Lisa 1021

joannaLA · #1 (**permalink**) 03-18-2005, 11:19 PM

I'm glad to hear your surgery went well.

I don't claim to know what the twin experience is like. I'm sure it's way harder. Maybe you can supplement with formula every other feeding. I can image keeping two fed would be hard to keep up with. It seems like it would be hard to produce that much milk all the time.

Try to hang in there with the breastfeeding. The first few months are hard whether you're breastfeeding or not. You need to surround yourself with women who can encourage you. If you have any lactation consultants or a La Leche League in your area....call them.

I had blisters and bleeding on and off in the beginning. Also, she didn't latch on for 3 weeks. I was in pain and in tears. With a lot of encouragment and several lactation consultants it all got to be so much better! It's healthier for the babies and you. Also, you'll loose your weight much faster. Just try and get over the hump. Formula moms aren't sleeping anymore than you are.

The first three months are tough no matter what. The babies need to be changed and fed round the clock and they just don't sleep for very long. I remember crying just because I felt like I was going crazy because I hadn't slept in almost 3 months. My formula-mom friends were just as tired.

Your nipples need more time to get callus and they'll stop hurting and blistering. Remember, when they wake up you just have to whip them out to feed. I would lay in bed with her and be half awake. If it was formula, I would have had to go down stairs, mix and heat a bottle and let her cry for 10 minutes and she would have been really awake. With breastfeeding, I latched her on within a minute she was eating and would go right back to sleep.

Oh, I hated the nipple shields. They gave them to me in the hospital and I got blisters from them. My lactation consultant said it can cause nipple counfusion for the baby. She started latching on better once I got rid of them. If Sue liked them, give them a try. Everyone is different.

Just remember, if you do decide to switch to formula don't feel bad. We all do the best that we can. You know your limits and don't beat yourself up if this isn't working. Babies just need lots of love.

Babydust!
joanne

Bilinda · #2 (**permalink**) 03-20-2005, 12:59 PM

Hi Lisa,

I am sorry to see you are getting very sore. I am sure it has to be much harder with two little ones nursing. I am glad you are still able to pump and hopefully in a few days you can go back to breast feeding. I think I told you before that I mostly breast fed in the beginning but switched to some formula after the first few weeks. Amelia seemed to sleep better after that. I still needed to get up in the early am for a about a week to pump because I was making so much milk that I would start leaking. It worked out ok though because I froze all of that to use at daycare when I went back to work.

I am glad to finally get the chance to chat with you. Our computer was in for repair for over a week. We got a new computer and I finally got this site put back on my favorites. This new monitor is great, our other one is really small and old. We have the old computer hooked up for the kids and their games since we were able to get it fixed.

Still waiting for spring here but we do get to go to Florida in two weeks so we are all looking forward to that. Hope to hear from you soon.

Bilinda

Lisa1021 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-21-2005, 02:01 PM

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!!