The Dilemma of a Working Mama

Yes, I’m among the millions of moms who, sadly, have to her child behind every day to “earn a living”! Being a working mom is the norm nowadays but I can’t help but be sad as I leave my son at home.  I always think that every day that passes while I’m at work is time with my son lost!

I'm also among the millions of moms who agonize daily about entrusting the welfare of her son to caregivers. I'm one of those who multitask at work.  On one hand, i juggle the daily requirement of the job and on the other hand, i also cater to the daily needs of my child.

I'm among the moms who shed a tear upon hearing the voice of  "disgruntled" child over the phone, probably asking, "Mommy, what time ka uwi?" 

Working from home or being a housewife is out of the question! My job is important for us! Needless to say, the household can’t run on a single income so this mama just gotta shut up and deal with being a working mama!

I've been a working mama for just a year now, this is still work in progress, but here are some ways that can help make this setup work!

Make the most out or your weekends!

Since you can’t be with the baby 24/7, make it a point to spend weekends with the family! You don’t have to spend much, just being together and enjoying a simple meal can make the time spent worthwhile!

[caption id="attachment_3079" align="aligncenter" width="300"] We have the kid in tow even on weekend errands![/caption]

Be a hands-on mom at home.

• I make it a point to cook for my child and feed him as often as I can!  Since I’m out of the house 1 pm to 9pm, I make sure that the remainder of my waking hours are spent taking care of the family.  This way, my child won't see me as an absentee mom! Before leaving for work, i also prepare his bottles of milk and food so that the caregivers will just reheat it.  At least i have an idea what's he's eating while i'm away.

Deal with separation anxiety positively.        

• I’m not really sure if this is the right way to deal with separation anxiety, but I don’t say goodbye to my kid when I leave for the office. Sometimes he throws a fit seeing me leave. Sometimes he does not seem to bother when i leave.  I guess when he gets older, he should be told  why mommy leaves him every day.  I need to communicate with my son better so he'll understand the importance of my work.

Leave work in the office!

• Avoid bringing work at home, unless absolutely necessary.  When i was single i used to bring files and files of office work at home. That's the procrastinator in me.  But now that i'm a mama, i make sure that 100% of my family time is spent with the family.  Although my line of work calls for being "on call" all the time, i make sure there's a clear line separating work and home affairs.  Mommies must manage time efficiently in the office so you won't have to bring your work home.

Have trustworthy caregivers!

• This is my secret weapon how I’m still able to work and leave my kid  at home. I have reliable and trustworthy partners at home - my mother-in-law and father-in-law plus the help. I'm at peace knowing that my son doesn't go astray while i'm away. I have my mother-in-law who oversees taking care of baby.  Our help is very efficient and very masipag.  That's why my son  doesn’t go hungry, dirty or unattended! At least that's the silver lining in all this.  I really am thankful that i'm leaving my son in good hands.

These are  just some ways to keep this system going.  How about you, how do you deal with being a working mama?

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A Year of Office Pumping

I just realized, it's been more than a year since I got back from work! That means i'm a working mama for one year already and I've been a pumping mama for a year now! At first i thought pumping at work was an ordeal but as i progressed, it got easier and pumping became like second nature for me!

I really feel lucky that my job allows me to pump regularly. I know some moms who find it hard to pump while at work so they just forego breastfeeding when they get back to work.  A working mama's line of work can really greatly influence her choice on whether to breastfeed or not. I'm just very thankful that i'm among those who can breastfeed while e lucky ones who can

I think the main difference now that my son's 15-month old is that  i only pump in the office. When my child was less than one, i made it a point to pump or nurse every 3 - 4 hours. For me, that meant bringing the electric pump everywhere so that when baby can't nurse, i'll have to pump.  But now that he's a toddler, i make it a point to directly breastfeed whenever possible.

Here are pumping tips so you can last this long!!!!

Pump as often as you can! 

• If pumping three times is just not possible, then aim for two sessions!  I try to squeeze in a pump every 4 hours when i'm really busy.  When i go beyond 4 hours without nursing or pumping, my breasts feel heavy and full. 


• Frequent but short pumping is better than few but longer sessions. I used to pump for around 15 minutes but now one pumping session lasts 1o minutes. By Philippine law nursing employees should be given a total of a least 40 minutes in an 8-hour work period as lactation break.
  
  
  
  • To save time, i reuse pump parts for the next session, provided it it within the 4-hour window. If it's beyond that, i'll need to wash them. Store in container with ice packs to delay contamination.
  
  
  
  

[caption id="attachment_2106" align="aligncenter" width="300"] I invested in a good double electric breast pump. Using one makes expressing milk shorter and much more comfortable.[/caption]

• Pump where it's more convenient and accessible. By Philippine law still, they should be given lactation stations where they can pump in private and store milk.


• In our office, that lactation station is in the clinic, which is one storey away.    So instead of going there to pump, i just pump in the comfort of my own work station. I just cover up the best i can. I no longer mind than  my breast pump is a bit noisy.   I'm lucky my office mates don't seem to mind, (or at least, they don't show that they mind). While pumping,  i get to answer the phone and work on my computer. Over the few months, i mastered some multitasking skills - expressing and working is one of them!

Except drop in your pumping output

• Don't despair if you get much less than the amount you used to get months before. I used to get around15 to 20 oz of EBM when baby was below 6 months but now i'm getting just around 5 to 10 oz daily.  At one point, i yielded 1 oz after 15 minutes of double pumping.


•  Your production  adjusts to your child's demand, he needs less milk now your production also follows. 

Pump, pump, pump to extend nursing.

•  If you want to sustain your breast milk supply for extended breastfeeding then pumping might be a good idea. Unlike when he was less than one year old, your growing toddler's main source of nutrition is solids. He's also much more mobile and curious and chances are, the only decent nursing you have is during the night! Decreased nursing sessions might signal lower demand for milk. Pumping can help sustain your production for nursing longer.  

In my one-year pumping career, here are the mistakes I STILL MAKE:

Forgetting to refrigerate EBM after getting back from work

• Solution: If you can't put EBM in the fridge right away, assign someone to do so.

Forgetting to freeze ice packs for next day's pumping

• Solution: Have backup ice packs so you always have ice packs ready

Leaving behind small pump parts like valves or screw caps

• Solutions: Count all the parts before leaving the house. Learn hand expression. This can be handy in situations when can't use the electric breast pump.

So there - just some tips to sustain your pumping career! Happy pumping!

Also worth reading:

• Who has time to wash the pump parts?


• More tips for nursing and working mommies


• A working mom's guide on thawing and serving breast milk


• Breast milk storage tips from a working mama 

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Saving Up for Baby's College Fund

Providing the best possible future for one's child is every parent's dream.  This is high up there in my life list of to do's! So much of giving him the best future depends on whether he goes and finishes college.  Putting a child through college is such an achievement and i really admire parents who did just this for their children. I have such high respect for parents who prioritize the education of their child and i do hope that when our time to spend on education comes, we can and will be able to afford it!

[caption id="attachment_2080" align="aligncenter" width="214"] Putting a child through college is a life feat we're willing to face head on! Source of photo: alabama.gov[/caption]

So this early, i have started to stash part of my meager salary to start saving for baby's college fund! Starting to save for the future (for me, that's 15 years years from now), will give me more headroom to gather my nerves in facing the daunting task of investing in education.

I've also contacted Leah Angela Limon-Mendania, a financial advisor, to guide me in financing this life goal!  According to her saving for baby's education can never be too early. "With tuition fees increasing every year coupled with the rising cost of goods and services, nothing could be wiser but to keep up and start saving", Leah explains.   She also  shared are some  helpful points to guide us in drafting a  savings plan solely for your child's college:

Start as early as you can.

The earlier you start saving, the less will be the amount you need to save regularly. For example, you need 500,000 for your baby's college education when he/she is about 19 years old. If you start saving while your child is still a baby, you need to save about Php 930 monthly. As opposed to when you start saving when your child is about 7, then you will need to save about Php 2,030 monthly.

Save as much and as regular as you can.

The more you save now, the more interest you will earn and the more money will be compounded through the years. For example, saving Php 500 monthly for 19 years will yield Php 268,572 if your investment earns 8% interest. While saving Php 1,000 monthly for 19 years will yield 537,144 at 8% interest.

Choose the appropriate investment vehicle to save your money in.

In determining the appropriate financial product to invest in, think about your purpose. If your saving for something that you need within a year or two, then your only investing for the short-term so a financial product with guaranteed returns is more appropriate like a savings account. On the other hand, if you're saving for something you need in three or more years, then you may choose more aggressive financial products which will give higher but not guaranteed returns like unit investment trust funds, mutual funds and even variable universal life insurance.

Choose the right company where you will invest your money.

In choosing the right company, credit worthiness is a primary consideration. You may check a financial institution's credit rating online. The higher the rating a company has means they are more credit worthy and financially stable than those with lower ratings.

Choose a financial product which will give you higher returns.

The higher the interest rate that your money will earn, the less money you will need to save and the shorter the time frame will be towards achieving your goal. Each company's investment performance record is always available for the client's reference. However, please take note that this consideration is only secondary to choosing the right company.

Leah Angela Limon-Mendania is  a Certified Public Accountant by profession. She worked for an auditing firm for 4 years. She works as a financial advisor and shares her shares her knowledge and skills to educate Filipinos financially. Her passion for food and desserts in particular led her to put up her own  cakes and pastries business,  she's  now currently supplying to a concessionaire of a hotel in Manila. 

Here are Leah's contact details if you want to learn more about personal finance.

Email: lavlimon@yahoo.com

Mobile: 0917-8605059

Landline (duo): 975-4992

My Biggest Concern Right Now!

Feeding has been an issue between me and my kid. As he got older, he's getting more picky about his food and this is really getting into my nerves! I sometimes feel like he's just testing my reaction when he spits or plays with his food. He would often spit out his food, especially if it has a new taste or different consistency!  But he never spits his  favorites - banana, lugaw and french fries!

So i'm really thinking about the nutrition of my little guy. Most kids by one year can consume family foods of a solid consistency.

Below is the text from Unicef and WHO's Facts for Life

By 12 months:Most children are able to consume 'family foods' of a solid consistency. They can still be offered semi-solid foods, which are easier for young children to eat. Additional nutritious snacks (such as fruit, bread or bread with nut paste) can be offered once or twice per day, as desired, starting at six months. If the quality or amount of food per meal is low, or the child is no longer breastfeeding, give 1–2 cups of milk plus one or two extra meals each day.

They can still be offered semi-solid foods, which are easier for young children to eat.

I've been looking everywhere for sample menu to get a good idea of the best foods to five my toddler. Feeding him has been such a concern, especially since i work during the day, i can't monitor what he gets.  So i'm making it a point to prepare his meals for the day so the caretaker can serve him what i prepared.

Meal plan for toddlers

I contacted our FNRI (Food and Nutition Research Institute), looking for sample menu with our locally grown ingredients for toddlers.  They gave me this very informative and useful guide! Toddlers can eat basically what the rest of the family eats, just in smaller proportions.  The guide below shows how much for kids ranging from 1 to 9  years old.

[caption id="attachment_2016" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Sample Menu for Kids Source: Food Nutrition and Research Institute-DOST[/caption]

When planning your child's diet, make sure you give a variety of food. Here's DOST- FNRI's guide to a balanced diet for kids! Below is a rough of about the food pyramid. Click on the type of food for corresponding amounts per serving.

Here's a rough estimate of the type and amount for food per day:

• 4 to 7 glasses of water and other beverage


• 2 to 4 1/2 serving of rice, grains, bread, noodles, pasta, etc


• 1 to 2 medium servings of fruits


• 1/2 egg


• 1 to 1 1/3 serving of fish, beans, nuts, etc


• 4 to 5 table spoons of sugars and sweets


• 6 tables spoons fats and oils

[caption id="attachment_2013" align="aligncenter" width="265"] Use this guide when planning your kid's daily diet. Source of Photo: Food and Nutrition Research Institute[/caption]

About your little one's milk

I'm still breastfeeding so how much milk he takes in is really a matter of importance to me!  According to the guide above, toddlers should  get  1  glass  (a standard glass is 8 ounces)  of whole milk daily.  I'm quite confident he's getting enough because he takes in 4 to 8 oz of EBM + 4 oz of fresh milk (this also includes chocolate-flavored milk).  Plus he also nurses during the night.

After the first year, SOLIDS should be his primary source of nutrition, so it's ok to feed him first before nursing.  If he gets his milk  before he eats, chances are he'll be too full to ingest his solids!

(Just a note to myself) Do not despair is he spits up the food you lovingly prepared!  This, too, is a phase and shall pass. Patience is a virtue! Today is the best day to develop good eating habits.

Good luck (to me) feeding the precious child!

Also worth reading:

• My teething toddler

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My Teething Toddler

At 14 months, my son only has three prominent teeth and the rest are just about to pop out!  Teething usually starts from  4 to 7 months but my baby's first teeth appeared at 11 months. The order by which his teeth are coming out is weird too! Usually, the molars appear next after the front teeth. But lo and behold, his canines came out next to his front teeth!

[caption id="attachment_3283" align="aligncenter" width="300"] This is my adorable son sporting his first tooth at 11 months![/caption]

We are actually quite delighted that at long last, his teeth are coming out. These are signs that my baby is slowly becoming a big boy. If you are dealing with a teething toddler, consider these tips!

Expect low grade fever or diarrhea.

•  We’re lucky our son does not have these symptoms. A toddler's immune system is down at this point so be extra careful. This may be due to the stress on his developing body. Our pediatrician suggests avoiding  close contact with sick kids when teething so he won't catch any infection.

His behavior might change, too.

• Your toddler can be quite cranky at this time. I noticed this because he’s not his usually jolly and always smiling self.  I guess he’s irritated and bothered by the new thingies appearing in his mouth. He would often shake his head, pull his ear and touch his cheek, all these signs of teething.

He might refuse to eat!

• A toddler with a few teeth may be a bit harder to feed! His three teeth is his handicap! While some kids his age are learning how to chew and grind their food into small pieces, my son still has a hard time swallowing.  Make sure to give small, manageable pieces. Slice his food into cheweable pieces but always be on guard against choking.  I would still boil and mash hard foods like apples, peas or carrot because he can’t chew that much yet.  Give additional water to aid him is gulping down his food. We're trying to balance giving him infant cereals or giving him "real" foods.

Introduce oral hygiene at this time.

• This is easier said than done! I'm actually having a hard time cleaning his mouth and teeth.  He would clamp his mouth closed when i try to wipe his teeth with cotton or cloth.  When cleaning becomes a struggle, stop and try again next time. His gums are quite sensitive at this stage or may be painful too.  Don't force cleaning because he might develop fear about this and refuse tooth brushing altogether.  Take your time and just offer more water to rinse his mouth.

Biting during nursing sessions 

• A teething toddler is harder to breastfeed because he may bite. We discourage biting by asking him firmly to stop.  My baby seems to understand that biting hurts mommy so he must not continue. At times i would cringe in pain because of his bite, but i avoid letting him see my reaction. I think he sometimes finds it funny when i cringe in pain so he repeatedly bites!  So better to avoid making outbursts or react outright, even if it hurts so much.  Some kids do have a nursing strike at this stage, but not my son.  He would nurse to sleep for hours and he would wake out once my nipples get detouch from his mouth. So this mommy is also losing sleep as the baby is gaining more teeth.

Have fun dealing with your teething toddler!

Also worth reading: 

• Toddler feeding issues

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Breastfeeding Beyond 6 Months: Problems and Solutions

I’m glad i was able to pass, with flying colors,  the 6-month exclusive breastfeeding hurdle. And it’s been more than 2 months since baby started taking in solid foods.

Honestly, i’m kinda sad about the fact that i’m no longer baby’s lone source of nutrition. He’s no longer exclusively breastfed and he seems to be delighted by all the new foods he’s been tasting! Hayyy... I have mixed emotions about this.

On one hand, i’m glad that he’s introduced to solids and he seems to have no adverse reactions so far. On the other hand, the selfish me is tearing up inside as i struggle to breastfeed him some more!

P enjoying frozen fruits in a mesh.

According to Unicef, breast milk is best for babies even until 2 years. It’s written in the agency’s publication entitled  Facts for Life:

 ”Breast milk remains an important source of energy, protein and other nutrients such as vitamin A and iron, even when babies begin to consume additional foods after 6 months of age. Breast milk helps protect a child against disease for as long as the child breastfeeds. It is recommended that a mother continue to breastfeed her child up to two years and beyond – as long as she and the child wish to continue. Breastfeeding can comfort a child who is upset and is an important source of nourishment during a child’s illness.” 

My husband and I agreed that we’ll breastfeed for at least two years. Now, 8 months on, it’s getting harder to nurse my son. I keep on thinking, “He seems to be more interested in the outside world than my boobs!”

Here are some of the breastfeeding challenges that  i deal with everyday and some ways to handle them.

Baby’s teething!

My son now bites during our breastfeeding session.  Although he has no teeth yet, it still hurts. I can feel his gums as he bites my nipple and the skin near it.

• When baby does this I ask him to stop and then I unlatch. This way, he’ll learn that we can’t go on if he continues to bite.  I’m still teaching baby how to stop biting. I expect more hurt from cuts in my nipples as baby has yet to get his pearly whites. But i’m determined to breastfeed even until the time he gets his teeth. I’m keeping my fingers crossed and I hope I get to do this!  Here are more suggestions when baby bites.

Baby’s often distracted.

Since he passed the 6-month mark, I noticed that baby has been more distracted. He’s more busy and alert now. He stops breastfeeding for anything…. like  dogs barking, sounds from TV, voices of his lolo or lola. His only decent feeding is during bed time!

I  try to rid him of distractions so he can continue breastfeeding. Here’s what i do:

• I dim the lights in our room so he can focus on breastfeeding.
• I close the door to avoid outside noise so he continues feeding
• I turn down the tv or radio volume so he’s less distracted

Here are more tips to deal with a distracted baby.

It’s now getting harder to find time for a decent feeding session.

When he was still a newborn, he fed almost every 2 hours. Now i struggle to breastfeed even at 4 hour intervals! Since baby learned to sit upright (with support) and to stand with support. He seemed to be enjoying his new perspectives, he can’t stay put and breastfeed for at least 10 minutes!

• I  try to breastfeed at least 6 times per day to ensure that he gets enough milk.  I let him nurse all he want in the morning, before i go to work and at night, when we’re about to sleep.
• Just like any prodding mom, i offer him my breast on any chance i get. Sure, i feel hurt when he snobs them. But i still insist and hope that he sucks some more.
• I’m also exploring new breastfeeding positions to keep up with my now semi-mobile son.  I expect that my acrobatic moves will be put to test.

It’s getting harder to squeeze in a pumping session while at work.

It’s almost 5 months since i got back after my maternity leave and work has been more and more demanding! I was given special treatment as a new working mom. But after 5 months, i’m a less new working mom already. People have been less lenient in the office. More and more deadlines are given to me, like any other ordinary employee. As i  get more busy at work, it’s getting harder to squeeze in a pumping session. Read this more for tips for working moms who breastfeed.

Expressing breast milk is important at this stage because baby directly breastfeeds less. Pumping will help maintain your breast milk production so never miss a chance to pump when you can’t directly breastfeed.

• When i’m really too busy, i just pump for 10 minutes instead of the usual 15 minutes per session. Frequent short pumping sessions are better than just one long pumping session.
• There are times when i do work outside the office and get back later in the day. I bring an extra manual pump and a cooler bag during these days just in case it’s too late and my breasts feel engorged while out of the office. So far, i’m still not able to pump outside the office.
• I squeeze one more pumping session when i get back from work if baby’s sleeping.  Eight months on and my mantra’s still the same – pump, pump, pump!!!

Since I’m away for about 8 to 10 hours daily, I’m not sure anymore if baby is  dutifully offered breast milk.

My MIL is overly excited to introduce many types of food for baby. I really get paranoid and i hope she delays giving baby meats, eggs and citrus fruits. I  plan to give such foods later, may be in 10 months, so we can reduce risks of an upset stomach. Delaying such food will also allow time to ready baby’s stomach for more complex foods.  I’ve also noticed that his expressed breast milk intake dwindled. From the usual 16 ounces, he just drank  about 10 – 12 ounces while i’m at work!

• What i do to lessen overfeeding of solid baby food is to “ration” his baby food. I just bring out 2 small jars of baby food for baby to consume while i’m away. I put these jars with the 4 baby bottles for his consumption while i’m at work.
• I also give clear instructions that only the food i prepared shall be given to baby. And i pray that these clear instructions are followed by the caregiver, hopefully.

Introduction of complementary food 

This is the main culprit why baby gets less milk.  From the wording itself, baby food is  complementary food! I just want to point out even more, baby food at 6 months is meant to complement breast milk. Kelly Mom says that breast milk should be the main source of nutrition until 1 year.

I’m not undermining the benefits of baby food. Baby food is vital so that he can get nutrients like protein. Introducing  baby food will also ensure that  he’ll get used to different tastes and texture of foods.

My pediatrician already warned that baby’s breast milk intake will decrease once solid foods are introduced. So here’s what i do to ensure he’s getting adequate amounts of breast milk:

• I nurse him before i give him solids. This ways he’ll be less hungry and be satisfied with just 3 to 4 spoonfuls of solids.
• I limit the amount of  baby food, just 3 to 4 tablespoons per feeding. I serve  solids 3 times a day. I plan to increase to 4 times by 10 months.
• I let him drink 1 ounce of expressed breast milk from the cup after feeding solids. This also serves as his practice sipping from a cup.
• I use breast milk to dilute his baby food, which includes pureed fruits and veggies and infant cereals.
• I also serve frozen breast milk in a mesh feeder. Baby enjoys munching on a feeder because it relieves his itchy gums.

I’m committed to breastfeed until at least two years, so i’m intently researching on ways how i can deal with these struggles.  I really to hope to get through these breastfeeding blunders.

Click here to read about breastfeeding beyond one year!

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Coming to Terms with Low Milk Supply

Not giving enough breast milk for one’s baby is among the worst nightmares of a new mom!  For a mom who has early on decided to nurse, not producing enough milk is major cause of stress!   My previous guest post is about a mom’s struggle with her milk supply and how she was able to move on.

If you’re among those moms who struggle with very low milk supply, read on for some points to keep in mind.

For moms who just gave birth, these are some ways to start producing breast milk:

Directly breastfeed your newborn as frequently as possible.

During his first weeks, he may need to nurse every three to four hours. If for some reason,  baby can't directly nurse, pump pump pump! This is what happened to us. Baby got held up in the NICU for almost a week so i pumped like there's no tomorrow during the time he spent there.

Consume lots of malunggay products.

They come in the form of capsules, powder, tea, cookies or chips. Malunggay or moringa is a well known milk supply booster.

Eat a lot! I really noticed that when I eat more, I get more milk when pumping at the office. Dieting right away after giving birth may not be advisable for moms who want to breastfeed.

Think twice about supplementing.

Supplement may come in the form of  breast milk donations or formula.  I dare say that supplementing should be a last resort, especially for those with newborns. Direct breast feeding triggers milk production. So if you feed baby through the bottle (with breast milk or formula), you decrease baby’s time at your breast.  During the first weeks, direct nursing prompts your brain to produce more milk.  Also avoid giving pacifiers. All his sucking should be on the breast.

When you feel your supply is not enough

Seek medical advice to check if your milk supply is genuinely not enough. We can’t measure the amount milk your baby drinks when he’s directly breastfed.  So you must look for other telling  signs that he’s getting enough. Among the tell tale signs that your baby is getting enough is he's not gaining enough weight and if he's not regularly passing stools and urine. Consult a breastfeeding-friendly pediatrician for the correct diagnosis. Read here for signs to watch out for when choosing a nursing-friendly doctor.

Be informed!

Do your homework even before D-day. In the Philippines, where formula feeding is the norm, getting sound advice from other moms, or peers or even doctors can be a challenge. In the US, they even have La Leche Leauge hotlines for moms  having trouble with breastfeeding.  Try to get in touch with breastfeeding advocates like Latch and Breastfeeding Philippines.  I've tried emailing Latch once about my nursing issue and they responded so kudos to them! The internet offers a wide variety of breastfeeding sites that are a gold mine of good information about nursing, among the best is Chronicles of a Nursing Mom.

[caption id="attachment_1934" align="aligncenter" width="220"] Even nursing mother dogs need some prodding from caretakers during the first days post partum!                   Source of Photo: austintexas.gov[/caption]

Below are some good suggestions for moms having problems with low milk supply:

Have a nursing goal.

Set your nursing goal early on and assess this goal regularly. Decide until when you want to nurse, until baby’s 6^th month? Or do you have plan to nurse until his toddler years? For moms will ultra low milk supply, being able to nurse until the 6^th month can be quite a feat.  While those with rich supply might not think of weaning until baby’s first year! Really ask yourself if long-term breastfeeding is  for you.  By setting that target, you can manage your expectations.  Most moms will be happy knowing that they've achieve the nursing goal she set.

Avoid comparison.

Never compare your own situation with other nursing moms. Keep in mind that every body is wired differently. Some moms have abundant milk supply, even able to donate milk by the liters. And for some lucky ones, nursing comes naturally. Don't ever dare to pity yourself for not doing so.

Learn to accept

Come to terms your own nursing situation! When you’ve tried virtually everything and that supply still won’t come up, acceptance is the next best step. Be at peace, knowing that you tried your best to breastfeed your child!

Breastfeeding isn't the end-all and be all of being a mom. Nursing is just one of the million or more skills we must master to raise the little one! But it would not hurt if you try to nurse for as long as you possibly can!

Also worth reading:

• How you could be wasting breast milk

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