Q about breastfeeding.. need advice

marbear81

since the twins spent 3 weeks in the NICU, I didn't have any opportunities to attempt to breastfeed (ok, I lied.. I had one unassisted/unsuccessful attempt)

since they've been home I have tried at random to get them to nurse.. my DS has a poweful suction so I've really only tried with DD.. I figured if and when I mastered that I would give DS a try.. in the meantime, I am still pumping and supplementing when I need to.. I am just recovering from yeast/thrush so I gave it a chance the other day after my post partum doula left.. I felt somewhat empowered, lol

so I tried with DS and he latched! he stayed on and was sucking but I realized how clueless I was about breastfeeding.. I kept saying to DH "how do I know if he's getting anything???" and then DS pulled off and milk dribbled out of his mouth.. omg was I thrilled!

Yesterday I tried with DD, she also latched (first real latch) so this is big for me! she stayed on for less than 5 minutes.. I assume she was getting something because she usually gets mad and pulls off if not.. but that was it.. it must have slowed down or something because she started crying and wouldn't go back on (I gave her a bottle after that)

so is there a window where I should try again? where they are hungry but maybe not starving? I want them to be interested.. but I think if they are TOO hungry they get frustrated..

any other tips would be helpful as we are literally JUST starting out.. thanks!

MrsDonnelly2007

I would say keep trying at every feeding to get them to latch, with Roman we used a nipple shield for a while and then weaned him off, that might be worth a try with your DD if she is used to the feeling of a bottle.  Congrats on the progress!! It's the best feeling when it all starts coming together!

lnle

that is so exciting, and very similar to how my babies progressed with breastfeeding! I was so happy when they stayed latched on for a few minutes without screaming in frustration, and thrilled when they stayed on long enough that they didn't need a bottle afterwards. They mastered the latching on around their due date, and we got the hang of tandem nursing a month after that. Zoey needed to use the nipple shield for awhile to help her latch.

When I talked to an LC about it, she said if they're starving and hysterical, it's better to give some of a bottle first to help them calm down, and then try to bf. Otherwise, try to get them to latch before offering the bottle. Just keep trying it as often as you can. 

I still give them bottles primarily, but it's so awesome to be able to bf when I need/want to.

good luck!

 

gumiberg

just keep trying.

it took my babies 6 weeks to figure it out and like another 6 weeks to get good at it.  but once we mastered it, it was smooth sailing.  we're 11 months in and still at it.

that is wonderful that you are still working on it.  it sounds like they are figuring it out!  just remember, it only will get easier.

E&RMommy

Good for you!  You can always get a one time consult with an LC.  You can go to their store/shop if they have one or one can come to your house.  If anything it might give you some encouragement that you're doing it correctly.

Way to go momma!  Keep it up. 

anna2006

Good for you!!

I think a meeting with a LC would be so helpful to you now.  If you don't have any contact info for one, just call the NICU and ask for a phone number for their LC.  Other resources include La Leche League - just google them in your area.

I think it is great that you are making progress! 

LoveTravel

Keep up the good work, things will smooth out as you go along

 As one poster mentioned about using a shield I had to use with both Tristan and Zxavier for a couple months and then we got rid of it.  Just a note of caution if you're going to be using the shield the nurses had advised me to keep an eye out on my milk supply, luckily it never affected me, but my sister was using it and it did to hers she just got her supply up again.

GL!

Hilarigh

congrats on the good progress. i agree a LC would be a big help. you might also want to try nursing them before they're ravenous. if you can get ahead of their tummies they may not be too hungry/frustrated to get the latch.