I’ve been on demand feeding the babies since they arrived home a couple of weeks ago. We try to keep them on the same schedule {it makes nights so much easier}, but that doesn’t always work.
They tend to sleep in between feedings, so whoever wakes up first gets put on the boob first. We change their diapers & get them otherwise naked to eat; they stay awake & eat more effectively that way. Plus both drool & make a mess so we go through less clothes if they eat undressed. I will typically start whoever woke first in the cradle hold, on the opposite breast they last ate from. When the other baby is awake & changed {by husband or family helper}, I’ll switch first eater to football hold & put the other on. Only exception to this is if Zach is eating well, he’s small enough to leave in cradle hold & just put Lucy on football.
Lucy & Zach don’t mind being repositioned mid-feed. They also don’t have left/right boob preference {thank goodness}. But like all the multiples books I read said, they are two different people {duh} & thus totally different feeding styles, preferences & issues. As of right now, Lucy is easier to feed. Just put the boob in her vicinity & she’s pretty good. She might need a little encouragement to keep eating & stay awake after a few minutes but rubbing her head or shoulder will do the trick. I cut them off after 30-40 mins, especially L. Zach {who’s still much littler}, has a harder time sometimes. Both still are using the nipple shields, but Zach flails his arms at first {he’s usually been crying &/or excited} so he frequently knocks off the shield. Knocking it off just makes him more upset, poor buddy. But once he’s latched, he’s pretty good.
I’ve been told, by NICU, pediatrician, LCs & books, that they’ll get to be more effective & efficient eaters by their due date {July 1}. I’m looking forward to seeing what that means. Hopefully less time on the breasts & that we’ll be able to lose the shields soon.
Way to go!! It’s such hard work (and I only had one). BUT it DOES get easier!! Soon it won’t be such a production, it will almost be easy. They can hold their heads and bodies just right and even use their hands to help. My little guy will hold my boob like a bottle:) Keep it up, you’re doing a great job! And thanks for sharing:)
thank you! Looking forward to that!
Yep! We were able to ditch the shields just after their due date. It makes life SO much easier. You’re doing so AWESOME, Suz! Go, mama, go!
Lucy’s fed a few times at the end of feedings now without the shield. Z shocked me the other night by latching on for a second without one! Light at the end of the tunnel!!!