Dual Nursing

Alrighty, this post is a long time coming (almost three weeks to be more exact). I decided that I would nurse the twins as long as was manageable. Nursing Rocky was awful. I frequently pumped pink milk (TMI) and I would cry when Matthew would bring him to me to feed. Needless to say, this did not encourage a strong mother-son bond between he and I. If it weren't for "breastfeeding bullies", I might have had a stronger bond with Rock a lot earlier. Not to say that I didn't love him, but it was hard when I was in pain whenever he nursed. He was a puker. He would throw up after every feeding.

I decided to give it another go with Kolbe. This time, he latched perfectly. But, after two weeks, he started projectile vomiting. I tried getting rid of dairy and soy but nothing worked. I continued to nurse for 6 months (along with some supplementing during school-teachers cannot pump and come home at a decent hour to their families). This time was a dream come true. I loved nursing him and cried when I stopped.

 

Now comes the twins. I nursed them individually for the first week to make sure that their latch was correct and to get them used to nursing. Then I started tandem nursing. I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it came to me. They latched better because they had to work a little harder for it. I also found that they usually burped right during feeding! This was an amazing discovery since I HATE burping but for my pukers it is quite necessary and even the difference between a clean feed and a messy, need-a-new-shirt feed. The only weird thing is that Molly needs less than Zoe. It makes sense because of how active Zoe is compared to Molly but it still surprised me. I wish I could post a video but I find it quite inappropriate considering my occupation (I can just see it... "Mrs. Reynolds, I saw your boobs online"... No, thank you!). But if anyone is curious or interested, come visit around 3, 6, 9, or 12... It is something of a miracle. After all, we are given two... Lol. I have always produced massive amounts of milk. I think God was preparing me. This fact, thanks to my good Nurse friend from college, might be the reason I have pukers. I may be giving them too much! We shall see!

 

Wish me good luck and keep those prayers coming. Matthew starts twilight shift soon so he can be with me at night and I start back to work in a month. Matthew is still working third shift and it helps my mindset when I know I am in charge of everything. I organize things so feedings go smoothly. I am hoping Matthew and I do not kill each other when he switches. Co-parenting is a lot harder. When I am by myself, I get a lot more done and I know I HAVE to do everything. Sharing responsibilities is just not an option. We still won't see each other (I will get home from school at 4 and he will go immediately out the door to work until 11), but I will have my hubby by my side at night and in the morning to help with getting the kids situated with breakfast, diaper changes, and brushing teeth.

 

I love my bigger family. I love that I have given my children the gift of built-in best friends and shoulders to cry on. I am blessed beyond measure... just don't ask me to hang out for two or three years! ;)