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Post by tapdancer on Apr 14, 2019 17:40:48 GMT -6
We just tried nursing without the shields and it resulted in all 3 of us crying. I really want that easy BF relationship I had with DD but it's not there yet. Damn this is so hard and makes me want to consider exclusively pumping. They just prefer the bottles to breast and with twins, every bottle feeding thing you're supposed to do to protect the BF relationship is just so hard and takes up so much time with two. Fed baby is a happy baby. I know I feel like I'm drowning here and I old have one baby. Do whatever works for you. If the shields are working then keep at it. Maybe when they have more neck control it will be easier? I know I still need both hands sometimes with my 1.
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Post by haleyscott on Apr 14, 2019 19:22:52 GMT -6
Eames I’m sorry it’s been rough this time. I can’t imagine with twins just knowing how it is with a single. If you want to switch to ep, that’s completely fine. You’re feeding them and that’s the part that matters. ❤️
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Eames
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Post by Eames on Apr 14, 2019 20:24:32 GMT -6
Thanks guys. I'm not sure what I'll do, I know I don't have to decide now. I do find our days while I pump much smoother and less stressful. I pump hands free while I feed both at the same time with bottles, which takes about 30 minutes. This leaves us time to go for walks, play, etc.
With trying to nurse, since we still have shields I have to try that tandem style for 30 minutes, then pump and bottle feed anyway since they don't completely drain my breasts (and I'm paranoid about supply so I want to make sure they are drained).
So I feel like it's all we do all day when I nurse. Plus I have the 4 year old, dishes, laundry, etc. I know chores can wait but staying on top of that stuff helps my mental sanity when everything else is chaos because twins.
The good stuff: my supply has been good, I even have a freezer stash going of about 20 oz so far. And they gained 2 pounds each by their 1 month appt so they are doing great.
One feed/day/week/month at a time. At a year we are having a huge party lol.
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jacks
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Post by jacks on Apr 14, 2019 21:20:23 GMT -6
Eames No advice, but sounds like you’re doing a great job. And a good reminder to take everything one feeding at a time. We’ve been supplementing formula via SNS and then pumping, which means each feeding takes an hour. We did get into a groove today (me, H, and baby), so that was nice. I think my milk supply is finally coming in, so I’m trying to just have her latch and nurse now. Hopefully she doesn’t get too frustrated since she’s used to instant supply.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2019 6:44:48 GMT -6
Eames it sounds like you’re doing great, and you are a rockstar for nursing twins! Gotta do what is best for you, and a fed baby is always best. As for us, Sam lost 10% of his weight and so we’ve begun supplementing too. My milk isn’t coming in yet, I’m hoping it does soon.
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Eames
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Post by Eames on Apr 15, 2019 7:09:29 GMT -6
jacks, the SNS is a little awkward but it worked great with DD! @ges one twin lost 12% and the other 14% so we supplemented too, until my milk came in. We still have tons of hospital free samples just in case too.
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jacks
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Post by jacks on Apr 15, 2019 9:18:09 GMT -6
Eames It’s definitely awkward, so many hands needed! But I think it helped us transition back to breastfeeding now that my milk is in. She had a couple bottles at first and was getting so mad when I tried to latch her after those.
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Post by tapdancer on Apr 15, 2019 12:53:34 GMT -6
Eames it sounds like you’re doing great, and you are a rockstar for nursing twins! Gotta do what is best for you, and a fed baby is always best. As for us, Sam lost 10% of his weight and so we’ve begun supplementing too. My milk isn’t coming in yet, I’m hoping it does soon. This happened with my DD but she caught up quick when my milk came in. Just keep at it. Lots of skin to skin.
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loorin
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Post by loorin on Apr 17, 2019 11:28:36 GMT -6
Anyone remember what the deal is with the initial engorgement with milk coming in - I’m in some serious pain here and want to get some relief without stimulating my boobs to make even more milk. I think if I pump that will cause more milk to be produced? Do I have to hand express or really just wait it out? I can’t remember what I did with DD1.
F is nursing well but my boobs are still very hard once she’s done so I’m barely getting any relief from nursing. My milk started coming in on Monday night with the engorgement being almost unbearable starting yesterday afternoon.
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jacks
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Post by jacks on Apr 17, 2019 12:11:29 GMT -6
loorin The LC at the hospital told me to try warm compress while nursing and ice packs when not. I have the lanisoh breast therapy thing that can be frozen or heated up. And to massage the breast while baby is nursing. I’m prone to clogged ducts on the underside of my breast, so I have to make an effort to massage that area while she’s nursing to clear the ducts. I’d probably avoid pumping if you can since that would stimulate further production. Hopefully you’ll regulate in the new few days!
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Post by tapdancer on Apr 17, 2019 12:12:08 GMT -6
loorin You can hand express or even pump a little for relief. Take a hot shower. Don't pump too much because that's just going to make the problem worse. I definitely had more discomfort this second time around. It did get better after a few days.
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Post by tapdancer on Apr 17, 2019 12:12:50 GMT -6
Oh yes. Definitely the massaging while feeding like jacks said.
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loorin
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Post by loorin on Apr 17, 2019 12:46:10 GMT -6
Thank you tapdancer and jacks I’m going to try to hand express a bit just to take the edge off and will try out some of these other tips. I haven’t been massaging while feeding because the thought of even touching my boobs is terrifying, but I’m going to give it a shot.
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Post by orangehibiscus on Apr 17, 2019 13:16:15 GMT -6
Definitely massage while baby is nursing loorin. I also hand expressed in the shower. I got a hand pump (haakaa off Amazon), and I used that when I felt engorged. I only expressed out what I needed to until I didn’t hurt so much. Then I would nurse DD. The hand pump isn’t as effective as an electric pump, so it has less of a chance of stimulating you to make more. DD regulated my supply after a few days. I hope you feel better soon! Engorgement sucks. ETA: Also, change feeding positions halfway through feeding each side of you can. It will help drain your entire breast. I read somewhere that if you have a clogged duct, if the baby’s chin or nose can point that direction, it will help drain that duct.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2019 7:50:44 GMT -6
Eames TTMA hands free pumping. Do you have a special pumping bra that you can recommend? DS has a fine latch once he gets on but his mouth is just so tiny so I’m exploring the idea of just pumping for awhile.
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Eames
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Post by Eames on Apr 18, 2019 8:13:21 GMT -6
Eames TTMA hands free pumping. Do you have a special pumping bra that you can recommend? DS has a fine latch once he gets on but his mouth is just so tiny so I’m exploring the idea of just pumping for awhile. Mine was the Simple Wishes brand from Amazon. They have a few options now, but I got it 4 years ago and can't remember which one exactly. It's nothing fancy though. I set the babies up on their double boppy type pillow in front of me. The only tricky part is burping them. One always gets pissed off when I have to set bottles down. I set the baby being burped kind of off to one side on my knee. I like that I can still talk, smile, etc. at them during feeds.
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jacks
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Post by jacks on Apr 18, 2019 9:21:31 GMT -6
Eames TTMA hands free pumping. Do you have a special pumping bra that you can recommend? DS has a fine latch once he gets on but his mouth is just so tiny so I’m exploring the idea of just pumping for awhile. I also have the simple wishes one. I wear it like a strapless bra. So if I have a nursing tank on, I just unhook both sides and put the bra on over the tank.
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pambee
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Post by pambee on Apr 18, 2019 9:46:41 GMT -6
Eames TTMA hands free pumping. Do you have a special pumping bra that you can recommend? DS has a fine latch once he gets on but his mouth is just so tiny so I’m exploring the idea of just pumping for awhile. I think mine is the Medela brand, strapless. I got it from BRU years ago and I think that's the brand. It works fine, zipped up in the front and I would just pull my nursing bra or tank down and put it on. I had friends that just used an old sports bra with holes cut in it though, in case you want to try that first before buying one.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2019 12:11:16 GMT -6
Thanks ladies. Eames jacks pambeeGoing to look into getting one, but I also gave him a bottle this morning and pumped instead and got....0.5 oz. 😂. 3 hours after his last nursing session. So it might not work out. We’ll see.
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Eames
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Post by Eames on Apr 18, 2019 13:40:01 GMT -6
You guys I just got S to latch, didn't even have a nipple shield around but thought I'd give it a shot. He was sleepy but not super hungry and I think he just wanted some comfort. Success!
Maybe that's a good way to practice each day, with the twin that's trying to avoid nap?
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Post by tapdancer on Apr 18, 2019 19:38:54 GMT -6
You guys I just got S to latch, didn't even have a nipple shield around but thought I'd give it a shot. He was sleepy but not super hungry and I think he just wanted some comfort. Success! Maybe that's a good way to practice each day, with the twin that's trying to avoid nap? I think this is a great idea if you have the time. That way they can practice latching without being starving. My guy has always had a pretty good latch but when he's hangry it sometimes takes us a bit.
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pambee
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Post by pambee on Apr 19, 2019 21:52:36 GMT -6
Thanks ladies. Eames jacks pambeeGoing to look into getting one, but I also gave him a bottle this morning and pumped instead and got....0.5 oz. 😂. 3 hours after his last nursing session. So it might not work out. We’ll see. I know that everyone responds differently to the pump, and one session isn't a complete indicator of how all will be, but have you made sure you have the correct flange size/etc on your pump? A lot of women don't fit the size that comes with the pump and it can make a big difference. *I know this is true for the Medela, I assume other brands have different sizes too.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2019 9:53:18 GMT -6
Thanks ladies. Eames jacks pambeeGoing to look into getting one, but I also gave him a bottle this morning and pumped instead and got....0.5 oz. 😂. 3 hours after his last nursing session. So it might not work out. We’ll see. I know that everyone responds differently to the pump, and one session isn't a complete indicator of how all will be, but have you made sure you have the correct flange size/etc on your pump? A lot of women don't fit the size that comes with the pump and it can make a big difference. *I know this is true for the Medela, I assume other brands have different sizes too. I used a pump at the hospital and found out I do need the bigger size flanges. Output has been better since that last post of mine, we keep trying for now!
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Post by lemondrop on Apr 20, 2019 12:25:23 GMT -6
I know that everyone responds differently to the pump, and one session isn't a complete indicator of how all will be, but have you made sure you have the correct flange size/etc on your pump? A lot of women don't fit the size that comes with the pump and it can make a big difference. *I know this is true for the Medela, I assume other brands have different sizes too. I used a pump at the hospital and found out I do need the bigger size flanges. Output has been better since that last post of mine, we keep trying for now! I think I need a bigger flange, too. I woke up this morning leaking all over with a gigantic clogged duct. I don’t think I’m draining each breast appropriately.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2019 14:15:19 GMT -6
I used a pump at the hospital and found out I do need the bigger size flanges. Output has been better since that last post of mine, we keep trying for now! I think I need a bigger flange, too. I woke up this morning leaking all over with a gigantic clogged duct. I don’t think I’m draining each breast appropriately. Ouch! I hope that clears quickly. I use the size 28 flanges now. I’m not sure if they go any higher but the default 25 were not going to work.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2019 14:15:46 GMT -6
YOU GUYS. I leaked milk thru my shirt earlier. This is huge for me.
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Post by lemondrop on Apr 20, 2019 14:23:31 GMT -6
I think I need a bigger flange, too. I woke up this morning leaking all over with a gigantic clogged duct. I don’t think I’m draining each breast appropriately. Ouch! I hope that clears quickly. I use the size 28 flanges now. I’m not sure if they go any higher but the default 25 were not going to work. I don’t know which pump you’re using, but Maymom has 32mm on Amazon for $20.
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Post by lemondrop on Apr 21, 2019 4:36:24 GMT -6
Y’all, please rec the best bottles/ nipples to make my kid stop inhaling breast milk. Holy shit.
I’ve tried the Spectra bottles, Mam, Boon, Tommee Tippee, Dr Browns and one other I think? The Spectra bottles and the Dr Brown ones are prob the best so far, but he still just gulps it down like drinking is about to go out of style, and then chokes and spits up half of what he took in 😭 We’re sitting him up and the bottle is pretty much horizontal. Is trying the Avent bottles worth it? Is my kid just a beast?
I’m worried I won’t be able to keep up with my supply if he’s drinking like 5-6oz at a time at 8 days old.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2019 7:15:29 GMT -6
lemondrop we use Medela bottles with the slow flow nipples. Are you pace feeding? With S, when I give him a bottle, I let him suck 10-15 times then take the bottle away and burp him. Then repeat. It helps him to not take in too much at once.
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Post by orangehibiscus on Apr 21, 2019 10:18:41 GMT -6
Does a clogged duct have to also have red skin over top? When I Google clogged duct, it says the skin over top of where the clog is is red. I don’t have that, but I feel like I have a clog on each side. I’ve tried to massage it out both when she’s nursing and when she’s not. They feel firm and very mildly tender. Does that sound like clogged ducts?
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