Milk Supply and Pumping

I wish there is a gauge or a digital display of how much milk a lactating mother has. I wish there is a more concrete way to tell whether your child is getting enough milk. Well there is none like that available in any market. The only way is via the child's growth.

I tried pumping around 2 weeks postpartum, and only a few drops were expressed. So when I pumped again a few days after and was able to get more than 1 oz, I was really happy. Here is the souvenir photo :)

To increase my milk supply, we always have fresh malunggay leaves on our soup. Plus, Phil bought a malunggay juice.

I am happy with my milk supply, since there is nothing wrong with my baby's growth and since she looks contented after feeding.

However, I still have issues with pumping. I pump less than 1oz from both boobs and around 2 oz when doing it while she is feeding on one boob. So I think I have a problem with milk let down. I am still researching on this but according to some online sources, it could be because of stress, sleep deprivation, or because I am not relaxing. Anyways, I'll post again once I know what to do. :)

Foods During Pregnancy

I want to be healthy because I want my baby to be healthy too. I may still not believe this miracle in my body 100%, but I cannot let my baby suffer just because I doubted.

Since taking notes is what I should do to remember all the things that I read about being pregnant, I'll start off with writing foods that I should and should not eat. I will just list them so I can always just look at them. :) I'll edit this everytime na may maresearch ako or mabasa. :) Excited ako.

AVOID:

1. Swordfish
2. Tilefish
3. Shark
4. King Mackerel
5. Raw Fish
6. Raw Sushi
7. Raw Oyster
8. Soft Cheese
9. Cold Cuts
10. Hotdogs
11. Cold Left Overs
12. Luncheon Meat
13. Half cooked beef
14. Not fully cooked eggs
15. Alcohol
16. Caffeine
17. 
    

Good To EAT:

1. Wild Salmon
2. Bay Scallops
3. Cereal with Milk
4. Tofu
5. Broccoli
6. Milk
7. Yogurt
8. Almond
9. Nuts
10. Leafy green
11. Citrus Juices
12. Meat
13. Lean Meat
14. Chicken
15. Egg
16. Peanut butter
17. 
    

Focus on:

1. Follate: Green Leafy Vegi
2. Iron: Green Leafy Vegi, well-cooked beef
3. Vit B6: Potato, Banana
4. Zinc: chicken, mushrooms, seeds
5. Calcium: milk
6. Choline: eggs
7. DHA: wild salmon, organic milk, 
8. Water: 3 liters a day