Frustation

Hello ladies. I'm new here and have already found so much useful information. Here is my dilema.

My twins are 1w4d old. They were born at 36w6d and went home with me without any problems. However, one twin will not consistently nurse and it's driving me insane! She will eat once and then will not eat the next feeding. It seems like she will not work for the milk unless my boob is really full. Then she will be completely fussy until the next time that she decides to eat. My other DD will eat everytime I nurse her and is content everytime. Any suggestions? I really do not want to bottle feed. She is gaining weight so that's really not an issue. But I really need to maintain my sanity through all of this.

 

take a deep breath :hug99: If she is gaining and has enough wet diapers then try to relax, which I know is not easy at all!!! She may be a pretty efficient nurser and not hungry every time. How often is she bfing? Are you doing any supplementing?

 

QUOTE(excitedk @ May 11 2008, 01:44 PM) [snapback]767186[/snapback]
take a deep breath :hug99: If she is gaining and has enough wet diapers then try to relax, which I know is not easy at all!!! She may be a pretty efficient nurser and not hungry every time. How often is she bfing? Are you doing any supplementing?


I am nursing them every 3 hours during the day and trying to let them sleep (let myself sleep) every 4 hours at nighttime. No supplementing. I did give her some BM in a bottle earlier today because I had had enough of the fussiness. But I don't want to cause any nipple confusion and want her to continue to nurse.

 

:sign0016:
At that age my twins were eating more often - every 2 hours during the day. I would try to feed more frequently ( I know that sounds like the last thing you may want to hear) and see if the fussiness diminishes. You are in the thick of it, it does get better, hang in there.

 

:hug99: Congratulations on your twins! I'm glad that everything is going fairly well. Have you thought about introducing a pacifier. It may be that she just likes to suck. I too would not stick with the 3/4 hour feedings. I know that is what the hospital sends you home with, but I feel they need it more. I know my current singleton was not gaining like he should have with that schedule. My twins were nursing every 1.5-2 hours (day and night) when they were that age. Good luck! Take care of yourself! Have you tried pumping a little bit on the side where she nurses to get the milk flowing a little bit before you nurse? Just a thought...

 

I ditto trying to nurse more often to see if that helps. How long does she nurse for? It sounds like a fussy newborn, and maybe that you have a strong letdown....does she seem to get upset a few mins in?
If you think its that she wants the milk faster and stronger then try tandem feeding, that makes the letdown faster and stronger.

 

QUOTE(JicJac @ May 11 2008, 03:31 PM) [snapback]767227[/snapback]
Have you tried pumping a little bit on the side where she nurses to get the milk flowing a little bit before you nurse? Just a thought...


I would try this. Maybe she doesn't like to wait for the letdown.

I also agree with the others to feed more frequently. You are going great!!!!

 

I have pumped some after nursing to help the supply get stronger. I can feed more often. Did you all find that this caused them to be awake longer stretches at night though?

 

Really, feeding more during the day should help the babies recognize that it is day time and they feed alot and are awake more and that nighttime they feed less and sleep more.

But then again at that stage in the game NOTHING is routine!!!

 

How does she act when you offer the breast and she refuses? Does she just seem lazy to latch on, or is she arching and pushing away?

Agree with pps - you may want to try nursing more often. Some babies actually have trouble eating if they get too hungry - they're so frustrated that they can't get coordinated to latch on, and just go crazy. Catching them early can really help in this case.

Also, I don't know a lot about reflux, but you might want to ask the pedi about it. Discomfort with eating and weird feeding behavior can come from reflux.

Good luck! I hope you can figure this out! I bet you'll get past it really soon, though - that young, everything can change in a matter of days!

And WTG mama for nursing! :clapping:

 

Fushia- She is very irritated when she won't nurse. She always has issues latching on and doesn't want to get started. She just swings her head and arms around like a madwoman. (in turn making me a madwoman. Ugh!).

OK, I'll start nursing every 2 hours during the day and see if that helps. I nursed my DD for 11 months and never thought it would be this hard to nurse! It would be so easy if Mallory would just nurse better.