So I had every intention of breast feeding my little guys. I also hoped to be able to have a vaginal birth and well if you read my birth post that didn't happen. Getting started breast feeding after a c-section is a little harder than a typical vaginal birth. They encourage you to try breast feeding as soon as possible after giving birth. This gets tricky if you've had a section (that's right, since I've had one I can drop that cumbersome "c" just like all the health professionals do) since you are recovering from being cut open and on very powerful pain meds that make you very sleepy. So when I found out that a section was imminent I was a little nervous, but still hopeful about being able to breast feed. Well, life doesn't always turn out as we'd hoped. Between the babies blood sugar issues (which required bottle feeding) and my additional hospital stays and Nathan returning to work shortly thereafter, breast feeding took a back seat and well eventually was just kicked out of the car all together. BUT my little kiddos are still getting breast milk, because I have committed to being an EPer.
Exclusive Pumper.
Yes it is actually called EPing (exclusive pumping) and before I found myself in this situation I never knew such a thing existed. If I've learned one thing about breast feeding (or the lack there of) it's that it is an emotional experience. I was surprised at how much my success (or lack there of) at breast feeding was linked to my feeling successful as a mother. But this is what our breast feeding experience looked:
1. Try to get babies to latch on--fight fight fight, success after using a nipple shield
2. Feed babies for 45 minutes trying to keep them awake as much as possible, but mom is just so comfy-cozy that this presents a real challenge
3. Unlatch sleeping babies after 45 minutes...5 minutes later, crying hungry babies because they didn't get enough to eat
4. supplement by bottle feeding hungry babies
5. finish bottle feeding, change, burp etc
6. 20 minutes later start all over again
I just couldn't handle it. Thus began this EPing journey which is emotional in and of itself. Breast pumps are not nearly as good as babies at getting milk from breasts thus you run into all kinds of supply issues etc etc. Right now they are getting about 1 bottle of formula a day and the rest breast milk--hurray! My goal is to make it to six months. After that they will hopefully have outgrown their milk protein sensitivity (which makes formula feeding complicated at this point) and we'll reevaluate the whole EPing.
So while there has definitely been some disappointment about not being able to directly breastfeed I'm glad that we've been able to get them at least some breastmilk.
Things I've learned
1. invest in a renting a hospital grade pump. It's totally worth it
2. Power pump! (10 minutes on 10 minutes off for an hour) I wish I'd known about this sooner I think it would have helped with supply issues from the start.
3. Olive oil is your friend. Lube up those flanges, you won't regret it!
3. Take deep breaths and try to relax. It helps with milk supply and your overall sanity!
Things I'm trying/want to try
1. Hands free pumping bra--this sounds awesome!
2. Fenugreek, blessed thistle, and oatmeal to increase supply
