Every day is a different feeling.

[Bella~*]

well one of the two..

Either its not so bad... im managing this BF...and then there is.. I cannot possibly keep doing this lol its hard! *those thoughts go through my mind*

we have been trying hard to get rid of the 1-2 bottles we do give her each day aside from the Nursing exclusivly. sometimes she's just is not satisfied after BF and wont settle down afterwards. or... Either its because I step out and am gone and she's ready to eat right away.

Im hoping tomorrow I can accomplish this being that Im one kid LESS this weekend. we typically just give her a bottle ( after she's nursed a good 20-35 minutes ) but I dun wanna do this bottle anymore, I wanna be able to satisfy her wholey. Im sure it will take a day or so or maybe longer?

Root me on girls.. I hope I can do this.. hehe


:zen :zenBOOBY :zen :zen

[Min]

That's exactly what you need to do :yep Your supply is diminished when you supplement. I'm sure you know that :lol Best of luck, PD :luv :luv

[zakity]

Yeah....what she said. If you take away those bottles, she might be hungrier for a day or so (which is fine). You want her to nurse more to stimulate your production.

[Princess Snuggiebear]

Yep, just throw the bottle away, and she'll be fine! :)

[NewBirdie]

have a nursing marathon! that means take this opportunity and nurse, nurse, nurse! if she seems to want more put her back on the breast. no bottles and lots of nursing, and you will be amazed at your supply! you can do this, and i am super impressed with how well you have been doing.

by the way, you are coming up on a time when she will be having a growth spurt, so you may feel as if you aren't making enough milk because she will act as if she is starving. she is just helping your supply catch up to her new growth when she does that, and she is getting plenty to eat as long as she has those wet diapers.

sorry i missed you im the last couple of days! i hope things are going well, and you know where to find me if you need me! you CAN do it....notice you ARE doing it, right? this will get easier in a few weeks, and you will wonder how you ever thought bottles could be easier! you are one amazing mommy to give her such a wonderful gift!:cheer :cheer :cheer :cheer :cheer :cheer :cheer :cheer :cheer :cheer :cheer

[Min]

Great post :luv

[NewBirdie]

so how's it going, prima donna???? is your little princess doing lots of good nursing?:friends2

[Bella~*]

still haven't got that bottle away... We are still working on it, every day we try though, Its generally only given to her (after I breastfeed her for 30 mintues one breast or both) and she still isnt' happy we give her 1 to 2 oz of Gentlease....

Sigh* Im tryin !!!

[NewBirdie]

the problem at her age is that the more formula you give the less milk you will end up with. see, if you are consistently giving her 1-2 oz of formula after nursing, your body is missing the signal that she needs 1-2 oz more from you. that she would give by sucking again or more, and your body won't know to keep with with her growth and need for bigger nursings if she is getting formula after feeds. she is in a growth spurt, so now it is important she tells your body to up the amount needed. i am not saying you are never supposed to give bottles, but every bottle of formula is one less nursing and one less time your body will make milk if it is consistent.

if you give her the fuller breast first, let her empty it, and then give her the other every feeding if she still seems hungry after the first side, your body will get the hint. if she is having plenty of wet diapers she doesn't need anything but your milk, and if she is getting both sides every 2-3 hours she will get enough milk.

babies fuss for lots more reasons than hunger, and she may be gassy, fussy, overtired, or just need more suck time (paci or a clean finger might help if you are too busy to let her suck more). because she will take 1-2 oz of formula after nursing doesn't really tell you she is hungry after nursing. it just tells you she wants to still suck, or be held, need to burp, pass gas, or just is in a fussy spell, or if really hungry that she might need to nurse more, but only if she really does start sucking and pulling down more milk. babies will often suck a bottle after nursing, but it is the suck refex and having something in the mouth that pacifies them, and they really have to suck the milk out if they want to suck anything, so it can look like they were starving.

your are doing a wonderful job, she is obviously thriving on your milk, and i promise you are very close to the age where it really does get easier. once your body gets that kick start for the growth spurt and moves to her next feeding amount level you will be amazed how much better she does at the breast!

hey, you are doing a wonderful job with her, and you are one awesome mommy for working so hard and giving her so much yummy mommy milk!!!!:bananadance2

[Bella~*]

Aww Thank you so much!!
This A.M. I was sure I was going to stop. My nipples hurt, because I tried nursing again laying down with her, I guess I'm not made to do that. Sigh*

Anyhow, I'm going to try and get to my 8 week goal.. and then see where I can go from there.

[NewBirdie]

sorry you are having pain! are you using lansinoh? that stuff is awesome! :hugs

how are you lying when she nurses? maybe a shift in your or her position would ease the pain? if you are on your side or almost there, and she is on her side facing your breast, and you have her up a little above where you want her to latch, and then gently pull her to the breast, that should help. if it doesn't, it might work better when she is a little older and can move herself some. most people can nurse lying down, but some only when baby gets a little bigger and mom can find a comfortable position.

as for quitting, keep erminding yourself you are almost through the toughest time, and it will get easier. when it all clicks you will find it is much easier than all the bottles and formula! you are smart to take it one day at a time! you can do it...and when it gets easier you will be amazed at how simple it gets. whatever you decide to do, remind yourself you have done it through the toughest part, and things are going to get better!!:redcheer :redcheer :redcheer :redcheer :redcheer :redcheer :redcheer :redcheer :redcheer :redcheer :redcheer

[OhMy~Twins]

Bella? Feeling like a cow also? Me too, my twins are tag teaming me...the doc says there are a few different growth spurts to watch for, well, mine are about to hit the 3 month one and damned if they didn't just have one last week...they are not consistant with they typical growth spurts...they were born at 33 weeks and I swear, they have been trying to grow and have those spurts since they came home mid August...I don't know how to go on at times, it is depressing. I get confused as to whether they just want to suck, or if they are hungry etc...that in itself is exhausting, the guessing...i am becoming slightly depressed and a little scared to get out of the house, forgetting all that I used to do and the person I was before these guys came home...i have been consumed by the breastfeeding monsters and a couch cushion...ugh.

[NewBirdie]

This will get easier with some time, OhMy~Twins, really! Your babies are so young still that you are in a period of very rapid growth and so many changes at once, and it does ease somewhat as they get older. You are still in there, and I suggest you get a break sometimes...pump a couple of bottles and take a walk, get your hair done, sleep, or whatever you need to do. This will relax you, ease depression, and the babies will be fine. As they get a little older you will find you are ready to find yourself a little, and having someone to watch them for an hour or too can make a huge difference. Keep us posted!!:hugs

[OhMy~Twins]

:mad ok...today...another prime fricken example of why i dont think i am making enough milk..they WILL NOT sleep!!! I b fed them for 1/2 hour...set them down in their seats, and they screamed their bloody heads off!! What gives man?!?! They will sleep in my lap but as soon as i pick them up and set them down, AHHHHHHHHHH! they wake up! I did what Zakity said to do, and I took a shower(cuz it's been two days for godsake) and let them cry/scream for 20 mins, they stopped and appeared to be sleeping...low and behold 2 mins went by and POOF! screaming again! WTf?!?! I am getting very frustrated with the unknowns here...
So, I picked them up, put them in my bed on their tummies...they settled, I thought I might be able to get a nap? NOPE...I patted backs, cuddled..you name it...he fianlly settled, she said screw it and screamed some more...I a going out of my mind with trying to figure this out...maybe i am not making enough for them to satisfy them during the day? why else would they be so dang crabby...paci's aren't working...just holding or nursing, that is it, and i cannot do this all day every day! help! i have tried everything i can think of...i have people on the lookout for swings for me to borrow, I've swaddled, unswaddled, rocked them in their seats until I fall asleep, what else can I do? I know i seem to be repeating myself, butI have to or I will go even more nuts! I seriously on days like this feel like thereis no hope for normalcy or even a few minutes of sanity!:eek

[Spuds]

Here are a few ideas:
1. Have you tried putting their carseats on the dryer while it is running to get them to sleep? It's like a car ride! :yep
2. My DD had some spitting up issues. If I held her in a football hold (with her crotch/feet at my palms and her head on the outside of my elbow, my arm running down her belly), she'd settle.
3. This didn't work for me, but it may for you. Have you any Baby Einstein tapes? You could put them in their bounces and let them stare at that for a while, and they might doze off.

:hugs I'm pulling for you lady. Your gonna find a trick and it's gonna work out great!! :hugs

[Smidget]

it really sounds like reflux. that's how we figured out mine had it...they wouldn't sleep longer than 10 minutes before they woke up screaming in pain :( plus, they're probably hitting a growth spurt which will make it seem like you aren't making enough milk even though you are...they just need to nurse a lot more often to build up your supply so you produce more. it only lasts a few days at most.

for the reflux, prop up their mattresses (if they sleep in cribs) so that their feet are higher than their heads. or, put them in their carseats in their crib. will they sleep in swings? one of mine would ONLY sleep in a swing :(

as for the growth spurt, just keep nursing whenever they want it. its frustrating, but it passes quickly and this is how they tell your body when they're going to be needing more milk soon.

[OhMy~Twins]

I haven't tried the dryer thing...or baby einstien..i didnt want them to start out too young on the television...my 7 yo is addicted and i probably blues clued and dora'd him to death when he was small...i am up for anything at this point, i have people on the lookout for swings for me to borrow..i used to have two ,but they didnt like them when they first got home from NICU, they liked the vibrating seats, so we took the swings back in trade for a couple weeks worth of diapers...now i wish i had them again...
I have been sitting here rocking them for the passed hour in their rocker/vibrating seats, but when i stop, they wake( i am going to have calves of steel)...i want so badly for them to sleep w/out any help so that they aren't dependent on something..but it seems like they won't settle without some sort of something...holding, rocking, vibrating doesn't work any more,. I don't want them to get used to having something...but it seems like i dont have a choice! i feel so trapped..not to mention the charlie horse in my leg from rocking them with my foot so i can type on here!:phew

[NewBirdie]

Babies do as you describe often at the age of your babies, and since you have two it can be quite overwhelming. I remember nursing all day too, and being very frustrated when I had to hold one through her nap and the other wanted to nurse all the time:newmom. If reflux has been ruled out for the crying (classic symptom and the age is right, but some babies do that anyway with no reflux, so swinging them helps) when set down I would say swings and riding in the car might help as Spuds suggested.

As for making enough milk? If your babies are peeing several times a day, growing on their own curve, meeting milestones reasonably for age and health, and sleep when you hold them, I see no reason to think you aren't making enough milk. It sounds like a growth spurt to me and the age is right, or a milestone coming up such as teething, more mobility with head or hands, rolling, or something similar. I promise it does get better, and usually it gets to be the most intolerable right before the milestone is met or the teeth erupt, or your milk starts increasing with the growth spurt. I feel your pain and exhaustion, and i hope you can get someone to hold them a bit and let you walk outside or take a nap. If someone could take them for a walk in the stroller you could lie down a bit or eat a nice meal with no one attached. This will pass...we are here for you and can tell you it gets better:hugs

[chasing_two]

I definitely think the swings are worth a try. Have you checked resale shops? You can usually get them super cheap and Lysol them to death before you use them. Aidan slept in a swing for awhile and my BFF's daughter will nap for more than 5 minutes when she's in her swing.

You said they are on reflux meds right? Has that made ANY difference? Did the doctor examine them or just prescribe the meds?

The only other thing that I know of to tell you is to relax. They know when you're stressed and it stresses them. I know that's probably the hardest thing for you to do right now, but try to regroup and relax. I really hope you find something that works for the three of you. :hug

[chasing_two]

I thought of a couple more things...

Have you tried bicycling their legs? Bending each leg towards their stomach one at a time. Sometimes that will help relieve the pressure in their tummies and settle them down a bit.

Massage. I would grab some lotion and rub em down when they were fussy. You could do their arms, legs, backs (if they'll lay still) and tummies. I always started with their extremities to help them realize what I was doing and relax them a bit.

[OhMy~Twins]

it really sounds like reflux. that's how we figured out mine had it...they wouldn't sleep longer than 10 minutes before they woke up screaming in pain :( plus, they're probably hitting a growth spurt which will make it seem like you aren't making enough milk even though you are...they just need to nurse a lot more often to build up your supply so you produce more. it only lasts a few days at most.

for the reflux, prop up their mattresses (if they sleep in cribs) so that their feet are higher than their heads. or, put them in their carseats in their crib. will they sleep in swings? one of mine would ONLY sleep in a swing :(

as for the growth spurt, just keep nursing whenever they want it. its frustrating, but it passes quickly and this is how they tell your body when they're going to be needing more milk soon.

they have been in a growth spurt for a month now, or so it seems...no joke...it feels like the doctor just told me they are having one, and it will pass, that was just a couple weeks ago, then it happened to me again the week before last.....and now this week?!!? i dont have swings, i am hoping someone will come thru with letting me borrow some...
you say to put them in the crib with feet elevated? really? so that reflux runs upwards? i would think it would be elevate the head, not feet...i wanted to make sure i read that right...
i have aleg cramp...still sleeping...still rocking them...this sucks, but they are sleeping...:)

[NewBirdie]

:lol She meant prop the head of the mattress up. It does help if it works, and it may make a difference for you. Ours just slid down sideways no matter what we did with that, but for some it works great. They slept in their carseats set in the cribs for a good while too. Those were some long days for sure:hugs

[OhMy~Twins]

talked to a lactation consultant for the 30th time..they are having me go on blessed thistle and fenugreek for 2 weeks to increase my supply..i guess with all the stress and anxiety, or for whatever reason it may be, i'm not producing enough to make these guys happy all the time..she told me 1/2 hour of nursing should be more than sufficient and they should be happy and content after, (which they are not) and since we are doing reflux meds, gas drops and organic formula(when we mix w/ breast milk) it's the only other thing i can think of...i am not making enough...
there is this nurse that is from northern virginia/ dc area, name is meredith ball, from babiease.com, she swears by a schedule from day one..she says that she has 9.5 weekers sleeping from 12-6 am right now and had a set of twins that are 3 months old sleeping thru the night...she said that if mine had a good day schedule, they would sleep better at night..with the formula mixed with breast milk they are sleeping pretty good for my husband, what gives? they won't settle for me, which tells me, they probably aren't getting enough...??

[NewBirdie]

Well, it doesn't really tell you that they aren't getting enough. What tells you that is if they aren't peeing/pooping enough or growing and well hydrated. The more they nurse the more they will get milk, and the more formula is added to a feeding the less milk you will make if they don't nurse as often or long, or if you don't pump when they get formula and you don't nurse.

Babies sometimes cluster feed, and although the are on reflux meds they may not get a big enough dose, the right med, or they may simply want to nurse more. That is how they build supply, so I suggest a marathon...nurse nurse nurse as often as they ask and let them help you make sure you have enough milk if you are worried. I'm not sure why you are using formula if they have reflux, since that can make it worse (organic or not), but that really can decrease supply...just something to think about.

Have you weighed them before/after a feeding? That is a great way to see really how much they are getting, and may put your worries to rest. They may simply be fussy and want to suck more, want to be held, may have a tummy ache or react to a food you ate, or simply not sleep as long with straight breastmilk as formula since bm digests so easily.

See, if they will sleep in your lap it doesn't sound as if they are starving to me...if they were truly that hungry it wouldn't usually be a pattern of sleep until Mommy puts me down, but more acting as if there isn't enough milk and not settling. Their behavior is something that most of us here can identify with I can assure you, and I can count the hours I had to hold one or both girls because they screamed when I set them down (reflux related, but also wanting to snuggle to sleep).

It is really hard, but I believe if you can nurse a lot and make sure on your supply, check to make sure they get enough reflux meds for their changing weights, and try to believe that this will get better...most of us have been where you are, and it is really hard until it smooths out as they get older. I'm sorry you are going through this, but you are doing better than you think I would bet, and you are giving them a wonderful gift every day they get some of your milk. Let us know how it is going.:hugs