Hi Joanne and Bilinda!
I had a couple minutes and wanted to pop in. Thanks so much for the encouraging words. I seem to need lots of them these days.
I'm doing better though. Must be the sun we've been getting lately and the fact that the twins are going about 3 hours between feedings now giving me the opportunity to grab a little sleep in between a bit.
Here is whats been happening... unfortunately both nipples went through a world war and had to go off-limits to the twins for a while to heal. (It never ceases to amaze me the things I feel comfortable discussing on-line. haha) In the meantime, I've been pumping at every feeding. One of the times early on freaked me out because when I started pumping I was actually pumping blood before it turned back over to milk. Thankfully, that happened quickly before I could freak my hubby out too! Though when he saw the blood in the bottle he wanted to take me to a doctor.
That was the only instance of pumping blood. (The thought of raising little vampires enters my mind. Haha I think I know what to dress them up in at Halloween. Just kidding!!!)
I've had lots of input from lactation consultants at the hospital and the visiting nurse whom I still have a couple more visits with, and the pediatritions office. I've also just gotten the number to our local Le Leche League who I plan to call soon. They have been so supportive and have told me not to beat myself up. I'm doing the best I can and while out of commission for now, I'm still providing them with breastmilk. I plan to try them back up very soon. We have been supplimenting with a little formula at night in the hopes of getting them more satisfied longer to afford us a little more sleep. We've been mixing it half and half. Half BM and half formula at night. I've been able to bank up a little BM in the freezer to use when I go back in for my second surgery on the 30th. I'll be having my right hand done for carpal tunnel and dequarveins release.
I'm hoping to try the twins on breastfeeding tomorrow. Only one at first to see how tender I am. If it works out, then I'll do both. I'm just hoping they haven't forgotten how to latch on. I've been watching the way they take the bottle and it has me a little worried. They don't open their mouths up very wide anymore and tend to suck the bottle nipple in. I think I'm going to be very challenged trying to get them latched on again. Any advice?
I had my 6 week check up at the OB's office and am released. A bittersweet moment. My C-section incision is still healing, but doing very well.
I should go. I'm seeing some activity from Marisa and Jacob that is telling me it will be feeding time soon.
Take care!!