Two of the biggest things that I was worried about when I found out that we were having twins – surprisingly – was diapering and breastfeeding. Two things that I have done with my other children (sans the cloth diapering with my oldest) so I should be okay, right? Wrong. And overall, I really worried too much while I was pregnant.
Tandem nursing the twins is relatively easy. Relatively being the operative word. Most times they are not up at the same time. I swear they plan it. But that’s neither here nor there.
I have been looking for information on tandem nursing just to make sure that I was doing a great job of it. Hey, my inner nerd was working and you always want to make sure that you are giving your children the best of everything – including best position for eating, etc… Turns out I *may* have been doing the most.
The Pediatricians (residents) at the hospital that I delivered at seemed very concerned about the weight loss of the twins (failing to realize that I KNOW that babies lose a couple of ounces at birth) and their glucose levels. Since, I had a c-section, I was informed by my OB beforehand that there wouldn’t be the stress of the babies traveling through the birth canal so a lot of stuff wouldn’t “jump start” right away and not to worry. When I gave them this information, they looked at me incredulously and got all huffy. But that’s neither here nor there. After meeting with the Lactation Consultant and having a nice laugh, I was reassured that I was in fact doing a great job (even with achy boobages) and that I should keep going with the way that I was feeding. My position of choice when I’m nursing both is the football hold so that they are not sitting across my incision. For anyone nursing who is reading this, that’s this position pictured here:
| picture from breastfeeding-mom.com |
This is singlehandedly the easiest position when nursing both. Otherwise when they tag team me, I use the cradle hold. It’s proving to be an adventure in and of itself. Sir Twizzler likes to cluster feed – which can be a little bit frustrating for any mom. He never finishes a meal in just one sitting. It often takes two or three feedings in an hours time to satisfy him enough to sleep for a bit. Lil Miss Twizzlers is definitely a lady. She sits, eats until she is done and then falls off asleep for a couple of hours. It is definitely a character builder.
One of my favorite blogs to visit was Blacktating because it not only reinforced something that I truly believe in but directed me to other sources that I could use to aid in situations that I’m not necessarily an expert on.
Other than the norm, we’re doing well over here. Both babies gained 5 oz in one week and are two ounces away from their birth weights – so we’re cooking with gas! I’ll keep you all updated on any new breastfeeding discoveries we make.
It sounds like you are doing so great! I tandem nursed but my daughter was two when my son was born so I think that is probably MUCH easier than nursing twins. Keep up the good work!
Thank you Sarah. Somehow, I think that in a few months I will re-read this post and think – what the heck was I worried about, this is EASY! LOL! However, just because I nursed my other singletons, there was still a major learning curve for me with the twins. Not to mention the wonderful lack of sleep during the day. Overall, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!
Just amazing… I'm in awe of you.
Aisha
Great job Mrs. Nicholes! You're one of my Sheros! A boppy helpe me a lot when I was nursing. It lifts the baby up & protects your incision.
Happy feeding!
@ Aisha – Thank you so much. Sometimes looking back at what I've learned, I sometimes I'm in awe of THAT woman too. LOL!
@ Alissa – The boppy isn't large enough to fit around my mid section right now. I am looking into a similar pillow called – you guessed it – My Brest Friend! How's that for a play on words?! 🙂
You're doing a wonderful job lady!
And I continuously look up to you. I could never get the football hold down and you have TWO in that position!