I've decided to document briefly the process leading up to our decision to wean and how we coped afterward. Before our child Nayul was born, my wife was highly committed to breastfeeding. She even bought a portable breast pump. During her pregnancy, she regularly massaged her breasts and took supplements to promote milk production.
However, after Nayul was born, he wasn't able to breastfeed immediately due to jaundice. But once we moved to the postnatal care center, he was regularly fed breastmilk. Despite her diligent effort, and even though we couldn't measure exactly how much Nayul was feeding directly, the amount of milk she was able to pump didn't increase, staying around 15ml-20ml. This stressed her out significantly.
After returning home from the care center, for a while, she continued to breastfeed Nayul, even during the early morning hours. However...
The sight of Nayul fussing due to possibly not getting enough milk...
The overwhelming fatigue from the early morning feedings...
The struggle of pumping insufficient amounts of milk...
These challenges eventually led us to the decision to wean.
Being the husband, I found it convenient when my wife was exclusively breastfeeding. There were no bottles to clean, and I wasn’t woken up at night to feed. But after she decided to wean, I took part in the feeding as well. Even though I became more tired, I found joy in spending more time with Nayul and watching him develop new feeding skills. I deeply respect and support my wife's decision, understanding the emotional toll it took on her. We haven't tried remedies like weaning tea or cold packs yet. Luckily, she hasn't experienced any significant breast pain, managing any discomfort with a pre-shower massage.
For those who might be considering weaning, I want to share some methods:
Weaning
The term refers to stopping breastfeeding, which can be an emotional experience for both mother and baby, especially if breastfeeding has been a long-term practice. It's recommended to gradually wean over 1-2 months.
Weaning Methods
1. Reduce Feeding Frequency & Amount: Gradually decrease both the number of feedings and the amount of milk.
2. Hand Massage/Breast Pumping: To avoid hardening or lumps, hand express the milk. Continuous pain can lead to mastitis or even breast cancer.
3. Cold Packs & Weaning Creams: Helpful for breast pain. We haven't purchased any yet since my wife hasn't felt a need.
4. Drinking Weaning Tea: There are teas available to help with the weaning process.
5. Wear Looser Bras: Tight bras can stimulate the milk ducts.
In conclusion, I want to emphasize that the decision to wean is entirely up to the mother. If you're a husband to a breastfeeding wife, a simple acknowledgment of her efforts can mean a lot.
As a straightforward man from Gyeongsang Province, I admit I might not have directly conveyed my gratitude to my wife during our journey. Writing this has reminded me to do so. I'm sorry, and thank you!
Recorded on May 4, 2023