re: PREGNANT WITH TWINS? (or more)

Quoting Urgurlkk:" i've been doing it every 2 hours today and only getting .5oz - .7oz and they are eating 2oz each every ... [snip!] ... won't stay on my boob..they don't have good latches anymore..i even try to squeeze it into their mouths but they just turn away"

they're getting used to using a bottle which is much easier. This is what I did...I tandem nursed usually but even if not, I'd feed one baby on one side, the other after on the opposite side. One baby was assigned a ribbon and I tied it to my bra strap on whatever side that baby ate on so I knew to switch. They're going to have their own sucking patterns and this assures that you're always rotating boobs and babies. Let them eat until they are full or until you're no longer producing milk and if they wont stay latched, get yourself a pump and pump boobs about 10-15mins after feeding even if nothing is coming. You're signaling to your body to make more milk. You need to get them off the bottle and on the boob as much as possible. Prop up some pillows and put them both to your boobs using the side hold where their legs go back around your side. If you need to, try and call the hospital and see if you can speak with a lactation consultant.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Urgurlkk:</b>" i've been doing it every 2 hours today and only getting .5oz - .7oz and they are eating 2oz each every ... [snip!] ... won't stay on my boob..they don't have good latches anymore..i even try to squeeze it into their mouths but they just turn away"</blockquote>




I would keep trying. They're still young enough to adapt. Feed them before they get too hungary and start crying. Lay topless with them so they can suckle when they want to. This also helps you produce more milk for them. The Amt you are pumping is not the amount they would get if they were in the breast. I you can just get them to latch then they would be fine.

Quoting lolajessup:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Urgurlkk:</b>" i've been doing it every 2 hours today and only ... [snip!] ... pumping is not the amount they would get if they were in the breast. I you can just get them to latch then they would be fine."

ugh i just dunno if i can right now.. i'm already so stressed out. for instance, they are already off schedule...Auras been up since I fed her at 8:15pm. Then I fed Luna, did diaper changes,etc and Luna fell back asleep afterwards but Auras been up about 30min after I fed her she tried sucking on her hands,lunas head,etc so I just gave her .7oz of my milk i had pumped for her (she fell asleep when I finished so I put it into the fridge and she woke up pooping shortly after so I did a diaper change), as a snack to hold her over for an hour until they were supposed to be fed again. she finally just fell back asleep (2 hours and 15min later)

edit: Luna woke up after aura fell asleep so I fed her 2oz and then she fell asleep and I woke Aura and she ate 1oz and fell back asleep so hopefully they will be back on schedule.

Quoting Urgurlkk:" ugh i just dunno if i can right now.. i'm already so stressed out. for instance, they are already off ... [snip!] ... 2oz and then she fell asleep and I woke Aura and she ate 1oz and fell back asleep so hopefully they will be back on schedule."

i have to say, my girls have been home for a month now, and i can't imagine how much harder it would be if I had to breast feed them.
as is, it's so hard to take care of two infants.

doing it alone, and doing it while worrying about breastmilk ... i can't imagine it.
i'd say, if you've got WIC, formula won't cost you anything, i'd go with formula.
sure, there may be some benefits to breastmilk, but there are also definite benefits to a healthy mama who actually gets some sleep occasionally (instead of pumping) and has one less thing to worry about.
because there are PLENTY of other things to worry about with twin infants.

and on the financial note, if you've got WIC, it's actually CHEAPER to use formula, which is free, rather than rely on breastmilk, which requires that you eat lots of additional calories, which aren't free.

anyways, do what makes you happy, and you'll be the best caretaker for your babies that you can be.

formula hasn't killed anyone yet.

ETA: I'm not trying to get embroiled in a breast/formula debate. I've just noticed that there is A LOT of pressure to breastfeed, and thought I'd provide some sense of balance, if I can. The fact is that the mother is still a full human being, who also has the right to be some semblance of happy. And if formula feeding her babies is the price to pay for that, it's NOT too steep.

Quoting 2+1+2=Oh my!:" I haven't had mine yet, but I'm desperately clinging to a vaginal delivery. My OB clinic will do a vaginal ... [snip!] ... trying to convince me to schedule a c-section. Like I said... desperately clinging to my hope for a non-surgical delivery..."

Well hang in there and keep pushing for that vaginal delivery! It is so much better for the babies! I'm so glad that my OB is all about the vaginal delivery!

Quoting Urgurlkk:" i've been doing it every 2 hours today and only getting .5oz - .7oz and they are eating 2oz each every ... [snip!] ... won't stay on my boob..they don't have good latches anymore..i even try to squeeze it into their mouths but they just turn away"

Have you tried contacting a lactation consult to try and help with their latch? Breastfeeding is a lot of work, I know. I'm still breastfeeding my girls and they'll be 7 months in about 2 weeks. If they can latch feedings are a lot easier, and they can easily get more from your breast than the pump. Another mama who used to hang out in here still exclusively pumps for her girls I think and hers are about a week older than mine. It's takes a lot of dedication and some stressful nights/days. I do it mainly on my own, hubs is usually only home week days for a couple hours before it's time to start putting the girls to bed, and all this week they've got him on 12 hour shifts so he gets home maybe a hour before their bedtime routine starts.
How old are your girls? I know it took awhile for mine to get onto an actual schedule in the beginning they wanted to nurse A LOT and were occasionally just snacky eaters.

And housework can wait, mama. Do the little things that need done but everything else can and will still be there later. I was loosing my mind trying to keep up with raising the girls and keep the house spotless.

Quoting Tiffanie Rose:" Have you tried contacting a lactation consult to try and help with their latch? Breastfeeding is a lot ... [snip!] ... can and will still be there later. I was loosing my mind trying to keep up with raising the girls and keep the house spotless. "

I breastfed Aura this morning for a few because Luna was asleep and Aura was cranky and when I held her she nuzzled my boob. Found out she will latch onto my right boob but not my left. I have a handheld pump and i've noticed that some of my ducts are blocked on my left boob.I've tried to use a warm wet washcloth but it didn't help.. I usually only get like .2oz from my left now and .5oz from my right.

They are 6 days old today:
(aura is the one on her side, luna on her back). They roll on their side on their own already.

I have to say, the closer the time comes and the more I see of you guys and your twins I'm getting sad and jealous that I'm not having twins of my own   I knew that would happen though and I'm still glad to be giving a couple such a blessing...

<blockquote><b>Quoting Urgurlkk:</b>" I breastfed Aura this morning for a few because Luna was asleep and Aura was cranky and when I held ... [snip!] ... They are 6 days old today: (aura is the one on her side, luna on her back). They roll on their side on their own already."</blockquote>



Awwe good for you mama! You just need to relax. Bfing is harder on everyone if youre stressed. It's much easier and natural when you are relaxed   it might help of they eat when the other is sleeping then there's no distractions and you can focus on the task at hand.

I would keep putting her on the boob she latches to and once she gets her latch down shell prolly switch easier. I think you're doing great, you're just still trying to figure out the balance and schedule. Don't expect them to nurse every 2 hours though, just feed them when they're hungry. This will help your milk regulate too. I know it seems easier to get them on a schedule but they're still young. One step at a time. In time they'll develop their own natural schedule.

Well i'm officially 1 wk post pregnancy. My stomachs bloat has almost disappeared... Just left with a nasty stretchmark pouch and some stretch marks on my hips and thighs

Quoting Urgurlkk:" Well i'm officially 1 wk post pregnancy. My stomachs bloat has almost disappeared... Just left with a nasty stretchmark pouch and some stretch marks on my hips and thighs "

You look great for 1 week after having twins!! And who cares about stretchmarks, you got the miracle of carrying twins, which not too many people can say!!

Quoting Twin Mommy Aura and Luna:" Well i'm officially 1 wk post pregnancy. My stomachs bloat has almost disappeared... Just left with a nasty stretchmark pouch and some stretch marks on my hips and thighs "

Looks good for 1 week ppd and the stretchmarks don't look bad at all. I got them from my first pregnancy which was one child so I can only imagine what this pregnancy will do to me.

Quoting lolajessup:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Urgurlkk:</b>" I breastfed Aura this morning for a few because ... [snip!] ... to get them on a schedule but they're still young. One step at a time. In time they'll develop their own natural schedule."

This is all good advice for when my time comes..I think the key is to not give up to early. I am looking forward to bf..ing my twins but I am nervouse about my milk supply.

I had my OB visit yesterday and my high risk specialist today and the babies are doing really well. One is 14 oz and te other 12 oz. The big concern for this pregnancy is them sharing the placenta so I am being monitored close but so far all loooks good and they are sharing nicely. I have some sonogram pictures to share as well. The twins were being cute, baby b had his butt in baby a's face so we all had a good laugh.
Here is the 2D I have a 4D short video of it but I am not sure how to upload it.


Baby A was being so good for his pictures

Baby B not so much

awww so if they are sharing the placenta, they are definitely identical right?!