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BF Advice (Long-Sorry!)
So I know I've only been at breastfeeding about a week (less if you discount the days before my milk actually came in, which was around Tuesday night), but I wondered if my supply sounded normal for this point.
I feed the girls sorta on demand, but the pedi told us to wake them every 2 hours during the day to help with the day/night adjustment. They sometimes wake sooner. They feed anywhere from 10-30 minutes, with the 30 minutes being maybe 2ish times a day. They do have quite a few dirty diapers daily so I know they are getting something. Sometimes feedings are incredibly close together (like 1 hour or 90 minutes a part). Sometimes they act annoyed when they latch...which I know could either be due to frustration with latch or quick letdown....but could it also be that they aren't getting anything? Once they settle in, I can hear them gulping so I know they get something once they do eventually latch, even if it means switching sides.
For my sanity I am also trying to pump a little so DH can take a feeding or two. I try to time the pumping after a feed for both of them. So far I only get about an ounce or two in the afternoon/evening. Yesterday morning both had a bottle (since I was on a work call), and I got about 4 oz. This morning 1 had a bottle, and I got 5oz when I pumped after feeding the other.
Anyways....just being a paranoid first time mom; I want to BF or pump as much as possible before having to use formula. But I also hope I'm not starving them.
Weight check is on Wednesday.....nervous but anxious to know how they are doing with all of this!
So how much should I be able to get out of a pumping session?? Or is it just so little because it is early?
Re: BF Advice (Long-Sorry!)
Breastfeeding is so hard in the beginning, at least it has been for me both times. Both of my boys had issues when they would first latch on and I found out after having Hudson that it was because I had an over active letdown and they couldn't keep up with how fast the milk was coming out. I thought with Gavin that it was the opposite! Both of them would seem like they just couldn't latch, they would shake their heads back and forth and kind of mouth around on my nip but not actually settle in to feed. Once the flow slowed down they did great.
I think it varies for everyone how much you can get in a pumping session. I pumped after feedings when it was just Gavin and would get an ounce or two (if I remember right). With Hudson once I was pumping after I went back to work I was usually able to get around 5 oz total for each feeding. I would get more if I pumped first thing in the morning.
I went to weight checks frequently. I went to a breastfeeding support group on Mondays while I was on maternity leave with Hudson and went to the group at St Joe's with Gavin. I found the Monday group VERY helpful, it was the LC there that helped me figure out our issues with my forceful letdown, Hudson's tongue tie and my nipple fissure. It was also really nice to know how much he was getting, how much he weighed and what his weight gain was from the week before.
Good luck, you sound like you're doing great!!
BFing is a bit of a leap of faith. You have to trust that you're making enough, and you can check this by making sure they're having enough wet and dirty diapers (at least 5 wet). You also need to know they're gaining weight (our pedi used to let us drop by for weight checks whenever, and BFing support groups have scales. G was so small we rented a scale to be sure)
I wouldn't expect to get much pumping this early. In fact, in general, I've had a hard time pumping much extra for twins. I had more extra early on, but now the times when I've had to give formula are when I'm going out. I think pumping early on can kind of disrupt the natural balance you're trying to establish, so if you want to do it for a little supply boost, go ahead, but don't worry about stocking up too much.
I wouldn't worry about the fussiness. You probably either have an overactive let down or they're just getting impatient for a letdown. You'll hear them swallowing when you letdown and then just let them eat until they're full. Your instinct to feed them on demand is right on. Keep it up!
This I loved Kellymom, so helpful. Oh and way to go nursing twins, you pretty much rock in my book.