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Multiples
B/Fing MoMs come in..I need some support
I'm really having a tough time getting into a groove with b/fing. I think I'm still having latch problems because my nipples are often sore. I've been to a LC twice and each time, the babies latch on perfectly while there so I feel like an idiot.
Also, I have a problem tandem feeding because one breast produces MUCH more milk than the other, so I worry about whether the one on the "slow breast" is getting enough milk. That baby often gets tired and falls asleep so its difficult to tell, but they then wake up an hour later so I suspect they are not getting enough.
I am seriously considering just pumping and giving them EBF so I know how much they are getting at each feed (and its so much more comfortable) but I don't know if not nursing would affect my supply too much.
I need some insight..I can't afford a third trip to the LC...
This discussion has been closed.
Re: B/Fing MoMs come in..I need some support
Hi
Here goes, I hope this helps. ?Sorry in advance, I know this is going to get rambly.
Latch issues-have you tried nipple shields? ?These were a pain to get in place (not literally painful, more of a nuisance) but really helped ds (my poor latcher) be able to latch. ?
If your nipples are in pain the babies might be sucking on the tip and not have it in their mouth far enough (my dd did this). ?I would hold my breast and place my nipple up by her nose so that she had to open her mouth as wide as possible. ?Then stick your nipple up towards the roof of her mouth and get it in as far as possible.?
*I totally get it about going to the LC and having them latch perfectly, only to come home and they act like they have never nursed before. ?So frustrating!
I also have a 'slower producer'. ?My left side just has never had the same supply as my right (even now at 13 months!). ?I would always just leave whoever was on the left on for a couple more minutes. ?I can remember some times in months 1-4 (maybe) when dd would want to eat more frequently. ?I don't think at the time I realized the left was making as much, and I would just nurse her for a couple of minutes.
I pumped after daytimes feeds whenever I could for the first 2 months to get a freezer stash. ?I pumped before bed (until 12 months) and got up at night (2 and 5) when the kids were starting to sttn. ?I am glad I did bc the frozen stash was great when we traveled, when the kids went through a biting stage, and so that I could leave the house if need be.
Last thing, I too went to the LC a ton and did not realize the price until too late! ?I would try calling them. ?Since you have been there twice already, they know your story, know your kids and maybe you could get your answers that way (free!) instead of going in for a visit.
HTH
Let me know if there is anything else I can share. ??
Trina?
I am so sorry you have having difficulties. First things off, great job so far. Wonderful in fact.
Second, try and contact your local LLL leader and see what help they can offer you guys. Many would jump at the chance to help out a bfing twin mom, most liekyl come to your house to help you out.
Rotate which baby has your slow producer so it evens out after two feedings. Maybe it will pick up after that too.
I don't have any other suggestions but please, you're doing a great job. Try LLL and the least that will happen is you can talk to another real person about all the wonderful work you've done so far!
Trina, thanks so much for the comprehensive reply! It's really helpful. I did actually try a nipple shield a couple of times but I had a hard time getting the darn thing to stay on, and it didn't seem to help much. Of course, the LC discouraged me from using it because both times I went to see her, DD latched on just fine. Of course, all this time I've been thinking DS latches perfectly, but I've been reading a b/fing book and now I'm wondering if all this time he actually has NOT been latching on properly, and I just thought he was. He doesn't seem to exhibit the proper "open mouth-pause-close mouth" type of sucking that the book says indicates a proper latch.
RE: the differently producing breasts...basically what I've been doing is switching them half way through so they both get time on "the good breast" but then I start to worry that they aren't getting enough hind milk. Because of course, how do I know what "half way" is? Or, if I am nursing one at a time, I start them on one breast and when they start to slow down, I offer them the other. But by then they are usually sleepy and don't want to take the other breast. Which is fine, but then I worry they will get hungry again in an hour.
I don't know..I am probably overthinking the whole thing (I tend to do that. :-) I just wish I liked b.fing more..right now it just seems like such a darn chore.
Oh, and yes, I've been pumping several times a day, but I can't even seem to get more than a few bottles in the fridge and I've been letting DH give them a bottle or two at night so I can get a bit more sleep. In 10 minutes of pumping I only get anywhere from 2 to 5 ounces from both breasts (depending on how soon after they nurse I pump). This doesn't seem like very much to me but I'm not sure. I think I need to start taking fenugreek or something. I have been eating oatmeal and even an occasional glass of dark beer to stimulate milk.
Ok, this turned into a ramble. If anyone else has other great ideas for me let me know!
I just wanted to add that at 6 weeks I felt like we all turned a page and we just 'got it'. ?Tandem feeds became easier. ?I was able to stop using the nipple shield. ?Feeds went from 45 min+ to more like 20-30 minutes (and since around 5 months nursing takes about 15 total).
I wanted to give up so many times in the beginning, especially with ds!, but now I am thrilled that I kept at it through those hard times. ?
This board has been amazing. ?There are several nesties in particular who I really feel I owe a lot of thanks to for all the info/support back then and kept me motivated to keep going.
Good luck and please keep posting about specifics. ?Chances are, someone will have a great tip for you!
1. keep up the great work
2. I would alternate each baby each feeding, if you're really worried. Remember the baby gets mroe at the breast then you get from the pump. Are they gaining well?
3. One thing that helped with latch for me was pulling down on their chin as they were going on. Is there another LC you could see?
At some point it is going to click so well. I'd try to keep feeding directly b/c pumping is a hard road!
Really? Hmm..how you do that and what hold are you using? Doesn't your boob get in the way? If you can describe, that might be helpful with DD. My issue with her is that she has a tiny little mouth and a very steep palate, so even when she opens as wide as she can, I can't get very much of my areola in her mouth. I recently figured out that its easier with the cross-cradle hold with her rather than football, but then of course I wouldn't be able to tandem feed which is my goal.
Hmm..that never even occurred to me. I will give that a try..thanks!
I'm a LC....email me with ANY questions you have! I would love to help you in any way I can
dont give up hope...it will click I promise!
my email is lindsililledahl@gmail.com
The LC showed me how to do it when the boys were still in the NICU and TINY. Once you get the feel of the "right" latch, you need totry and recreate it.
In football hold, I would put one baby on the side, then latch them. I would use my thumb of my right hand if they latched on the right and pull down on the chin once they started rooting and kinda shove them on. (Not hard)
I'd then puck up baby #2 using my arm to keep #1 on and then do the same on the toher side.
You can cross cradle and tandem.
I also know how you can get in contact with Karen Kerkhoff Gromada if you'd like. She's another MOM who has a few books, a website, and is an LC. She was an invaluable resource to me.
HTH!