BF weeklish thread

[PriceBabies]

growth spurts - I hope they slow down soon...Donald is over 12lb and Letha is over 10lb!!!!

introducing bottles - They have taken a bottle since birth...I got lucky and had no nipple confusion, even with Letha mainly bottle feed because of reflux (I add rice cereal to the bottles) she will latch on, which I try to do a couple time a week just to have the bonding time with her.

alcohol - not big drinker but do have a beer sometimes when we are over at the in-laws then just pump and dump like a hour later. I should try having one after the last feeding to see if it help with supply! Willing to try almost anything you know.
Amy- I am with you...drink a lot of caffeine, have to get up at 4am to get ready drop the babies off at either my sisters or In-laws and get to work around 7am...without it I could not function!!!!!

increasing supply - I am taking the 'More Milk Plus' as well and it has helped. I also have started to nurse frequently on the weekends when I am home. In 2 weeks I have come from pumping a total of 16oz at work to 24oz so I am getting there...just not producing enough just to stop supplmenting.

pacifiers - they love them but still do not hold on to them the greatest...we often have to hold it in their mouths other wise they spit it out and they get upset.


1. Does anyone have any goals for BF/pumping etc?
I am just going as long as I can handle it all, I do not want to set a goal because if I do not make it I will feel like I let them down (I know silly but I would! ) It is a lot to work and pump, then BF plus pump on the weekend so I have BM for them on Monday. I had trouble finding the time to pump before I went back to work and so I never build up a frozen supply of BM.

2. Has anyone heard of d-mer? no sorry

[smingalls96]

My Pediatrician told me to drink a beer a day...to help with supply and reduce any anxiety I have had supply issues from the start. Have done Fenugreek, Reglan which did work. We are still supplementing a couple bottles of formula to get them used to the bottle, plus the night time bottle helps them sleep longer (5hrs a night).

I am having a hard time pumping. I go back to work in 2 weeks and I am not able to pump any appreciable amount of BM. The LC said I might not be able to get much until I go back to work since they are eating all the time, but even if I've gone 4hrs, I don't get much, it's like I can't let down...any tips appreciated.

Mine like a pacifier OK if my husband or I hold it in their mouth, they can't keep it in on their own yet which kind of defeats the purpose.

BF goals- as long as we can. I am a Pediatric Dietitian and I know the benefits well for both them and myself. It's hard but both my husband and I know it's worth it, but we also don't beat ourselves up over using some occasional formula.

[PriceBabies]

Originally Posted by smingalls96

I am having a hard time pumping. I go back to work in 2 weeks and I am not able to pump any appreciable amount of BM. The LC said I might not be able to get much until I go back to work since they are eating all the time, but even if I've gone 4hrs, I don't get much, it's like I can't let down...any tips appreciated.

I have a picture of the twins with me at work...when at home I pump with me right in front of me. I also try to relax as much as possible...hands free bra helps with this (the first week I was back at work I fell asleep pumping because I had my eyes close to relax and did not have the hands free yet...the pump came unsuctioned from me had BM all over me for the rest of the day! )

[Sue S.]

Natalie and Ethan are now "winning" and eating more than I can produce. So far I haven't had to supplement with formula-I've got a bunch of frozen breast milk still in the freezer. I have to thaw out some every day to make up the difference between what I produce and what they need. I have kind of a unique situation-because my babies were premature they need to be supplemented with a special formula for preemies mixed into their breast milk to increase the calorie content and nutrients. Natalie needs a minimum of 4 bottles a day of that mix, and I can nurse her the rest of the time (I actually give her more bottles than that, though, because I am working full time and dh and I split the night feedings). I can only nurse Ethan once per day as he is supposed to be nearly exclusively getting the fortified breast milk to help him grow so his lungs will grow and heal-he's still on oxygen.
I can't remember who asked about getting more milk from one side-I definitely do.
My goal is to breast feed (or feed EBM) exclusively for 6 months and then play it by ear from there. Not sure if I'll make it since my milk supply has dropped and the babies' eating has increased. I will certainly breast feed for at least 6 months, even if I end up supplementing with formula before that time.
I'm trying really hard not to be disappointed to not be keeping up with them anymore. I was hoping to be able to hang onto my frozen stash awhile longer. . .

[SistaRaven]

Hi everyone, I would like to join your thread. My boys are 8 weeks old, they were born at 38w 2days and were 4lbs 9oz and 5lbs

how's the oversupply going?
I have a bit of an oversupply problem, sometimes it goes so fast that they can't keep up with it. They have to take a little break and then they just get sprayed all over before I have time to stop the leak. Jaxsen has gotten really good at just covering the nipple with his mouth when he takes a break and slurping up the extra before he latches back on again, but I think it makes it hard for them to latch well and get a rhythm going because my breast is so firm and the spray is so forceful. I thought about pumping and storing my extra, but I was afraid it would make more of an oversupply problem, plus then all my stored milk would be foremilk.... also I think they need extra drinks of foremilk for hydration during the day because it is so hot here. So I guess we are just adjusting.. I'm quicker at plugging the leak and they are covering and slurping so they don't get sprayed in the face. The other problem though, is that they have huge burps and swallow a lot of air when it is forceful.... any thoughts?

growth spurts

I'm a little worried here because, although they were different at birth, their two first doctor visits they were the same 5lbs 11oz at three weeks, 6lbs 8oz at four weeks, and then suddenly at six weeks Jaxsen was 8lbs 7oz and Mason was only 8lbs 2oz. Maybe Jax had a growth spurt first?? They are identical, but have very different eating habits. I was afraid I was influencing them in two ways: first, I often gave them their preferred breast and then Mason wasn't getting enough, so now I've been really careful about giving them each different breasts and rotating. Secondly, Mason eats a lot more slowly then Jaxsen, so with Jax waiting or when I feed simultaneously I have to move around to burp Jax I am afraid I encourage Mase to quit earlier than he would if I wasn't wiggling. I've been really trying to let him eat as much as he will, but then I'll go to sleep at night with him nursing and wake up an hour and a half later and he's still latched and doing those little flutter sucks... does he get anything from that? Anyway.. I know they could just be different sizes, but I wonder if I am influencing them, or if Mason is on a different growth spurt schedule.

introducing bottles

We have done bottles a couple of times when I had a big horseback ride to do and was going to be away through a feeding. They take them okay but it seems like they eat less.

alcohol

I was so excited for my beer a day, but then even though I waited through the 2 hours to feed them they would get really fussy about four hours later... sigh... I'll have the rest of my life to enjoy a nice dark beer every once in a while

increasing supply

I think so... not pumping regularly enough to tell, but they are still gaining about 2 oz a day, so I think it is good.

pacifiers

I started with them around 4 weeks. Seems to help a lot with gas and occasionally boredom. Careful not to overuse them, but at night, when one wakes up in the middle of the other's feeding they can be a lifesaver to get that extra ten minutes so he can have his turn. PS I find it easier to nurse them separately at night and simultaneously during the day... that way I can lie down. Anyone found a way to nurse simultaneously in the sidelying position? I think about it all the time but haven't come up with one.

Incidentally I've never heard of Dmer.

I really want to breastfeed for a year without supplementing with formula... that is my goal.

Also.. my first four days in the hospital were a nursing seminar as I didn't really wear a gown (why... I don't know but it makes sense for skin to skin) but it would be really nice to do another one... everything has changed since they have gotten bigger. What are you ladies' favorite positions for tandem nursing?

[SistaRaven]

Hi everyone, I would like to join your thread. My boys are 8 weeks old, they were born at 38w 2days and were (Jaxsen) 4lbs 9oz and (Mason) 5lbs

how's the oversupply going?
I have a bit of an oversupply problem, sometimes it goes so fast that they can't keep up with it. They have to take a little break and then they just get sprayed all over before I have time to stop the leak. Jaxsen has gotten really good at just covering the nipple with his mouth when he takes a break and slurping up the extra before he latches back on again, but I think it makes it hard for them to latch well and get a rhythm going because my breast is so firm and the spray is so forceful. I thought about pumping and storing my extra, but I was afraid it would make more of an oversupply problem, plus then all my stored milk would be foremilk.... also I think they need extra drinks of foremilk for hydration during the day because it is so hot here. So I guess we are just adjusting.. I'm quicker at plugging the leak and they are covering and slurping so they don't get sprayed in the face. The other problem though, is that they have huge burps and swallow a lot of air when it is forceful.... any thoughts?

growth spurts

I'm a little worried here because, although they were different at birth, their two first doctor visits they were the same 5lbs 11oz at three weeks, 6lbs 8oz at four weeks, and then suddenly at six weeks Jaxsen was 8lbs 7oz and Mason was only 8lbs 2oz. Maybe Jax had a growth spurt first?? They are identical, but have very different eating habits. I was afraid I was influencing them in two ways: first, I often gave them their preferred breast and then Mason wasn't getting enough, so now I've been really careful about giving them each different breasts and rotating. Secondly, Mason eats a lot more slowly then Jaxsen, so with Jax waiting or when I feed simultaneously I have to move around to burp Jax I am afraid I encourage Mase to quit earlier than he would if I wasn't wiggling. I've been really trying to let him eat as much as he will, but then I'll go to sleep at night with him nursing and wake up an hour and a half later and he's still latched and doing those little flutter sucks... does he get anything from that? Anyway.. I know they could just be different sizes, but I wonder if I am influencing them, or if Mason is on a different growth spurt schedule.

introducing bottles

We have done bottles a couple of times when I had a big horseback ride to do and was going to be away through a feeding. They take them okay but it seems like they eat less.

alcohol

I was so excited for my beer a day, but then even though I waited through the 2 hours to feed them they would get really fussy about four hours later... sigh... I'll have the rest of my life to enjoy a nice dark beer every once in a while

increasing supply

I think so... not pumping regularly enough to tell, but they are still gaining about 2 oz a day, so I think it is good.

pacifiers

I started with them around 4 weeks. Seems to help a lot with gas and occasionally boredom. Careful not to overuse them, but at night, when one wakes up in the middle of the other's feeding they can be a lifesaver to get that extra ten minutes so he can have his turn. PS I find it easier to nurse them separately at night and simultaneously during the day... that way I can lie down. Anyone found a way to nurse simultaneously in the sidelying position? I think about it all the time but haven't come up with one.

Incidentally I've never heard of Dmer.

I really want to breastfeed for a year without supplementing with formula... that is my goal.

Also.. my first four days in the hospital were a nursing seminar as I didn't really wear a gown (why... I don't know but it makes sense for skin to skin) but it would be really nice to do another one... everything has changed since they have gotten bigger. What are you ladies' favorite positions for tandem nursing?

[dancingmom]

Originally Posted by SistaRaven

Hi everyone, I would like to join your thread. My boys are 8 weeks old, they were born at 38w 2days and were (Jaxsen) 4lbs 9oz and (Mason) 5lbs

how's the oversupply going?
I have a bit of an oversupply problem, sometimes it goes so fast that they can't keep up with it. I thought about pumping and storing my extra, but I was afraid it would make more of an oversupply problem, plus then all my stored milk would be foremilk.... also I think they need extra drinks of foremilk for hydration during the day because it is so hot here. So I guess we are just adjusting.. I'm quicker at plugging the leak and they are covering and slurping so they don't get sprayed in the face. The other problem though, is that they have huge burps and swallow a lot of air when it is forceful.... any thoughts?

What are you ladies' favorite positions for tandem nursing?

So glad you have joined us! I had the same oversupply problem with my singletone, unfortunately not with the twins. My lac consultant said I should hand express a little before feeding so I wasn't so full. It made it easier to latch and he didn't get such a milk bath. My problem was that it was still too much for him and he relaxed his suck so my supply dropped quickly and I ended up using formula after only 2 months. I would talk to an LC and see what they say.

I do a few positions for tandem feeding. If they both start at the same time I use the football hold for both. If I am already feeding one in a cradle hold and the other gets hungry, I keep the first one in the cradle and use the football hold with the second.

[WishinIwasInCA]

SistaRaven,

From what my LC said and experience my milk supply regualted to my boys needs sometime around the 3mo mark. At the 2mo mark, I'm with you I didn't want to pump because I didn't want to end up with more milk. I'm with Torrey that hand expressing is a better idea for softening and relieveing engorgement. I also have milk in my freezer which is just foremilk from trying to relieve middle of the night engorgement. And my littler one still doesn't BF like his brother but it has progressively gotten better. So hopefully the same will also happen for you. Overall, I don't think the forcefull let down goes away, they just get better at dealing with it. Mine still get the occational milk bath if they pull off.

I don't have any advice on the ammount of air they swollow, but it seems to go hand and hand with over supply.

And for us I only tandem using my EZ2nurse pillow....so double football. I wish there was a good way to tandem nurse while laying down. I did read about one position in a LLL handout.....but I have no idea if it would really work.

[mom2ngj]

I tandem fed in Recovery after my C-Section laying down. They were propped on pillows on either side. I don't know how that would work by yourself or at this age. I had help from the nurses and DH.

[momta5vs]

There was a lady in my moms of multiples group who would sleep in a recliner, and she would position them so they could both eat and they would just wake up and eat during the night and she would just sleep. I don't think I would get very good sleep that way but it seemed to work for her.

[Sue S.]

Originally Posted by Nicole734

growth spurts:

On a side note
Delaney is latching sucking, and pulling off then latching sucking a little more and pulling off then repeat. Anyone else have this? It makes it so hard to feed her.

Ethan does this, and it DOES make it very hard to nurse! I am only able to nurse him once per day (due to him getting fortified breast milk to up the calories). Natalie is on formula for now due to blood in her stools, and with Ethan only able to nurse once per day his nursing ends up being more of a way to boost my milk supply than being a full feeding for him.

[karen_p]

welcome! I'm glad you are joining us.

I bookmarked this cite ages ago, but I haven't looked at it too much. It has a bunch of pictures of women tandem nursing. I'm planning to look at it in the future when the little ones have more head control. Right now I feed them one at a time, except the last feed at night - which is a marathon 45 minute tandem feed with the EZ-2 Nurse pillow - football hold.

http://www.karengromada.com/karengro...otos/index.htm

I wouldn't worry about the differences in weight - unless they aren't growing, but from what you described - to go from 6 1/2 pounds, to 8 pounds in 2 weeks is still a huge weight gain. Mine were only 4oz different at birth. At 2 months, there was a pound and a half difference between the two.

I was switching breasts every feed, but I found it too difficult to keep track. Now I give one baby the right breast for the day, and the next day he gets the left, and vice versa. I wear a ring and switch hands to remember which breast the babies go on.

I didn't wear a gown the first couple of days at the hospital either I told my girl friends that if I'd realized I'd be so darn naked in front of everyone, I might have eaten less icecream - but probably not.