Hi, all! I'm currently 37 weeks pregnant with my twins and anxiously expecting their arrival in the next few weeks. I've spent a lot of time during this pregnancy stressing about the mechanics of breast feeding two. I'm terrified to fail at it! I've read Mothering Multiples (twice!), met with a lactation consultant, listened to the Twintalks breast feeding podcasts, and taken a breast feeding class (though it was geared towards parents expecting singletons).
Currently I'm making a list of things that are "normal" (ie nursing strikes, growth spurts, etc) so that in my sleep deprived state, I don't assume I'M the problem when little issues arise. I'm looking to add little tips and advice from MoMs who have BTDT. What piece of advice would you give a new MoM about breast feeding? What thing(s) do you wish you knew when you were first starting out on your BFing journey? Any words of encouragement?
Thanks!
Re: Breast feeding tips and advice
#1 BFP 1/10/11; missed m/c discovered 7w5d
IF Dx: Endo, hetero MTHFR mutation, poor morphology
#1 IUI: 1/18/12 = BFN
#1 IVF/ICSI 4/2/12 = 2 x 7-cell and 1 x 5-cell transferred (3dt) = BFP!!
H was born at 41w2d on 12/29/12 - be still my heart!
#2 IVF/ICSI 1/19/14 = 2 x 8 cells transferred (3dt) = BFP!! EDD 10/09/14
M&W born at 37 weeks on 9/18/14 - I am the momma of 3 boys!!!
My oldest was a 37w (twins were 34w and in the NICU w NG tubes) and near-term babies tend to be very sleepy. Ask for tips on how to keep them awake and eating.
Remember that their stomachs are the size of marbles in the beginning. You don't need to produce a lot to fill that and it is totally normal to feed every 1.5-2 hrs. Also normal for feeding to last 30-45min. Because of that, I highly recommend tandem bc otherwise feeding is constant. It may take a few days for your milk to come in (mine took 5 days, which is on the longer end).
It's not pain-free, but it's also temporary. I loved gel pads on my nips to get me through the first couple weeks. Lanolin also works.
The first 2 weeks and then the first 6 weeks are rough. It gets better. So so so much better. Never quit on a bad day and don't be afraid to ask for help.
I nursed my oldest for 20mo and the twins for 14mo. You can do it!
At night, I went with whoever woke up first. The other one would get a diaper change also and then would fed as well.
Have H help at night. Have him get the babies, change them and bring them to you to nurse. Have him help you out them back in their cribs or whatever and have him soothe back to sleep if they don't fall asleep right away (they will in the beginning).
You'll find your groove. Different things work for different people.
- spend time with a LC in the hospital focusing on latch
- get some gel pads (medela makes some) now; they work way better than lanolin and really help with the discomfort in the first few weeks (by the way the discomfort gors away with time)
-in the beginning you will nurse all the time- literally- someone other than you needs to cook, clean, and manage everything other than nursing
-if possible avoid bottles, formula, nipple shields and anything else that can interfere with the latch
Good luck
OUBU didn't work for us either- educate yourself but trust your instincts too.
TTC #2 since July 2010
March 2012 IVF (MDL Protocol) Started stims 3/3; ER 3/11 (9R, 8M, 7F) ET 3/16 (5dt of 2 blasts graded 3AB and 3BA, 3 frosties(!!) Beta 3/26 = 386; Beta 3/28 = 827; u/s 4/11 says TWINS! Boy/Girl Twins delivered at 36 weeks 6 days
8/15 FET #1 - transferred 1 thawed embryo - Pregnant with Baby C, it's a girl! Due April 2016.
8/15 FET #1 - transferred 1 thawed embryo - Pregnant with Baby C, it's a girl! Due April 2016.
Also, for my boys it has worked better to have each boy on their own side. I was doing this for the majority of feeds but then thought I should switch it up so their necks wouldn't get so used to turning to one side. So for an entire 24 hrs I put them on their opposite sides. Big mistake! Each breast had already adjusted itself to the way the boys eat (one eats more less frequently and the other less more frequently) so I ended up getting slightly engorged again and my one baby was getting frustrated because there was too much milk.
Oh and one last thing, make sure you have a ton of easy to grab snacks around. You will have very little time to prepare food but will need a lot of extra calories to feed the babies. I keep losing weight which isn't good! Keep snacks near your nursing stations! I eat a ton of trail mix at night.
Bringing them both home...UPDATE...The girls are home!!! 1/7/15 after 20 days in the NICU!