When Pumping Ends

Hi - I am new here with a question I am torn on, wanted some opinions.  I delivered twins one month ago today - Babies were having a problem latching on and were smaller in size so Dr had me give formula and try breastfeeding once I got home and still supplement with formula. Well they still never really latched on that great so I decided to start pumping and do 1/2 formula and 1/2 breastmilk so they were getting "some" breastmilk.

Well hubby went back to work when babies were a week old so I am alone, and find very little time to pump during the day therefore I was realy only pumping 2-3 times a day if that, now I have it down to 2 times a day only - I am almost wondering if that is even worth doing anymore. Babies aren't getting even a full bottle of breastmilk a day..........on the other hand, I was wondering also if you think that it helps lost weight. I know it does however, how much is it really gonna help if I am barely doing it 2 times a day.

Thoughts - comments - suggestions? (Sorry so long).

Thanks,

Michele

{Hugs} and Welcome Michele,

I wish that you've had more support.  Nursing would be a nice time saver since they could eat at the same time in theory.  So I wouldn't give up on trying to get them to latch on. Have you tried getting them to latch while laying down?  My sister's baby was little and had trouble latching and this is how I helped them get latched on finally.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/basics/latch-resources.html

 I think any amount of breastmilk is a benefit, so personally I would recommend that you keep pumping.  Since you can't pump that often focus on pumping in the early morning, also in the evenings/night when your husband is home.

What kind of pump do you have?  A double electric is fastest for pumping both sides at a time?  Do you know that there are hands-free (called the rubber band trick) pumping tips where the horns of your pump are held up by a rubber band attached to your bra (after you hold for a while and get suction).  this helped me IMMENSELY while I was pumping.  You can manage to do a few things while pumping.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/hands-free-pumping.html

http://www.workandpump.com/handsfree.htm

http://www.nursingmothers.org/pamphlets/nursingtwins.htm

As for the weight loss...I can't say for sure whether pumping 2-3/day will help with weight loss significantly.  It is more calories out than what you would be using otherwise though.  Also I noticed an additional drop in weight/body size when my all my kids were about 9mos. and I was still BFing.

We had a member here with twins (Suz8486)...I was trying to find helpful links with advice from her.  I've found one so far (see below).  Maybe she still lurks.:

http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=iv-ppworkpump&msg=43180.1&ctx=0

Good luck and please let us know how you are doing!  You are awesome!

Caryn

Nursed Nia for 12 mos, W&P'd for Olivia until 13-14 mos and nursed Afram until 3 years after W&Ping for 16-17 mos.

Hi Michele. I lurk around this board-- Caryn helped me wean from the pump a few months back. I noticed your post and wanted to say WOW on pumping for twins. I hardly found the time to pump during the day with ONE baby. I weaned early at 3 months and had a very difficult time with the decision to stop early (the original plan was at least 6 months, shooting for 12). I was faced with going to a hypoallergenic formula or going on a soy and dairy free diet for DS. It was a hard decision and I really gave myself quite the guilt trip but I don't regret the decision in the least bit now. He is 8 months old and doing great.

My DS wouldn't latch either. The LC gave me a couple of suggestions to try-- one being to use a few drops of formula to try to lure him to the nipple and the second to pump for a few minutes before nursing so he wouldn't have to wait for a letdown.

There is also an Exlusively Pumping board on Ivillage that really helped me get through my pumping woes. I would suggest posting there also (if you haven't already). The women there are helpful and very supportive- a lot of BTDT advice.

Either way, whether you continue to pump or not, you have done an incredible job caring for twins and keeping a pumping schedule. Good luck and enjoy your little ones! :)

Thanks for such a supportive posting reply to me - appreciate it. I do give myself a guilt trip but I feel ok that they at least had breast milk for the first month - your right its very exhausting with twins as it is let alone trying to stress about pumping.

Thanks again,

Michele

Hi Nice to see you, thanks for offering support!!

Good point about Exclusively Pumping...I wanted to let you know we are moving to that board next week!!!

Caryn

Nursed Nia for 12 mos, W&P'd for Olivia until 13-14 mos and nursed Afram until 3 years after W&Ping for 16-17 mos.