Express Feeding Twins

Mum of five month old twins, Kirsty Lowe tells how she expresses milk for her babies...

My babies were born at 34+6 weeks. Isabella, twin 1, weighed 5lb13oz and Taylor, twin 2, weighed 6lb0.5oz. From finding out that I was pregnant breast feeding was something that I was determined to do as I wasn't able to breastfeed my first son for more than 5 weeks as he was in nicu (neonatal intensive care unit) for 6 weeks and I didn't have the support or knowledge on how to keep my milk supply up. So this time I was determined to succeed. When we found out that we were having twins we invested in a good, electric double pump which was a god send!!

When I was 34+6 weeks my babies decided to make an early appearance, in the early hours of the morning my waters broke. Later that day I was taken down to theatre for an emergency c-section. As they were premature they were taken straight to nicu. Once I was back on the ward after seeing my babies I pumped for the first time. The first bag of colostrum was taken up for my babies. 

Taylor was having breathing difficulties and was in an incubator and was not feeding. Isabella had her first bottle but encountered difficulties so she was being tube fed. The staff that were caring for our babies were so supportive and gave me so much encouragement. I started pumping every 2 - 3 hours and took them every single drop, no matter how small. After a few days my milk finally started to come and Taylor also had his first feed via tube. Both babies came on in leaps and bounds, Taylor was taken off the c-pap (breathing apparatus) and out of the incubator and both babies had their tubes removed and were being bottle fed EBM (expressed breast milk). 

They were both discharged after only 12 days. Once we got home I tried to get the babies to latch on. Isabella went straight on but Taylor wouldn't. I did feel disheartened but only for a short time. At the end of the day, both babies were receiving my milk which is what was important! After more attempts Taylor did latch on. Both babies will now go on for mid feed snacks :-)

My babies are now 19 weeks old. Both of my babies have huge appetites and have 300mls each per feed, this is a lot of milk to express!!! I was heart broken the day I had to introduce a little bit of formula to their feed to top them up. But after I had calmed down I realised that what is important is that they are still having breast milk and they are still receiving the important anti bodies from my milk. I have heard some people say that if you express and feed via bottle you are not breastfeeding, in my opinion that is rubbish I do class myself as a breast feeding mum as my babies are having my milk, how they get it bottle or breast is not important. 

I want to tell other mums of multiples or multiple mums to be if your babies do have to spend time away from you, you can still give them your milk. It is hard work and tiring but the results are priceless.

Good luck.

Kirsty x

Breastfeeding Twins, Triplets and More

This extract is taken from Tamba’s Breastfeeding factsheet – for more information please contact Tamba at www.tamba.org.uk or call 01483 304442

Many parents on discovering that they are expecting twins, triplets or more are unsure whether it is possible to breastfeed more than one baby. However there are many who do.  Breastmilk is designed to be produced by supply and demand so whether feeding one, two or more babies, mums will produce enough breastmilk for their babies needs provided the babies continue to breastfeed from the breast.

Breastmilk constantly adapts and changes to babies needs. So breastmilk for babies born 6 weeks early will be different to the breastmilk produced for three month old twins. This means both nutrients and other protective factors are right for the babies at the stage they have reached.

Though some mums of multiples say that the first few weeks of breastfeeding can be challenging this is also true of mums that formula feed.  Families of multiples find caring for two or more babies to be especially tiring and need plenty of support and help in the early days. Those mums that continue to breastfeed often find as their babies get bigger that life becomes easier.

Breastfeeding means no preparation of bottles or elaborate arrangements to get out of the house, breastmilk is readily available at the right temperature for the babies day and night and is free. And it provides guaranteed opportunities to spend time with their babies.

Preparing to breastfeed

Before the babies are born it may be helpful to think about the following:

• Find out information about breastfeeding and common experiences; breastfeeding classes for singleton parents will give information which is relevant to breastfeeding multiples but if available try and go to a class for parents of multiples.
• Try and make contact with other mums who have breastfed multiples; Tamba twinline can help with this or visit the Tamba messageboard.
• Think about ways in which you can be free to breastfeed such as ordering shopping online, stocking up the freezer, arranging for help with housework and other household chores.
• Find out what breastfeeding support is available to you in your area.  There may also be an NHS breastfeeding clinic or baby café; ask your midwife for details.
• Visit the special care unit at the hospital and ask how they would support you to breastfeed if your babies are born early (this is especially helpful for triplets or more as 

most will spend time in SCBU).

If you feel the need to talk to someone, please call Twinline, Tamba’s confidential listening and emotional support service (0800 138 0509 – open every day from 10am-1pm and 7pm-10pm).

We would love to hear your breastfeeding stories....

Twins Triplets and More Week

This week is Twins, Triplets and More Week, which seemed like the perfect time to talk about multiples.  Being told you’re expecting more than one baby can be a daunting, exciting and magical experience.  There are unique challenges associated with raising two or more babies, which starts with the decision of how you’re going to feed them. 

If you’re expecting twins and are hoping to breastfeed, we have some amazing advice from Tamba, the Twins and Multiple Births Assocation.  We’ve also got some stories from mums of twins on what it’s like to raise two babies at the same time, for one mum it led to the birth of a new business as well as two baby daughters!

If you’re a mum whose had twins, triplets or more, we’d love to hear your story, how was your pregnancy, did you breastfeed, how were the first few months, how old are your babies now?  To see your words published here, please contact michelle@peekaboocoms.co.uk

There are some brilliant organisations out there who provide support and advice to parents of multiples:

Tamba – www.tamba.org.uk

Twins UK – www.twinsuk.co.uk

Twins Online – www.twinsonline.org.uk

Multiple Births Foundation - http://www.multiplebirths.org.uk

Breastfeeding Bloggers Share Their Stories

Here two mummy bloggers kindly share a couple of their breastfeeding experiences.

Diary of  first mum talks about her breastfeeding Journey here

“I planned to breastfeed way before I was even pregnant. I knew that was what I wanted to do so when I fell pregnant I did a ton of research, read every book, blog, forum and magazine I could lay my hands on. I went to breastfeeding support groups, asked a trillion questions at antenatal classes and went to each midwife appointment armed with a notepad full of questions, all before I even had a baby to breastfeed. I was completely determined to succeed with it and saw no reason why I wouldn't be able to….

http://diaryoffirsttimemum.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/my-breastfeeding-journey.html

A post about why this blogger choose to use a feeding cover in public

New mums are often worried about breastfeeding in public for the first time.  Thankfully it is rare for anyone to ask you to cover up, move somewhere else or make any other disapproving comments.   As someone who has lived on the cusp of London for most of my life this doesn’t surprise me:  in London people rarely pay attention to those around them, let alone speak to them. Even if they are doing something incredibly annoying like playing their music far too loud on a tube carriage rammed full of commuters we stay quiet.  So why would anyone worry about breastfeeding?

http://www.thesecretlifeofkate.co.uk/2012/06/undercover-breastfeeder.html

10 Styles of Breastfeeding

Did you know feeding styles vary from baby to baby depending on what the baby needs at the time. You may notice your baby prefers one of the following styles. (The first five names were coined by researchers at Yale University.)

Barracuda: Immediately latches on and feeds vigorously for ten to twenty minutes.  Barracudas seem simple to manage: They know what to do, and do it well. 

• Top Tip Make sure they’re latched on properly – sore nipples and the toe curling pain that goes with that can often make you want to stop.  If it’s not right, pop your finger in the side of babies mouth to release the suction, unlatch and start again – even if you have to do it a few times until it’s right.

Excited Ineffective: Goes wild at the sight of the breast, grabs it, loses it, and then screams.

• Top Tip Feed this baby at the earliest sign they’re hungry. Feeding this little one takes priority to prevent their cries of frustration. Skin to skin contact can help settle baby while feeding.

Procrastinator: This baby will wait for the real milk, thank you very much, and she'll pass on the colostrum. Later, they may cry for the breast, then latch on for just a suck or two before quitting. They may seem like "easy" babies (they sleep a lot and cry less) but need more attention to make sure they eat enough.

• Top Tip put her to the breast every other hour whether she's interested or not, and don’t let her go more than four hours without feeding.  A reliable sign of a well-breastfed baby is a bright-yellow, seedy poop – around day five.

Gourmet: This baby will take a delicate taste of the milk, roll it around in her mouth, and perhaps play with the nipple a little before getting down to business. She doesn't like to be rushed.

• Top tip Take your time - Yes, nipple-fingering and mouthing make breastfeeding in public difficult to do discreetly, but it also stimulates your hormones and encourages milk production. So even if you want to say "Drink it already!" take a breath and let him do his thing. Grab a magazine or a book -- or simply watch and giggle at this little nurser's lip-smacking and tongue-wagging -- and try to relax.

Rester: This baby likes to nurse a few minutes, rest a few minutes, nurse a few minutes more, take a nap, and then come back for more. Make sure you find a comfortable seat and surround yourself with books, snacks, or whatever you need to keep you happy for what can be a long feeding session.

• Top Tip Try undressing or unswaddling your baby so she's less cozy and more alert. Or play with her feet to interest her in drinking and delay her dozing. Give her whichever breast feels fuller. The other breast will let you know when it wants its turn.  In the first month change your mind-set to 'this is the only thing I really need to do today.' " Lying around with your baby is the most important thing you can be doing right now, so go with the flow and feel good about it.

Billy Goat: This baby butts, tugs, and pummels you while she feeds. She may be frustrated with your milk flow, which may be too slow or too fast for her taste.

• Top Tip consider expressing into a bottle for some feeds to help soothe her

Regurgitator: This baby nurses contently for about twenty minutes, then throws half of it back up on your shirt. Then, of course, she's hungry again.

• Top Tip – a muslin cloth is of course essential, express if you have chance and try taking a break half way for five minutes and then feeding again.

Barnacle: This baby latches on tightly and nurses constantly, almost around the clock.

• Top Tip  Invest in Lansinoh, which will help soothe over-worked nipples

Sightseer: This baby doesn't want to miss the passing scene, so her eyes and head wander about while she's nursing. If you have a sightseer, you'll be surprised by just how far your nipples can stretch. Sightseeing tends to emerge in the fourth or fifth month.

• Top Tip -  feed somewhere quiet with minimal distraction.  A feeding chair in a quiet corner of her bedroom often works well.

Desserter: About twenty minutes after a full nursing session, this baby comes back for a couple more sips — for dessert.

• Top Tip – Offer baby the breast again after winding.

The Importance of Support

The simply amazing mummy over at www.dummymummy.co.uk (she has a three week old you know) has very kindly written about the need we mums have for support – and she don’t mean supporting our breasts… rather the very real need we have for support from other breastfeeding mums and counsellors – especially if feeding isn’t textbook

The Importance of Support

Before my daughter was born 22 months ago, I had read about all the benefits of breastfeeding, and knew I’d like to breastfeed her if possible.  What I hadn’t realised was just how much I would enjoy it, and how important in the bonding process it would become.

Apart from all the health benefits breastfeeding offers, not to mention the convenience (no getting up in the middle of the night to sterilise bottles and make up formula, or battling with staff at restaurants to warm up milk), the five or ten or twenty minutes spent with my little girl while she fed was just so precious.  It gave me chance to focus on her and nothing else, to watch her face and notice how she had changed and grown, and gave me time to simply be with her.

At nearly thirteen months old, my daughter decided she had had enough.  I had gone back to work three months previously, and had dropped to two breastfeeds a day, and eventually she stopped wanting breastfeeds at all.  It was her choice, which made me feel good about stopping, but I missed our time together!

Just over three weeks ago, I gave birth to my second child, a boy.  There was no question as to whether I would breastfeed him or not, and was confident it would be as easy as it had been the first time.  He took to it as well as his sister had, and I was relieved that I was able to breastfeed again.  When my little boy was two weeks old, he woke during the night for a feed, and once he latched on and the let down reflex kicked in, I had horrendous burning pain throughout my breast and in my nipple.  I tried to let him carry on, but just couldn’t bear the pain.  I switched sides, and attempted to hand express from the painful side, but no milk would come.  My breast was hot and swollen and incredibly painful to touch.  My first thought was that it was mastitis and I began to cry as I remembered hearing stories from other mums who had stopped breastfeeding due to mastitis being so painful.

The following day I rang a local breastfeeding support group called Mum2Mum.  I spoke to a breastfeeding facilitator who was extremely helpful and told me it sounded very much like I had a blocked duct.  She suggested that I take ibuprofen for the pain, use hot and cold flannels before trying to hand express, and to encourage my baby to have two really good feeds on the painful side.  I did exactly as she said, and later that day I was much more comfortable and my milk was flowing freely again.  Mum2Mum also sent a facilitator out to see me at home, to observe feeding and to take a look at my breasts to make sure it wasn’t mastitis.  She was very helpful and although my son’s latch was good, she noticed his position wasn’t great and showed me how to reposition him so that he wouldn’t pull my nipple as he had been doing.  Thankfully, it wasn’t mastitis and the advice given to me over the phone had made a world of difference.

Support for breastfeeding mothers is so important.  It never really occurred to me how much support I had with both of my babies, not just this time from the Mum2Mum group to whom I am hugely thankful, but from my own mum and my partner’s mum, both of whom successfully breastfed all their children.  Just knowing that they had done it and been successful was a subconscious support for me.  There are many new mums whose own mothers didn’t breastfeed, and who aren’t lucky enough to have a good support network around them, who don’t fully realise all the benefits of breastfeeding, or for whom breastfeeding has not been an option.  It is for these mums that National Breastfeeding Awareness Week is so important; to highlight the benefits of breastfeeding, to let them know there is no reason to be embarrassed about it, and to let mums know that there is plenty of support available for them.