Double Trouble

[buckeyegal]

Tolbee, I could understand the pumping stress! It does make it hard, doesn't it? I really wanted to bf mine and I lasted as long as I could. But, I eventually had to make a decision that would make for a happy family. Happy mommy=happy babies. How old are your babies? You might just need a little more time to get your supply up. BTW--your supply should go up if you actually bf the babies. Pumping (even hospital grade) doesn't have as much effect as an actual baby suckling. I hope today's a better day for you!

As far as needing attention at the same time, I wouldn't worry too much about that right now. They should be pretty sleepy for a while. Especially since yours came early. If you put them in bouncy seats (when they're big enough), then they can still watch you and your toddler even if you're not holding that particular baby at that time. I also just tended to take turns with my babies. I'd put Ellie under the play gym, so she could look at the colors and toys, while I held Braeden. Then I'd switch. It does get a little trickier when they're ready to "play" on the floor and aren't able to sit up on their own. That's when BUMBO seats are great!

[tolbee]

Thanks Kim.
I totally agree with you about pumping. It does add stress. I am supposed to pump every 3 hours but lately, I've been slacking. I cannot find much time to pump that often. I should be better at putting my babies at the breast. My babies are way too used to the bottle feeding now and my dream of bfeeding is starting to shatter. I have to re-evaluate what my priorities are. At this point, I am just surviving...

My energy level is very low due to fatigue and I really need to toughen up. I think it is partly because I was on modified bedrest the last part of the pregnancy and I didn't do much. My DH spoiled me pretty well and now I don't even feel like picking up what I dropped because that was my DH's job.

My babies will be 3 weeks old tomorrow. I guess I have to pull out the play gym and bouncer from the garage soon. So far, my twins sleep most of the time. I do have a bumbo seat and my son loved it.

Anyway, I better pump now...
tolbee

[LauraLou]

Tolbee- Those first few months are so hard!!! I was so exhausted I didn't even enjoy my babies as I should have. I was just trying to get thru the day/night. I have no advice as to pumping/breastfeeding as I gave up almost immediately. It was too much for me and I didn't even give it much of a try.

But once we hit the 12 week mark, everything got so much better! My babies started to sleep thru the night and suddenly I was a new person. I had energy, I loved playing with my boys and I started to enjoy being a mother. It has been wonderful ever since! I love my boys so much and they are such a joy. But those first 3 months were the hardest of my life.

Please know that things will get so much better. Just hang in there and know that soon you will be glad you have twins! Really, I promise!

[kholtan]

Hey Tolbee~ The pumping thing really stunk for me as well. I couldn't find a pump that actually worked so pumping produced so little it seemed rediculous. If you really want to bfeed, what about skipping the bottles and just trying to bfeed them? Not sure if that would work or not but in my bfeeding class I was informed that they will often prefer the bottle if they get both equally because it flows faster and they get less frustrated. Not sure here because my little ones only get one bottle a day still and neither one really loves it. Pumping was just too crazy all in all for me as well. Couldn't find the time to pump much less clean everything up 6-8 times a day! PHEW!
Also, I took regland as well at first and mothers' milk tea and what ever I could get my hands on but pumping produced so little. Oddly enough, my babies have always been able to get enough milk and have been growing steady. They can suck much more than I can pump for sure. Even when I would be rather full a pump would eleviate the pressure but then get nothing. When my babies eat I can see them drooling milk and hear them gulping??? Makes me wonder where it's all coming from?? The added stress of wondering if they are getting enough is rough.
Like Kim, I also did "Babywise". Mine was a slightly altered version that fit us but it worked like a charm. . . on Annelise. My son. . .not so much. Goes to show you how different twins still are. It may be a great book to just pull what you want from. Good luck to you.
I know these first few weeks and months are hard. It does, as we all say, get better. Just be patient and know it will have gone by too fast before you know it.
We are all here for you if you need us!
Take care~
Kimberly

[tolbee]

Thank you LauraLou and Kim~.
I should check out Babywise. Anything that would make things easier for the twins, I will definitely try!
LauraLou - it is indeed very difficult, although my body is starting to adjust to this crazy schedule. I am looking forward to getting my energy back. The twins are 3 weeks old so I still have long ways to go, but I keep reminding myself that we are all making progress, including my toddler boy. I am so looking forward to the 12th week!

Kim - you are right. That is great your twins are getting enough to fill their tummy! The lactation consultant said I should keep pumping to get the supply up before giving it up because my twins are still small and they may not be strong enough (?) to just rely on bfeeding itself. I need to go in and talk to them again. I did notice though that they do prefer the bottles now. How sad it that. With my older son, I pumped for 5 months and put the bmilk in the bottle. I feel like I am falling onto the same path again.

It really does help all you experienced twin Moms assuruing me that things will get better. I just want to make sure I look at the big picture and enjoy my children and not so much focus on challanges. I am looking forward to seeing my twins babbling and smiling at each other. Oh that would be a sight!

Thanks again guys!

Tolbee

[kholtan]

Tolbee~ Just a quick thought for you. My twins were only 4.5 lbs each when they came home so they were small as well so I understand where you are at. I had to let them eat for a full 30 minutes while they were so small which is why the tandem pillow was a life saver. I also had no problem using NEOSURE formula for a few added calories as well. It's 24 calories instead of 20 and I would give them 1-2 oz. at night depending on how they ate during the day.
I know the lactation gal would like you to keep pumping but the time it takes to clean up, ect. . . is taking away from your toddler and your twins. If you tried to feed your twins more times in a day and pumped less it amy be less work all in all. Just an idea. I hope we can help you get thru this hump in the road dear!

My dilema is that my son has given up the bottle completely now. He will NOT drink from one at all. I can get 1 oz. in him at night now and that is by forceif he takes it at all! He is sooooo small already and I have been trying to fatten that kid up but now he just simply HATES all bottles. There goes my wine! What to do? He also gets up every 3 hours like clock work to eat at night no matter how much solid food I pump into him. The solid food actually upsets him and he sleeps less! What the???? This boy has given new meaning to challenge. Man is he ever cute but no rule book was written by him!

Geting ready for a ton of house guests this weekend! Gotta run!
Take care and best of luck everyone!
Kimberly

[buckeyegal]

Kimberly--I am sorry that Bodie is being a stinker. I really don't know what to tell you about the bottle....I"ll keep thinking! Like I said, He IS a boob man!

[tolbee]

Kimberly - I put my daughter at breast for dinner and she did very well taking in a lot of milk. I thought bfding reduces swallowing much air, but seems like she swallowed a lot and had a very big burp afterwards. Maybe she is not latching on correctly. My son is a little impatient and he gets mad when I try to bf. I should keep trying though...
I am sorry your little Bodie is not taking bottles. My girlfriend's daughter was the same way but soon enough she'd learned to accept it.

It's 10:30 pm and my night shift is just starting. I am dreading next week because my husband is planning to go to Asia for a business trip. At least I have my Mom here.

There are many Kims on this board. My real name is actually Kimi, so very similar. Oh and Kimberly, I am a graduate of BSU! I noticed your location is Boise. I lived there for 4 years and met my husband there.

Anyway, I hope everyone is doing well. Sounds like everyone has a nice routine set with the babies. I cannot wait to establish a workable routine with my twins, too. The night shift is very lonley.

Take care!

Kimi

[kholtan]

Kimi~ That is so funny! My grandmother use to call me Kimi. BSU also! small, small world. BSU has come a long way in the recent years. I actually lived here during high school, moved away for 10 years and returned here 7.5 years ago to be closer to my immediate family. Love it here though and wouldn't change for anything.

My babies would often get quite a bit of air as well from not latching properly but they eventually learned and it really helped. I also use the Avent "breastflow" nipples to help keep an equal playing field between me and the bottles. Only thing about that is that even now it takes them forever to finish a bottle because they only like the same flow as bfeeding! I have tried to give them a faster nipple and they totally refuse it.
My DD was the better eater and still is. The little fella would grow impatient and get distracted but just stick to your goal. Although he won't take a bottle anymore, and we try every night, I'd rather he give up that than me! He had an ear infection at Thanksgiving and some health issues but other than that we have been illness free here and we are VERY active. I'm not sure if it's the bfeeding but I'm not about to try fix what's not broken!

Good luck and keep up the excellent effort! I hope you feel like things are getting easier. When the nights get super lonely just remember how fast it is all going by and those quiet moments at night will soon be a thing of the past. Makes me almost sad that Annelise and I don't get that time anymore. . . almost!

Kim~Two boob men in one house keeps a girl busy!

Have a great day everyone! WE have our 6 month shots today! Can you believe 6 months????? How? Where? Am I really a mom?? Life goes by too fast!

Take care~
Kimberly

[kholtan]

WEll everyone. . . we have been growing!!!!! Annelise comes in at 13 lbs. 12 oz. and her brother is bringin' up the back at 13.lbs 4 oz.!!!!! Both are 25" long and have finally made it onto the growth chart!!!! Anna is in the 10% and Bodie is in the 3%!!!!!!! They made a big old jump on the scale since last time they weren't anywhere near their corrected age! This is for their actual birth age as well! WHOOOHOOO!

Funny how it really takes the worry out of how much they are actually eating. The shots were pretty easy as well today so all is great!

We are having a dinner party for about 13-15 people Friday and 5 house guests all weekend starting tomorrow so I may be too busy to catch up this weekend but I hope it's a good one for everyone!

Kim~ Are you still making your own baby food? I'm needing to get started on that and just thought I would see how it's going for ya. When I was a nanny I made it as they ate it but I didn't have 2 or house hold chores to do so I think I may need to make it in advance now. Do you remember what Ellie and Braeden weighed at 6 months? Just curious!

Take care everyone!
Kimberly

[buckeyegal]

Kim--you crack me up! 2 boob men! My big boob man used to whine that the babies got to have all the fun when I was bfing....the thought of him near me at that time made me want to gag! I'm glad the appt. went so well today! Yeah! Sounds like they're finally putting on some pounds. At least you got a lot of use out of those 0-3 month outfits. Mine seemed to skip those....I had to go look up our weights at 6 months. Ellie was 16 pounds and 14 oz. Braeden was 15 pounds 11 oz. God, I hope he catches up to her at our appt. next week!

Yes, I am making baby food, although I do use Gerber and Beech nut to fill in the gaps! I used to try to make a ton of babyfood at a time on the weekends, but that got too overwhelming. So, I just pick a food and make a two weeks stash when I do it. I spread it out over a week or two period, so I'm not always making baby food. I've had good luck with carrots, peas, green beans (although their texture is not too liked by E and B), squash, sweet potato, peaches, pears, and chicken. I've tried beef, but they HATED it, so I just haven't bothered with that lately. Now that we have more variety, I don't seem to be making food as often. ONly glitch? I have no room in my freezer for food for me and DH! We're getting an extra freezer for the garage soon. I'm now trying to get the kids to eat small bits of what we're eating. Sometimes it goes well, other times...ugh....

As for us, Ellie is sick again. I swear my kids only go to the sitters two days a week for 4 hours at a time, and they catch so much crap there! (it doesn't help that they are putting EVERYTHING in their mouths, huh?)She's got a pretty bad cold, and she keeps gagging on mucous....it's a miracle to keep any food down her. Plus, not much sleeping going on. I'm getting a little loopy!

Kimi--yeah, another kim! Must be something about the name, huh? I hope today was better for you. Good luck while your DH is gone. That's got to be hard. Does he have to travel a lot?

Di--We haven't heard from you in ages?! I hope your move went well. Fill us in when you get the chance. Our babies are going to be 9 months next week!

Oh, Kimberly--you are a BRAVE WOMAN for entertaining all those guests! Yikes! I can't imagine exposing anyone to multiple days of what we refer to as "our life"! Good luck!

[tolbee]

Hi All,
The weather in Seattle has been beautiful and I took my toddler to the park in the afternoon. We had a lot of fun spending time together. It's even going to be nicer tomorrow so we'll definitely be outside playing after his daycare.

Kimberly - yeah a small world. I really love Boise. I would not mind moving back however it would be hard for my husband to find a position there in his field (software). I lived right on the hyde park neighborhood and walked over to Goodies for icecream all the time! ha
I am glad Bodie and Annalise are gaining weight nicely. About the baby food, my son started his solids at 5 mos and I mainly relied on Gerber stage 2 veggies and fruits for convenience, but occasionally made pureed food from organic sweet potatoes, carrots, yams etc... I made whole bunch and froze them.
Good luck with the house guests!

Kim - Thanks! I am definitely getting used to this new routine. Noah is starting to sleep longer now (4 hours instad of 3), so it's a good thing. My toddler, Sean, slept through the night at 6 weeks, so I am hopefull the twins will accomplish it by 10th week. My twins already take in as much as 4 oz of formula at a time. I am thinking that is a lot for a preemie. I have to remember to go to the bookstore and take a look at Babywise. My husband postponed his trip to mid April. Yeah, he travels frequently to overseas... I don't even want to think about it as caring for a baby while he was gone was hard enough yet alone three...

Anyway, I have to go now. Alyson is making noise.

Kimi

[Xrayem]

Hi Di, Kim, Kimberley and Lauralou (and anyone else who remembers me!)

Um. Just a warning to be careful....I am nearly 6 weeks pregnant again! It is a natural pregnancy and we are still reeling from the shock. It is a blessing though, and I'm sure having carried twins, a singleton will be easy! That is if I only have one this time around.

Hope all your bubs are doing well. Finn and Jasper are wonderful, nealy crawling and pulling themselves up at every opportunity!

love Em

[buckeyegal]

OOOOOHHHH MMMMMYYYYYY GOOOOODDDDDDD, EM!!!! I've been wondering about you! I figured you were just too busy to check in anymore!

How are you doing? Are you dealing with this shock okay? Wow, I've heard of this happening. That's why I went back on the pill right away after bfing. I just couldn't fathom another baby...yet! Good for you though. You sound like you're doing well. Isn't it funny though? All that time TTC, then you get twins, and then BAM, a little surprise for ya!? I'm very happy for you. One baby should be a piece of cake. Just what to do with 2 toddlers? good luck! When are you due? You must keep us posted!

[LauraLou]

Congratulations Em!!!! What a shocker! You must have been so surprised!!! Wow, you are going to be a busy lady! Are you having the terrible morning sickness you had with the twins? I hope this will be a very easy pregnancy for you, you deserve it!!!

Jeremy has a black eye! The dog knocked him over yesterday and he cut himself right next to his eye. At first I thought the dog bit him, but it's just scrapes and a cut.

I took Jeremy to the doctor and he is fine but he looks like he was in a boxing match! I was so mad at the dog I was ready to send him to the SPCA! But DH loves the dog more than he does me , so the dog is here to stay but will no longer be allowed in the same room with the babies.

Luckily the babyproofing guy was here this week, so our gate is up and I can keep them separated easily. He did a really great job. It was well worth the money. I am especially happy to have the the babies' dresser bolted to the wall as they can now open the drawers by themselves.