Wednesday, July 15, 2009

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.

17 comments:

  1. Way to go Mom and Babies! Great pics with Mimi and Granddaddy.

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  2. Your description of your first breastfeeding experience is hilarious!! It made me laugh out loud! I'm so proud of all of you and your breastfriend!

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  3. I read the first sentence, immediatley teared up, and was like "attn: self, stop crying so you can read the darn post!" Then, the tears came back when I laughed reading about the Clairol Red lady! What a happy ending to a horrible horror story! They look so cute in their outfits!

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  4. I was laughing so hard about the out of body exeperience that my husband thought I was losing my mind. Congrats.

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  5. You just crack me up! I know how you feel out of body and everything. It is really weird when some strange woman grabs your breast and jerks it around. I remember thinking ok this is rather uncanny. Should I be offened or appreciative. Of course she was very helpful.
    Yay Heather I know you have been waiting for this! I am glad to hear they both did so well on the first try.

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  6. That is so wonderful! I must tell you, skin-to-sink nursing with preemies works best. And you will have set backs! Just mentally prepare for them now and know it will get better. I gave up with Charlotte and pumped for her, but it was a pain. I plugged through with Frances and it was hard but so worth it!

    Good luck Mama! You are doing an amazing job so far!!

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  7. Oh I'm so glad I was not the only crying and laughing out loud....What are the current weights, the staff has been asking

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  8. Woot Woot, WAY TO GO! Wow, the babies are really coming on! WYou must have been doing so well with the pumping for the last few weeks for them to get latched on so easily! Well done babies too. Lotsd and lots of love xxx

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  9. Go Heather! I am SO excited for you! I remember breastfeeding my twins for the first time and, like you, thought it was hilarious! The poke and jab method must be quite popular - poor babies, rooting around like mad and then getting thrust upon a nipple abruptly!

    I know you've been waiting on this for a long time - and I know it's everything you expected! Such a wonderful bonding experience with your babies!

    Wait til you breastfeed them tandem - now THAT'S even more hilarious - I never thought it would take such concentration from all THREE of us!

    Have Fun! So proud of you and the babies!
    Hannah

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  10. That feeling you experiences is why I am still BFing & they are 16 mths old. Congrats mama!

    Astrid

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  11. I am so excited for you! I was literally laughing out loud and crying at the same time! I remember having that trouble breastfeeding all 3 of mine! They all 3 started with the nipple shields but were eventually weaned off of them. I can imagine how relieved and excited you must feel. Keep up the awesome work. Your babies are definately reaping the benefits!
    Heather

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  12. Congratulations! I definately enjoyed the story!

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  13. I'm soooooo happy for all 3 of you. I miss that beautiful little face of Mary Louise and those funny faces David can make.

    Love,
    Ma mere

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  14. Ditto on the crying (happy tears) and laughing out loud! I am so happy for you and those babies! Congrats girl!

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  15. I am so, so, so excited for you! Now you've had at least one positive Tulane experience! :)

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  16. I have been following your blog since the babies were born and haven't commented before, but today I feel compelled to do so. Heather, congrats on such a wonderful first experience breastfeeding. When I was reading your post it reminded me of my first experience with my daughter. The poke and jab method must be pretty popular. LOL. Breastfeeding is such a wonderful and amazing thing and I am so happy that you finally get to experience this with Mary Louise and David. I enjoyed my breastfeeding experiences so much, thats why I was able to breastfeed my daughter until she was 15mos old and weened herself, which was my goal all along. I know this has been a long time coming for you and I know that you are overjoyed! Good job Momma & babies! There little outfits are absolutely adorable and I love all of David's many faces! They are just so darn cute...makes me miss the baby stage. Keep up the good work and I will keep you, Brent, David & Mary Louise in my thoughts and prayers.

    Continuing to pray from KY
    Jessica

    Daughter to Chloe-15 mos old.

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  17. wonderful news! congratulations on successfully breastfeeding - awesome!!!

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