I need to increase my suppy ... again !

[twinmommy]

I have twin boys that will be 2months old tomorrow. They were born early at 33w4d. They didn't have any problems ( thankfully ) other than they were slow eaters. They wouldn't let me breastfeed right away but I pumped from the beginning. While they were still in the hospital , I was making about 2 ounces every 3 hrs. They fed them formula while they were in the NICU and by the time they came home they were eating about 2ounces a peice every 3-4 hrs. I couldn't keep up with that. Their ped. ( which is very pto breastfeeding ) told me I would still need to supplement b/c they were smaller and we needed to make sure they are gaining wt. Well now they are up to 5 oz. ever 4 hrs. a peice. I feel like there is NO WAY I can make that much. I have really slacked off on brestfeeding b/c I was breastfeeding them, them feeding them a bottle and then pumping for 20min. So now I might pump every day/ every other day. So I am making nearly nothing.

I REALLY want to breastfeed though .... it is very important to me. I am taking Fenagreek ( I am sure that isn't the right spelling ). It seems to help when I remember to take it. I know it is my fault for slacking but with me making so little it seems pointless. It really is at the amt. I am making , it isn't even enouph to bother with. And I am sooo busy with the babies.

I know it sounds like I am trying to talk myself out of breastfeeding, but I am not. I honestly want to do it. So all this rambleing has been to ask a few ?'s.

Can I make that much ?? 10 oz every 4 hrs. It seems impossible. I know that if they hadn't had the formula they wouldn't have gotten used to having that much and it would make it easier. Second ?. How do I get my supply back up ?

Any feedback would be great. Thanks in advance

[Lieselotte]

The best way to up your milk supply is to nurse, nurse nurse. Any time there is someone around that can help you (dh, mom, friend) take your boys to bed and have a nurse in day. Every time they squirm, squeak, fuss, NURSE. If you are using soothers, stop using them for a few days. Satisfy ALL your babies sucking needs at the breast.

Suckling at the breast stimulates your body to release prolactin. Rising prolactin levels signal your breasts to make more milk. In less than 6 hours your body can double your milk supply at each feed.

Different breasts have different storage capacities. Over a 24 hour period just about every mother can make enough milk for their babies, but some mothers can't store as much milk as some mothers in their breasts. Mother's with smaller storage capacity need to feed their babies more often in order to maintain their milk supply.

Related to all this is the substance called "Feedback inhibitor of Lactation". That is produced in your breasts when ever they are full. That tells your body to slow down milk production. Waiting too long between feeds signals to your body that not as much milk is needed and your milk supply can start to slow down in as little as 4 hours.

If your babies are not in danger due to weight issues, would you feel comfortable just nursing them for a few days in order to increase your milk supply? At 8 weeks it is still normal for babies to feed ever 1.5 - 2 hours all around the clock (I am not sure how often your babies are nursing).

Every time you miss a nursing session (by feeding formula or pumping) your body is getting the signal that less milk is needed.

Lilo

[busymommy-123]

Hi Noah and Carter's Mommy - Congrats!
I have 4 mo twin boys and a 2 years old boy(Jonah, Oliver and Caleb). I know how frustrating and tiring it can be to breastfeed twins, but you can do it! I have breastfeed my boys from Day 1. they were born at 36.5 wks and slow eaters as well, but I really pushed to breastfeed as much as possible in the hospital and it paid off. IT is definitely possible to make that much milk b/c like Lilo said the more you nurse, the more milk you make. My boys have been eating every 2.5-3 hrs since birth and have been sleeping through the night since 7 wks. Today, I nurse them 5 x a day and in order to keep up my supply I pump in the evenings when possible. My boys are 4.5 mo and 14 lbs each, so they are healthy and growing and my dr is really impressed how well they are doing! I do give them a formula bottle once a day around dinner time to give myself a break b/c I find they can suck the energy right out of me, especially nearing the end of the day! I just bought the fenugreek seed tea tonite and the recommendation from many others is to take the tea(or pill) and Blessed Thistle pill to get good effects. So I am going to do that and I will tell you how it works for me. I hope you find this encouraging and keep up the good work!

[LadyLiberty]

Nurse, nurse, nurse. There is no reason why you can't pump while you give a bottle to them. Also, if you really want to encourage your breasts to make more milk, use an SNS rather than giving a bottle. You want as much breast stimulation as possible.

I have twins and I have experienced supply issues before, though not for the same reasons as you. If I were you, I would nurse with an SNS and pump after every feeding. It can take up to two weeks for a milk supply to adjust, especially with twins. Also, if they are sleeping more than four hours at night, get up and get them for a feed, or pump. Your breasts should not go that long without being stimulated when you are trying to increase supply. It sounds like you are a SAHM which is good because this will take a lot of time and dedication, but it CAN be done.

Best of luck!