Pumping with triplets

HeavenBlessedMom

I BFed with DD for 7 weeks.  Lost all the weight too soon due to her colic and my not eating, so she wasn't getting anything nutritious.  Supplemented during much of this time.

Would like to try, for 3-6 months anyhow, to pump for the triplets.  We used Dr Brown's bottles with DD and I hear they're great for preemies too.  Have a Medela one-pump, but wondering if a 2  pump would be easier.  What type of accessories/storage would I need?

Thanks,

1+tripsmom

I pumped for 2 months with my trio I had to pump every 3 hours round the clock. I made more then enought they had frozen milk but I was miserable I had to use a double pump from the hospital. We did not like the dr browns too many pieces and my kids could not handle them. 1 of mine could latch but other 2 could not.

mommaoftrips

I had to pump because my triplets were preemies and couldn't suck anyways when they were born.

I would recommend renting a hospital grade pump because chances are even if you get way into your pregnancy (say 35 weeks, which is pretty far for trips) they will be preemies and your body will just not be ready (sorry not trying to be mean just realistic). Having this grade pump will really help with getting your milk supply in.

The two-sided model of pump is best.

In terms of supplies - while you/the babies are in hospital they will give you the bottles you will need. Once home, I continued to pump for a little bit (never had enough milk so needed to mix formula with EBM) but we mixed enough for the entire day, so 24 bottles. We also just used the Gerber bottles because they are cheap and the nipple size was the same as the ones used in the NICU and the babies were used to these
GL it's going to be so exciting and fun.

SWA80

Since your babies will likely be in the NICU, I would hold off on getting anything for now. They will give you a hospital grade pump to use and will probably send the babies home with a ton of bottles, etc.

LottaLattes

Twin pumping here, I wouldn't get anything now, but once you get a pump it is a godsend to have two sets of flanges so you can run one through the dishwasher and have one to use. And they might like Dr. Browns but I wouldn't get a ton of bottles of any type until you know what will work for them. Good luck! I drank a ton of water (120 oz a day) and increased calories by 500/kid so make sure you are taking care of you too!

4510heather

I agree with the prior posters.  Also, even though my twins were only in the NICU 13 days, my insurance covered my pump because of mother/baby separation.  I used the hospital grade pump for a month, then used the Medela pump in style that insurance provided for the next 11 months.  I ended up buying extra flanges, etc.  I had 3 sets of pumping parts once I went back to work.  I used one set at home in the morning, another set for my pumping sessions at work (put them in ziplock bag in fridge between sessions), and another set for pumping at night.  Right before bed they all went in the dishwasher.

Also, I was ready to give up at 6 months, but I decided to persevere.  I can honestly say that the first 4 months of pumping were the worst, the next 2 were pretty bad, but the last 6 were so much easier.  Their demand went down, my supply was well-established, etc.  I was able to pump 3 times a day and produce everything they needed those last 6 months (and the last 6 weeks, I went down to 2 pumps, then 1).  I ate like crazy to keep my supply up, but it was totally worth it!  Obviously you have to do what you have to do to survive it all, but if you make it to 6 months, it's all down hill from there!  (My countdown is on...I have a 3.5 month old LO now and I can't wait to be done!).