Re: presentation on bf multiples

[Guest guest]

In dealing with special circumstances, sometimes it's useful to reinforce that mothers of twins are on common ground with the underachievers who are just producing one baby -- *all* mothers need to understand supply and demand, early and often, how individual babies are, how intense the early establishing weeks are under the best of circumstances. *Everyone* has a learning curve on breastfeeding, and *everyone* needs a lot of practical help to give them space for that learning curve. And twins are twice as many babies, so all these concepts are, at minimum, doubled. But, as a mother of twins, you can play up the positives -- breastfeeding tends to work when people can stay in the game -- not that there's one perfect approach, but that we need to do what we can to keep that mother in the game, to buy the

babies some time, and to figure out what works for the whole team.. The learning curve with twins is harder, but the rewards, once one is over the initial hump, are commensurate.Anyway, a few ideas. Good luck with the presentation.Margaret Wills, land

[Guest guest]

What would such a pragmatic plan be for nursing triplets?

I know a mother who breastfed her triplets precisely the way that was described

in this post. She fed two babies at the same time and finished with the third

offering both breasts. She rotated which baby got the last feeds. She actually

described herself as feeding quadruplets because one triplet had reflux so she

would end up nursing that baby again.

She devised a spread sheet to keep track of everything after a situation where

she changed one baby once, once baby twice, and one baby not at all.

She also chose to feed each baby individually for the first month; she estimated

she breastfed 24 times a day for that first month.

I interviewed her for a newsletter I edited for a few years. She had tremendous

resources, including a church community that volunteered to help her. What does

a mother do without such resources?

She was lucky, and carried the triplets for 36 weeks. She was on bedrest from 29

weeks on and suffered with constant itching, reflux, and pain from a dislocated

xyphoid process. After the cesarean section, she suffered with sacroilitis, a

urinary tract infection and had to go to PT to regain her ability to walk.

Her breastfeeding plan worked for her; fortunately, she had experience with

breastfeeding her first two children.

What other ways are there to nurse triplets?

warmly,

Nikki Lee

[Guest guest]

Great link Ellen Thanks for posting it........... Vikki

Vikki Kidd

> >

> > Hi ladies,

> > I've been asked by our local breastfeeding coalition to do a presentation

> > on breastfeeding multiples. I am a mom of twins myself so I am doing it

> > from a personal case study perspective and interspersing generalized info

> > in-between. I wanted to get your input on what you think are the most

> > important things to share with folks who are working with multiples as far

> > as how to support moms bf multiples. I will obviously be giving them

> > Gromada's website info as a resource! FYI, this is a mixed group that

> > consists of LC's, public health professionals, nutritionists, etc.

> > Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

> > Best,

> > Casey, LM, CPM, IBCLC

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Dear all:

While it is fabulous and spectacular that some women can nurse all multiples at

once. Many cannot. Sometimes " positive deviants " can be examples. Sometimes

" positive deviants " can be a cause for resentment. I've noticed this when I

have mothers of multiples come into the group. The moms of singletons are in

awe -- but at the same time, they can sometimes shows signs of some resentment

that " well, its all well for her but I can't work that hard " .

For instance, there is always the kid that can manage to survive having

neglectful and abusive parents and manage to overcome all those difficulties and

have a great life. The reality is that most kids in those circumstances, really

need extra assistance.

The mother I worked with had two baby nurses. What SHE could manage and enjoy

was nursing one baby at a time and pumping for the other two. This worked for

HER and they were exclusively fed from her own milk. Her babies were on feeding

tubes for ages. She would always laugh when one of her sons would stick his

head under her shirt. She interpreted this to mean it was his adaptation to

never having nursed and felt it gave him great comfort.

Another mother of triplets in my son's nursery school class (the triplets were 3

out of the 15 kids which included one of a another set of twins in the school)

pumped for three months. Each of them were born at slightly more than one

pound. She was very wealthy and they had an ARMY of help, including a chauffeur

to take the kids to school. They were not allowed on the subway. Kind of

wondered what the boys thought when they came for play dates in our tiny

apartment, but the mother was incredibly nice and down to earth.

Both mothers fended off " selective reduction " . Now the fertility industry seems

to be implanting fewer eggs than in the past.

I think there are many many ways to work with mothers to " invent " the plan that

works well for them and keeps them in the game long term. I think the reality

of keeping them in the game long term really needs to be considered on a case by

case basis. Cookie cutter approaches don't work.

Best regards,

E. Burger, MHS, PhD, IBCLC

[Guest guest]

Many thanks each of you who responded to my inquiry. I really appreciate you

sharing your experiences and thoughts. And I'll hang on to that video link,

Ellen, thanks! I think the presentation went well. I was allowed 45 minutes so I

kept it simple and focused on twins mainly and on pretty general info with an

emphasis on assessing the unique needs of each baby/unit. I hope that those who

came left with at least something new or thought-provoking. I have a great fear

of speaking in front of groups so it's something I'm working on! Thanks again

for the inspiration and all the knowledge I gain from this community.

Warmly,

>

> Hi ladies,

> I've been asked by our local breastfeeding coalition to do a presentation

> on breastfeeding multiples. I am a mom of twins myself so I am doing it

> from a personal case study perspective and interspersing generalized info

> in-between. I wanted to get your input on what you think are the most

> important things to share with folks who are working with multiples as far

> as how to support moms bf multiples. I will obviously be giving them

> Gromada's website info as a resource! FYI, this is a mixed group that

> consists of LC's, public health professionals, nutritionists, etc.

> Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

> Best,

> Casey, LM, CPM, IBCLC

>