10 wks old and trying to smooth things out.

[RKeith]

I'm new to the whole mothering bit and didn't really have a lot of time and money to do any research on the whole bit. In short, I'm at a loss onto what I am to do. As is I'm feeling around in the dark so to speak. Lately I've been very depressed about the whole situation. I don't regret the choices that I've made.

Schedule w/kids: (PST)
8am - Kori BF. Dain fed by bottle ate all. Try to get hubby fed and off to Jobs +.
10am - Kori (the girl) BFd, diaper, put to sleep. BF for about 20mins.
11am - Dain (the boy) BFd, diaper, bottle finished, put down
1pm - Kori (the girl) fed, diaper, put to sleep. BF for about 20mins or more.
2pm - Dain (the boy) fed, diaper, put down, bottle finished
4pm - Kori (the girl) fed, diaper, put to sleep. BF for about 20mins or more.
5pm - Dain (the boy) fed, diaper, put down, bottle finished
That is about how it is about every three hours. I tend to skip the diapering during the night to make sure I get enough sleep. I don't turn in normally until about 11pm.

Kori is able and willing to stay on for hours. Dain on the other hand isn't all that good, tends to delach a LOT. I have a Lactina pump from WIC and am planning on getting my own. Currently I don't use the WIC pump. I lack paceshunts and tend to get depressed and angry easily. As for what I do when the kids are asleep, I try to do normal housekeeping things along with figure out what to do about my hubby and I's things, by myself most of the time. For what I do after they've latched, watch TV, play video games, anything to keep my mind off the boredom I feel.

My goals are as follows:
Up milk supply and have some for reserve. To learn how to 'smooth' things out. Prep for going back to work.


Questions I have:
Am I doing the right thing while breastfeeding? If not, what should I be doing? Is what I'm doing during the night alright or should I be doing more? How can I up my production and store some for later? Is there a specific pump I should get? What is the best way to go about getting the housework done? I tend to drink a LOT of artificial sweetener type drinks, does that effect my the kids? Is there anything I can do to better feed the kids? What should I do with the WIC pump? When should I pump and for how long?

[trylyn5]

I don't have twins so I can't answer those specific questions but I can give some advice on the others. I'm not familiar with the Lactina pump but I would recommend a double electric (so you can pump both sides at the same time), pumping both together can help increase your milk making hormones.

Housework? Well, I admire you for even trying with twins. Honestly, there is only so much you can do and that is something that can slide. Stick with necessities. Dishes so you can eat. Laundry when you run out of clothes, etc. I would sleep when the kids are sleeping. This might help your supply too.

Yes, from what I understand, artificial sweeteners pass on to the babies and are not recommended while pregnant or bfing. They can also do weird things with your cravings and make it harder to lose weight if that's a concern for you.

I'm going to let someone else answer the when to pump questions just because of the twin thing. Good luck!

[RKeith]

Am I doing the right thing while breastfeeding? If not, what should I be doing? Is what I'm doing during the night alright or should I be doing more? Is there anything I can do to better feed the kids? What should I do with the WIC pump? When should I pump and for how long?

I'm still looking for answers on these questions.

[trylyn5]

Try posting on the general board. It gets a lot more traffic and there are some very knowledgeable ladies there. You'd get help much faster.

[JulieBaby]

I have 14 months old twins, and what has helped me keep my sanity is getting them both on the same schedule.

The never fed from the breast (I exclusively pumped), and I found it so much easier to feed them both at the same time, so feeding time was cut in half. I put them down for naps at the same time, and because of this I was able to get a fairly good amount of housework done.

Now, with a 3 1/2 year old and 14 month old twins im lucky if I get a shower before 10pm!!

[RKeith]

I'll have to do that.

[Jen0608]

Congratulations then, and thanks for the tips, I would ready myself if ever I give birth to a twin. :D