轩轩的"便当" - Sean's Bento

This is a real life conversation between me and my manager. It happened few weeks back when we were suppose to have a phone meeting to have a short conversation on my work progress. Talking about phone meeting, my manager is a Taiwanese and based in Taipei. At times, I do add in some Chinese words when I am stuck in expressing myself in English.

Me: Sorry for postponing our meeting 15mins later. I needed to go to Mother Room to express milk (she knew I breastfeed).
Mgr: It's ok, I can understand
Me: Thanks, I am like a 母牛 (cow), in producing milk for my son.
Mgr: In Taiwan office, there are 3 breastfeeding mothers. They jokingly said they take turns to make "便当" (bento) for their kids!!!

I burst into laughter when I hear this! It is indeed true that we (the breastfeeding mothers) are making "bento" (aka EBM) for our baby.

Well, this post is for my own record keeping as I know for sure, if I don't pen it down, I will forget.

For breastfeeding mothers, you would totally agree with me breastfeeding is something never come in easy, especially when you are a full time working mother. The cycles of "Pump, chill, storage, frozen, defroze" ends only when we totally stop breastfeeding literally.

Being the 2nd timer in breastfeeding, my milk flow started to come in on Day 2 right after delivered Sean. Very strong let down but nothing came out (duct still unopened). It was that bad until on the 4th day, i was totally engorged not only on the 2 McB but also my armpits. :( I tried to hand press it out but failed. In the end, I went to see lactation specialist and gotten the trained nurses to help me to express out at 1am. After suffering for 1+ week of engorgement, it went off and that's when the so called "smooth sailing' phase kicked in.

From past experience, I know the first 3 months is the best time to build your 'inventory' since baby milk consumption is low and the mother's milk flow is not really stabilize. I 'diligently' pumped right after each feed and built my 'inventory.

It has been almost 6 months I breastfeed Sean exclusively (except those few days he was on formula to determine if he has breast milk jaundice) and infect, I get to give 2-3oz daily to his Che Che too.

Below are my current 'inventory level", ~ 4 weeks stock available kept in 2 houses in 3 fridge.

1) Fridge # 1: Occupied the whole freezer




2) Fridge # 2 - Occupied 2/3 of the lower deck.


3) Fridge # 3 - fridge at Poh Poh's house with 1 big red plastic bag with ~40oz EBM
* sorry, forgot to take photo*

The highest record for Sean is taking 6.5 weeks ago EBM when he was 3+ months. After I reduced 1 pumping session, slowly the 'inventory' went down. Also, my lil taukeh increased his milk consumption over the months. Hence, the "output" is more than the 'input" !!!

I didn't push myself hard in keeping the EBM but just do what's best within my capability. I told myself not to push too hard on it because I know 'The Day' (introduce formula + lower immune system + breastfeeding) will come eventually.

I know I did my best to my children, no regret! *self pat on my shoulder*