- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
October 2014 Moms
persephonerose
member
@Emerald27 and any other BF experts
persephonerose
member
I have a breast feeding/pumping question.
I am struggling to keep up with the demand for the twins. Even with oatmeal, lactation tea, and fenugreek I am only getting about 5-6oz every 2-3 hours. I know that is great for some, but each of the twins is eating 3-4 oz a feeding. So I am always running behind and we are having to supplement with formula. DH returns to work next week and I don't know how I will ever be able to keep up pumping, take care of a two year old, and the twins by myself. We have one more week on my profession pump rental. I had considered pumping and freezing as much milk as I can for the next week and then gradually stop pumping. I was going to ration out the frozen milk so that the twins got a few ounces each day for as long as it last. So that they are at least getting a little breast milk each day. Do you think it will make a difference if I do it that way, I want them to still get the benefits of the breast milk but I have no clue if a few oz a day like that will matter or not. Am I crazy?
I am struggling to keep up with the demand for the twins. Even with oatmeal, lactation tea, and fenugreek I am only getting about 5-6oz every 2-3 hours. I know that is great for some, but each of the twins is eating 3-4 oz a feeding. So I am always running behind and we are having to supplement with formula. DH returns to work next week and I don't know how I will ever be able to keep up pumping, take care of a two year old, and the twins by myself. We have one more week on my profession pump rental. I had considered pumping and freezing as much milk as I can for the next week and then gradually stop pumping. I was going to ration out the frozen milk so that the twins got a few ounces each day for as long as it last. So that they are at least getting a little breast milk each day. Do you think it will make a difference if I do it that way, I want them to still get the benefits of the breast milk but I have no clue if a few oz a day like that will matter or not. Am I crazy?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: @Emerald27 and any other BF experts
I admire how hard your working on this!! Great job!
I think it would be a good idea to try to decide what your immediate goal is regarding breastfeeding your babies: how long would you like them to get your milk? Do you want to EP or nurse them? Do you want them to exclusively get breastmilk or do you want to combination feed? If you have a goal or set of goals in mind to work toward, once you reach them, you can reassess and make a change or continue what you're doing and set new goals.
This info is regarding increasing your supply so you can EP for your babies:
First, I know it's rough with the babies and the toddler, but if you can pump more frequently, that will help increase your supply. I would aim for every 2 hours. You can also add occasional short pumping sessions (5min) in between. These help boost your supply.
Lots of skin-to-skin contact can help increase your supply. And nursing one baby while pumping the other side can increase your yield.
Before pumping, lean over and gently shake your breasts. Massage your breasts and do breast compressions while pumping. Let me know if you need more info about how to do compressions, and I can give you some links and a video by Dr. Jack Newman.
Increase your calorie and good fat intake. Breastfeeding moms of singletons need an extra 300-500 calories per day...so imagine how many calories the mother of multiples needs! Eat lots of healthy snacks throughout the day, and drink to thirst. You may find that you're more thirsty than usual, especially while pumping. Keep water next to the pump so that you can drink as you need.
Check out the book "Mothering Multiples." It has lots of great info!!
https://www.amazon.com/Mothering-Multiples-Breastfeeding-Caring-International/dp/0976896931
ETA: You may also want to try "cluster pumping" every few days. For an hour or two (when you can find one!) pump every 20 minutes for 5-10 minutes. These sessions of frequent stimulation can simulate growth spurts and cause a supply increase.
Increasing Pump Yield:
https://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/MaxProduction.html
https://www.nancymohrbacher.com/blog/2012/6/27/to-pump-more-milk-use-hands-on-pumping.html
Resources for MoMs:
https://www.karengromada.com
You may find some interesting and encouraging stories and tips here:
https://themilkmeg.com/category/breastfeeding-triplets/
When I was nursing they were still hungry after eating from one breast, and since I couldn't offer the other breast I would end up having to make formula. Then if they didn't nurse well I would have to pump anyway. From start to finish it was taking me 1.5 to 2 hrs and they are on a 3 hour schedule.
I think my only goal at this point is to provide breast milk as long as I can without neglecting anyone. Which is my biggest issue at the moment. I know my toddler is bored and wants more attention and that is hard to deal with.
I will look over the links and see if I can boost my supply some more. I just keep thinking how much easier this would have been if they had taken to the breast and I had been able to tandem feed.
How old is your toddler? Many many STMs find the time that they're feeding baby/babies to be difficult on their older child, whether they're nursing, pumping, or formula feeding. Babies just need so so much, and feeding them takes lots of time, effort, and attention. Many moms find themselves at a loss for how to meet their toddler's needs while feeding their newborn(s). All that is to say that you are most definitely NOT alone!!
Some mothers find that reserving special toys, activities, snacks, books, or whatever floats your kid's boat, JUST for nursing/pumping/feeding, keeps the toddler happily occupied long enough to get through it. In my not-so-exemplary case, I use TV. :-<
Perhaps DH could help you make a bin or bag for your toddler's
pumping time activities, and change it up every week or every few days. Include a coloring book and crayons, playdoh, a puzzle, etc.
I've also found for my DS that toys like blocks or duplos, trains and tracks, and other toys that require setting up or some sort of assembly keep his attention better than toys that just require him to use his imagination.
I like the bin idea, especially for playdoh and colors. When we do those during the day I normally make him sit in his high chair so that might be a way to contain him for a few pumping sessions.
@amyg Thanks for all of the suggestions and information. The twins were born at 37 weeks and were in the NICU for 8 days. They were a decent size and have had good gains so we have not had to worry about that aspect. I also thought 3-4oz of breast milk was a lot since they are only 3 weeks old.
@ginabina11 A family friend contacted me last night when she found out I was struggling with pumping. She volunteers at the local WIC office and offers training to new moms who want/need to EP. She said that in order for babies to see any benefit from breast milk they need at least 2oz a day. She also gave me a link for a video about paced feeding, which is supposed to help more closely mimick the flow of breast milk from the nipple so infants dont over eat breast milk from the bottle. I can send you the link if you are interested. I don't know if it applies to formula feeding since the volume amounts/requirements for breast milk and formula are different.