Breastfeeding twins

Re: Breastfeeding twins

• jocie2581 member

  January 2014

  I pumped twenty minutes every three hours using a hospital grade pump that I rented. By about one week I was able to provide the nicu with enough milk so they no longer needed formula. Best of luck!

            

                       My fraternal twin boys. Born Sept 2013.
  

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• PurpleIris30 member

  January 2014

  It took 4-5 days for my milk to come in, so they had to supplement a bit for a day or two. I pumped for 20 minutes every 2-3 hours (right after their care times usually). Once my milk came in, my supply gradually increased as their feeds were increased, but I was militant about not missing any pumping time until my supply was established.
  
  Drink a ton of water - that really helped, as did pumping right after I had been able to hold one.

  Married 8/2008. IVF with PGD March 2013.
  3/22 ER: 25R, 20M, 15F. 9 genetically normal, and 3 survived to Day 5
  3/27 ET: transferred 1 embryo, beta 9dp5dt=163, 12dp5dt=639
  4/25 1st ultrasound at 7 weeks = identical twins with heartbeats?!!!

  PPROM at 31w, delivery at 32 weeks of two beautiful girls

  

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• carrotcake06 member

  January 2014

  They were in the NICU 13 days. We had to supplement for 10 days. I was pumping 30 min every 3 hours around the clock. It took 5 days for me to produce much of anything.
  
  My production slowly increased but what really helped was nursing and having the NICU count it as a feed and then pump afterwards.

  
  
  
  

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• xnbride member

  January 2014

  Ideally pump every two hours to establish a good supply . Once your supply is established you can go for longer periods just no less then 6 times per day.  You should have a few let downs per session. I had to pump for more then 30 minutes inorder to get a good amount. Adjust the settings on your pump to find the right suction for you. Also make sure the flanges are the right size for your nipples. Eat well and take care of yourself. Massage your breasts while you pump to make sure they get emptied. Oatmeal cookies, dark beer, warm baths/showers, fenugreek and mother's milk tea will all help with supply. I caution against the fenugreek and tea for now since your babies are still little. For me and my babies it causes alot of digestive upset so I would wait to try it out when you are fully recovered and babies are bigger.
  

   

  

  9 angels in heaven-3 in my arms and 1 in the NICU                                                                                                                                    
  Mono/di twin girls: Josephine born to heaven and Evangeline born Earthside at 25w
  

  
  

  

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• TheDairyQueenx3 member

  January 2014

  I pumped every 2 hours using the medela symphony. I had a super hard time keeping up. They got a little formula while in the NICU but once they got home and I could nurse on demand my supply practically doubled. Now we are formula free 100% and they are 8 1/2 weeks old and gaining so well! It's very normal to only get 1/2 to 2.5 oz per session most women can only pump that much but a baby can def get more while nursing. Kellymom.com saved us!! Your doing great mama!! Try not to stress when you just can't keep up and they supplement a little at least they are still getting breast milk! Also it can take up to five weeks for your full supply to come in.

  
  

  
  

  Together 6 wonderful years.

  TTC #1 18 months 1 loss DX unexplained IF-- BFP July 2009-- ITS A BOY

  TTC #2 3 years and 3 losses DX PCOS -- BFP April 2013-- TWIN BOYS!

  ~DS1-Feb 2010~ 

  ~DS2&3- Nov 2013  {7 weeks early}~ TTC #4~

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• JuliaAndPete member

  January 2014

  Hi I'm also a NICU mom of twins. They just started half formula half BM feeds. No worries about not keeping up.
  
  First of all they're not latching, second you're in a very stressful situation, third it's only been two weeks. Give yourself a chance. Don't give up, as long as they're getting some BM they're still getting the benefits. I know it's exhausting but it doesn't have to be forever. I explained to our NICU that I want them on formula by the time they come home.
  
  You're doing great! Keep it up, mama!

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• JuliaAndPete member

  January 2014

  Sorry, I didn't answer your question fully. I pump every 2-3 hours but I sleep at night. I get in 6-8 pumps a day.

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• Mcsweets member

  January 2014

  Thank you! I'm really hoping nursing helps once they come home. I'm thankful our hospital also has donor milk, although it hasn't needed to be used much.

  1st FET 2/14/2013 Happy Valentines Day! - BFN
  2nd FET 6/14/2013 - BPF!!! -
  1st Beta: 1046!!!!! - 2nd Beta: 2754!!!!!
  First u/s 7/11/2013 - TWINS!!! 120 and 124 heartbeats
  Second u/s 7/29/2013 - wiggley babies! 178 and 184 heartbeats!
  Third u/s 9/9/2013 - 157 and 161 heartbeats ... a BOY and a GIRL!!!! Cervix on the "shorter side" (3-3.3) - going to check again in 2 weeks.
  Fourth u/s 9/23/2013 - Baby A = 157 Baby B = 150 heartbeat. Cervix now 2.3-2.6 ... being referred to a MFM
  MFM Appointment 9/26/2013 = Both babies healthy, cervix now measuring at 4 - Playing tricks on me ... will follow up in 2 weeks.
  Cervical check 10/7 with regular OB - 2.1cm  --- going BACK to the MFM armed with ultrasound pictures from my OB of my cervix. *sigh*
  MFM Appointment 10/8 - confirmed my cervix at 2.1cm - putting me on Progesterone for a week.
  MFM Appointment 10/17 - Cervix unchanged! Keeping me on Progesterone - followup 10/29
  
  
   
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  Everett Alan James (3lbs8oz) and Eliana Lee (3lbs7oz) born 12/28/13 at 30w6d!
  

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• SWA80 member

  January 2014

  I pumped 20-30 minutes 8x a day. Do kangaroo care as much as they will let you and talk to the hospital's LC if they have one available. Sounds like you're doing great!

  
  

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