My dear aunt was kind enough to lend me her digital baby scale so I can try to get a sense of how much the girls are nursing (Thanks Aunt K!!!). I got to weight them today and see how they are growing. Abby (born weighing 4lb 14oz) is up to 6lbs and Gracie (born weighing 5lb 14oz) is at 6lb 10oz. I was so glad that they are growing nicely. I still cannot believe how tiny they are. When I look at them they look so big compared to where we started.
With the scale I can now get a sense of how much the girls are getting when they nurse. I pumped like mad today so I am hoping that might help increase my supply. When I pump every 2 hours I only get about 1 1/2 to 2 ozs total. It is very frustrating but I am still trying to make it work. My goal is to make it to 6 weeks and then I will reevaluate my goals.
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4 comments:
6 weeks sounds like a good goal. Do all you can until that point and then re-evaluate. Giving them BM for the first 6 weeks is the most crucial time for the benefits to their immune system. I give you tons of credit for making it this far with twins!
Have you weighed the girls before/after a nursing session to see how much they're getting?
Have you seen this website? It deals with PCOSers who might be struggling with supply issues.
http://breastfeedingpcos.blogspot.com/
I recently found your blog and love looking at the pictures of your girls. Congratulations on the beautiful babies! I had a singleton who weighed 5lbs 10oz at birth. She was in the NICU for almost a week. My milk never felt like it really "came in" all the way and I NEVER got much when I pumped. The first six weeks I don't think I got over an ounce total. When I went back to work I pumped and still never got much. Anyway, I ended up breastfeeding until she was 15 months old. She was always tiny but I nursed and pumped constantly (and supplemented with formula some). Everyone is right. It does get easier after the 6 week mark and even easier after 3 months. Don't worry about the quantity you get when you pump. The babies are much more efficient at getting your milk out than the pump ever will be. You are doing a great job!
Are you using an electric pump or a hand pump? I did so much better with the Isis hand single pump. The Squeeze, Squeeze, Squeeeeeeeeeeeze, rest, I could do by hand was more.. Profitable?... than the constant, unchanging rhythm of the electric.
That and the Mother's milk tea - which made me flood my shirt every now and again. Once in churh. Sheesh.
Every drop is worth it to your girls. I am proud of you for trying.
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