Feb/Mar Chatty thread

[Care75]

Not a lot of time to respond individually- sorry!

Yesterday was I swear the WORST day of my life. The hormones kicked in on top of no sleep- and NO nursery to send them to for a couple hours of sleep between feedings.

Last night and today were soooooo much better!

Harper and Jackson are CONSTANTLY switching personalities at under a week old. Just when I think I know who the mellow one is...

Moms who breastfeed- especially those with twins... I don't know who to ask because all the books and the Lactation consultants have a different theory. Seriously, we saw 4 different ones in the hospital who all had different theories/philosophies! Anyway, I've been pumping 6X per day after feedings to increase my supply, and I've been supplementing with this milk too at every other feeding. My milk is finally established, and they are starting to get enough at each feeding. What should I do? Also, have you been successful at tandum feedings. I may try to start this weekend.

Swell- hang in there with the itching!

[bamamoms]

Care it will get better, just remember this stage will pass. The 3 to 6 a.m. Was always my lowest point. Keep pumping! I did after every feeding (only one of mine latched) after about 6 weeks I was freezing milk. You all are going to get through this.

[2moms2be]

I did tandem at first cause it took them soooooo long to eat, but I stopped doing it once they got faster at finishing their meal. I did not like tandem feeding cause they would pop off and it was hard to get one back on while keeping the other on etc etc.

I would keep pumping. If you are able to feed them without pumping, then maybe cutt back to 4 times a day or even two. Having too much milk has its own issues.

Mine switch personalities daily still!

[AussieJenn]

Firstly, sorry about the length of this post, I’m feeling chatty today – and there is nobody around for me to talk to!

Carrie - I remember well how incredibly difficult and TIRING bringing a newborn home was, and OVERWHELMING, although can't imagine what it would be like with 2 babies! Also those hormones in the early days/weeks are awful. I spent many days/nights in tears. It's just the way of it for many of us new moms. It doesn't help if you are b/feeding AND pumping (and times 2!), it really doesn't leave for any rest time does it?! Personally, I recommend continuing some pumping, but only during the day, to get up a little supply in the freezer (as bamamoms said), but forget about it during the night. You really need to grab some shut-eye when you can. Pumping, and all the sterilizing that goes with it can really eat into the small amount of rest time. What’s the situation with your nursery? Not that the babies need much, just a cozy crib (to share?). We had Mason in our room for a while, but actually found he did better sleeping (or rather I did as I didn't jump on every tiny sound/movement) in a separate room. Noise from us was never an issue, we started off as we meant to continue, with a noisy (music, talking, kitchen noises etc) household during the day, so that he got used to sleeping no matter the noise. It's paid off for sure. Good luck with the tandem feeding, I remember seeing our friend tandem feed her twins, in the footy-hold style - on pillows. Of course she needed somebody to hand the babies to her, so not sure how it works if you on your own. I do hope you are able to get some sleep btwn feeds. Thinking of you!

Suellen - I'm sorry about that awful itching, it sounds terrible. I too was thinking PUPPS, not that I know anything about it - just remember other pg women complaining of dreadful itching and a diagnosis of PUPPS. Does anything soothe it? Cool or tepid water? Slathering on cream? I too recommend Palmers Cocoa lotion. Hope the itching is only temporary and you get relief soon.

Laura - "pig-dog" - poor kid! Hope that one doesn't stick for too long Good weight gain, well done Caleb and mom! Now just for her to be able to get some sleep btwn those feeds! I hope Caleb soon settles into a pattern of 3 or 4 hourly feeding. For a while there Mason was constantly feeding - it totally exhausted me. Lack of sleep is what stands out the most in my description of motherhood!

Dawn - You are getting so close to holding your baby! How exciting. That shower sounded great, I like the wording of the invites, including both of you, and also the gift cards. We don't "do" showers much in Australia - I'm a bit envious! Although we still got lots of gifts for Mason, so I don't really grumble! Gift giving is saved until after the baby/ies are born. So it usually is clothing or toys as all the other stuff is already bought! I hope you share some pics of all you've gotten prepared already. I just love to see nurseries or pics of piles of baby stuff. I so enjoyed that preparation myself.
I too am sorry about the loss of your Grandpa, I think that idea of him now spending some special time alone with Olivia before she arrives, truly touching.

Alita and Jessica - we too had far too many clothes for Mason. In fact that continued from the tiny newborn right up to his current size (4). We are only just now learning how to minimize clothing purchases and waiting to see what others give him for his birthday etc. We have found a few boys younger than Mason, that aren't as lucky as Mason, and have been "handing down" - many unworn!

Jessica I like that idea you have for the “next time shower” – medical/health items. Actually though, we didn’t use many of those items either, only the nail clippers, and gripe water. What we did need plenty of was burp cloths. We still to this day carry around a moistened flannel washer in a ziplock wherever we go – we have stacks of the little squares!

Alita I hope that the 3 hours between feeds continues, and in fact perhaps stretch out to 4 hours. Mason was a 4 hourly feeder, though of course those feeds often took almost an hour each, and then another hour to settle back to sleep at night! There really isn’t much time btwn for rest is there? I do hope you are managing at nights okay on your own.

Bamamoms – I found Mason’s personality seemed to constantly change in the first year of his life – until he settled into the “real” one – a very active, busy, needs-not-much-sleep, not cuddly, amusing little boy. It’s interesting watching them develop their own little “selves” isn’t it?

And finally, last but not least
Donna – CONGRATULATIONS on your twin pg. Very exciting. At least you know where you can find support and advice, being quite a few sets of twins born to this group. I hope you have a happy and healthy pg.

Okay enough from me! Back to work I go...

[A Squared]

Carrie, Can't help you with the breastfeeding question, as I am exclusively pumping still. I hope it works out for you. It's wonderful that they are able to get everything they need from breastfmilk and don't have to be supplemented. Way to go. I did have a friend who tandem feeds her twins but it took her a while to get comfortable enough with breastfeeding to do that. She said tandem feeding is the Ph.D. of breastfeeding.


Bama, At first I thought my little guy was a "mellow fellow" but lately he has been pretty high needs. I think he has some reflux that causes him discomfort and he gets on these inconsolable crying jags. It's just awful. What I thought was my feisty girl has turned into a mellow baby, although she has her moments. I'm sure things will change again eventually. I'm hoping that my little mellow boy comes back as soon as his digestive tract matures a little.

A PLUG FOR SWADDLING: I know we've discussed it here before, but I just want to say how great swaddling is. After someone suggested it to me a few weeks ago, I swaddled Lachlan a few times when he was crying and inconsolable. It worked but I still didn't try it too often. A few nights ago he was really fussy and moving a lot for an hour after we were trying to go to sleep, waking everyone up. I finally tried swaddling him and he fell asleep right away. It was so quick that I thought I killed him. I actually checked his breathing. I decided to swaddle him last night and ended up doing it for the entire night b/c he...well, he slept like a baby! I tried taking him out of the swaddle and he got really hyperactive and upset again. So, I think we found something that might help us get some sleep. He actually lasted 3 hours between all the feedings which is really great for him.

[2moms2be]

Swaddling ROCKS!! You cant keep them swaddled too long at that age.They spent 9 months in really tight quarters able to move with resistance and now they feel like they are falling, it has to be scarry for them. Once the girls got good head control I started napping them on their tummies (helped alot)cause I could check on them often. Now they are able to turn themselves over so I sleep them at night on their tummy so I no longer swaddle, and they are sleeping great. OHHHH, please dont hate me cause this will happen for you too (I swear) Last night they finally went down at 7-8pm and I slumber fed them at 9:30, didn't hear a peep till 6-7am!!!!!! I actually think I feel more tired after a full nights sleep. I think my body has gotten used to getting up at 4am.

[2moms2be]

Oh and here is how you can tandem feed without a helper.

Put both babies on the bed near you within reach (I used infant loungers, they are green and shaped like a boppy, but they have a bottom Got mine at Target) put your breast feeding pillow on (one that is made for twins) then put one baby on one side (not on breast yet and in the football hold) then reach over and grab the other baby and place her/him on the other side Not on breast yet. Now you put the harder to latch baby on first. I would then lift up that knee to support the baby at the breast on the pillow it also makes it where you can let go of that baby. So while you have that baby elevated with your knee you can latch the other baby on. At first I needed both hands to latch on the babies so the lifting the pillow with my knee to keep baby one latched was important.

HTH!!!

[Care75]

Patty- Thanks for the advice on the tandem feed. Planning on starting that as soon as the twin pillow arrives which will hopefully be today! Right now the feeding pumping cycle is taking 1 1/2 hours so anything I can do to help is good.

A- Swaddling is great. Mine love it. Jackson is a total ESCAPE artist though. He does much better in the "Swaddle Me" ones you can buy at BRU or at Target. It's like a built in swaddler with LOTS of velcro. Although they don't carry a premie size in the store. They are in the small ones, but we just use the velcro to get them snug as a bug. Makes it a lot easier. It's harder for him to get out of those!

Jenn- Thanks for all of your advice as well. I know this time will be the hardest. Susan had the day off work today- SNOW and ice- so it is nice to have her here instead of my mom and dad- who have been great BTW! But it's nice to have family time too!

Bama- Yes- I don't think I've slept between that time yet since we've been home. Actually, my lowest time is usually when DP gets home- I think that all the pressure from the day is over and I get weepy. I feel bad b/c she gets all of my emotions.

I think I have a bladder infection- lots of pressure when I pee. My doc called in a prescription. My back is killing me! I've been wearing the Glamour Mom tanks and I don't think they are supportive enough. I've got the real serious nursing bra on now- HTH!

Well, time to feed again. Gotta wake up a child now!

[bamamoms]

Care I remember dp coming home and me sitting on the couch crying with 2 babies crying right along with me. I was able to feed both by bottle with the greatest invention ever the boppy! We own 3 of them. I would put a baby on each beside me and sit in the middle. We use them now for floor time. As for swaddling my boys looked like burritos for the first 3-4 months. They were little at 4'11 and 5'4

[2moms2b]

Jennn- I love your long posts! I really like the idea of my grandpa playing with Olivia right now, too. It is getting close. I will post pictures of the nursery soon. It is awash in purple. (We called all the purple outfits we got nursery camo!)

A - I am IN with swaddling and she isn't even here yet. After listening to you all and friends, then reading "The Happiest Baby on the Block"... that does it. Burrito baby... here we come.

Patty - What is slumber feeding?

Bama - remind me how old our kiddos are? Glad to have a seasoned mom... especially for the all the twins.

Care - sorry about the bladder infection. At least you doc would call something in and didn't make you come in.

We are supposed to be getting our last nursery thing (crib mattress) tomorrow morning from some friends. Their little boy moved to a "big boy bed" and he even thought to give it to Olivia! (We were all planning this already, but totally act like it was his idea now.) His mom and dad had him give Olivia his sippy cups since she is about to be born and doesn't have any. (His daycare/school doesn't allow sippy cups once kids turn 2... I have no idea why.) I think we are going to be getting a lot of his stuff as he gets to be a "big boy." I think diapers may be next, he is really moving in on the potty training. hehe

At my last appointment, I was a little bit dilated and she is head down at at station -3! Progress. We will see where we are at our next appointment on Tuesday. Officially two more weeks until her due date today! I am doing good still, just swelling A LOT. Dr said she isn't concerned though, since my blood pressure is really good... 124/72. Getting more uncomfortable these days, but nothing too bad.

Well, my eyes are getting bleary so I guess I will go back and try sleeping some more.

[2moms2be]

Dawn- Cant wait to see the nursery! A slumber feed (thats what i call it) is when they are already down for the night and you feed them without waking them. You dont even have to burp them cause they are so relaxed. Its easiest to do with a bottle cause you dont have to pick them up. I BF them, but they still dont wake up. They just latch on with their little eyes still closed eat and then I lay them back down they RARELY open their eyes (Baby Whisper Talks about it) I usually do it around 9:30 The first few times I did it they still woke at their normal times to eat, but then they started sleeping longer. Not sure if its cause of the slumber feed or not. Some people dont agree with it cause they think you should not feed if they are not hungry, but my girls WILL NOT eat if they are not hungry. They never hang out at the breast cause they dont want anymore milk and if they hang out there that's what they will get. Sorry for the bk!

[WannaBMom74]

Hello all well I went back to work last weekso did not have anytime to post it was awful at first but I call her 3 times a day from work dp is probably getting sick of all the phone calls but I guess it is getting a little better each day

Care- cute new pics of the little ones

Dawn- looks like little olivia will be here soon Can't wait to see her and hear all about it good luck with everything.

Katie is doing good doing more and more each day she actually starting eating 4 oz the other day and last night I got to sleep for 5 hrs straight woo hoo for sleep finally.

[2moms2be]

Jen- Cute pics!!! What a cutie!

Care- They are adorable! Love the new pics.

I have a new issue...The girls are now refusing bottles! They had 4 wks of nothing but the boob and now they are refusing bottles...UHG! Tomorrow we fly to Orlando and I am going to have to BF them...It will be my first time in public wish me luck....

[A Squared]

Patty, Good luck flying with the girls and breastfeeding them. Hopefully you are good enough that you can be discrete and no one will be the wiser.

Jen, Hopefully you will settle into working again and find ways to make your time with Katie even better and more meaningful. I am half dreading, half looking forward to going back to work. I will enjoy the adult stimulation but will be way more sleep deprived. We sleep late to make up for all the time awake at night.

Dawn, Getting used stuff is great. I love getting a few hand me downs and wish I had known we would get certain things earlier.

Care and Jen, I love the new baby pics. We really do have the prettiest babies!

[2moms2b]

Patty... thanks for all the information about the slumber feeding. A friend game me the baby whisperer book just last week. Haven't started it yet. Doesn't sound bad to me, but then... I don't know anything yet, I guess. hehe Good luck with BF the girls in public... I am sure it will be fine. And heck... they are babies and this is one of the ways babies eat AND everyone should have seen a boob by now! No one is going to die if they see a boob or a baby eating, right?

Jen (not to be confused with Jenn) - Katie is sooo cute. I know it must have been super hard to go back to work, but somebody's gotta "bring home the bacon!" Kathy is already dreading it and Olivia isn't even here yet.

A - I am all about the hand me downs! We didn't feel like we needed all new stuff. Our friends also offered their high chair, so we go that this morning, too.

They also helped us learn to put in the car seat... LORDY that took forever! Kathy has it in all snug and secure now. I feel kinda weird with it in the car, but was worried to wait to much longer to figure it out and put it in. Our bags are in the car too... so when she is ready, we are ready, I guess. I am feeling very "nesty" and we are basically done with everything...hmm. Guess I will go clean!

Will post pics of nursery today once the crib matress is in!

Dawn

[Care75]

Dawn- it sounds like you guys are really getting close. I can't believe only 11 days ago we didn't have these two around.

Jen- The pictures of Katie are adorable.

Patty- Good luck on the plane tomorrow. I'm sure the girls will do fine.

Well, I'm having trouble with the BFing. I'm literally in tears right now. Both are having trouble latching on again over the last day or so, and this feeding I felt we had to supplement with pumped milk since they were both only on for about 5 minutes- and got very little because of the latch. I'm pumping right now and have gotten hardly anything so I'm freaking out. Where's the milk? I'm going to call the lactation people in the morning and I know the stress is only making it work, but I don't know if I can do this anymore.

[Care75]

Oh- and I can't always tell when they're wet but in my charts they are wet less than 5 times a day and have numerous poops- but most are just a TINY bit. Only getting about 1 really good poop a day. So I'm freaked that they aren't getting enough and Jackson has already lost so much weight.