Thursday, July 12, 2007

just a quick update

don't have a lot of time or brain cells these days, but here's what's note-worthy:

had weight check yesterday by visiting nurse -- chloe 5lb 4oz and zoe 5lb even. both girls are now 19 inches long and chloe's head circum is up 2cm and zoe's up 1cm. I credit these minor differences to the fact that chloe had just eaten and zoe's poor head was ginormous at birth due to huge bruise from suction (more on that later)

cloth diapering is actually going really well. we had some wicked diaper rash for a few days, which may or may not have been a result of my taking antibiotics for the world's worst UTI. I will not feel guilty if this is the case as drugs were necessary. At least I've quit the percoset (under duress :)

breast feeding is going... well, it's going. we are fully on breast milk. all feedings but two are directly nursing and the two overnight feedings are pumped breast milk supplemented with formula to boost the calories as per NICU recommendations. Apparently we should keep this up until 6mo. That's actually ok with me as I get a little break at night. H gets up and does the changing and bottle feeds and I just have to function long enough to turn the pump on. glamorous, I know

as far as the actual nursing goes, well, it ain't a comercial for the ease of breast feeding, I can tell you that. The babies have small mouths and well, we've all read about my monstrous mamaries, so there's some issues there. The lactation ladies in the hospital gave me nipple shields which seem to help as it gives them something manageable to latch onto. However, it gives them some wicked gas. At least I'm blaming the gas on the use of silicone shields and not on genetics. you be your own judge of that. I'd like to get them off the shields and we've been practicing without them a little. It's getting mixed reactions. Zoe is game and will give au natural a shot. Chloe just looks at me like, "really? you want me to put all of this in my mouth? have you gone mad, woman?!"

House is fully sided with new gutters and windows. they are coming back next week to install gutter guards and shutters. It looks like a new house. ok, not new, but like an old house that's less crappy :)

petey has stopped biting out his fur and is back on eating regular old meow mix at nights and staring at babies with curiosity and some moderate disdain. right now, I have the front windows open (for the first time ever!!!) and he is in heaven.

Petey is going to be pissed, though when I close the windows in a few as we are going to take the babies on a little walk around the block for some fresh air. Not sure if this is sanctioned, but the air outside has got to beat the old ass air in here. I mean, some of the air in here may be over a century old. spew.

so that's the news that's fit to print. no picures today as I'm too tired to seek out the cord for the camera and upload any. tough noogies for you. oh, and I'll take any suggestions on the breast feeding conundrum. how bad should I feel about the shields and how anxious should I be to get past them? I kind of feel like, if it's working for now... thoughts?

4 comments:

Heather & Chaos said...

I stumbled upon your blog as I was looking for twin mommies (I'm due in November). I used a nipple shield after I had my son in November 2005. My nipple wouldn't really get big - if that makes sense- so he had an easier time on the shield. I never weaned him off it. But I also only breast fed for 8 weeks. But I do know another mommy who was using one up until her daughter was almost one. She tried weaning of the shield but it wasn't entirely working. So I wouldn't feel so bad. I actually kinda liked having the nipple shield because I could see the little bit of milk left over inside when he was done nursing and know he was getting milk and that I wasn't dry. Hope that helps!!

Eva said...

Glad you're all doing so well. It sounds like nursing is going great, I'm so glad for you.

We used shields for a while. Jordan, the bigger baby, who was able to exclusively nurse (not need bottles of breast milk) came off first, at like 1 month, 1 week and 7 pounds. OMG when I stopped using the shield with him, it hurt tremendously. He and I would have battles where his latch hurt so bad I'd pull him off, put him back, etc. I think it was too soon. In retrospect I would have waited longer. I was so stubborn though and wanted it to work so badly I would never use the shield and it was a battle for a couple of weeks before we settled into a new rhythm.

When Sarah was about 8 pounds, more than 2 months old (2 1/2?) I gradually moved her off the shield. I didn't do it as abruptly... I would offer her without, and if she didn't take, I would give her the shield back. Eventually, it worked. I had a lot less pain with her.

So, my advice would be keep the shield until they are bigger. Once every week or so you could experiment without, see if they can latch, etc. If not, stick with the shield. I think the negatives of the shield, some LC's say it might lead to less milk production but you don't seem to have that problem. There's the inconvenience but that's not so bad. And if it's causing gas that's a bummer but some babies just are gassy, and actually, formula can make it worse.

Anyway, once again a very long comment, but so glad you're all doing well.

Stacie said...

I never used nipple shields, so I can't help you there. I can tell you that the first 6 weeks of nursing suck. SUCK SUCK SUCK SUCK SUCK. No pun intended. It gets better. Actually, it is already going way better for you than it did for me.

Anonymous said...

Do whatever works best for you and your babies. With or without the sheild, they are getting the good stuff. I nursed (and suplemented) my son for 10 months and needed the sheild b/c my nips were so cracked in the beginning. My only advice is too get some of that baby safe nipple cream for when yor ready to go au natural. It will help prevent cracking and bleeding and make the experience more enjoyable. If you need support, just ask.