The Hidden Gem

The flea market at the LG floor... 

I wish I have discovered the "hidden gem" of PJ earlier... having stayed there for 9 years when I was a student and during the early years of my work life.

Call it the hidden gem, for it has what I've always been looking for - good CDs, turntable for my father to play his old records, and other goodies that I did not expect to see in a humble-looking shopping mall.  Here's speaking of Amcorp Mall.

So near, yet so far
Years ago, I used to take the LRT from PJ to KL and thus, passed by Amcorp Mall, which is located next to the Taman Jaya station.  In short, I was a frequent passer by, but strangely never visited it when I was in PJ.

I wish I found it earlier

Penang Asam Laksa at Ka Fei Dian 

I felt as if on cloud nine when I saw this Asam Laksa... a dream that finally came true a little too late, but still better than none.  Being a frequent passenger of public transport, I could have conveniently taken the LRT to Taman Jaya and then walk over to Amcorp Mall to pacify my food crave, but no.... I didn't know earlier.  Anyway, I still enjoy Asam Laksa very much although not the same way as when I used to crave for it
.

Milk oh milk!

Advocating Breastfeeding, but....
Mother's milk is surely the best nourishment for babies.  I'm a supporter of breastfeeding and would like to do so for as long as possible.  Coming from a different path from most mothers out there as I didn't have the privileged opportunity to breastfeed my baby from Day 1, I later realised that it's actually easier said than done.

The Sudden Cessation
Yes, milk just kinda dwindled from about 100 ml per yield to 20 ml.  Who wouldn't be concerned, especially when there's someone in need of milk?

The doctors at Ampang (while I was still there rooming-in with baby) told that I was probably too exhausted but should be able to resume production as usual once I'm back home.

Back home, the situation did not improve.  Left without a choice but to top up.  :(

The Gamble Thus Begins
Similac Neosure
Similac Neosure is formulated for premature babies or babies in need of catching up. My kid likes it... and so do I because it doesn't taste sweet. But still, nothing beats breast milk. 

However, my big nightmare came within a week thereafter when he became constipated.

Eek!
And then we brought the kid to our local pediatrician, who prescribed enema (it contains normal saline solution) to help ease his constipation.  I  dread the idea of having to administer enema to my kid, bearing in mind the discomfort that ensues in the process of "receiving" it.  

My father had told me before that I used have enemas as a baby too.  Oh gosh, my kid seems to be very similar to me... us being premature babies although I was not as prem as him, etc... and now constipated babies.  Poor little fella.

A week later, the kid's constipation didn't improve and we went to the pediatrician again.  This time, she had recommended us to try either Frisolac Comfort (formulated with bean gum for babies prone to reflux and constipation) or Novalac IT (specifically formulated for constipated babies).

Frisolac Comfort
Not really sure which is better, we've first decided to try a small tin of Frisolac Comfort (FC).  2 days after usage, we still didn't see any difference.  In fact, I thought my kid looked more restless and his constipation unimproved with FC, which means FC is not suitable for him.  Sigh......

Taste and texture-wise, FC is thicker than ordinary milk, doesn't taste sweet but smells a bit vanilla.  I notice that the thickness is more so when the milk gets cold, hence making it more difficult to suck through a normal hole on the teat.

Note (added later):  Frisolac Comfort is more suitable for those with reflux problem.  A thicker texture = less likely for milk "come out" after feeding.

Novalac IT
The Novalac IT formula is available at pharmacies.  Here, it costs RM62.50 per tin of 900 g. 
I do not know if this will work or otherwise.  If it doesn't, I really don't know what to do.  It's all because of my own bodily failure,my kid may not be so badly constipated if I had more milk of my own although he'd experienced constipation twice when in NICU where he was exclusively fed on my expressed milk (but it's just twice over a period of 1 1/2 month... not everyday like now).  Why does my body always work against the innocent kid?

Conclusion
Each time I see the restlessness on my kid's face, I feel helpless.  Tummy massage doesn't work, switching formula hasn't proven to work, and my milk production hasn't shown improvement despite consuming what I was advised to consume, and also despite being on a medication to so-call increase prolactin level.  

I wouldn't dare to put a blanket-blame on all formula-using moms.  Not all mothers who use infant formula are lazy.  Although some may use it for convenience reason, there are a number who use it either because they're unable to naturally produce sufficient milk to feed their babies, or the nature of their job is such that there's not opportunity to express milk at workplace (or due to insufficient knowledge about breastfeeding which leads to premature cessation/decline in lactation).

P/S: 
1. The Novalac IT started showing its effect upon consumption for 2 days. Poop comes out soft.  
2. This post is not intended to promote formula milk but only to share a personal experience.  Mother's milk is the best.