“I am not only giving him milk and food, but a bond that lasts through adulthood.”

I took this photo of newborn Xuan calmly suckling at my breast to capture the precious moment from a nursing mother’s point of view. Wanted to submit this photo for the Story of Love competition but doubt I could make it for the closing date, which is tomorrow.

Xuan was merely 2.6kg at birth. Just before his full month, he was a whopping 4kg! He’s 6 weeks now and I am sure he must have put on another couple of hundreds grams from the last we weigh him.

And I am proud to say, just like the older boys, Xuan thrives on breastmilk solely. I had difficulty breastfeeding Xuan initially. I am glad I persevered and worked out a healthy supply. Gosh! I even have excess to give to a friend’s newborn!

Xuan’s appetite is insatiable! After suckling on the breasts for a half an hour, he needs to take a bottle of supplement breast milk before he drifts off to sleep. Usually, I will feed him on one side, pump the other side and gets someone to bottle feed him so that I could catch up with some rest.

The night feeds are the worst, without much help. He could suckle for more than half hour and cries the moment unlatched. I was so lacking in sleep, I had no choice but to feed him expressed breastmilk using bottles. He would take 2 oz in less than 10 minutes and goes to sleep, full and satisfied, before waking for another feed in less than 3 hours!

But seeing how chubby and happy he is, all scarifices worthwhile.