If you have twins please come in

[twotrue]

Can we talk about nursing?

I've been nursing both boys since day one and things are going okay. They are sleepy, lazy eaters just like DD was so I have to get better about getting them to stay alert during feedings. And I want to get B's latch checked by a LC this week because I feel it's a bit shallow but nothing that would hinder feeding.

But here is where I need advice. E still has jaundice levels higher than we would like to see. Because formula helps clear bilirubin out of the system faster than breastmilk, for the next two days he is being fed just formula. If his levels are still high after that than we know there is more going on. If the level goes down he can go back on breastmilk.

So, will just nursing the one baby keep my supply big enough for two? Would you add in pumping sessions? Any other advice about feeding multiples is welcome!

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[2brides]

Yea, I'd pump for a few minutes after feeding B since he still isn't a stronger feeder yet and won't be consuming the volume that 2 of them eat. You could even feed him on one side and pump the other simultaneously...I did that a few times. Not the easiest or most fun, but more time efficient. And it is only for a couple of days.

Go you on the nursing! I never could get down tandem nursing and ended up pumping 90% of the time.

[thiswillbe]

Jul 10, 2013 14:00:04 GMT -5 @cookiemonster03 said:

I'd add in pumping after feeding.

This. I'd definitely pump. Especially if it's going well, and you want to keep that going. I pumped after every feeding starting day one (which may sound like overkill, but I had supply issues). The nighttime feedings were the hardest to pump after, since by the time you're done pumping the kids are pretty much ready to be up and nursing again. If you're supply is awesome (which it sounds like it is!), you could probably skip the middle-of-the-night pumping.

Hope E is all cleared up and back on the boob soon!

[joyseattle]

I don't have twins, but I do have a professional perspective I thought I'd share. First off, it's so great that you're working on this and plan to see an LC. Based on what you shared, I'd recommend pumping. If B is the only one nursing and is potentially less efficient due to latch, you're supply is being regulated based on that. I'd suggest either tandem pump and nurse (as 2brides said) or double pump for about 8-12 minutes after each/most feeds until E is back to the breast (you may not get much milk from the side B nursed on, but it's more stimulation). Frequent and simultaneous stimulation and removal is most likely to spike your prolactin levels the best and result in better production. You can always down-regulate if you're producing more, but in general for the first month the more your requesting of your body the better your long-term supply and breastfeeding relationship. Feel free to email/call me if you have more specific question.

[quinny]

N and I had a terrible time in the beginning and so my supply was pretty low, no matter how much I pumped. My midwife suggested a liquid herbal drop that takes like absolute shit but my god, all I had to do was smell it and I got engorged. If you find you need it, let me know and I'll figure out what it was. I bought it at Wholefoods.

How's the jaundice? How are you?

[twotrue]

Jul 11, 2013 23:33:10 GMT -5 quinny said:

N and I had a terrible time in the beginning and so my supply was pretty low, no matter how much I pumped. My midwife suggested a liquid herbal drop that takes like absolute shit but my god, all I had to do was smell it and I got engorged. If you find you need it, let me know and I'll figure out what it was. I bought it at Wholefoods.

How's the jaundice? How are you?

The jaundice is much better! The two days of formula dropped his levels more than the light therapy did. I'm nursing him again and it seems to be going okay.

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