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kellywithtwo
04-18-2008, 03:56 PM
I am actually writing this for a friend of mine who has two month old boys she has not been able to breast feed. I visited her for the first time this week and was surprised to learn that she had all but given up. Kelly has been pumping so she is still producing milk, but the boys probably receive one bottle of breastmilk for every 4 bottles of formula.
As a past successful breastfeeding mom (my two are 21 and 16!), I jumped right in with encouragement and found your website for support. I want to continue to encourage Kelly, but she is concerned about being able to start breastfeeding after 4 weeks of no breast. One of the babies can latch on fairly well, but apparently not consistently, while the other (who has been spitting up after virtually every feeding), I observed, is not wanting to do the work to get his milk but screams in frustration instead, arching his back.
What advice can you give me to give her (Kelly doesn't have ready access to internet) as she does want to give her babies the benefit of her milk. I just think she needs a coach, who must be me!

RedheadbyChoice
04-19-2008, 11:24 PM
She needs to get in touch with a lactation consultant, ASAP. Yes, it's very possible for both those babes to nurse and get more breastmilk.

To find an LC in your area, click on this linky. (http://www.kellymom.com/lcdirectory/index.html) Also, if there's an LLL group in her area, (http://www.lalecheleague.com/public) that would also be a great support for her.

Does she have a good pump? How often is she pumping? I'm assuming that the babes are healthy?

And kudos on you, sugar, for being a good friend and advocate for her. :)

~ginger

kellywithtwo
04-21-2008, 10:25 AM
Checking the links you gave me, there is not a local group for Kelly to connect with. I'll have her ask when she takes the boys in for their next checkup if there's a nurse she can work with. In the meantime, I'll pass on the encouragement from you. Thanks for your response!

AtWorkShhhh
04-26-2008, 01:19 PM
I think it is awesome that you are trying to help your friend. Since there is no LLL group near Kelly, she should find an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant ASAP!!! Even if one is not nearby, they can arrange a visit or phone consultation.

She can also get free telephone help by calling an accredited La Leche League Leader at 1-800-LALECHE. A Leader can give her lots of great information and resources to help her get her twins to the breast.

It is absolutely possible to get them back on the breast. As a start, you could give her lots of help by showing her the asymmetric latch videos on www.drjacknewman.com and printing a copy of the article on bottle feeding to reinforce breastfeeding at the link below.

http://www.bfar.org/bottlefeeding.pdf

She might also consider using/buying a lactation aid. These can be purchased commercially or made at home with 5fr, 36" (#5 French, 36 inch) feeding tube inserted into the hole of a standard nipple on a bottle full of pumped milk or formula. There is also a video and handout on Dr. Newman's site about those.

Good luck to Kelly!