BF Roll Call!

Ok, it's time again for a roll call! Let's see who all is here. If you are lurking, please use this post to introduce yourself!!!

So, this is what I want to know:

• Your name.
• How long you've been nursing/pumping. (or when did you wean)
• What is the ONE piece of advice you would give new moms wanting to breastfeed?
• What has been your absolute best part of breastfeeding?
• What issues have you had?

I know, it's a lot, but let's get to know you!

 

So, this is what I want to know:

* Your name: Michelle
* How long you've been nursing/pumping. (or when did you wean): 9 weeks (my twinkies are 9 weeks old)
* What is the ONE piece of advice you would give new moms wanting to breastfeed? Don't be afraid to seek help at the get go and when issues arise.
* What has been your absolute best part of breastfeeding? Witnessing how much my daughters (and I) enjoy it!
* What issues have you had? Ugh. I had to have breast surgery three weeks ago for an infection that started as a cracked nipple, then led to a clogged duct, mastitis, and a severe abscess. Unfortunately, my case was mismanaged by my first set of physicians or it never would have gotten so bad.

 

Fun!

I'm Gena, and I need to come up with a more clever username.

I've been nursing my girls for a little over 27 months. Exclusively for the first 5, then added food, although they weren't big eaters. For the first year I pumped twice at work and my mom brought them to nurse over lunch. For a while I pumped at night too, so that there was enough milk for the twins during the day. That wasn't as bad as it sounds.

The twins stopped coming to work at about 14 months when they switched to one nap. At about 20 months, I cut back to pumping twice a day at work. At 25 months, I cut back to no pumping and nursing morning and night only. That was a big jump, and I got a plugged duct. But once we got used to the new schedule, it seems to be working for everyone. My girls love their mommy's milk morning and night, and I love my freedom during the day. It's better than I thought it would be.

How long will we keep it up? No idea. I'm already way past anyone I know IRL, which is a weird feeling. But right for us, for the foreseeable future.

Proud that my girls never got a drop of formula! But humble too. Everything was right for us - full term twins, perfect health for all three of us, good birth, no issues at all.

Advice: BF does hurt at first, even if you're doing it right. Get some lanolin and use it!

Best: Relaxed cuddle time. Especially when DH reads to us.

Issues: Supply was a worry for a while, real and imagined. I solved it by pumping at night to supplement during the day. But also came to terms with the fact that my girls were on the smaller side, and not demanding as much milk as I thought they needed.

Do some research, know why you're breastfeeding, and consider it normal. Feed those babes!

 

1)Pam

2)With the most recent baby I breastfed until she was 7.5 months old, now I pump because of her nursing strike when she had an ear infection. I've been pumping now for 2 months.

3)Be surrounded with people who support breastfeeding. (This is a great forum!)

4)Not warming and preparing bottles, special alone time with me and the baby

5)Many issues for different children, Baby #1 -low supply after being on an antibiotic, it never came back the same way. Baby #2 -latch problems at first, but she ended up going the longest at 18 months, Baby #3 - stopped at 5 months due to possible Lyme infection. Baby #4 - dealt with yeast infection in milk ducts breastfed until 5 months pumped until 7 months. The twins - low supply reason was because I got pregnant when they were 4.5 months old. Baby #7 it was going perfectly until she got a bad ear infection and went on a nursing strike, never to come back. I am now pumping for her and she's drinking out of a sippy cup.

 

My name is Tracey.

I've been nursing my sons for 3 months.


My advice is when you want to beat someone for saying "It gets easier", don't do it! B/c it really does!! I wanted to smack people when they said it to me, but it was true.


Best parT: I have a 19 month old, so I don't get to spend a lot of time playing with my boys - my daughter is always on the run. If it weren't for nursing with them, I don't think I would have bonded with them as quickly as I have.


I haven't had many issues, I have been very lucky. The hardest part was going to the NICU every day after they were born and pumping/nursing. I had to be away from my daughter and recovering from birth while going back and forth from the hospital daily was the pits. But it was worth it!

 

•Your name: Christine

•How long you've been nursing/pumping: I nursed my singleton for 18 months, he self-weaned when I was 2 months pregnant with the twins. I have been nursing my twins for 4 weeks now.

•What is the ONE piece of advice you would give new moms wanting to breastfeed? Without a doubt -- get a support system in place before the babies come. Educate your partner and get him on board, and everyone else who will be helping out after the birth. Find a great LC and arrange a consultation immediately when the kiddos come, before problems spiral out of control. Join your local LLL group. Introduce yourself on a BFing support forum like this. I struggled immensely with my singleton, and to a lesser extent with the twins, and I could not have continued without the support I've received!

•What has been your absolute best part of breastfeeding? I absolutely love the connection and bonding it fosters between me and each baby. Because I have three under three, it's hard to give each one the individual attention they need. When I am nursing, I can focus on one twin at a time, look at them, talk to them, etc. I also feel so proud that *I* am giving them the nutrition that makes them grow so healthy. I have some lingering body issues after infertility, 11 weeks of bedrest, and C-sections, so I love that this is something my body doesn't "fail" at.

•What issues have you had? Supply issues at first. My twins were losing too much weight (13% and still falling) and were having trouble rebounding from jaundice. I had a C-section and my milk was late coming in. We used a supplemental nursing system to give some formula in the meantime. We are just now at the point that they are being EBF. I learned with my first one that it's important to be flexible, and don't be hard on yourself when you have a bad day. It gets easier -- oh so much easier! This has really helped me weather the initial challenges of nursing twins.

 

Your name. Christy

How long you've been nursing/pumping. Pumping and nursing (just one baby) for 4 months now

What is the ONE piece of advice you would give new moms wanting to breastfeed? All I can say is know what is involved with breastfeeding BEFORE the babies come. Know how use a pump, how to store the milk, how to latch a baby, etc. I waited until after thinking that it couldn't be that hard... the baby sucks on your boob, what's hard about that? It's not always that easy.

What has been your absolute best part of breastfeeding? Honestly? Figuring out how to nurse while laying on my side, he could eat and I could sleep! My husband would have to stay awake to bottlefeed the non-nurser. :lol:

What issues have you had? Latch issues in the beginning, Claire has never wanted to nurse, discovering Claire's milk protein allergy, never made enough milk to not need formula

 

•Your name- Tamara

•How long you've been nursing/pumping. 5 months 1 day, although I weaned William at 4 months due to severe health issues, he is now on goat's milk

•What is the ONE piece of advice you would give new moms wanting to breastfeed? Don't give up, you CAN do it. Ask for help

•What has been your absolute best part of breastfeeding? The bonding

•What issues have you had? William had latch issues as he was sick as a newborn. I pumped exclusively for him for 4 months then he was weaned

 

My name is Chaundra

Currently expecting but plan on nursing again!
BF Rachel who self weaned at 11mos, Daniel til 15mos and twins Isaiah and Jeremiah for 16 mos.
Best advice? Don't give up! And if putting baby to breat doesn't work...try pumping!
Best part of nursing? Bonding and not having to get up in the middle of the night to make formula.
Issues only the first go round, latching was tough. Pumped and bottle fed till my milk was in better, bout two weeks then switched back to breast.

BOOB JUICE RULES :silly:

 

* Your name - Jenn
* How long you've been nursing/pumping. (or when did you wean) - 9 weeks
* What is the ONE piece of advice you would give new moms wanting to breastfeed? - Patience, patience, patience.
* What has been your absolute best part of breastfeeding? - Nursing smiles!
* What issues have you had? - One baby is a slow feeder, and developed a bottle preference after being in hospital for RSV (needed EBM b/c too sick to nurse).

 

Your name. Michelle
How long you've been nursing/pumping. (or when did you wean) 7 months and 4 weeks. Since the recovery room.
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give new moms wanting to breastfeed? Make friends or reconnect with someone who has been through it in the last 10 years or so to bounce questions off of.
What has been your absolute best part of breastfeeding? The ease and lack of stuff you need to do it. I am happy I don't have to tote formula, bottles or a pump around. (The cloth diapers are enough! :lol: )
What issues have you had? At first I had a baby who did not want to nurse. Then it got really good. Now he's getting his top teeth and is biting and won't let go when I break the latch. Hopefully Tylenol before nursing will help. :gah:

 

•Your name- Shelley

•How long you've been nursing/pumping. 24 months and going strong with 3 feeds a day. I'm not sure when we'll wean... I don't really have any future goals at this point. I, too, am nursing longer than some of my friends had...

•What is the ONE piece of advice you would give new moms wanting to breastfeed? Definitely take a BF class, and locate a local support group either LLL or other. Yes, surround yourself with at least a few BFing friends so you can bounce ideas off of them and get the support you need. In the hospital - if the doctors/nurses push formula ask why! Ask if you can pump instead. (My hosp. ped. said to give an ounce or something of formula to get more fluids in the kids when they had jaundice... a day later the LC at the hospital wondered why I wasn't pumping for that... I didn't know I could have done that.)

•What has been your absolute best part of breastfeeding? the ease of popping out a boob, and then being done w/o any prep or cleanup, this is especially great when we're out and about and at night. I love the smiles I get while the kids are nursing.

•What issues have you had? No medical issues with me or the babies latch - thankfully. I had some small supply issues around 6mo. and pumped 2x a day to have enough for a night time bottle the next evening. I ran through a 40 bag stash in about 10 days when they hit a growth spurt at 6 mo. I would pump a few times a week until 1 yr when I gave up the pump. I'm so glad we're done w/pumps and bottles.

 

• Jess
• I nursed my twins for 14 months, we weaned in April 09. I had a new baby who has a soft cleft palate in Dec 09, and Ive been exclusively pumping for her every day since (just over 5 months!)
• Babies were born to breastfeed. Trust in your bodies ability to nourish your little one(s).
• The best part of breastfeeding is using it for more than just feeding my child. Its good for cuddling, fixing owies, soothing, comforting, and breastmilk cures diaper rash, ear infections, pink eye, scrapes, mosquito bites etc.
• With the twins I had 1 baby who had a high palate, we had to use a nipple shield for 5 weeks - I had mastitis around 10 months of age. With Kennedy I had lots of plugged ducts and tenderness as I adjusted to the pump.

I dont post very often these days, but Im still here!

 

[*]Your name.
Username
[*]How long you've been nursing/pumping. (or when did you wean)
About 2.5-3 years for both my singletons, currently at 35 months for the twins.
[*]What is the ONE piece of advice you would give new moms wanting to breastfeed? Just do it. Don't worry about nip or other people's opinions. Think about what your babe needs.
[*]What has been your absolute best part of breastfeeding?
I guess I've been lucky to not have trouble, either physically or with negative folks around me.
[*]What issues have you had? Mastitis once when I tried to quickly nightwean the twins. Doc ignored me and my concerns and I ended up hospitalized for a short time.

 

Your name Elizabeth

How long you've been nursing/pumping. (or when did you wean) My twins are currently 14 1/2 months old. They nurse four times a day each.

What is the ONE piece of advice you would give new moms wanting to breastfeed? It helps a lot if you are committed to the idea of breastfeeding and realize it might not be easy at first.

What has been your absolute best part of breastfeeding? I've breastfed five children now, all for a year or longer. The best part with all of them has been lying in bed snuggling while nursing.

What issues have you had? Our twins were born at 32 weeks and one had IUGR. She was very sleepy and had a very weak suck. For five months I would set my alarm every three hours, nurse her and her brother, give her a bottle of pumped milk (with a fast flow nipple) and then pump. It was exhausting, but so worth it. Once they turned five months (actual) they were both exclusively breastfeeding and it's been smooth sailing ever since.

 

• Your name. Laura
• How long you've been nursing/pumping. (or when did you wean) The boys are 9 months old and still going strong
• What is the ONE piece of advice you would give new moms wanting to breastfeed? Until they get squirmy (i.e. 9 months :spiteful: ), learn how to and use tandem feeding if possible. I think that saved my sanity being able to feed them both at once so I still had time for my 6 y.o.
• What has been your absolute best part of breastfeeding? When the boys are tandem feeding and they hold hands. Of course, this is usually closely followed by someone poking someone's eye, but it's cute while it lasts.
• What issues have you had? O never did really latch in the hospital and came home on formula and expressed milk for about the first 3 weeks. When he finally did start nursing, neither he or B were gaining weight well so my pedi really wanted me to supplement after each feeding with a couple of oz. of formula. O has reflux and B had colic, so I was nursing both individually while listening to the other one cry and then feeding each one formula after I finally finished. I think I might have cried more than them; it was so frustrating. But I kept setting daily goals (I'll try for one more day and see how I feel). Thankfully, each day began to get just a bit better so I stuck with it. Now, our biggest issue is getting them to stop moving long enough to eat!
  

Laura

 

Your name. Alexis

How long you've been nursing/pumping. (or when did you wean) My first was 4 1/2 months, my second was 2 years, 3 months, and the twins are now at 11 months.

What is the ONE piece of advice you would give new moms wanting to breastfeed? I completely agree with the poster who said to get your support system in place before giving birth. I think that is why I was more successful with my younger kids.

What has been your absolute best part of breastfeeding? I love when they are really little and they pop off all full and happy and just look at you with complete love. I also just love all the nusing cuddles.

What issues have you had? My main issue is low supply. I've struggled with it with all of my kids despite nursing on demand around the clock, taking tons of prescription and herbal remedies, pumping, drinking tons of water, and eating more oatmeal than I thought humanly possible. With the twins, I just could not make enough to EBF and it was really hard to find a good balance between bottles and BFing. Most resources are all or nothing and there is very little advice for people who want or need to do both.

 

Your name. Allison

How long you've been nursing/pumping. (or when did you wean) First son, 7 months, Twins, still bfing at 17 months.

What is the ONE piece of advice you would give new moms wanting to breastfeed? If you don't get good advice or information from your primary care giver, seek the information elsewhere. I got very bad advice when starting out bfing my first son because I never thought to question those who I though knew best.

What has been your absolute best part of breastfeeding? I have had different favourites at different ages. Newborns, I loved the milk drunk babies flopping in my arms. Older babies, I love when they would hold hands while breastfeeding. Toddlers, I love that they bring me the nursing pillow when they want to nurse. And I love that one of my twins said "boobs" at 15 months and says when he wants to bf'd.

What issues have you had? Marathon nursing sessions. For the first 4 months, they would latch on and stay there for hours. Literally hours. I was couch bound much of the day. I felt like I was neglecting my toddler and cried about how little I was doing with him. A year and a half later, I still get a bit teary about those first few difficult months.

 

Your name - Maggie

How long you've been nursing/pumping - 13 mos

What is the ONE piece of advice you would give new moms wanting to breastfeed? Find a BF friendly hospital, and use lactation consultants! I loved my hospital and the lactation consultants. My only complaint was that there were so many different LC's that I got some conflicting advice. It was hard in those early sleep deprived, self-doubting moments to sort it all out. Finally the best advice I got from one of the LC was that I had to seek help, try new things, etc, but at the end of the day, I am the mom, and mom knows best! I was having serious self-doubt issues, you know, the "is the baby getting enough". But they were, and it was okay. I just had to start trusting myself and my body!

What has been your absolute best part of breastfeeding? Quiet moments now snuggling two normally very active boys! They are on the go so much it feels like the only real cuddle time I get is while nursing! Watching to two of them nod off looking so sweet and happy. The occassional tickles they give each other while nursing and the giggles! Of course, less dishes!

What issues have you had? Cracked nipples in the beginning, refluxy baby with milk protein intolerance... But once those things got worked out it's been pretty smooth sailing. We've been very lucky.

 

[*]Your name.
Diannalynn or DL (Dielle was a joke from that)

[*]How long you've been nursing/pumping. (or when did you wean)
Hm, I've breastfed for more than 8 1/2 years. But that's 6 kids. 15, 22, 23, 33 months, and still nursing my baby who'll be a year old this month.

[*]What is the ONE piece of advice you would give new moms wanting to breastfeed?
Give it time, it will get easier (though sometimes seeing yet another lactation consultant might actually be what you need). But don't stress too much.

[*]What has been your absolute best part of breastfeeding?
The bond with my babies, and knowing that I can heal all kinds of owies with a little milk. I saw a T-shirt once that said, "I make milk, what's your super power?" I kind of feel like that.

[*]What issues have you had?
I'm quite prone to mastitis. I've had it at least 7 times. And I really struggled with my oldest at first. Well, we struggled together until a 3rd lactation consultant finally helped me get her latching right at about 2 weeks. Then she was fine. The boys were both fine. Sydney did great, but I could write a book about Sabrina. I ended up pumping for her, supplementing with formula and stressing a lot. She's still really tiny at 4 1/2 and on pediasure everyday. Spencer had a really high palate, and just wasn't latching well. He made this weird clicking noise. And he was so cranky!!! But finally a lactation consultant helped us with some different things to get him to use his tongue right and stay latched. He's big and healthy and happy, and I don't see him weaning any time soon.

 

• Your name.
  Rachel
• How long you've been nursing/pumping. (or when did you wean)
  I nursed my twin boys until 8 and 9 months, and then I pumped until 11.5 months. This week I'll be giving birth to baby #3, so I'll be nursing again soon.
• What is the ONE piece of advice you would give new moms wanting to breastfeed? Educate yourself, build a support system (like others have said), and keep in mind that there will be some challenges (but they may or may not be related to breastfeeding). Also, remember that it gets much easier after the first few weeks, so if you can make it past that point, you're over the hill.
• What has been your absolute best part of breastfeeding?
  Knowing the health and environmental benefits for me and the babies. Also knowing that it's free.
• What issues have you had?
  Nipple pain and bad latches. I also had problems with my boys not wanting to nurse after 8 months old--they were very distracted and preferred bottles because they could run around with them. It didn't help that I was working and couldn't cut bottles cold turkey.

 

• Your name. Simone
• How long you've been nursing/pumping. (or when did you wean) 8 months as of the 8th
• What is the ONE piece of advice you would give new moms wanting to breastfeed? Use lanolin from the start and if your nipps do get very sore, broken and bloody try pumping for some of the feedings for a couple of days It so helped me in the beginning. My left nipp was worse than my right and when I only let him nurse on my right side and I pumped on my left and gave him bottles it helped it heal. I was literally crying and ready to give up. But I continued on and I know you can too!
• What has been your absolute best part of breastfeeding? The bonding and the knowing that I did breastfeed Lennox even though no one not even myself believed I would.
  [*]What issues have you had? See the What is the ONE piece of advice..... answer.

 

Your name.
- Ann.

How long you've been nursing/pumping. (or when did you wean)
- My girls are almost 5 months old and we're not ready to stop yet.

What is the ONE piece of advice you would give new moms wanting to breastfeed?
- Follow your instincts.

What has been your absolute best part of breastfeeding?
- It is healthy: they have never been ill so far.
- I also love our little 1-on-1-moments: the warmth, the love, the cuddles, the smiles. (But, see question below.)

What issues have you had?
- Lack of support from my environment, including my pedi. I was forced into supplementing with formula when my girls were eating all day long, even though our freezer was packed with EBM. Everyone thought they would sleep better and become way less fussy. Which was not the case, of course. On the contrary, we've had to fight our way through some nursing strikes. Now I'm absolutely horrified when it comes to giving them a bottle. I'm lucky to be at home until the end of August, but from time to time there's no escaping as I have to go away on my own without being able to take my babies with me. No more formula, though. It'll have to be EBM.
- Low milk supply? I'm not sure about this one. My gut tells me it is okay, but it is hard not to start doubting too as my babies sometimes become angry when drinking. Everyone keeps telling me the girls eat too often and seems to think it happens because I am BFing and not having enough milk. The girls are gaining well and they have enough wet and dirty diapers. I am tired of having to fight to be able to do what is most natural with my own children.

 

Your name. Sarah

How long you've been nursing/pumping. (or when did you wean) DD #1 - 14 months. Twinkies - 6 months and counting

What is the ONE piece of advice you would give new moms wanting to breastfeed? Use a Lactation Consultant - at the hospital, or privately. Breastfeeding twins is more than possible - but a support system makes it sooooo much easier.

What has been your absolute best part of breastfeeding? Being able to go anywhere, anytime and not worry about formula/bottles/water. And the late night snuggles!

What issues have you had? DD #2 took more than 5 weeks to learn to latch properly. Lots of hard work paid off in the end! Lots of food eliminations from my diet for sensitive tummies!

 

Your name:
Meredith

How long you've been nursing/pumping. (or when did you wean):
I have been nursing and pumping since my boys were born 8 1/2 months ago.

What is the ONE piece of advice you would give new moms wanting to breastfeed?
Educate yourself about the way breast feeding works (supply and demand, latching, potential problems, etc) BEFORE the babies get here. Make sure that part of this education includes getting your network of support in place.


What has been your absolute best part of breastfeeding?
Knowing that I am giving my babies something I believe to be amazing, powerful stuff full on nutrients, and because it was created by me especially for them. I agree with Rachel--also the environmental aspects are important to me.


What issues have you had?

Hmmmm....well, a lot. Hence why I am pumping. It turned out to be the only way to get breast milk to them on a daily basis. I had thrush and mastitis and many a plugged duct. They had latch problems and improper milk removal, reflux, recurrent ear infections due to the reflux.

I am thankful for the breast pump because it allowed me to provide my milk to my babies. And I learned A LOT about working through challenges. In an odd way I think all these challenges we faced are part of what has helped me bond with my babies.

 

* Your name.
* How long you've been nursing/pumping. (or when did you wean)
* What is the ONE piece of advice you would give new moms wanting to breastfeed?
* What has been your absolute best part of breastfeeding?
* What issues have you had?

-Rebekah

-Pumped and nursed both boys for several months then exclusively breastfed until about 13 months then one boy self-weened due to a mouth injury. The other boy is still happily nursing 3x a day at 15 months.

-Just that because things start out poorly -- the babies are preemies, they get formula for weight-gain, poor latches, illness, etc -- It doesn't mean that you won't get to wherever you want to be eventually. For us it took a good three-four months before they were nursing well and I could dump the pump totally.

-Not needing to deal with bottles! *g*

-preemie babies with poor latches, complications from c-section that sent me back to the hospital, no being able to tandem because of their poor latches.

 

* Your name. Chelsea
* How long you've been nursing/pumping. (or when did you wean)
I pumped for my oldest DD for 4.5 months, 8.5 months for the twins and I've been exclusively BF my son for about 4 months now
* What is the ONE piece of advice you would give new moms wanting to breastfeed? Get educated about BF, surround yourself with supportive people and when things are hard in the beginning, trust that it will get easier.
* What has been your absolute best part of breastfeeding? Looking at my beautiful, healthy son and knowing that he is growing/developing so well on something my body made just perfect for him, it is really miraculous when you think about it!
* What issues have you had? With my oldest DD we had latch and nipple confusion issues that we never resolved. The twins I decided to pump for because I was overwhelmed with trying to tandem feed and keeping preemies latched. With Blake we have dealt with issues stemming from my oversupply/overactive letdown. Blake would sometimes act fussy at the breast and was vomiting a lot, sometimes from mouth and nose at the same time which was very scary. It was really hard to know if it was from the oversupply or reflux but now that he is almost 4 months and the spitting up has gone to normal baby spit up we have our answer. I fed Blake on one side only anytime he wanted to eat within a three hour period to help even out my supply but it did take a while to work.

 

I'm Melissa
I partially breastfeed my twins for 15 months, and I've been exclusively breastfeeding my singleton for 3.5 months (In fact, I'm feeding him right now.)
For new moms I'd say trust that it will get easier.
The best part of exclusively BFing this baby is to be free of all that bottle feeding gear and work. (I don't have a dishwasher and spent a lot of time washing and sterilizing bottles with my twins.
I had issues with pain on my part, getting my baby to adjust his latch to a way that would not hurt me and getting my nipples in shape. I'm jealous of my brownskinned-long-nippled-sisters-in-law.

 

My name is Amber.
I nursed my DS for 14 months and I have been nursing my DD for 16 months. She is almost weaned, but still wants to nurse in the morning sometimes. I am pregnant and nursing is painful now so I'm glad she is almost weaned.

My advice is not to give up! Breastfeeding is worth it! In the long run, it is easier than bottles. Get lots of support from an LC if you need it.

 

• Your name.
  I'm Mags
• How long you've been nursing/pumping. (or when did you wean)
  My twins are still breastfeeding at 2 yrs 10 months
• What is the ONE piece of advice you would give new moms wanting to breastfeed?
  Realize that it means very little sleep in the early weeks so try to come to terms with that.
• What has been your absolute best part of breastfeeding?
  The together time it has created which I would not otherwise have had as mum of twins.
• What issues have you had?
  Not many to be honest, we have been lucky. Just the overwhelming tiredness in the beginning, one infection and two threatened infections. A new issue is arising now: I think I want to stop breastfeeding them but not quite sure, I'm torn.....

 

* Your name.
Kim
* How long you've been nursing/pumping. (or when did you wean)
I nursed DS until 7 months (when I weaned so we could get pregnant again.) Then I nursed the girls for 13 months (they never had a drop of formula even with a 7 week nicu stay!!) These boys I'm currently nursing and want to make it to at least 18 months if they are willing.
* What is the ONE piece of advice you would give new moms wanting to breastfeed? Keep at it and don't supplement unless it's really necessary. That means trusting your body to make enough milk for multiples and it will!
* What has been your absolute best part of breastfeeding?
The bond I have with the children. Watching them nurse and knowing that they enjoy it as much as I do is just amazing!
* What issues have you had?
Repeat mastitis and clogged ducts throughout all of the nursing time.

 

* Your name.
Mishelle
* How long you've been nursing/pumping. (or when did you wean)
Nursing 8 months....still going hope to make it to a year.
* What is the ONE piece of advice you would give new moms wanting to breastfeed?
Patience.....set short term goals (ie I want to get through the first month....then 2..3)
Everyone is different....both babies may not nurse the same.
* What has been your absolute best part of breastfeeding?
Bonding with my babies. Feeling that they are getting the best stuff out there.
* What issues have you had?
Getting supply up in the first month (had to pump after each feeding for 3-4 weeks)
Keep up supply around their 4th month (they had a growth spurt. I discovered fenugreek, mother's milk tea, & beer worked)
Bottle strike (I had some pumped milk, but they will not take a bottle, they only want me. Still working on this one. I am going the sippy cup route)

 

Name:
Melissa

How long you've been nursing/pumping:
Nursed/pumped for my twins 13 months; still nursing Amelia at 15 months

What is the one piece of advice you would give new moms wanting to breastfeed?
All the initial problems -- pain, worry about whether they are getting enough milk, latching difficulties etc -- WILL subside. So, persevere! It's worth it.

What has been your absolute best part of breastfeeding?
Having them gaze up at me as I'm nursing them, having them unlatch to stroke my cheek and reach for a kiss mid-session, knowing that I am giving them the best food possible.

What issues have you had?
With the twins -- establishing my supply and starting BFing while they were in the NICU for 7 days; poor latch with my little twin; worry about weight gain in the first month because they were so small!
with Amelia -- nothing really, except very sore nipples int he first month!

 

Heather
-How long you've been nursing/pumping. (or when did you wean):
Been pumping for 2 weeks just starting to do non-nutritive with my babies. They seem to be catching on quick though, so practice practice!
-What is the ONE piece of advice you would give new moms wanting to breastfeed?:
It's frustrating but it's so worth it to see how you connect with your baby in the process.
-What has been your absolute best part of breastfeeding?:
Watching my baby girls look up at me and being able to be so cloth with them.
-What issues have you had?
Baby B currently has her feeding tube down through her mouth and isn't able to latch very well leaving her very frustrated. But in time it will all work out!

 

•Your name - Amy

•How long you've been nursing/pumping. 7 weeks 3 days

•What is the ONE piece of advice you would give new moms wanting to breastfeed? Sorry, I've got two.
1) You are not a failure if you supplement with a little formula. As long as you are still breast feeding, giving part of one, or even a full, feeding with formula isn't bad. Your babies are still getting all of the benefits of breastfeeding and it may make your life easier, especially if DH feeds while you sleep. (Afterall, sleep is necessary for good production.)
2) A schedule will save your sanity. Feeding on demand resulted in me feeling like all I did was sit on the couch with my boobs out.

•What has been your absolute best part of breastfeeding? Hmm, what I think is "best" about it is providing the best nutrition possible for my girls. Maybe we are not far enough removed from the challenges to see a "best" part.

•What issues have you had? My issues, both real and imagined due to sleep deprivation include:
1) inability to latch (mine were preemies)
2) lazy latchers
3) low milk supply (turns out it was only in my head and due to lack of sleep)

PS - Gena 22 - cute user names are only cute for so long. I still love the forum, but am no longer double stuffed nor am I craving Oreos. How silly is my user name now???