Breastfeeding questions (pumping also)

I took a class, but it left me with more questions than when it started.

1) If after 4 weeks, DH starts to feed the babies (twins) at 1 night feeding to give me a bit of sleep, how does that work with my supply. Do I need to wake up to pump, or will my breast just be a bit engorged at the next feeding?

2) The instructor said to choose only 2 positions for the babies and then stick to them. She never said why, though. I will probably try and tandem feed the twins using the football hold and the craddle hold when fed separately. So I will stick to the 2, but what if I want to try the side position laying down during the night? Is there a reason for this?

3) Breastpump question - if you rented one, when did you get it - before or after the baby was born? The instructor said to start on day 4 pumping because that is usually when the milk comes in and it increases the supply. I know I can use a pump at the hospital, if needed, but they don't let you leave with it. I want to store as much milk as I can to make a supply for DH to feed them at night. What did you do?

Thank you.

Re: Breastfeeding questions (pumping also)

I started bfing right away so the baby got the colostrum, im surprised they told you to wait until day4.. thats new.

I only used the football hold, it was the easiest and still use when she does bfed off breast.

I bought a pump so cant help with that.

you will have to pump the nights your dh will be bottle feeding, you dont want to stay engorged its painful and i think it will mess up your supply if you dont release that milk.

Re: Breastfeeding questions (pumping also)

I started BF right away (or tried to in the hospital, but she didn't really latch on). I did pump right away though & save all the collostrum.

I rented a hospital pump for the first month from Homecare America in W. Babylon off Sunrise. I picked it up the day after I got home from the hospital. I then bought one when I saw that it was working & I was going to stick to nursing.

I would think in the beginning you'd still have to get up & pump. The beginning is very hard b/c you're nursing every 2-3 hours (& not sure how it would work w/ twins).

Good luck!

Cin

PS--I'd know all the holds b/c every baby is different & some babies may not like specific holds. My DD hated the football hold; I cross cradled her & she also liked when I lie down on the bed and she was next to me.

Message edited 1/11/2008 1:26:36 PM.

Re: Breastfeeding questions (pumping also)

Re: Breastfeeding questions (pumping also)

Re: Breastfeeding questions (pumping also)

you'll definitely need to get up and pump in the beginning, because a) you'll probably be very engorged, and b) you don't want to mess around with your supply early on. a couple months in, when your supply is established, you may be able to get away with it.

i have no idea why you would need to stck to two bf positions only! i was never told that, and i've used all of the positions with no problem at all...

i would start pumping as soon as your milk comes in - it will help your supply at a time when the babies may be too sleepy to nurse well at times. i didn't do this and regret it...

Re: Breastfeeding questions (pumping also)

I've nursed two children and started nursing both as soon as possible as advised by the many nursing books that I've read and it worked for me. I mean, I think you need to start right away. Your milk may not come in for 4 days but the baby gets the most inportant nutrient of colostrum and that is all the baby needs at that time

If it were me I would get up with the baby the first week or two, then start letting dh take over some nighttime feedings.
i do not think your supply will suffer, but rather your body will adjust to your nursing/pumping schedule.
You may be uncomfortable for a while but who isn't. Nursing is not easy in the beginning but gets better, so do what works best for you.

As for positions I would try them all. It helps to stimulate various milk glands and decrease nipple soreness. Where did you take your class?
Good luck!

Message edited 1/11/2008 2:20:15 PM.

Re: Breastfeeding questions (pumping also)

you can rent a pump in a hosp. or call the la leche people they may be able to stear you in a good direction, i ended up buying a pump and it has paid off! Renting is like 50 dollars a month and i got more use out of it already in 4 months.

yes your breasts may be alittle encourged so wear breast pads with your bras. they may hurt also so just beware.. then the next feeding yout DC will suck it out and you will feel relief again..

any questions i will help as best as i can just FM me.... So far i am BFing for 4 1/2 months and it has gotten easier.

it could be overwhealming in the begiinnning. just hang in there

Re: Breastfeeding questions (pumping also)

PS i started right away in the hosp.. DO NOT WAIT. the sooner the baby learns to latch onto you the better

Re: Breastfeeding questions (pumping also)

Re: Breastfeeding questions (pumping also)

hi!! this is long. i hope not winded, but very long!!

i've been ebf my twins for 7 1/2 mos. it is challenging and rewarding to breastfeed and i think nursing twins offers its own unique set of challenges. i am so glad i stuck to it and now love bf so much!! kudos for you to going out and learning all you can now. it will help with your success!!

i really recommend the following:

in the hospital the nurses gave me the babies one at a time to nurse. after a couple of days, one nurse insisted i learn how to tandem nurse. she was so right!!! learn how to do this as soon as you can. as them to help you and the lactation consultant.

in the beginning it will feel like you are nursing constantly (you probably are) and if you nurse separately you will literally nurse nonstop, because by the time the second baby finishes it's time to feed the first one again!! there will be many times to nurse them separately, so don't worry about giving them one-on-one time. by getting them to nurse together you are going to make life much easier down the road too, as far as routines (not now, bfing newborns should not be on any time schedule).

as far as positions, the two football holds are probably the easiest and most practical. sit up, put your feet up and use 2 pillows on each side to help support them. this position will allow you to move a hand if you have to (like to help one relatch). like you plan to, i used this for tandem and cradle for single. i also used laying down, but for only one baby at a time. i didn't start using other tandem positions until they were past newborn stage. it was too hard to support them. but now i use cradle/football, two cradles, and others that i don't know the names of!

a great book for twin nursing, with descriptions and pictures of various positions is put out by la leche league: twins book

as far as dh's help so you can get more sleep, my other biggest recommendation is to ALWAYS have dh get the babies for you. you will need his help with latching both on at first. generally, they always poop with each bfing session. my dh would change them and then bring them to me. after i finished he would take them from me and swaddle them and put them back down. i think this kind of help from my dh saved me from giving up. ultimately, bfing is on you, but by doing this my dh really was a part of things and i got as much extra sleep as possible and didn't have to get up and down so much, so my body could heal. i never did bottles during the night. don't think about getting extra sleep just at the nighttime. take it whenever you can. dh and i would crash often throughout the day!!! we took advantage of when my family would come over, by showering and napping, while they held the babies. as soon as the babies needed to eat, they would just come and get me.

i did pump often in the beginning. usually about 15 minutes after each session. i started pumping in the hospital, not sure which day though. and i had a medela pump at home waiting for me.

i hope that wasn't too much, but i wanted to try to give you some specifics as far as tandem nursing. please feel free to fm me anytime with any specific questions. i am happy to help!