My Breast friend

So on this the 87th (I think) day post triplet baby birth, I Heather, officially breast fed the babies FOR THE FIRST TIME!!! I can't believe it! They BOTH latched on and everything - ok - David needed the nipple shield but he did FANTASTIC!! (they both did).

So I'll tell you the story - because I've told just about all of the other stories there have been so why hold back now right? If you are squeamish about the topic of breast feeding, or just don't want to hear it, feel free to stop now - no offense taken. If not, read on my friend...

I came in this morning to David being freed from his feeding tube and being put in clothes. So, both babies are in clothing (David is borderline with his temperature and he may need the warmer again but we'll see), and both are free of feeding tubes. The only stickers they have on them are the ones to monitor heart rate, respirations, and oxygen saturation. YAY!!! I asked immediately about co-bedding them. I was told that it would be arranged and they would be put together either today or tomorrow depending on how David's temperature holds. I then asked if I could meet with the lactation consultant for a lesson on breastfeeding.

At 3 pm, I was in a rocking chair with a GIANT pillow frisbee looking thing with the name "my breast friend" printed in large block letters on top. It was strapped secruely around my waist. An older lady with Clairol red hair was at my side sort of leaning over my chest (the only reason I know about the Clairol part is because she saw Mary Louise's hair and exclaimed, "Oh, I have to rely on my clairol to get that kind of color," and patted her own hair proudly). She took Mary Louise in her arms, turned back to me and said,"well, get those clothes down!" I said ok -rather surprised at her abrupt nature and pulled down one side of my shirt. She plopped Mary Louise down on the flying saucer and grabbing my hand, placed it at Mary Louise's neck and said,"hold her here, NOT her head." She then grabbed my breast and started sort of jabbing Mary Louise in the face with my protruding nipple. She said, "oh good, your nipple isn't introverted. That means it doesn't poke in." She was still jabbing even though Mary Louise was blindly trying to catch the moving object in her mouth. I was having one of those out of body experiences as if I was standing across the room watching everything from afar. It was really rather hilarious. I had a big silly grin on my face as if I was getting a present I'd wanted for a long time. The fact that my breast was being yanked and jabbed in all different directions by a geriatric Jesibelle looking woman was of no consequnece to me. I was about to breast feed!!! As I watched poor Mary Louise though, I giggled, out loud. All I could think of while she was getting bombarded with my body parts was the Christmas Story movie - "You're gonna put your eye out kid!" - Anyhow, she finally was able to latch on and the real feeding began!

I started to tear up. I was just so excited.

After a while with Mary Louise, it was David's turn. I sat by his bed and waited again for the plop and jab to begin (whatever works right?) David had trouble staying latched on so we tried a nipple shield. With that, he actually did a bit better than Mary Louise. Now, if you can picture his tiny size for a minute. While feeding on one breast, his toes hit the inside of the other one - does that make sense? Anyhow, the lactation consultant thought he was so amusingly small and feisty. (and he did look just precious in his dinosaur onesie).

I pumped after their feeding and suddenly produced 8 more ounces! Ha - I'd heard that skin to skin contact helped production, but I didn't think it worked in an hour!

I fed them again for their 6 o'clock meal and they did just as well. I used a nipple shield with Mary Louise as well and she did much much better.

Anyhow, that's the story! I must get back in there. Shift change is over!

Love,
Heather

P.S. David has not had blood in his stool for 2 days now.