Is it possible to BF 8 babies?

BabyCakes3 · January 2009

I mean, I thought I was BF'ing 24/7 when DD was born. And when she was hungry, she wanted to eat right then. I couldn't have done it with 2, much less 8.

I guess she will just sit in the rocking chair & let people swap the babies out for her. Like an assembly line!

6fsn · January 2009

It's possible if you're a labrador.

CometsMom · January 2009

I can't see it being possible. I would think she would have to primarily pump because there are too many to make sure they each have enough time at the breast to?adequately?feed.

lpennie16 · January 2009

I don't think you'd have enough BM for 8. I guess I would just pump and supplement with formula so all babies are at least getting some BM.

AndysKandi · January 2009

I'm thinking she may also get help from donated milk.

My SIL has a friend with triplets, and she was BFing exclusively but still used donated milk from my SIL as well (SIL is lucky to have mega-supply, both that time and now with #2 who was born on Christmas). And that was only to feed 3! lol

nbjenni · January 2009

I know several triplet moms who have pumped. It is all about supply and demand!

Schwandy · January 2009

6fsn:
It's possible if you're a labrador.

LMAO

OUMedBride · January 2009

6fsn:
It's possible if you're a labrador.

LMAO!!

Mrs.Towny · January 2009

It is totally suppy and demand. I produced more than enough for my 2 and I would tandem bf them all the time. I am sure that it will be a long hard road for her, and she may need to supplement, but it is possible

CaitlinJ22 · January 2009

a lady with 5 babies did--jenny something--she would bf each baby once a day and supplement--she lost like 70 lbs like that.

Alexandria Campbell · January 2009

Every book I have read on breastfeeding talks about your body producing exactly what you need. If she puts all 8 babies to her breast her body is going to make enough for 8 babies. I think she is very brave to take on such a huge task of breastfeeding all 8 of her kids. Just because she has a lot doesn't mean that she should have to miss out on that experience and that her babies have to miss out on the benefits. Tired I'm sure she'll be, but if she can do that imagine what it'll do for her self esteem. Kind of empowering.

CaitlinJ22 · January 2009

AllyLeighAnn:
Every book I have read on breastfeeding talks about your body producing exactly what you need. If she puts all 8 babies to her breast her body is going to make enough for 8 babies. I think she is very brave to take on such a huge task of breastfeeding all 8 of her kids. Just because she has a lot doesn't mean that she should have to miss out on that experience and that her babies have to miss out on the benefits. Tired I'm sure she'll be, but if she can do that imagine what it'll do for her self esteem. Kind of empowering.

agreed--but that means feeding 8-12 times a day times 8 babies= a mom who is always bfing--yikes!

Court0026 · January 2009

I just have to say God love her for trying. Even if she can do it for a couple of weeks hopefully she will feel successful.

OUMedBride · January 2009

Mrs.Towny:
It is totally suppy and demand. I produced more than enough for my 2 and I would tandem bf them all the time. I am sure that it will be a long hard road for her, and she may need to supplement, but it is possible

Right, but tandem bf'ing was possible for you. Unless she's got an extra 6 boobs lying around, it's not for her. Because people weren't meant to have litters.

Alexandria Campbell · January 2009

CaitlinJ22:

AllyLeighAnn:
Every book I have read on breastfeeding talks about your body producing exactly what you need. If she puts all 8 babies to her breast her body is going to make enough for 8 babies. I think she is very brave to take on such a huge task of breastfeeding all 8 of her kids. Just because she has a lot doesn't mean that she should have to miss out on that experience and that her babies have to miss out on the benefits. Tired I'm sure she'll be, but if she can do that imagine what it'll do for her self esteem. Kind of empowering.

agreed--but that means feeding 8-12 times a day times 8 babies= a mom who is always bfing--yikes!

Yeah feeding just one is tiring enough!

Alexandria Campbell · January 2009

OUMedBride:

Mrs.Towny:
It is totally suppy and demand. I produced more than enough for my 2 and I would tandem bf them all the time. I am sure that it will be a long hard road for her, and she may need to supplement, but it is possible

Right, but tandem bf'ing was possible for you. Unless she's got an extra 6 boobs lying around, it's not for her. Because people weren't meant to have litters.

Her babies aren't animlas therefore they are not a litter. You can't put in "special request" when getting pregnant. She got what she got. Maybe breastfeeding 8 babies isn't for you, but maybe it's right for her.

LucyPevensie · January 2009

You know what - no - it's not possible. The human body is prepared to feed one, maybe two babies. Triplets possibly. But it is NOT prepared to feed eight babies and I'm going to go out on a limb and say no, in this case, I don't care if she were to put all 8 to her boob at different intervals (literally 24/7 - which in itself is impossible because at some point she'll have to eat, and go the bathroom) - I don't see how her body could keep up with the demand. We are not designed to feed 8 babies. NOT criticizing her - I used fertility treatments to conceive my 1 baby and was lucky I only ended up with one.

I am sure she can provide bm to her babies. But not enough to solely sustain them on bm.

BetchySprout · January 2009

CaitlinJ22:
a lady with 5 babies did--jenny something--she would bf each baby once a day and supplement--she lost like 70 lbs like that.

Do you mean the one that was on TLC that has kids with horrible K names? I liked the family, hated the choice of names. There is a great weight loss program though!

Alexandria Campbell · January 2009

LucyPevensie:

You know what - no - it's not possible. The human body is prepared to feed one, maybe two babies. Triplets possibly. But it is NOT prepared to feed eight babies and I'm going to go out on a limb and say no, in this case, I don't care if she were to put all 8 to her boob at different intervals (literally 24/7 - which in itself is impossible because at some point she'll have to eat, and go the bathroom) - I don't see how her body could keep up with the demand. We are not designed to feed 8 babies. NOT criticizing her - I used fertility treatments to conceive my 1 baby and was lucky I only ended up with one.

I am sure she can provide bm to her babies. But not enough to solely sustain them on bm.

The news article was not specific in breaking down her schedule with the babies. It simply said that she plans on breastfeeding. Breastfeeding looks different to every women. Some switch back and forth, some only do it at night, some only breastfeed for the first week. Maybe she plans on nursing once a day and formula feed the rest of the time. We don't know And our bodies are amazing things, you can't put limits on it.

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