Sleeping through the night questions

Just when I had the girls on a great schedule that worked for the whole family, our pedi told us it's time to let them sleep through the night and start eating cereal. I was hoping some of you breastfeeding moms could give me advice.

First, let me just say that my girls, Ava and Elina, are a little over 6 mos by birth and 4 mos gestationally. I have been strictly breastfeeding them (no bottles--breastmilk or formula) since they came home from the hospital. Their pedi is impressed with how much weight they've gained and how well they're doing, considering that they're not getting any fortifier. So basically I want to stick with what we've been doing because it's working for them (meaning I don't want to introduce bottled bm). Oh, and I don't tandem nurse at all. I find it uncomfortable, they like the one-on-one time, and we struggled so long with reflux so that I couldn't tandem that they've just gotten used to having me all to themselves while eating.

So, with that said, how do I feed them in the morning after they wake up from sleeping through the night? Last night was the first night I let them sleep through (8-8), and when they woke up, they were both starving (aka screaming). Thank God my mom's here for a visit because she helped me to feed them (I'd nurse one while she burped the other and then switch). I've thought to wake one up early, but we'd probably wake the other in the process. So what did you all do?

And now, on top of this, I have to work solids into the schedule.

Sorry this is getting long, but I'm just having one of those overwhelming moments when you think, how can I possibly take care of 2 by myself? (My husband works 12 hr days, so by the time he gets home, he only has time to play with them for a bit then help me put them to sleep.)

Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

Just when I had the girls on a great schedule that worked for the whole family, our pedi told us it's time to let them sleep through the night and start eating cereal. I was hoping some of you breastfeeding moms could give me advice.

First, let me just say that my girls, Ava and Elina, are a little over 6 mos by birth and 4 mos gestationally. I have been strictly breastfeeding them (no bottles--breastmilk or formula) since they came home from the hospital. Their pedi is impressed with how much weight they've gained and how well they're doing, considering that they're not getting any fortifier. So basically I want to stick with what we've been doing because it's working for them (meaning I don't want to introduce bottled bm). Oh, and I don't tandem nurse at all. I find it uncomfortable, they like the one-on-one time, and we struggled so long with reflux so that I couldn't tandem that they've just gotten used to having me all to themselves while eating.

So, with that said, how do I feed them in the morning after they wake up from sleeping through the night? Last night was the first night I let them sleep through (8-8), and when they woke up, they were both starving (aka screaming). Thank God my mom's here for a visit because she helped me to feed them (I'd nurse one while she burped the other and then switch). I've thought to wake one up early, but we'd probably wake the other in the process. So what did you all do?

And now, on top of this, I have to work solids into the schedule.

Sorry this is getting long, but I'm just having one of those overwhelming moments when you think, how can I possibly take care of 2 by myself? (My husband works 12 hr days, so by the time he gets home, he only has time to play with them for a bit then help me put them to sleep.)

Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

i have had to stop breastfeeding but i can tell you what i would do. after a few days of letting them sleep long, you will be able to tell when they are going to wake up. Like they will probably always wake up around the same time. I would suggest waking one up like 30 minutes before the anticipated time, that way you are done feeding that one before the other one wakes up. you could always alternate days as to which one you wake up first. that is just my suggestion though. i hope that helps.

good luck.

 

Hi there! And way to go on being so dedicated to nursing your babes! I wish that I had a ton of advice, but mine didn't sleep 12 hours straight at that point (lucky you!) so I fed them in the middle of the night at that time. We chose 7 to be our "wake up" time to start a routine, and mine both didn't wake at the same time. I just fed the first to get up, and then my dh got the other if I was still feeding the other.

Okay, so if I were you, if 8 is going to be the start of your day for them, I would just feed the first to get up, and then if while nursing that one, the other wakes and is screaming, go get them, and put them in the bouncy by you with a pacifier. Then swtich. I know this isn't probably much help, and don't worry, there are lots of little bumps in the twin journey, that you think, "I can't handle two", but then it passes, and it all gets easier...til the next little bump.

You might try to ask this in the breast-feeding forum on here too!

 

Ooops! If forgot to address the solids part. The American Pediatric Assoc. is now recommending that the child be 6 months old to start solids, so what I did was wait until the kids were 6 months adjusted age. Just because they are 6 months old on the docs chart doesn't mean that the innerds (for lack of better words) are ready for them yet. Just a thought if you didn't want to introduce those just yet.

 

HI,

bottom line, your babies don't need any nutrition besides breastmilk for the first year. Introducing solids gets them familiar with the mouth feel of food and moving food from front of mouth to the back to swallow. You can play with "meals" and give them that exprience as much as you want and when it's convenient without it being a hassle.

I give morning solids and evening solids, but if we miss one, no big deal. I also don't give them as much as many pedi's say as I don't want to mess up my supply.

Addiitonally if you add solids, make sure to feed the babies with bm a little while before you give solids to ensure that the solids are supplemental and not meant to fill them up.

I do not do everything my pedi says, I research and do what I feel is best. Especially since i breastfeed -- as many pedi's are not completely aware of bf-ing, etc. Mine is pretty good, but I don't always agree with her.

Oh well. It pays to be discerning and to research on your own.

Nothing will stop a baby from being hungry in the morning if they didn't eat all night.

HOw do you go that long without pumping or feeding is my question?? I have to pump every 6 hours max.

Teri D

 

Hi,

I fully fed them not too long before introducing cereal. So yes, we're just doing it to teach them how to take solids.

And I pump during the night. I'm like you, I get so engorged that there's no way around it.

 

I can't believe that you babies are sleeping 12hrs straight. I am expecting my twins in May. How do I go about feeding schedules the first 3 months. I have a 5 and 3 yr and they were every 21/2 hrs despite being big babies. Should I plan on having help the 1st month? I can't breast feed b/c I have lupus so they will be on formula. Please help I am obsessing over this. Is there a message board for newborns?

 

Oh, good luck. I can't even begin to imagine how hard it would be to take care of twins AND other kids. I know that's not what you wanted to hear...sorry.

Anyway, they don't always sleep 12 hours straight, sometimes it's more like 9. I'm trying to let them figure out when they want to eat during the night now that we have the green light from the pedi to let them go as long as they want.

And I'm on a 2 1/2 hr schedule during the day, but supposedly that helps them sleep more during the night (since they're getting plenty all day long). The first 3 months, however, they were eating every 3-4 hrs...usually. All I can say is that you have to try to work out a schedule that's best for your babies. And yes, I did have help. My mom flew out here for the first month or so. I don't know how you would be able to take care of four without help. I do know that in my state there are organizations that offer free help during the daytime. Talk to your local hospital or OBGYN to see if that's available for you. Best of luck to you, and remember to rest and eat--taking care of yourself is the most important thing because otherwise you can't take care of your children.

 

quote:
Originally posted by Jess8906:
Just when I had the girls on a great schedule that worked for the whole family, our pedi told us it's time to let them sleep through the night and start eating cereal. I was hoping some of you breastfeeding moms could give me advice.


if what you are doing is working for you and your family, why are you thinking about changing it? you are the mom, and you know best. drs are good at diagnosing illness, but i don't think they are any more qualified to tell a parent how to raise their kids than the next person. not everything works for everyone, you have to find what is best for you and your family.

as for the cereal, it is nutritionally useless, and there really isn't a reason to feed it, especially at the age your babies are. are they showing signs of readiness? here is an article about starting solids. there is a list of readiness signs near the end.

you have a lot to be proud of, you have given your babies the very best start possible. way to go mama! trust yourself and do what you feel is best.

 

I feel that, like some of the pp have said, you listen to the Ped then do some research and do what you feel is best. We plan to let our boys sit at the table with us, which they already do, and slowly put some food on their plates for them to play with and eventually eat. My Ped has said there's no rush to start solids, but I figure he'll be a little bit more ready for me to start them when we go for our 6 month checkup. I try to use what he says as a place to start, not the only way to go.

Good luck and congrats on bfing your babies!