing safety plus our new activity: Sling and Move with baby!  We will be having raffles and special sales from our vendors! You can see some photos from the previous babywearing event here. Visit the Facebook Event Link.  Do sign up below to join and see you there!

PSA: Alay na Gatas mo. Sagip sa Buhay ko

There will be a milk letting activity in CAMANAVA on 11 October 2012.  This is to show their support for the No to the Milk Monster Bill Campaign.  See details below.

We are pleased to inform you that the Breastfeeding TSEK (Tama, Sapat, Eksklusibo) campaign has been effective in raising mothers’ awareness on the benefits of breastfeeding in the cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela.

To date, our exclusive breastfeeding rate have significantly increase from 41% in 2010 to 74% in 2011in Caloocan City, 66.24% in 2010 to 82.23% in Malabon City, 49% in 2010 to 61% in Navotas City and 74.54% in 2010 to 80% in Valenzuela City. We are most grateful for ARUGAAN for training and mentoring the peer counsellors and equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to guide and assist pregnant moms with their babies in their breastfeeding journey. 

Photo by Anne Marxze D. Umil/Bulatlat.com

Our campaign does not stop here and we are in fact on our way to implementing the program on a wider scale through the conduct of a simultaneous breast milk letting activity “Alay na Gatas mo. Sagip sa Buhay ko” on October 11, 2012, Thursday to be participated by all health centers in CaMaNaVa District. 

A total of at least 3,000 lactating mothers will participate in the activity that aims to advocate that infant formula is not needed during calamities, crisis and emergencies since mothers who breastfeed can donate their expressed breastmilk to infants in need. Breastmilk to be collected will be donated to the milk bank of Philippine Children's Medical Center to help premature and sick children in need of mother's milk. We are working with the local government units and breastfeeding advocates who can help with our cause. 

We hope to provide tokens of appreciation to the breastfeeding mothers and breastfeeding support group members who will join the breastmilk letting activity. Special prizes will also be given to mothers who are most participative, breastfeeding icon, best breastfeeding practice barangay etc. We hope that you can support us by providing tokens and prizes for the mothers involved. A donation in cash or in kind would be highly appreciated.

What is urgently  needed would be breastmilk bags to store the milk that will be collected during the event.  If you would like to pledge milk bags, please do contact the City Combi Officer, Kenneth Samaco at 09164632165.