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Cassandra and Elizabeth,
I did not take any breastfeeding classes, as I didn't seem to have to much extra time before the babies arrived. I figured I would give it my best shot at breastfeeding them, but pretty much had it in my head that I would mostly pump. They came at exactly 32 wks. and were 3 lbs. 5 oz. and 3 lbs. 11 oz. They spent 32 days in the NICU. They were fed by feeding tubes for about a week and a half and then were weaned to bottles. The hospital was a 45 minute drive for us, so I was only able to breastfeed them once a day.
It was very difficult at first b/c they both had a difficult time latching on. I pumped from day 2 of having them and was very lucky that my milk came in well and with full force. Your body will just make enough to feed 2-3 babies provided you pump on a regular schedule. Even when they were in the NICU I would set the alarm to get up and pump to keep up my supply like I was actually feeding a baby. I rented a hospital grade pump for about $38 a month. I still had to supplement my milk w/ 22 calorie formula b/c the kids were underweight. After a time I could empty both breasts b/w 10-15 minutes :)
When they arrived home I breastfeed each about an average of 2-3 times a day and bottlefed them w/ breastmilk. It worked out to bottlefeed them mostly b/c my husband and I would each feed them at the same time, especially in the middle of the night. It was also nice b/c relatives were able to feed them. The breastfeeding was kind of nice to fall back on though especially if it felt like we were being bombarded w/ visitors. It was my down time w/ the babies. I could never feed them together like the class suggested. Both would get scared and cry terribly, so that never worked for me.
I breastfed our daughter until about 3 months b/c she seemed to having weird reactions to my milk. (blood in her stool and breathing issues) They thought she was having a reaction to dairy products. I was not willing to cut dairy out of my diet, so I stopped nursiing her. We then gave her soy formula and all problems cleared up. I continued to feed our son breastmilk until about 6 months. I stopped for selfish reasons... I wanted to be able to have wine and some frozen drinks since it was summer.
Formula ran us about $55 a week. We bought the large cans at Costco. I also used name brands (Enfamil and Similac) I know people who used generic and saved $$. The only thing is once you introduce a formula to the baby it is wise to keep them on the same formula for the duration provided the formula agrees w/ them.
I was happy with myself for having pumped and breastfed for as long as I did. Don't get me wrong it was a pain a lot of the time. Trying to get two babies out of the house and make sure I pumped was extremely difficult. I had to bring the pump w/ me whenever I went anywhere for longer than 4-5 hours. I remember we went to a wedding and before the reception I was pumping in the back seat, just so I would be comfortable!!!
Whatever you decide, it will be right for you and your babies. I plan to exclusively breastfeed this baby and probably pump again, but as always we shall see what life holds. As long as I give it my best shot that is all I can ask of myself.
Keep trying to go as long as possible and keep those babies in there:) Even if it means being stuck on a couch for the next 2 months - it can mean such a difference in development :)
Meg
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