My girls Charlotte and Daphne were born 2 months ago at 33w 2d weighing 4 lbs 3 oz and 4 lbs 10 oz. They spent 3 weeks in the nicu eating and growing. After difficulties nursing/supplementing I decided to exclusively pump for them. They are my first children and I think they're awesome! Having twins/preemies has been a joy and challenge which is why I'm here!
You know, I hated it at first but now it's not so bad. I'm in a routine now which helps. Plus it's 15-20 min each time that I use to read aimlessly or eat so it's kind of 'me' time now. A little harder if I'm home alone, I need to make sure the girls are napping. I really love being able to hand a bottle and baby to someone else!
Post by marajadeskywalker on Jan 15, 2015 22:52:25 GMT -5
Same here. DH loved feeding our little guy. And I hear you on using it as me time! I bought a hands free bra off of Amazon and it made things easier also!
I too am EPing my preemie twins (36 weeks GA today). I wanted to nurse but think pumping might be the better route as far as for preparing them for daycare and so I can receive help from DH and family.
Post by edenaurora on Jan 16, 2015 12:14:52 GMT -5
It looks like I'll be exclusively pumping too. Ds was nursing when we were still in the NICU but I stopped pumping (no one told me not to stop pumping until after his due date) and my supply tanked. I have started pumping again to bring back my supply. We've been giving him a combination of fresh pumped milk and what was frozen while in the NICU. I don't know if he'll accept the breast again. I've been offering when I can but he's pretty frustrated at the slow flow and lack of supply. I imagine it will get better as my supply returns.
What pumps are you all using? My insurance company sent me a Medela Pump in Style but I had been using the Medela Symphony in the NICU. I have found that the PIS isn't as efficient and effective as the symphony plus it's loud. I ended up renting a Symphony from the hospital. Once my supply returns I'll try the PIS again.
This is really frustrating because I was pumping 5-6 ounces total in 10-15 minutes when we were still in the NICU. Now I'm lucky if I get a full 2 ounces in 15-20 minutes. I don't know why they didn't tell me to continue pumping.
I didn't think the nicu set me up very well to pump either. They just handed me the supplies and said 'use them!' It was so painful at first because I was using wayyyy too small of a breast shield! Once that was fixed it got better. I used a symphony at the nicu and loved it and I have a pisa from insurance. I don't mind it other than being loud. It wasn't until a couple weeks into the nicu stay that I really learned more about pumping-mostly self taught from online research.
Post by marajadeskywalker on Jan 16, 2015 15:40:32 GMT -5
I used the medela freestyle and loved it! It's really quiet, i could pump right beside dh while he was asleep and he never noticed. The battery life on it was also amazing - i could go a couple of days without charging it if i had to.
It's also small and light, with memory, so it remembers your suction settings and how long you like to 'prime' for
Post by mymorningcoffee on Jan 22, 2015 21:51:29 GMT -5
Congratulations!
My twins were 33 weekers too. They are 3.5 now. I pumped for them too. L never got the hang of nursing, so pumping seemed to be the best option for us. It was also nice that DH could feed one girl while I fed the other.
It is so nice to be able to have other people help feed the girls. I'm just getting discouraged because I pump 8 or more times a day and still only produce half of what they need.
Congrats on your girls! I'm sorry you're struggling with supply. I'm new to this so no advice but u hope you're able to find something that works (more sleep sounds awesome lol but I imagine it's not too realistic).
It is so nice to be able to have other people help feed the girls. I'm just getting discouraged because I pump 8 or more times a day and still only produce half of what they need.
I'm in the same boat- I pump about 35-40oz and they eat, combined, about 60. I supplement as needed. I was bummed about it for awhile, but then I realized that if I had only one baby, I'd be making more than enough and many women would love to make what I'm able to pump. So if I have to supplement with formula, so be it. Good luck to you! I find that rest helps and eating a TON. seriously, I eat all the time.
little late to this post, but congrats! I have a Daphne too! I'm also EP for my twins, born at 32 weeks. Congratulation on your babies.
Good taste in names!
You have a good perspective. I am making enough for one baby and a tad more. It is a good amount, I just wish I could make even more! Oh well, such is life
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