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Multiples
New twin mom EBFing preemies - any advice?
My twins were born at 35w 6d, and are now 2 weeks old. They were small but otherwise healthy overall. DD was 5 lbs and DS2 was 4lbs 4oz.
I'm not new to BFing as I nursed DS1 for a full year. We were doing pretty well at the hospital, the LCs there all considered me a pro at this. But now we're hitting a wide variety of challenges.
DD had a great latch for about a week and a half and in the last two days, she has started slipping off where she now latches well initially and then slips off painfully after a couple minutes. She generally only nurses now for a couple minutes at a time but I just did a weighed feeding and she drank 1.5 oz in about 2-3 minutes. She also tends to end feedings coughing and sputtering probably from eating so quickly. Our scale says she has regained birthweight but we'll verify it at the ped's office tomorrow.
DS2 started nursing on a breast shield and I have no experience whatsoever w/ using one or eventually weaning him off it. Lately his latch even on the shield hasn't been great where it was much better before.
BFing was pretty easy for nearly 2 weeks w/ sleepy babies who mostly woke hungry every 2-3 hours w/ occasional clusterfeeding before or after slightly longer overnight sleep stretches but now at 2 weeks it's difficult and painful, they seem to be clusterfeeding a ton w/ bad latching alternating w/ longer sleep stretches, and my breasts feel like they're on fire. Do preemies usually hit growth spurts on normal schedule or adjusted age? I've also been trying to wake them to eat per ped's advice when any longer sleep stretches happen during the day and that has not done any wonders for us either. My sleepy babies want nothing to do w/ eating then no matter what we do to wake them.
I'm a little overwhelmed, in pain and not sure what to expect w/ two instead of just one and premature to boot. Any advice or experiences would be helpful. Thank you!
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Re: New twin mom EBFing preemies - any advice?
I really recommend continuing to work with an LC. Our hospital had an outpatient lactation clinic and we were there at least once a week for a month or two. The LC was such a help in dealing with our latch issues both of my boys used shields and one had tongue tie.
I second this. Our pediatrician recommended a good LC. We had her come to the house twice (once at the beginning, and then once when I needed help with tandem holds), and we've also called her several times with questions. She has been really helpful!
The beginning is so hard, but once you get past the growth spurts it is so much better! Here are some tips, I hope they work for you. (Mine weren't preemies, but I think most of this should apply)
1) Slipping off latch: did you know sometimes this is a signal for peeing/pooing? Not a lot you can do about it, but it's interesting to know.
2) Coughing/spitting: do you feed her in a reclined position (her on top, not on the side)? This could help if you have a forceful let-down. (lying down with both of them on top of you also is a comfortable--kind of--way to tandem feed them and recline at the same time)
3) My babies were never dawdlers--meaning they usually ate and finished in a few minutes. Some are just more efficient at emptying the breast than others. If they are gaining weight then I wouldn't worry about how long it takes them. (But mine weren't preemie, but I assume if they've passed birthweight and you're doing weighed feedings they are ok...that would be my guess)
4) I used a shield at times because just the thought of a mouth on my nipple made me cringe. I only used it every other time (per twin if necessary) and alternating sides. Does that make sense? Not sure exactly now how I did it but I just wanted to make sure they didn't get hooked on it. They didn't.
5) Also, do you pump at all? I rented a pump for the first month (I bought one after) and it helped a lot. Once a day (if that) someone DH, my mom or sister would give the babies a bottle and I would pump. At that time I pumped way more volume than they ate, so we always had a little bit extra. It was also a break on my nipples. I recommend pumping while they are still little as a way to build up your supply. Now my babies are bigger and m supply has balanced out, they eat the same amount that I would pump, so it pretty much just breaks even.
We are at 5 months now and still EBFing. They only get a bottle of BM if I'm going somewhere, like getting a haircut or whatever. It does get easier and even enjoyable! Good luck to you and hope this helps!