Okay, seriously, I'm exclusively breastfeeding not one, not two, but three babies. Shouldn't this give me a get-out-of-PMS-free card for a while? My babies are two months old (can you believe it??) and I'm having my second period. I have not had two consecutive periods in about ten years without medical intervention (hence, the fertility treatment). What. The. Frack??
All three babies have thrush, so guess who else has thrush? Yes, that would be me. And can I tell you how seriously uncomfortable it is to have thrush on your breasts?? Ugh!
Sam has been very needy lately... needing to be held ALL THE TIME. If he were a singleton this would be easier, but on the days where Abby also needs to be held all day long or Ellie needs to be held all day long, or both... well, then it's a bit more complicated, especially when you add in the need to feed them, pump milk, and do ANYTHING else.
My milk supply seems to be dwindling, but I'm not sure if it's just because they're nursing so much that there's not much left for pumping sessions. Regardless, it's stressing me out, which is, I'm sure, exacerbating the problem. I don't like taking herbal supplements because I have enough other problems that I never know what will interact with other medications I've got. I can't convince my doctor to give me Reglan, and Domperidone isn't available in the US. Someone told me that oatmeal improves milk production, but I hate oatmeal. I've been eating it anyway, but haven't noticed a difference. And before you suggest beer...I can't drink beer because it gives me tremendous migraines and makes me throw up violently. Yuck.
Other than those niggling things, though, things are going well. I've had mostly good days and have mostly managed to keep my sh*t together (though Jess was witness to the one night that I completely lost it). But now Ellie's crying, so it's time for me to go. More later!
Monday, November 19, 2007
What the Frack??
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25 comments:
you're a rock star! i hope i can go as long as you have, exclusively breastfeeding three babies! tell us your secret, oh wise one...
i wish i could send you the reglan i have that i got for acid reflux. it does nothing for me. but i suppose that would be, you know, illegal. or something.
Breastfeeding triplets for one day makes you a rock star. Breastfeeding them for 2 months makes you a...goddess.
Reglan has really nasty side effects in many people, I'd steer clear. You can order domperidone online - I bought mine from www.inhousepharmacy.co.uk. They ship worldwide and i'm sure there are other sources. It made a big difference to my supply, no side effects that I can tell, and my paediatrician friend told me it's harmless to the baby. All good.
hang in there. Do you have good slings for holding them?
I believe you are hitting the time when milk supply regulates. You are going to find it harder to get extra milk. The best way to build supply is to nurse the babies (assuming their sucking has gotten strong enough to get them what they need).
Does Fenugreek really interact with medications? The only side affect I've heard of is indigestion. It's really the best way (other than increasing demand) to up your milk supply.
Also, if you are having your period that will make your supply temporarily drop. Start taking a Calcium supplement with Magnesium in it (typically it's recommended that you start taking it two weeks prior to your period, so it should help next month). I can't remember the minimum mg you have to have but mine is 1000mg calcium and 400mg magnesium.
I completely am in awe that you exclusively breastfeed all 3, amazing! I have heard that brewers yeast is something you could take to increase supply, i don't know if you'd take that though, just a thought. Congrats on the babes.
Karen, you are incredible. Don't worry too much about the milk supply--someone already said this, but that's about the time when your body starts saying "OK, this is how much milk I really need to make...so I don't need to keep making all that extra." It does become harder to build up extra beyond what you're nursing, but they're getting plenty while they're nursing.
Here's a website for different galactogogues, herbal, prescription, and simple food options (oatmeal worked pretty well for me): http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/milksupply/herbal_galactagogue.html (FWIW, kellymom.com has an amazing amount of breastfeeding info).
I can't believe you are breastfeeding triplets. I bow down before you. ;) Seriously, I am hoping to be able to do it with one.
I also wanted to let you know on the thrush issue, eat yogurt if you can. I had that with my son 14 years ago and he got violently ill from the medicine that the doctor gave us and I had read somewhere that yogurt would clear up the yeast. So I would take plain yogurt and rub on my nipple before he nursed and then all in his mouth when he was done and it cleared up in about a week. I also then ate many gallons of it myself and it cleared up what I had very quickly. Good luck and keep up the great work!
2 periods in 2 months right after having triplets? WOW, that sucks!
You are just so awesome for giving your 3 babies this wonderful gift. I know the breastfeeding must be hard and time consuming but wow, you are wonderful.
Yes, you definitely should have gotten a 'get out of jail free' card or two...
I don't know anything about things that help up the supply except drinking a lot of water (and getting rest, which I'm guessing is pretty near impossible).
In any case, I'm impressed :-)
Champagne might help instead of beer.
Ugh, I am so very sorry!!! You are one amazin' momma to take care of those preemie triplets so well...
I had no advise on the b/f, but I sure hope you get something soon, to beef up that supply again.
If you'd like to give your babies purple mouths & you purple breasts, you can always try gentian violet for the thrush. I've seen some success with that, but not sure if it's worth the effort???
Acidophilus(the good bacteria in yogurt) is good for treating thrush. Its available int eh health food store(make sure you get live cultures, as many as you can...and the stuff stored in the fridge-and keep it there). You can pop the capsule open and sprinkle some on their tongues...its sweet and kind of like powdered milk. And you can take it internally yourself...and make a paste and apply it to your breast.
I've never taken it for thrush, but I've used it for upset tummies for myself and the kids(and also ours cows and horses when I was growing up). When my babies seemed abnormally gassy I would sprinkle some on their tongue...maybe half a capsule and the would lick is down and look for more. Its very safe and healthy...and I'm pretty sure it wouldn't interact with any medications :)
And with as mush milk as you're babies are drinking I wouldn't be suprised if the amounts you have to pump are fewer because they probably take more by mouth each time. Sounds like you're doing an amazing job...I've nursed 3 singletons(still am my last one) and I really admire that you're working so hard to give them only breastmilk. Thats fantastic. Absolutely wonderful!! Those are really lucky babies.
I guess pregnancy has worked magic on you in more ways than one. First the weight loss, now the regular periods.
You really are amazing, Karen!
My lips were sealed about the other night... But since you mentioned it, It's refreshing to see friends break down like that every once in awhile, it humanizes them. I love you to death, and am unbelievably proud of you, thrush and all :)
Wow, breast feeding 3 babies. I'm beyond impressed. Hope the thrush and the supply gets better.
oh...and sorry about the 2nd period...that just is a pain in the butt
Fenugreek worked wonders for me. It totally boosted my supply and made me smell like Aunt Jemima. I'm not particularly fond of oatmeal, either - but here's an AWESOME recipe that I made and ate at least once a week when I was bf'ing our trio. http://amazingtrips.blogspot.com/2006/07/ohenry.html
It's not good for your thighs - but when you're breastfeeding triplets, they are like little vacuums sucking the fat right out of your system.
Wow - 2 periods in 2 months? Hmmm. Be careful. It's amazing how pregnancy can "correct" a woman's fertility issues. How many children did you say you wanted... ? :)
Happy two months!
Sometimes, after a successful pregnancy, the body resets itself and what wasn't working quite right before begins to work. Yes, you should be nursing clean, but maybe this is a good thing for your future fertility.
Perhaps oatmeal would be more palatable to you in the form of granola, oatmeal cookies, or granola bars. You don't need beer, as you can get the hops in a different form. Definitely avoid anything mint. And drink water whenever you are thirsty.
Also helpful at this time would be: sesame seeds, as in tehini or halva; a variety of leafy greens; and flaxseed oil or ground flaxmeal, the latter of which can be added to your oatmeal after the oatmeal is cooked.
Can someone from your shul organize people to help? If you could have a set time every day at which someone would come by for only an hour, this could give you great relief. Also, this way, on those days when you absolutely do need such help, you wouldn't have to worry about asking, because someone would already be coming.
Thank you for updating!
I agree with Jen4 - your regular cycles can be making you more likely to conceive on your own. Keep that in mind one way or another;)
I can't believe that you are exclusively breastfeeding all three of yor little ones! You are truly truly amazing, Karen! Supermama indeed.
I can't get over the 2 periods in 2months. Is there no justice in this world??!! (Is there any explanation of this?)
Hope everyone is on the mend soon. (I would be VERY wary of herbal supplements interacting with your regualr meds. But acidophilus may work, or try talking to a homeopath-homeopathis remedies do not interfere with medication like herbals do.)
I breastfed my three, but noticed supply dropped around the 2-3 month mark. I just wasn't getting enough sleep, and I was overtired all the time. Supplements are great, but you absolutely need to get more rest (sounds impossible- I know because it almost is). I was often found sleeping and feeding babies during the day. It's such a foggy time I barely remember it. There's a reason why people are in awe that you are feeding three - it is ALMOST impossible. But it is possible. That is what makes this invisible gift to your children so great. Drink lots, eat lots, get more sleep whenever you can.
I can't believe it! Feeding 3! You are my hero! I will just repeat what others said: supply adjusts at some point and kellymom.com is a great website. Mother's milk tea helped me but I have noticed that the more I pump, the more I produce. Women produce more in the morning, so I only pump in the mornings when I am spending the day with my son. Again, congrats, you are a STAR!
I am sooo impressed. I didn't manage to breastfeed ONE.
Hope it goes better. sorry about the thrush.
Hey lady! It is good to hear from you. I am seriously in awe of your BFing accomplishments. I'm still BFing Ian, but have had my good old period back for a year now. I know you've already gotten a ton of advice, but I know that my supply dips some right before my period. Just when I am a raging lunatic with PMS, Ian wants to nurse all day. Oh the joy! Hang in there, mama. You're awesome.
Glad things are going well! Wish you didn't have to deal with PMS or thrush!
Hey lady, I just wanted to mention another BFing multiples resource: www.karengromada.com. She's a mother of twins and has oodles of info on BFing more than one (or two) babies.
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