BFing - How long?

parkit2010

I exclusivelly pump for my boys, and have only ever had about half the supply that I need for my 8 weekers. I suppliment the rest with formula per my pediatrician's orders to 27kcal. How long did you provide BM for your multiples? As your babies grew did you find that your supply kept up, or did it stay the same? What methods did you use to increase supply if you EP'd? Did you feel guilty when you quit providing BM? Thanks!

BelleBaby

I was able to give the boys all pumped BM until I went back to work when they were 9 weeks old.  At that point, I just couldn't pump enough to provide the bottles for daycare ahead of time (when they first started we were sending 12 bottles a day, 6 for each baby).  So we started giving them all BM in their bottles at home and sending as many BM bottles to daycare as possible, making up the rest with formula.  I was able to give about 50/50 BM/formula until they were just about 6 months old.  I got a nasty respiratory infection and it dried up my supply.  I worked like crazy to get it back but it just wouldn't work.  So we gave up and went to all formula. 

I felt a small bit of disappointment in myself when we stopped the BM, but DH reminded me that it was an accomplishment to be able to give the boys BM for that length of time, considering I was pumping for 2.  I never really set a goal for myself as far as length of time I wanted to BF, so I couldn't feel badly about not reaching some potentially unrealistic (for us) goal.  I think it would have been easier to give all BM longer if I didn't work, but it is what it is.

You should be proud to provide whatever BM you can for however long you can.  Maybe you can do it for a year, maybe not.  Keeping up with BF for multiples is hard work.

Kimmy08

I am still EPing for the girls and will hopefully continue until they are 11 months (I have about a month or two supply built up already).

I have been taking three Fenugreek pills three times a day and eating oatmeal every morning to help increase my supply. It seems to really help and I notice a drop in my supply when I forget to take the pills in the morning or evening.

Hope this helps. Good luck!