This is the article that starts it all. Right after this article was published, several mothers wrote to Lilian. So, they decided to set up a group email and from then on, the group members grow and grow.

The Star Online

Wednesday, January 29, 2003

Working at breastfeeding

By CHAN LILIAN

NEW mums and mums-to-be may find themselves swirling in a bowl of alphabet soup where the nutritional needs of their babies are concerned. DHA, ARA, EFA, LCP, etc, seem to be the latest lingo. Looking back, I guess the good old days must have been much easier for our grandmothers and mothers had only one choice: breast milk – free and easily available.

I have four sons and am expecting my fifth one. When I had my first two boys, I was guilty of adopting breastfeeding as a novelty – something every new mum ought to try out but not necessarily stick with it when the going gets tough. After all, aren’t baby formulas easily available in our neighbourhood sundry shops and supermarkets? Why go through all the hassle, pain, sleepless nights and 101 other inconveniences when our baby prefers the simplicity of drinking from a bottle?

I was guilty of not attempting breastfeeding at all when I had my third son. It was only when I had my fourth son who was a premature baby that I learnt every tip and trick about expressing milk and breastfeeding.

During his first two months, I spent every day in the hospital nursing room exchanging notes and experiences with a wonderful breastfeeding counsellor, midwives and trained staff nurses, because my baby depended on my milk for survival.

It was only after a few weeks of their endless dedication to guide me and my persistence that I finally succeeded. When I was there, I observed that all new mums were enthusiastic about nursing their newborns. However, after a few days at home, many of them returned to report that their babies were on formula milk.

Some of their babies needed subsequent hospitalisation due to fever or jaundice. Often they would bring their baby along with a big tin of formula milk. What happened to the enthusiastic mums who were aware of the goodness of human milk, yet failed to breastfeed their babies?