Not sure how much longer I can BF

kelliwill · December 2009

My girls were born on 12/14/09 and we came home from the hospital on 12/18/09. I have been attempting BFing, as well as pumping, and supplementing with Enfamil NeoSure 22 Cal (per Dr's). The BFing is going better with Ava than with Gracie. They both seem to love the pumped milk and it seems easier on their tummy's. It is really hard however and it's exausting to pump after each feeding. Part of me really wants to stop and just do the formula, but I am having guilty feelings. For those who have been through this....how did you make your decision? TIA!!

FaeryStarGazer · December 2009

We BFed for 10 days. But at the girls 2w check, they had lost enough weight even while supplimenting that their ped said, just go full on formula. I had nothing coming out when I pumped- literally I would get a drop or two and that would be it. Since I had no feelings one way or the other about BFing, I said f-it. And they'd been on formula ever since

Don't stress over people judging you about the formula; they're your boobs. Do with them as you please!

kiki408 · December 2009

I'm just now stopping. I feel SO guilty & that is totally normal.. My girls do better with breast milk, too, but it's going to be impossible for me to breastfeed once I return to work in a few weeks, so I figured it's better to slowly ween them off now.

If pumping after feeding is exhausting, maybe you should just try pumping every few hours or so for bottle feedings. This is what I do. You're missing out on the bonding piece, but your daughters will still be getting the benefits of your milk. I also breastfed on demand in between, but most of their feedings were/are done by bottle.

dtwmco · December 2009

...As someone who during pregnancy wasn't sure whether or not I'd BF...

I "triple fed" my (late-preterm) preemie girls for a while and it was both frustrating and exhausting. I stuck with it because - even though they started as lazy nursers - I really enjoyed it, and it's such a great feeling to know that I have nourished them from my own body! I also love the cuddle time and I think the girls do, too. Right now they just finished eating and they are giggling at each other on the ez2nurse pillow. So cute!

It's a HUGE commitment at first but I'm glad I stuck with it. I hope to make it to a year! I do worry more than I'd like about supply, but my girls have done a great job with weight gain.

If you're having a hard time with the decision, give yourself small goals and see how you feel. as you reach (or don't) them.

Good luck!

SoldiersGreenBean · December 2009

I've not yet tried to BF twins, so my advice is only from BFing a singleton.

It takes a team to BF; if one member of the team is unhappy, it's not worth playing anymore. If you're unhappy and stressed out, I think you need to take the burden off of yourself. You will be happier, and the babies will be happier.

Temp6313048411121614 · December 2009

You could always just pump a few times per day and not BF. I pump every morning, and once in the evening (and I try for once in the afternoon). I get about 12oz every time I pump, so if I could do it 3x/day, that would be 36oz of BM per day, then that's 36oz of formula that you wouldn't need to give. If you decide to give formula, then so be it, babies do fine on formula, the most important thing is for baby to be fed and everyone to be happy.

kiki408 · December 2009

Aussie*s_Mom:
You could always just pump a few times per day and not BF. I pump every morning, and once in the evening (and I try for once in the afternoon). I get about 12oz every time I pump, so if I could do it 3x/day, that would be 36oz of BM per day, then that's 36oz of formula that you wouldn't need to give. If you decide to give formula, then so be it, babies do fine on formula, the most important thing is for baby to be fed and everyone to be happy.

I guess this is what I was trying to say, but you said it much better than I did!! LOL

Twin.Peaks · December 2009

We are EBFing here. It was hard in the beginning..K would/could not latch while M has always been good. For the first month I BFd M while bottle feeding K, then pumped the other side to feed K the next feeding. After a month I was able to ween her fromt he bottle and onto me. Since then it has been soothish sailing. I BFd DD#1 as well and I can say having a singleton first helped a ton. It got rid of some of the anxiety I had the first time.

You have to decide what is better for you and your LOs. If they are doing their best on BM and you can stick it out then go for it. If they do just as well on formula....then do that. Dont let the idea of BFing cloud what is really important which are 2 healthy babies and a haelthy, mentally, mommy.

GL

lgurian · December 2009

i pump and have to sup with formula. i make about half of what they need. i just mix the two in one bottle so it is less bottles to wash. this way someone else can feed one and i can feed the other. i pump while they nap (like right now). i do it while i go online, which helps make the time go by faster. i decided to pump instead of BF for a few reasons. one-i like to know how much they are eating. two- i had such a hard time getting them to latch that it wasnt worth the energy on all our parts, it takes 10-20 min to pump i felt that was easier. three-$$ the more i can give them the less formula. dont feel guilty whatever you decide. as long as they get feed you are being a great mom!!

atc282 · December 2009

You're not alone!! My DDs were somewhat similar after coming home from the hospital..Georgia wasn't really about nursing whereas Eden took to it just fine.However, I decided to EP for them both...a tough decision though, IMO, b/c of what you said--it really is exhausting!! I am keeping on with it now for 7 weeks but have considered weaning or stopping soon...I'm torn, to be honest! I feel lucky in that my supply is so great, but would love the sleep most nights more than staying up to hook on to that pump!!

All to say, it's totally up to you and you are being a great mom one way or the other!! If you feel like FF is the best fit, that is totally ok; if you feel like EP or doing half and half, that is totally fine too!! No one will judge and no one is "better" for their decision to BF, FF, or EP-- it's gotta be a decision that will hopefully work out best for you and your DDs.

GL and HTH

Dec31stBride · December 2009

I was "intellectually" all set to BF DS. I failed to consider how badly I deal with lack of sleep. After 2 weeks of misery, I stopped all together. I felt very guilty, but going to all formula was totally liberating for me - DH could help alot more. DS was much happier on formula too.

I will still try to BF this time around - with no big expectations, except to try and give these babies some breast milk in the beginning. I will not do it for very long.

Its an individual decision, but, if you're miserable, its not good for anyone.

DS rarely gets sick, and doesn't have any food allergies, so don't worry about that stuff when making your decision.

Best of luck!

gumiberg · December 2009

The first 6 weeks of breastfeeding were HARD. my babies were premature so they couldnt latch nor stay awake for a feeding. we would try and try...they would cry, i would cry...so i'd pump and use formula.

then at 6 weeks everything changed. all of a sudden, they started nursing. it took them forever (an hour per feeding) but we started nursing more and supplementing less.

by 12 weeks, they were great nurses and now we get a feeding done in 10 minutes.

i can understand why people quit but all i can say is that often does get better and i am proof. take it day by day, feeding by feeding, but just know that it gets better.

shellshavintwins · December 2009

I absolutely loved nursing, but me and my LO's only made it through 3 weeks and I had to stop. Both my girls latched well from the beginning, I was making enough milk. However every single time I nursed both my girls but especially my baby A got horrendous gas, that had them screaming in pain. Also the back to back feedings were exausting me, I got thrush along with my baby b, and it was all too much. I felt horrible the night that my DH and I decided to switch the girls. I really had my heart set on getting to at least 6 months. I cried the whole night. I decided that it was healthier for us all to bottle feed, I can't take care of my LO's if I can't function. I hope you make the best decision for your family.

Kim777 · December 2009

gumiberg:
The first 6 weeks of breastfeeding were HARD. my babies were premature so they couldnt latch nor stay awake for a feeding. we would try and try...they would cry, i would cry...so i'd pump and use formula.
then at 6 weeks everything changed. all of a sudden, they started nursing. it took them forever (an hour per feeding) but we started nursing more and supplementing less.
by 12 weeks, they were great nurses and now we get a feeding done in 10 minutes.
i can understand why people quit but all i can say is that often does get better and i am proof. take it day by day, feeding by feeding, but just know that it gets better.

This was my experience as well. I wanted to give up so many times in that first 6 weeks, but I am glad I stuck it out now. They will be 5 months old next week and it only takes 10 minutes for a feeding with no bottles to wash, etc. I also agree with everyone else though. You have to do what makes you happiest and healthiest. Your babies will do great either way.

carissasmom · December 2009

Do whatever causes you the least amount of stress. The babies need a happy, stress free mom to be happy! Whatever gets you there is the best for them.

That said, if you want to continue BFing it will get easier. I promise. The first 6 weeks are the hardest and I honestly think after that its easier to BF than to FF, you can feed anywhere, anytime and have no bottles to wash. But remember FF is just fine too and your babies will turn out wonderful no matter what!

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