I failed to discuss the breastfeeding class last Thursday- mostly because I spent the weekend nursing my cold instead. Like the other classes we've taken so far- baby care basics and the birthing class- I left feeling a.) good that I knew more than I thought I did going in and b.) slightly disappointed that I didn't get more out of it. They always have cookies at the classes though- yum!
Interestingly enough- of the 6 pregnant women there, 3 of us were expecting twins. Crazy odds, huh? You would think that the instructor would have maybe geared a little bit more than she typically does towards nursing twins, but nope- she hardly mentioned it, except to answer the specific questions one of us had. The other woman that was having boy/girl twins is due March 4th and the other twin mommy-to-be is due at the beginning of April. It is totally possible for all three of us to deliver within days of each other. Our hospital typically has one set of twins delivered a month.
The class did help strengthen my decision that this is something I will try to do and that I will try my hardest to make it work at least for the first month. Now the only class we have left is our Infant CPR class at the end of February. We were supposed to have that class in December when I was in the hospital, so we rescheduled it for the only time left open. I should be almost 36 weeks at that point...gulp!
My friend is lending me her Medela Pump In Style pump so I don't have to buy one. Although I know "they" say not to use a used pump, I just can't justify (or afford) a few hundred dollars for a brand new pump when the breastfeeding twins thing is still awfully daunting for me. She said I should just buy new tubing for it. *Tip for you: I called Medela to find out the style number for the tubing, and the company said they'd send me new tubing and membranes for the pump completely free. That alone saved me probably close to $30. Also, I emailed both Medela and Lansinoh customer service inquiring about samples... and both companies sent me sample nursing pads, lanolin cream, breast milk storage bags, gel pads ,wipes, coupons, and a few other things. Yay for free stuff!
7 comments:
Great idea to ask for samples. I'll have to try that!
Awesome! I love free samples!
So great that you got free samples.
I also highly recommend finding a lactation consultant or resource prior to giving birth if possible. The first few weeks are so hard with all the sleep deprivation and hormones it makes it nice to have a good support system in place.
I agree with Heidi.
Do as much research about breastfeeding before hand. Most that you'll read and learn in class is the basic knowledge for when BFing works. In many cases it is a challenge. Get yourself a good support system in advance. Insist on seeing a LC in the hospital the day the kids are born. Not just a nurse, they are knowelegable, but a LC. If I had to do it all over again I would have hired an LC to come to my home. I saw one at the peds office for a few weeks pp and although she was helpful, sitting in a stale cold clinic was not comfortable for me.
Forgive me if I'm repeating myself. If there is one regret I have about those first few weeks it's this. We tried hard for 6 weeks and now I'm an exclusive pumper and that is much worse.
Good luck and take care in the coming weeks!
I'm totally using a used pump too. I know what "they say", but forget about it. A used pump works just fine and I got all the new tubing and flanges as well. I haven't regretted it for a second and only paid $65 for mine as opposed to the hundreds they cost new! I'm impressed you are going to try to make breastfeeding work with twins. That definitely shows a lot of commitment! Even if it doesn't work to BF, you can always pump and feed BM by bottle which is what I ended up having to do. Anyway, I can't believe you are so close! I am so excited for you!!!
I agree with the above commenter about finding a lactation consultant. It was the best decision I could've made! Breastfeeding can be so difficult and a good support is necessary! Hoping your experience is smooth and easy! Good luck!
that's fantastic. yay for free stuff!
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