What made you decide to breastfeed your child?
Since I got married many years ago, I had said to myself that whenever I bore a child, I would like to give 4 month exclusive breastfeeding. Then I proved it. Both of my children got their exclusive breastfeeding for 4 month for Salsa (the older) and 6 months for Royan (the younger).
Is this the first child you've breastfed?
I breastfed my two lovely kids (4.9 and 2.5 years old).
What did you enjoy most about breastfeeding?
My two kids are growing healthily and find no troubles with other kinds of food. They don't get sick easily as well. Both of them could walk before they reached 1 year old (Salsa did it when she was 11 while Royan when he was 10 months) I believe that the breastfeeding I gave to them makes them that healthy. I just would like to stop my writing by telling you all mothers in the world that breastfeeding is the best food for our babies...It doesn't only make them healthy but also smart.
What was the hardest part of breastfeeding?
In my busy enough time teaching English at one of the private university in Surakarta, Indonesia, I managed my self to do the breastfeeding. When Salsa was born in 2003, I managed my schedule of teaching. Before I left my house for the first class (at 07.00 a.m) I breastfed Salsa. Having finished my first class, I went back home then breastfed her again. I stayed at home for about 1.5 hours before the second class. Then I breastfed her again before leaving the house. I did it regularly everyday till Salsa reached 4 month old. I hadn't got enough bravery to continue the exclusive breastfeeding until the age of 6 months at that time because the people around me always said that it would be difficult for Salsa to consume other foods (e.g. cow milk)if I didn't introduce her with other food/drinks earlier. However when my second child, Royan was born, I convinced myself to breastfeed him exclusively for 6 months. And I did it though I had to take him to GadjahMada University to do the thesis consultation and examination. I was taking a master degree when I was pregnant and had Royan. During six months, I always took him to campus by train to Jogja, Indonesia. Before getting on the train, I breastfed him, then arriving at the station in Jogja I went to the mosque and breastfed him again (it took an hour to go to Jogja by train from Solo, my house). When I had my thesis examination, I took him as well for he was still 5 months old. Now, I really thank to God that I could manage my time well so that Royan had his full 6 months of breastfeeding. I also really appreciate the understanding of Prof. Djuhertati, my thesis adviser, for she let me take my Royan when I met her for the consultation. May God bless her always. Amien.
Tips and Tricks
- Even if you are a busy mom, you can breastfeed successfully. It just takes more juggling and balancing
