It's not easy. Infact, it is extremely difficult in the first 3 days before the milk "comes in", esp. so for 1st time mummy who has never breastfed before. You will have to face countless people telling you that the baby is starving each time the baby cries. Couple that with the post-natal hormones, it can drive you crazy. The only ones telling you to try harder and stick to breastfeeding are the lactation consulatant and most of the nurses. Other than that, most people, especially the grandparents, were telling or rather nagging at me to feed baby with formula. Even the PD was telling me that, never mind that he should know better than anyone that colostrum is best and enough for babies in the first few days after birth.
And then there is the 1-2 hourly feed, which is especially tough in the wee hours in the morning. It's the worst at 3am when you are most sleepy and half the world is sleeping.
I am quite surprise alot of people still believe cow's milk is better than breastmilk. A girlfriend was shocked Baby Jarrett's on total breastfeeding and said she's doesn't believe in it. This is coming from a very educated and well read mother. No offence to those mummies who give their babies formula milk, I am just very pro-breastfeeding and believe that by doing so, I am providing my child with the best nutrition. There are many articles and books on the benefits on breastfeeding. Not only is it good for the baby, it is also good for the mother. It reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, osteoporosis and high blood pressure in later life. It has also been shown that babies on breastmilk score on average 8-10 point higher in IQ tests. The list of benefits goes on...I'm thinking the MOH should try harder in educating the public on the good of breastfeeding. Apprently, not enough is done.
I am not pointing the finger at mommies who formula feed their babies, it is very much a personal choice. I just wish more people are aware of the benefits of breastfeeding. "Cow's milk is for little calfs, and breastmilk is for babies", that's God's idea when he created the world ;-) I'm sure He created the cow with the intention of using it as a spare, not as a replacement.
Oh btw, I "fired" my PD. I much prefer to work with someone who shares the same values as me, that breast is best and yes, Baby Jarrett is eating well. Infact, we find his little double chin quite adorable.