tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33516164.post7450911570899501055..comments2023-10-12T02:02:54.330-06:00Comments on Woman with a Hatchet: The Breastfeeding RantWoman with a Hatchethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16539793554273012568noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33516164.post-78101487670695876182012-04-08T19:55:10.796-06:002012-04-08T19:55:10.796-06:00I'm on week five of breastfeeding twins. I hav...I'm on week five of breastfeeding twins. I have two older children who are now 4.5 and 2.5 and they were each breastfed until around age 2. Things have been going a whole lot easier than I expected, but that might be because I have breastfed twice before, and know a lot about boobs in general, so I kind of knew what to expect. <br /><br />My plan of attack has been to sit around as much as possible, doing almost nothing but breastfeeding. This is hard with two older kids, but I have a great parenting community (through the Twin Cities branch of Attachment Parenting International), and we've had meals delivered almost every evening. People have helped take the older kids off my hands occasionally, even for just a trip to the park. I pretty much just park myself on the couch with a twin breastfeeding pillow and spend days feeding the babies and letting them nap on me. I've done this with my other babies, too, and the only difference is that now I have two to deal with. It is very trying for me mentally, as I like to DO things, and I have to be content with "just" growing babies. <br /><br />I had horrible nipple pain for about a week as we worked out latching (you're SO right - nipples are sensitive and it hurts, at first, even when things are a-ok). Motherlove Nipple Cream was awesome during that period, though there were plenty of feeds where I curled my toes and/or cried. <br /><br />I definitely understand why people want to bottlefeed twins, though. It takes a large amount of commitment, and the way hospitals are set up re: multiples almost sets women up to fail at breastfeeding every single time (even moreso than breastfeeding singletons).Tipperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13319045019352278327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33516164.post-28589770029153637812011-10-14T18:19:28.616-06:002011-10-14T18:19:28.616-06:00I just found your blog and have started reading it...I just found your blog and have started reading it with great interest. I had twins (boy and girl) in June. I'm breastfeeding them and had similar issues in the beginning with weight loss (on their part, which was bad, on my part which was good!). I did supplement a bit, not as much as I should have because I was psycho post-partum lady even though I vowed not to be (these babies are my #3 and #4 so I really should know better that sometimes formula is just needed and OMG everything will be fine and you can still breastfeed).<br /><br />They are 4.5 months now and thriving. I have to say I received very little encouragement by the medical professionals I came in contact with and had I not breastfed my first two children I doubt I would have been successful. Breastfeeding them is one of my proudest accomplishments. And I agree with everything you said here.<br /><br />One question for you: how long were you able to tandem nurse? Thank goodness those days of being trapped on the couch for hour long nursing sessions are LONG GONE (not my favorite) but once in a while they still get crazy and tired and hungry at the same time and I have to go for the dreaded "pink pillow" (pink my breast friend twin pillow). It's getting really hard. One of my babies is fine and the other one just seems PISSED when we do tandem. Like she's not getting enough.Mayahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13640322135525371672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33516164.post-90558812898146075352007-10-10T22:03:00.000-06:002007-10-10T22:03:00.000-06:00Thanks everyone! *sniffle* You're all so sweet!Thi...Thanks everyone! <BR/><BR/>*sniffle* You're all so sweet!<BR/><BR/>Things do get slowly better, although Logan says that he hates formula and will only drink it if that's all that's to be had. Emma says Yum! Which probably explains why she's 4 oz heavier than he is.<BR/><BR/>My nursing periods are down to 30 minutes a piece, but keep on going. I've got Duracell Breasts or something: "Takes a Biting and Keeps on Fighting!"Woman with a Hatchethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16539793554273012568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33516164.post-70856571548237021802007-10-10T17:01:00.000-06:002007-10-10T17:01:00.000-06:00I cried thru your rant, & thru all the comments he...I cried thru your rant, & thru all the comments here. What truly wonderful advice & support you have gotten. I agree - use those tools. It's true that all of us who were formula drinkers when it was not "cool" to nurse, when I was born, are still healthy, happy & close with our mama's. I loved nursing my son for 10 months, but if I couldn't do it, I would not be any less of a wonderful mother. I think what you need is some New York bagels. I will send them soon as I can. Love to you all. JanetAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33516164.post-61200077399403757282007-10-10T10:24:00.000-06:002007-10-10T10:24:00.000-06:00Oh, Hatchet - I am proud to count you among my fri...Oh, Hatchet - I am proud to count you among my friends. You are one tough mama!Red Flashlighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04516642207553676622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33516164.post-53644582203483708172007-10-10T09:39:00.000-06:002007-10-10T09:39:00.000-06:00Hatchet, like you I had two C-sections, and I reca...Hatchet, like you I had two C-sections, and I recall the additional ups and downs because of them. Having a baby is a big deal for anyone, and having two is monumental. Add to that the fact that you had major abdominal surgery, and your body is working to heal itself while providing milk for your babies. You get to take all the help you can get--guilt-free--so that you can recover. Formula supplements are no big deal, the babies are thriving and will continue to do so. You deserve all the pampering and support you can get. You are AWESOME! Love to all--Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33516164.post-83104516966216744162007-10-10T05:43:00.000-06:002007-10-10T05:43:00.000-06:00FYI, the nightmares? Probably due to the anesthesi...FYI, the nightmares? Probably due to the anesthesia. I had heart surgery when I was five which was followed by several weeks of night "terrors" (highly intense nightmares). The doctor told my mom it was a side effect of the anesthesia. Apparently it's our body's way of trying to work through the physical trauma it experienced. <BR/><BR/>Crazy.Alihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10278842338463861715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33516164.post-61686704014359927432007-10-09T19:36:00.000-06:002007-10-09T19:36:00.000-06:00A-fucking-men, sister. While I fully plan on breas...A-fucking-men, sister. <BR/><BR/>While I fully plan on breastfeeding, I was raised on formula and still somehow managed to become deeply, deeply attached to my mama. <BR/><BR/>I just thank my lucky stars that I don't live in a time (or a country) where formula isn't readily available. Breast is best, sure, but a healthy, happy mother is even better. (Feel free to remind me of this fact in approximately nine weeks.)Alihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10278842338463861715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33516164.post-69361514844067903802007-10-09T19:06:00.000-06:002007-10-09T19:06:00.000-06:00I know this is hard. It was hard for me nursing ju...I know this is hard. It was hard for me nursing just one. I will never forget the deep breath I had to take and the curling of the toes as Seth latched on to my cracked and bleeding nipple. I cried. <BR/><BR/>You are doing what you can and it is enough. Relax, drink water like you are still pregnant and eat like you are still pregnant. Take advantage of that wonderful mom of yours and eat, eat and drink. You will make the milk. If you have to supplement for a while so be it. <BR/><BR/>You can do this. Your breasts will heal. Please take the time to look up your local La Leche League. Those wonderful woman are insightful, supportive and answer their phones at 3 am!<BR/>http://www.lllusa.org/COWY/CO.htmlellenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18018384922813669204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33516164.post-32254952802241583872007-10-09T19:02:00.000-06:002007-10-09T19:02:00.000-06:00Good for you for taking care of YOU and your babie...Good for you for taking care of YOU and your babies.<BR/><BR/>I remember thinking with #2 that I was an old pro at the nursing thing,since I had nursed her sister for 15 months and was surprised and disappointed that it still took a few weeks to get into a good and pain free groove with the second. <BR/><BR/>I was surprised by the pain too. The lacatation consultants gave me a little gel insert thing for my nippples to keep in my bra in between nursing sessions to help ease the pain. They were helpful too. I seem to recall having what looked like scabs on the end of my nipples too for awhile too, until they were broken in so to speak.<BR/><BR/>This mommy stuff is hard. I hope that it gets easier soon!<BR/><BR/>Mom's need to support each other and not judge. What works for one does not necessarily work for all.Missyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08053954608332662629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33516164.post-22077785057019783102007-10-09T18:59:00.000-06:002007-10-09T18:59:00.000-06:00I breastfed the twins. I supplemented with formul...I breastfed the twins. I supplemented with formula the first week while my milk was coming in.<BR/><BR/>BUT--they didn't nurse 12 times a day, or for 1.5 hours each time. If I remember right, it was 8 times a day, and more like 45 minutes each time. If it had been more/longer, I was fully prepared to use formula. I had two cans in the cupboard, all set to go.<BR/><BR/>The boobies will learn about the milk. They're like the economy, and only operate on supply and demand--the communication line from the uterus is completely down.<BR/><BR/>In the meantime, do formula to help you. There is nothing wrong with that, and everyone who says there is should refrain from biting you, since you are getting bitten often enough already.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33516164.post-15284101246728145402007-10-09T18:27:00.000-06:002007-10-09T18:27:00.000-06:00I love you! Nursing with Marlena hurt like hell. T...I love you! <BR/>Nursing with Marlena hurt like hell. There was cracking, and bleeding, and intense pain for months. <BR/>Then there was bliss. <BR/>With Oliver there was no pain. I have no idea how or why, all I do is count myself lucky and thank the PTB's. <BR/>I am sorry it's rough right now. You are one of the most wonderful mother's I have ever met, so use the tools you have to take the ramp up time you need. You know what is best for you, and ultimately, that is what is best for your children. <BR/><BR/>A miserable mommy is never the best thing for her babies, so you walk to the beat of your own drum, and I will applaud you.Scyllahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08764751663560015431noreply@blogger.com