March 21, 2014

Breastfeeding for 31 Months

Dominique Parenting and Kids, Parenting Views, Thoughts breastfeeding

Breastfeeding didn’t really come naturally for me. the first time as it was prematurely ended at 6 months . I only had success from the 2nd time around with my #2- Doggie boy. I managed to breastfeed him and subsequently #3- Tiger girl both for 31 months.

It could be said as a first time mother with Monkey boy I struggled with breastfeeding due to Ankyloglossia which was hereditary on my side of the family. I am a carrier and as a result all three kids have it.

Monkey boy had difficulty latching on and had to be supplemented with formula. His tongue tie was only released when he was 8 weeks old. During that period of time I suffered from engorgement and bleeding nipples due to latching issues. Many naysayers, including my own parents, advised me to give up and switch to formula. I however, tried my best to carry on.

I tried pumping using both manual and electric pumps. It was really time consuming. By the time you finish a pumping session it was time for the next feeding session and the cycle was never ending. I gave up in the end and went back to direct latching as pumping wasn’t working well for me and my supply also dwindled because of it.

I felt extremely exhausted as I wasn’t getting any sleep for days on end as Monkey boy was a baby who needed very little sleep.

It was a torture to breastfeed at that time and I finally threw in the towel at 6 months once I reached the minimum length of time recommended by the major breastfeeding organisations.

Doggie boy back then

Doggie boy back then. Wasn’t he really chubby?

With #2 and #3 I was much more prepared. I spotted their tongue tie problem when they were newborns and had it rectified before we left the hospital. Both of them didn’t have any problems latching on and I enjoyed my bonding sessions while breastfeeding. I practiced baby led weaning with them and weaned them off breastfeeding when both of them were about 31 months old.

Breastfeeding is something which only us mothers can experience and enjoy. It is a unique opportunity for us to nourish our child both physically and mentally. One shouldn’t be too bothered by others and their opinions on breastfeeding. You are the mother and you know what is best for your own child.

This post is written for the “WHY I BREASTFEED FOR…..” blog train ran by MadPsychMum

Justina and Family

Next on the blog train is Jus is a SAHM to three little boys and blogs over at Mum in the Making . She’s learning to love her crazy, noisy life right now, and loves reading, chocolate cake and crafting with her kids.

March 20, 2014

Writer’s Workshop: Really Challenging but Worth it

Dominique Parenting and Kids, Thoughts alpha thursday, mama kat's writers workshop

English and Mandarin

I’m really glad that all of my kids are able to speak both English and Mandarin. These are the languages that are most commonly spoken in Asia and being Chinese ourselves it is important for us to know our mother tongue.

It is not easy for me to focus on them speaking both English and Mandarin at the same level as English is predominant in our family.

It is a challenge to get them speaking more Mandarin and even Cantonese at home but is something that I m trying my best to do.

Here are five reasons I’m Glad my Children Speak both English and Mandarin

1. It is a must to be able to speak both languages in school.

Every kid is “effectively” bilingual in Singapore as we have to study English and our mother tongue. Everyone here is Bilingual and in order to be able to communicate well with most people a good grasp in both languages is necessary.

2. They are able to learn and relate more to their Chinese heritage.

There is a difference reading a text in Mandarin and the same text after it has been translated into English. The overall meaning may be the same however when worded in Chinese it adds much more meaning and “richness” to the text.

3. They are able to understand and communicate with their elder relatives/ friends who do not speak English.

The kids great grandmother ( on their Dad’s side) only speaks Cantonese and many of the relatives there speak Mandarin or Cantonese and it is great that they are able to talk to each other each time we go back to Hong Kong.

4. They are more open to different languages and cultures.

Coming from a bilingual/ multilingual speaking family and society they have grown up listening to a wide variety of music. They are really into Korean Pop Music at the moment and are aware of their unique customs and traditions.

5. They are on their way to become a Global Person

Most places in the world require people to speak English and/or Mandarin and by speaking both the kids have an advantage as they will be able to settle practically anywhere in the world and adapt to their own unique culture there.