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Multiples
Poll: Did/do you EBF, FF, EP or mix of all?
I really really hope this isn't a controversial question, as it is not meant to be. I've tried to search the multiple boards for similar questions, but did not find any. You more experienced ladies on the board can tell me if this question is a recipe for disaster and I'll delete it.
It's still early, but I've been thinking a lot about it. How did you ladies feed your multiples? I really am open to any option that works for our family but just get so overwhelmed thinking about it.
I'm just wondering what worked for other MoM's??
*P/SAIFW*
TTC since 1/08
Clomid, 2 IUIs, 4 IVFs, FET
7 losses
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Poll: Did/do you EBF, FF, EP or mix of all?
I wanted to breastfeed, but I had supply issues with my singleton, so I was skeptical I could do it. I had much better information this time on effective pumping and supplementing, etc., but I also had years of bottle feeding behind me, so I wasn't as afraid of formula this time. My babies were small and one was IUGR, so I agreed to supplement in the hospital, and tried to pump to help my supply make up for it. I decided to give it at least 6 weeks, and focus on pumping and breastfeeding as I was taking it easy at home after my c-section. At two months, my lactation consultant wasn't very encouraging that I could turn things around either, so I stopped the pumping and started exclusively formula feeding. Works fine for us now, but I would love to not be spending $500 a month on formula for my hungry babies!
I don't think its controversial at all! There is actually a nice mix here of MoMs who have done these exclusively and in combination with each other, so you should get lots of perspectives.
I did a mix of pumping and breast feeding for the first two months. My twins were born at 32w5d and never quite learned how to breastfeed properly. For the first two months, I would breastfeed them individually and then give them pumped milk to supplement.
By the time they were 3 months old, they overtook my supply and they were not improving with their nursing skills (one wouldn't latch properly and one would camp out there for an hour for comfort). I started EP and giving them all breast milk by bottle and then one feeding per day would be formula.
By 4 1/2 months, I increased their formula to 2 bottles per day. They began sleeping through the night around this time, so they were only eating 5 times per day.
By 5 1/2 months, I started weaning them off breast milk...they are 6 months now and are completely on formula (and solids).
Hope tis helps!!
It took about 3 days for my milk to come in and even then I was getting only drops at a time. My girls were FF in the nicu and I gave them what I could get from pumping, but I didn't get much so it wasn't worth it after about two weeks and I went to all formula.
I can't understand why this Q would be controversial...
For us, first it was a combo of BFing and pumped milk, and then they were EBF for a while. When I started work again it was back to a combo of BF and pumped milk. At about five months old my supply started to dry up and despite every attempt imaginable to get it back I started phasing in formula. By the time they were seven months old they were exclusively formula fed.
So my answer to your Q is all of the above.
My girls got 6 oz formula/day each from the time they were 8 weeks old (it was less prior to that, but I can't recall exactly how much) until they were 6 months old. At 6 months I dropped a couple nursing sessions and replaced it with formula bottles.
I was never able to make enough to EBF them, but as you can see, my supply definitely increased b/c I never had to increas the amount of formula after 8 weeks.
Edit- meant to add in the beginning that I BF them.....otherwise if you read too quickl it looks like my children survived on half a bottle for 6 months! LOL
Definitely a mix. Per the NICU, they needed two feedings of Neosure a day. I was BF too, but they would get tired before they were full. Feeding on demand was too much with both of them. I switched to EP at three weeks, and it was so much better for me. I could at least keep track of how much they were eating.
My supply didn't quite keep up with their growing, but I was able to pump and FF for almost six months. Once my supply dropped below 50% of what they were getting, we went to all formula. I'm totally fine with how it all worked out. I did the best I could while keeping my head above water.
Totally not controversial, at least not over here. I've never, ever seen a flame war or judging about how another MoM feeds her babies.
I tried to BF in the hospital but DS had a bad latch and wouldn't wake to eat and DD was tiny and super hungry and couldn't quite get latched. I realized that I'd have to BF, pump to build supply and then try to sleep somewhere in there. It took about a day for me to realize I did not have what it took for that and went straight to formula. Best decision I made. I was a mess after the babies were born and in a rare moment of clarity, I was able to see that I did not need the pressure of BFing on top of everything else. No regrets. The babies are happy and healthy and I am emotionally healthier for not giving myself even more to stress about in the early days.
My girls were 32 weekers and I wasn't even allowed to try to BF until they were a month old. By then, they wanted nothing to do with it, even with multiple LC visits. I EPd and had to supplement a teaspoon of Neosure (preemie formula that adds extra calories) in the breastmilk bottles. When they were about two months old, I wasn't keeping up with them, so I ended up having to supplement an ounce or so of formula.
I EPd for a full year. By the end, I was only able to do half breastmilk and half formula.
Christian Alexander - 11/13/06
Amelia Rose & Owen Thomas - 3/29/11
***Twin fraternal girls born at 35w6d in 12/2008***
We did a combo. We breastfed and then would supplement with formula, trying to help with the juandice. If I was going to be away, I would pump and they would get that plus formula.
I breastfed my daughter for 7wks before she got too frustrated with it. I breastfed her brother for 9wks before my supply just tanked. I even tried to pump to get it back just wouldnt happen.
I EBF. I EBF my son and it's definitely much harder with twins because when they're little and hungry, it's hard to make one wait (and I couldn't tandem well at the beginning) There were times the first few months where I'd walk by formula in the store and look longingly at it.
It's much easier now. They're fast eaters, they're more easily distracted by toys while the other is eating.
BUT, I still have a hard time to fit in pumping. It gets my supply out of whack, and I don't have a spare boob to pump like I did with a singleton. It would take two pumping sessions to get enough for one feeding, and I have a hard time fitting that in the day and have to plan ahead. This part would probably be easier if I were working just b/c I'd be pumping what they ate instead of extra.
Anyway, I have a very small stash in the freezer for them, but I sometimes give them formula if I'm going out somewhere (I SAH, so this isn't often.) So I guess technically I do a mix. Formula makes my gassy baby REALLY gassy and uncomfortable, though, so I try to at least pump enough for him.
Thanks for asking this question!! I've been trying to figure out what would work for me - so all the responses have been incredibly helpful!
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I accidentally answered in the other thread instead, so I'm C&P my response here:
My goal was to EBF both for a year.
N wouldn't latch in the hospital (I was there for a week). I saw 2 or 3 LC's and tried a million tricks. He just wouldn't open his mouth wide. I got him incorrectly latched enough to give him some milk but he lost 12.5% of his body weight in a couple of days so I asked for a pump and syringe to feed him that way.
E latched and would nurse for a looooong time each time, but still lost about 11% of his body weight, probably b/c I was also pumping in between so N could eat and there just wasn't enough to go around. So, I started BFing him, then giving him some pumped milk as well.
We ended up giving them a small supplement of formula every day, in addition to me BFing E, attempting to BF N, and giving them everything I was able to pump out.
For the first month, I continued this cycle but gave pumped milk in a bottle instead. I still tried to latch N without success, and still switched between BFing E and giving him a bottle of pumped milk. They each got about 2-4oz of formula a day. I discovered that the more I pumped and the less I BF E, the less formula I had to give. I ended up pumping around the clock and was able to make enough to give them both EBM.
They haven't had any formula since 1 month, and now I EP. I will let E hop on the boob usually once a day or so just for comfort and to stimulate more of a supply. He definitely prefers the bottle now, though. I'm going to try to keep it up for another month, then transition to 50/50 and slowly wean off the pump.Make it a Double
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I EBF for the most part. There are some days that they get expressed breast milk in a bottle. They needed a little bit of formula at the beginning because my supply hadnt caught up to their needs yet. I EP for a good week or so (pumping every 2 hours) and then the LC helped me in the NICU getting the kids to latch. Those first couple of months were nuts. Between trying to get them BF, pumping, and giving them neosure in the BM. I am glad I stuck with it, because now it is so easy. My first goal was to nurse them until a year and now it is until 16 months so we can get through RSV season.
As you can see, it totally depends on what works best for your family first and there are many ways of feeding your babies.
I EBF'd my twin boys for 1 yr., rarely pumped, and usually tandem fed them so they would eat and sleep on the same schedule. If you tandem feed, if possible, here are a few benefits: done in less time, babies usually get a little more and keep building your supply, both bond with you and with each other and don't have to wait and can usually get more milk than if you pump bottles. I also SAH so it was the fastest, cheapest and easiest way to feed them. It may be much more challenging and you may want/need to use a mix of BM and F if you are working. No bottles saves so much time and cleaning plus they get your immunties and digest the BM easily. Know that you can make it work and it will be overwhelming in the beginning no matter what. But I think it's so worth it. Don't give up too soon if you want to BF.
I also EBF'd my singleton daughters for 1 yr. each before the twins so I had lots of experience and knowledge which helped greatly in knowing how to get it done with the boys. I worked while my girls were babies though so I pumped while at work and EBF'd when I was home with them. Nursing them kept my supply up for when I needed to pump and I would only nurse them on the weekends to build it up. Your babies will increase your supply as they get older so it's important to nurse some of the time. I don't know how some EP unless it's only for a shorter time. I wanted to only give BM if possible. It was also possible because they were born with good sucking relexes and latched on very well right away which can be an issue if your babies are preemies.
I think you can make anything work when you decide what's best for you and your babies and in your situation. I would advise you to take a class and read up as much as you can and also take advantage of any lactation consultants help in the beginning if you want to be successful in BFing. Also, if you will go back to work, invest in a good pump. It is worth every penny! Don't get upset if you need to supplement though with F. Good luck!