By Rachael Schirano | Leave A Comment
There has always been quite a bit of public discussion involving the breast versus bottle decision that every new mother has to make; but when it comes down to it, breastfeeding (or not) is an incredibly personal choice. One that is usually discussed for months, one where options are weighed quite heavily and one that can become quite complicated to make.
And, of course, it comes as no surprise that having multiples complicates that decision even further.
In fact, a lot of new mothers of multiples assume that breastfeeding multiples just isn’t a possibility, but if is something that you decide you want to do, it can be done. Quite successfully, in fact.
For 14 1/2 months I provided breastmilk for my triplets. They were born 10 1/2 weeks early, spent 38, 41 &45 days in the NICU and once they were home they weren’t quite big enough to exclusively breastfeed, so during that time I pumped. I joked that the pump was the 4th baby. We were that close. But as they reached their original due date, they were able to effectively breastfeed, and we gradually settled into a routine that worked for all of us.
It was a routine that was different than what I expected; and so much better than I anticipated. It was through the trial and error of figuring out what worked for us that I learned to compromise. And I realized that finding the balance between what worked best for both myself and the babies was the key to my success.
Stay tuned for a follow-up article “10 Tips for Success in Breastfeeding Multiples.”
Rachael writes about her adventures with the toddler triplets and teenage daughter she successfully breastfed at Little Bites of Heaven.
(photo by littleREDelf)
ABOUT Rachael Schirano
Rachael Schirano is the mommy of 4 children, a 13 year old daughter and 1 1/2 year old bgg triplets.{read more}
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I nursed my twins and would often times pump 8 ounces once they were finished. My lactation consultant, also a La Leche Leader, had told me about Fenegreek (not fenegren the anti nausea med) that increases milk supply substantially. I would have had enough milk without it, but it was nice to be able to pump after nursing and get a supply of breast milk in the freezer. I was at a La Leche League meeting with my first baby and saw a mother of twins nursing her babies. I didn’t know at the time that I would remember that experience and know it was possible and do it myself 2 years later.
14 months! Go you!
So well written… I found myself nodding away in agreement at every word!