Remember how in my last post i said that pumping/breast feeding is hard. Let me rephrase. Pumping is hard. It's hard when your babies are in the NICU and you're supposed to produce milk for them even though they aren't in front of you. My body is very confused. This weekend the thought of pumping made me cry (literally). I feel/felt like such a failure as a mother that I wasn't able to give my babies what they need. I have started taking Mother's Milk tea and Fungureek pills to aid in lactation. I hope they can help up my supply at least a little. I am able to breast feed the babies when I go into the NICU (which is 2x/day) so that's a positive. My nurse has "written orders" that I need to at least put a baby to breast every time I come in to help with milk supply as well.
I know full well that I will probably not be able to supply enough milk for 3 babies to have solely as their source of food but it makes me sad that I can't even provide enough for one.
I will keep you updated on my progress.
10 comments:
I won't tell you not to fret, because that is what we do the very instant we become parents.
Hopefully things will pick up for you soon.
Keep your chin up! It is hard! No one really prepares you for how hard it really is AND when we are trying to supply milk for multiples it's even harder. I know how you feel and you aren't alone. My Dr. gave me Reglan for my milk supply and it helped me SO much. Good luck!
Keep at it, things get much easier when you get your babies home. Maybe Rachel can be of help/support...she is still exclusively breastfeeding her triplets and they are going on 4 months! Her blog is http://rachelandclint.blogspot.com/ Hope it gets better soon...don't give up!
Don't give up! Keep pumping and things will start happening. People kept telling me that I wouldn't have enough supply, but your body knows that you just gave birth to triplets. It will do what you need it to in time. Stress won't help though, so do your best to get in a good mindset. Do you have access to a lactation consultant or a breastfeeding expert?
I am a lurker but hopefully this will help...My LC recommended GoLacta and it has worked wonders. It is expensive but worth a try (at least while they are in the NICU).
Any milk you give them is amazing. You're doing an amazing job. It is so hard in the beginning. Keep on pumping and your body may just figure it out. I pumped while reading a book and completely kept my mind off of waht I was doing. That helped so much.
2 other things that can help with milk production are oatmeal (not instant) and good beer.
I agree with valerie about a good book. I read Karen Pryer.
Freda Rosenfeld, a legendary LC for multiples says rule one is love the babies, rule two is feed the babies. and you know it will be good either way, breast milk or formula. Love the babies, feed the babies. Here is a link
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/21/nyregion/21freda.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&sq=lactation%20consultant&st=cse&scp=2
I copied and pasted and it might not have worked.
You just gave birth. . REst recover drink eat laugh love call Freda Rosenfeld or someone with success with multiples. You are awesome.
Take a look at the blog "tubeless in seattle", she nursed triplets. As I recall, one day she realized if she just sat on the couch and nursed babies all day, everyone would be happy. Something like that anyway. ;) It can be done, good luck!
Try looking at pics of the babies when you pumped- worked for me :-)
His,
Nancy
schaeferclan(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
Stress doesn't help, does it? I'm currently pumping for one NICU baby so I hear you. I don't have any miracle ideas either. I have to put my head down and just repeat "relax, relax" and think of my kids. But I'm quite sure you've tried that. Good luck, I've got to go pump!
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