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I feel I've created a mess

McsweetsMcsweets member
in Breastfeeding
We had our twins at 30w and was able to start "trying" to nurse when they were 33w.  Both babies would get so tired that they wouldn't eat their "required" food in order to get discharged from the NICU. So, after a month of messing around with that we decided to just do bottles so we could get them home!  My supply has always been too low and I've had to supplement with formula.

FF about 2 months and my DD is no longer receiving breast milk - the Dr. thought she might have an allergy of some sort (although I am dairy free completely - allergic to milk myself).  DS still gets breast milk (plus formula).  I haven't actually BF'd at feedings - only if he was still hungry after he ate his bottle. We've been so concerned with knowing how much he's eating since he was a preemie that I didn't want to BF. 

Well, I got the flu last week and my supply dropped even more.  I'm only getting about 12oz a day.  Now that DS is a little chunker I figure I don't need to "babysit" how much he's eating anymore - he will tell me if he's hungry.  So, I tried to BF him and he just SCREAMED and was not having any part of it.  I'm sure I did this to myself since he's been on strictly bottles for about a month now since I went back to work.

Any advice? I would love to actually BF- I hate pumping.  He's 3 months old now (1 month corrected) is it too late? I would LOVE for my supply to increase as well!
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 <3
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


  photo e8294769.jpgphoto 3a44b450.jpg
imageimageimageimage"">image

Everett Alan James (3lbs8oz) and Eliana Lee (3lbs7oz) born 12/28/13 at 30w6d!
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Re: I feel I&#039;ve created a mess

  • SouthRNComfortSouthRNComfort member
    What have you tried to increase your supply?
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  • McsweetsMcsweets member
    I've tried Mothersmilk Extract and Reglan
    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 <3
    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


      photo e8294769.jpgphoto 3a44b450.jpg
    imageimageimageimage"">image

    Everett Alan James (3lbs8oz) and Eliana Lee (3lbs7oz) born 12/28/13 at 30w6d!
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  • AsivecAsivec member
    Most times your LO can get more than you pump. I would try breastfeeding first thing in the morning. Your LO should get an immediate response and maybe be happier with breastfeeding. When I weaned off a breastshield it was a "this is all I have so it has to work" situation and yes there was a lot of crying but my LO finally latched and ate because there was no other choice.

    Also, since you are a pumper, have you tried feeding on one side and pumping on the other? I find that my letdown is amazing and LO is happy with one side and gives me some extra just in case.

    Good luck!
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  • seawaterseawater member
    It is not too late!!  I had a really slow start breastfeeding my twins as well but we're getting there.  It's not going to be easy but it is possible if it's something you want to do.  There's a ton of great information on this board about ways to increase your supply (supplements, TONS of water, eating enough good calories, rest (ha), nurse nurse nurse)   

    What helped me the most was to nurse as much as possible.  That's the best way to tell your body to produce more milk.  It's a supply/demand thing.  Most people's body responds a lot better to a baby then a pump.  That was my biggest mistake in the beginning.  I would only see couple ounces and figure I wasn't producing enough and get discouraged.  Echoing what PP said, your supply will be highest right in the morning.  I'd start with nursing that feeding.  Then, nurse as long as possible for each feeding after that.  Even if you only get a few minutes, every little bit helps. 

    Any feeding you end up giving bottles you'll have to pump to signal your body to keep making milk.  Also, it'll help to check out tips on how to bottle feed a breastfed baby (kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/feeding-tools/bottle-feeding) so your LO gets used to a slower milk flow.  Mine would get so upset at the breast because it wasn't coming out as fast as he had gotten used to with bottles.  We also switched to Dr Browns bottles with preemie flow nipples which helped a lot.  

    Sorry for the novel.  I just totally understand the difficulties of trying to nurse preemie twins.  I'm still figuring it out too, but feel free to PM me if you have any other questions or just to chat.  Good luck!  And your little ones are adorable!   
    :):)
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  • McsweetsMcsweets member
    Thanks!!! <3
    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 <3
    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


      photo e8294769.jpgphoto 3a44b450.jpg
    imageimageimageimage"">image

    Everett Alan James (3lbs8oz) and Eliana Lee (3lbs7oz) born 12/28/13 at 30w6d!
    Report Reply
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