Double the fun~ Nursing Twins

Today's post written by Jennifer

~This is a re-post from Jennifers blog Once Upon A Baby~

"How I Nurse My Twins"

This post has been a long time coming. I've been meaning to post a little guide for expectant twin mamas (and any other curious folk) on breastfeeding twins, complete with discrete photos. So here it is. I talk to so many people that find it absolutely amazing that I am able to nurse two babies, and a lot of expectant twin mommies I've talked to are very sceptical in their abilities to do it themselves.

I have worked hard, through trial and error, to find a good nursing system that works for me. Granted, it may not work for you, but I hope that in some way it helps and encourages you to nurse your twins (or singleton). Also, I've got to say that I have not figured this out all on my own. I've talked to a couple different lactation consultants, my LLLI leaders, lots of mamas on thebump.com's eco friendly family forum (check us out, we are a lovely bunch of people), and most significantly-another local twin mama that has become a great friend and mentor. Ashley, thank-you for your help and I am so glad that I am getting to know you.

First of all I find it immensely helpful to gather anything that I might need ahead of time, because once I get the babies latched on, I am not getting up for anything. On my list of things to keep near me while nursing are a glass of water, a small snack, and my pillows. Notice that I did not include remote controls or the phone. I actually try to remember to turn off my phones while I nurse, as I find it incredibly distracting to myself and the babies. I don't watch t.v. while I nurse because it is also distracting and I like to limit the noise level. I have also gotten in the habit of putting a sign on the front door when I am nursing them or when they are napping, that says "Shh, babies are sleeping. Please do not knock, ring, or call. Try us again later."

Now I am ready to nurse. I have four pillows that I use: two nesting pillows from blessednest.com, one nest egg from blessednest.com, and one throw pillow that goes behind my back. I grab both babies and hold them against myself as I plop down on the couch. Hugging both of them against me with one arm, I wedge the throw pillow behind me in a way that gives me comfortable back support. Now, I place one nesting pillow on my right side and one on the left slightly over lapping in the center. I find it more comfortable to keep their heads elevated, so I shove a nest egg underneath both pillows, where they overlap. I really love the pillows from blessednest.com because they are filled with buckwheat hulls and you can adjust them to get the firmness where you want it. (think bean bag chair) I usually make it firmer under their heads and arrange for less hulls near their bum, which puts them in a great position.

Once my pillows are in place I put one baby on my right side and adjust him to a comfy position, playing with the firmness of the pillows until he seems to be in a good place. I latch him on. I repeat this with the other baby on the left side. They are head to head, kind of like two football holds, only supported with pillows. This position works best for us and keeps both babies happy. I have tried having them overlap or lay in the same direction against each other, but as they are getting older and more aware, they seem to become more easily bothered and distracted by each other. In my position they do grab at each others hands, but at least they aren't kicking each other. If you have problems with them grabbing at each other, I've heard the swaddling them so that their arms are tight against their bodies will help.

I highly suggest getting yourself a couple of blessed nest pillows. The two that I have pictured in this post are organic, and available for $87 Here. Mine are Pacific Grove and Key Lime. They are very very handy for nursing twins, or a singleton for that matter. I find them indispensable. Here is how I use the pillow if for some reason I am only nursing one baby.

My boys are seven months old now and are still nursing every two to three hours. When one twin is hungry, I feed them both, whether or not the other twin was acting hungry. I have a better let down this way and can give my "failure to thrive twin" a little boost of easy flowing milk. Another benefit of nursing them at the same time, is that it takes a lot less time overall. For months I was nursing them separately and it seemed like all I had time for was nursing. Now I have some extra time to devote to B Bear.

One other thing that I want to mention is that I have gotten myself used to nursing in public. I realized that if I want to be able to leave the house, I have to be able to nurse them. I bought a used ring sling from a friend of mine and take it with me everywhere. If you run into me out and about, you are likely to see me carrying or nursing one baby in the sling. To do this, I loosen the sling, and put in on with the rings on the opposite side from the breast I want to nurse on. Next, place the baby in the sling so that his bottom is cradled in the sling. Lean the baby so that his head is near your breast and tighten the sling. Then I latch him on. His feet stick out the other side and really the only thing the sling is holding are his bum and thighs. I never do this hands-free. Baby's head is cradled by my arm and we are tummy to tummy.




Good luck with nursing. You can do it, and it is so so good for your baby(ies). Remember that what works for me may not be the right arrangement for you. Play around with it and see what works for you and your babies. I hope that this was in some way helpful and that you are inspired to nurse away!

Note: I was not paid in any way other than being sent merchandise to review and mention the nesting pillows from the blessed nest. Their pillows are fabulous and that is my very own honest opinion.

I Am Grieving, Rejoicing...

photo by Kristen Cannegieter

Today's post written by Chrysula.

I am grieving. I am rejoicing. I feel loss. I feel relief. 

My youngest and last child weaned himself a few days ago. I have four children and have nursed all of them. In fact, I’ve either been pregnant or nursing for the last eight years. It has generally been easy for me. My body worked as it was meant to most of the time, allowing me generous supply and minimal infections or interruptions.

My first child, a daughter took her sweet time - at least twenty minutes per side. We both nearly always fell asleep, me usually sitting up, waking with an almighty crick in my neck. I went back to work full time when she was four months old and pumped as long as I could. I got her to nine months before my supply gave out. The pumping just wasn’t as effective as she was. But I was pleased with my efforts. The battle for a private space in my all glass open plan office is the story of another post. Suffice to say I fought a good fight and my openness and insistence on speaking about my breast requirements to our all-male leadership team helped others follow suit. 

My second daughter was the Queen of Efficiency. Fast and furious, she could empty a breast in under five minutes. I again went back to work when she was four months old but resigned a couple of months later. She was a dream to nurse and we went to fifteen months before the unique bond that is breastfeeding was broken in a very gradual and easy fashion. We were both ready. 

My first son, after some early but mild mastitis, was also a Master nurser. As the number of children increased, my quiet time with the baby lessened. Nursing was a pivotal way to carve out time with my little one that was just ours. Never one to particularly enjoy those “in the quiet of the night” moments with my baby because I was usually so bleary eyed and hungry for sleep, I did find the odd moment of midnight stillness to appreciate the gift I’d been given. At ten months he went on a sudden nursing strike. After three swollen and frustrating weeks, he took a bottle and was weaned. 

And finally my youngest son. Our early time together was the easiest yet. Nursing was simple and at a good pace. With this being my fourth child, nursing really was one of the few times of day and night that I could be exclusively with him. But the last three months have been painfully difficult. He took to biting down hard at every nursing session and in the last few weeks drew blood on multiple occasions. He would laugh when I cried out, thinking it was a new game. When I gently flicked his cheek, he stopped biting for a couple of weeks, but then it started again and the flick only worked that one time. I’d tried bottles and formula in the past to ease the way for babysitting but he was the first of my children to emphatically and without exception refuse them.

I persisted with nursing. I talked about weaning for weeks, but just couldn’t bear the thought of weaning him in anger and frustration, knowing this was something I would never do again. The biting got worse and finally ten days ago, the pain was unbearable from bruising and breaks in my skin.

I tried the bottle once more, and “bingo”. He drowned eight ounces in record time. Clearly he’d been trying to tell me something. He nursed a couple of times over the next two days. Then nursed only at night for two more evenings. The next night, almost a week ago, he refused completely. That was that. It was done.

I am grieving because there will be no more babies. And no more babies lives being sustained from my body. I am rejoicing because I can leave him with a babysitter and not be traumatized that he won’t drink anything or cry himself to sleep without comfort. I feel loss at the sudden removal of this bond between my child and myself; our intimate physical connection gone.

I feel relief that I am no longer in pain, that my body is my own again, that my husband and others can share more in his care, that I am one step closer to some of my personal goals and dreams being fulfilled as my children gently stretch towards independence.

But it is a bittersweet time.

Will you share your story or reflections on nursing or bottle feeding your child? Remember, at the Nest, it’s a no guilt kind of place.



Love to the moon and back

(C) Copyright Chrysula Winegar

  Find Chrysula at her blog or follow her on twitter

the flexible, adjustable, wonderful Nesting Pillow

The Nesting Pillow is wonderful for every size mom or baby; even for a tiny baby!

The method below for adjusting the Nesting Pillow was suggested to us by one of the NICU nurses at the Phoenix Children's Hospital, who uses the Nesting Pillow with preemies.

Click to enlarge and read instructions

Blessed Nest~ At Amazon.com

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If you're new to our Nest, here is a little bit us and our Nesting Pillow

Blessed Nest.com

Product Description
All Organic Materials:
The Nesting Pillow is 100% organic and non-allergenic. New mothers care deeply about what's next to their newborn baby's skin and love the fact that The Nesting Pillow is safe for even the most sensitive babies.

Perfect Positioning for Nursing:
The Nesting Pillow is filled with organic buckwheat hulls, which make it possible to shift the contents around like a bean bag to find the perfect position unique to each mother and baby. Once the position is set the little pyramid-shaped hulls inside the pillow interlock together to conform to the shape and hold the position. Additionally, the unique filling allows air to circulate keeping both baby and mother cool and comfortable.

Easy to Clean:
The easily removable slipcover is made of pre-washed and dried fabric to make it machine-washable and able to handle frequent washings, which is often necessary when feeding young babies. (The inside pillow can be spot cleaned and heat sanitized by putting it in the dryer for 20 minutes.)

Additional Uses:
The Nesting Pillow is a terrific support for bottle feeding babies too! Additionally, the repositioning ability of The Nesting Pillow makes it a great back and belly support for pregnant mothers and an excellent abdominal support after caesarean surgery. When the baby isn't nursing, use it to hold your lap-top computer in place while keeping your lap cool and comfortable. The Nesting Pillow also creates a more supportive lap when young children want to hold the baby. (Use The Nesting Pillow only with careful parental supervision.)

Sustainability:
All Blessed Nest products are made in America using 100% organic materials and are shipped in recyclable and compostable packaging.

Love, To the Moon and Back