Breastfeeding can be a chore but it is well worth it, says Zoe Tay, Singapore’s popular actress who gave birth to her third son, Nathan, in October last year.
“Breastfeeding can be very tiring for the mother. It takes a lot of time and requires a lot of patience,” says Zoe, recalling her experience at breastfeeding after the birth of her first son Brayden in 2005.
“I remember there was once when I was lying in bed breastfeeding Brayden and I was so tired that I fell asleep. When I woke up, I saw him looking at me intently. He had been waiting for me to open my eyes.”
Married to Singapore Air Force pilot Philip Chionh in 2001, the couple has three sons — Brayden, Ashton, born in 2007, and most recently, Nathan.
Breastfeeding connects the mother and child and helps build a special bond, she adds. She is still breastfeeding Nathan and hopes to do so for at least six months.
“It is priceless. You’ll feel the life that you have created and that feeling is simply wonderful,” says Zoe, who celebrates her 43rd birthday tomorrow.
“As a mother, you will feel so proud that you can give the best to your child.”
Zoe says that it is natural for first-time mothers who breastfeed to feel apprehensive.
“Sometimes, they may also face difficulties in breastfeeding such as not having sufficient milk, feeling tired and it can be painful. It is important that their husbands and helpers provide support and encouragement. Don’t give up. Breastfeeding is a wonderful feeling and is rewarding.”
Zoe says she had read up extensively on breastfeeding, attended classes and spoken to mothers who had breastfed their babies. She was convinced about its benefits for the child.
“Breast milk is the best food you can give your baby. Breastfeeding also helps to heal the mother’s pregnancy wounds faster, aids in slimming down and lowers the chances of breast cancer,” she adds.
Keeping a healthy and balanced diet is important for pregnant and lactating mothers, as it can affect the growth of the baby and the quality of the breast milk. To ensure that her baby receives the right nutrients, Zoe says she heeded her doctor’s advice and took health supplements. She also kept to a balanced diet of fish, vegetables, fruits and brown rice when she was pregnant.
She also had several small meals a day, drank lots of fluids such as fruit juices and Similac Mum, a maternal nutrition supplement for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
“I was eating from 8am to 8pm every day. I’d have cereals, fruits, yoghurt and milk for breakfast. For lunch and dinner, it would be fish, vegetables and fruits such as avocado, kiwi, blueberries which are good for the baby’s eyes and papaya which is good for milk flow,” she says. She also snacked on dried fruits and nuts.
As she always tries to eat healthily, her diet during her pregnancy days and now does not differ much except that she had to do without garlic when she was with child.
“I love garlic but each time I was pregnant, I became very sensitive and fussy. I couldn’t stand the sight and smell of garlic,” she says.
“I had to have all my food bland. The food had to be natural tasting, just boiled. I could not bear the sight of food with gravy and sauces,” she says, adding that even browsing food pages in magazines made her nauseous.
There is a saying that a pregnant woman eats for two. But, medical experts say pregnant mothers should not be eating excessively.
They should instead maintain a healthy and balanced diet.
“Eating excessively encourages unnecessary weight gain, which can result in a more complicated delivery and an increased risk of the mother getting diabetes,” Says Dr Chang Tou Choong, consultant obstetrician and head, Thomson Fetal Assessment (Obstetric Ultrasound) Unit at the Thomson Medical Centre.
Mothers can expect to gain a total of 9 to 13 kg during pregnancy.
An expectant mother’s diet should include a carbohydrate component such as oatmeal or brown rice, fruits and vegetables for vitamins and fibre, and protein such as lean meat, eggs or fish.
Supplements such as Vitamin B and Folic acid are also important as they help to reduce the risk of the neurological impairment and neural tube defects. Iodine maintains normal thyroid function for foetal brain development. Calcium, found in soy and dairy products, is needed for the formation of baby’s bones and teeth. Iron, found in red meat and legumes, is essential as it is used in the production of haemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells.
Similarly, lactating mothers should keep to a well-balanced diet.
Mrs Wong Boh Boi, assistant director (clinical) and senior ParentCraft/lactation consultant at Thomson Medical Centre, advises that they consume all foods in moderation, avoid alcohol and smoking, and consult their doctor if they wish to take Chinese herbs.
“Angelica (a type of herb) can suppress lactation while ginseng can keep the baby awake. Drinking alcohol will make the baby drowsy,” says Mrs Wong.
“Too much alcohol will also decrease the production of milk by up to 25 per cent.”
While drinking a cup of coffee per day is acceptable, too much caffeine in the breast milk can cause the baby to become irritable and hyperactive.
Mrs Wong recommends that lactating mothers drink more fish head soup with papaya instead as it contains calcium, collagen and helps increase milk production
By: SUSAN CHEN
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For expert advice on paediatric nutrition, please contact Abbott Nutrition Careline at 62786220.