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Posted by Marilee
on 9/2/2009, 10:31 pm, in reply to "speaking of nursing..."
71.219.103.148
Wow, Marylynn -- this is so hard!! I went through a similar situation with my first baby (singleton). It was so frustrating. At that time, I didn't know about one of the best resources available to nursing mothers: other nursing mothers through La Leche League! I would suggest that you call a leader who can provide support and help by phone (sometimes in person) FOR FREE. Here is how to contact them: http://lllofslc.wordpress.com/help/
Just a couple of thoughts: The only way to increase your milk supply is to increase the frequency and duration of nursing/pumping sessions. Drinking more water, eating certain foods, taking supplements, etc. could help, but breastmilk is all about supply and demand. The more your babies demand, the more supply your body makes! Our bodies are amazing.
Are your babies good little nurslings? If they are effective at removing milk, then they will be much more effective at increasing your milk supply than a pump.
But, if you need to use a pump, it must be a hospital grade pump. Even a double electric pump that you buy at the store is not effective enough for relactation. You can rent hospital-grade pumps them from places like Lactation Station or through the hospital. Sometimes your insurance will cover the cost.
Some moms do what's called a "nurse-in", where life shuts down for 24 hours or so and all you do is nurse, nurse, nurse. Another great way to increase your milk supply is to nurse while you sleep -- baby will nurse away while you snooze. Your body makes more milk at night, anyway. I could only do this with one baby at a time, so I would switch them off throughout the night.
From my experience, 30-minute sessions may not be long enough. My babies would nurse for 45 minutes or so, especially in the evening. Turn on a show or get a good book and you'll be set!
Babies that are 8 weeks old typically nurse 8-12 times in a 24-hour period. Sometimes they cluster-feed, nursing 2 or 3 times in a row (sessions within an hour of each other) before they settle down for a few hours of sleep. If babies nurse fewer than 8 times, they may not be demanding enough for your body to make enough milk.
This reply is getting really long, but one more thing... Formula supplements may be necessary as you get your milk supply back up. But keep in mind that formula is metabolized differently than breastmilk. Formula makes a baby fill full longer than breastmilk, so a baby that receives formula supplements will not be demanding enough at the breast in order for you body to make enough milk. And four ounces of formula is quite a bit of supplementation. It may actually be more than they need. You might want to gradually cut back the amount you supplement with formula -- half an ounce at a time or so -- so that they will want to nurse more often. You may need to nurse, supplement, and pump. You can use the pumped milk the next time you supplement! You'll want to make sure they are having plenty of wet and messy diapers, and that they are gaining weight appropriately. Keep a chart of it, if that helps.
Okay, I that's all for now 
I'm so glad that you are looking for answers now. Eight weeks is NOT too late to turn this around and be able to fully breastfeed your twinners!!
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