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
6 comments:
Breastfeeding really is tough--and I would imagine it's even tougher with two! (Babies, that is. We all have two breasts.) I also had to use a nipple shield with Forrest, which felt kind of like we were failing at it somehow, and he also wanted to spend every waking moment breastfeeding . . . that got old, fast. He has been exclusively formula-fed since about 4 months, which kind of upset me at first, but I decided pretty quickly that my success as a mother and relationship with my son had a lot more factors than whether or not I was breastfeeding. I commend you for working so hard to breastfeed the boys, and putting in the time to pump for them!
Also, sentence of the day: Lube up those flanges. Ha!
I made it to about 7 1/2 months and I don't miss it! Pumping is difficult too, I am super interested in that hands free pumping bra. Say what? best solution ever, worth any price. You are super mom though, good for you committing to pumping. You can do it!
I had a lot of trouble breastfeeding at the start. I had to pump, then feed her through a tube connected to a syringe filled with milk. All while she thought she was nursing on me through a breast shield. It was awful. We got off the tube after a week and the shield after 3-4 months (ugh) which made it easier (though not easy. She never did learn to latch completely properly), but I wasn't sad to wean her. I'm hoping I can do better next time, but I refused to let myself get down on myself about that last experience. :) (Which is much easier said than done, I know.)
Another way to increase milk supply? Malt. My mom knows doctors who used to slip beer into the mom's IV. Yipes! Now I would suggest just buying a malt periodically. I drank a glass of chocolate malt Ovaltine every day. Mmmm… More Ovaltine, please! :)
Good job on finding a way around your trials. Seriously. It sounds like you're doing an excellent job. Congrats again on your beauties!
I did fenugreek and power pumping and say results in days! Hang in there. I hope you gave a good pump. I LOVE my Medela Freestyle! Good luck!
You go girl. Sounds challenging but rewarding.
Breastfeeding really is an emotional roller coaster, I hear ya. Especially with the first. Man oh man, it's a roller coaster. I have another good friend who was an exclusive pumper... and to both of you I give serious props. For real, I HATE (with all the emphasis I have) pumping. I did it all the time with Raymond... and man, I would just about rather do ANYTHING in the world than pump. With Ginny, she still have never ever been given a bottle with breastmilk or formula. I would rather tote her everywhere I go than pump.
My good news for you (at least in my experience): it seems like in all things the second baby (well, in your case, the third) is easier. Easier labor and delivery. Easier nursing experience. I think a lot of it has to do with confidence. I was able to get Ginny latching on easier and earlier. My milk came in way sooner. I was not stressed out about nursing. I have WAY (as in WAY) more milk.
Hang in there!! And way to be a champion for pumping enough for TWO BABIES (all while taking care of two babies!). I have serious admiration for that kind of dedication.
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