Our triplets
During the whole pregnancy people have asked me about my breastfeeding plans.
I had always mixed feelings about it, just because there are three babies. How can you know if you can feed 3 babies? It seems physically a challenge.
So I pretty much decided to wait and see. Got given books about it, breastfeeding pillow for twins and thought that if everything goes in that direction, if I have milk and all, I will be prepared. (I mean, when the time comes, for now I am not even reading anything or considering breastfeeding or not breastfeeding).
On the classes we’ve done (part of the hospital offering) breastfeeding was also a big part of the talk, lots of people are very keen on it.
For me, during the pregnancy, this all felt just like a little detail… weird, not sure why. I think is because I was always aware of the risks of a triplet pregnancy so I wanted to focus on the present, week on week, healthy babies first, then worry about the rest.
Anyway, if I decide I will, resources to learn more won’t be a problem. A good friend with twins (who is actually the one that gave me everything I have on the topic), an angel called Angie :) is also part of the Australian Breastfeeding Association and have contact with a triplet mum that breastfed her triplets so, I am really fully covered.
Well, now the babies are here and it’s time to decide… I went from “not caring about this small detail” to “this is 100% the most important thing I can do right now for those premature fragile babies”. I am so concerned with that.
I have been using the hospital breast pump day and night since I woke up from all the drugs of the caesarean… I even wake up in the middle of the night to express - they say it is an important time to get colostrum (which supports the baby in having a healthy immune system). I am not fully onto it like some of the mums I met, but I am learning more and more, I also got the schedule of the times they have feeds so I can express similar times. I am doing all the right stuff but if I am too tired or miss a feed, I don’t blame myself… all good, slowly getting there.)
Every time I get a little more I celebrate. Funny feeling… makes me closer to the little ones.
The midwives here at the hospital are also fully pro breastfeeding. And what a coincidence, one of those mornings of getting drugs for pain relief, a familiar smiling face entered the room, the midwife that gave us the multiple birth classes. Such a good feeling to see a familiar face after such a tough operation... And even better is the fact that she was the person who prepared us for this moment and explained so many important things about the whole process, videos of premature babies, everything.. Another angel in our paths, Jane.
The day I was leaving the hospital I went to see Jane again for more hints… I want to buy a breast pump to express at home I to keep on bringing to the boys some milk everyday. She gave me loads of useful information, from herbal things to help to medication.
Next day after getting back home, there I was, buying a very expensive double pump before going to see the boys! :) I was then a proud breastfeeding mum... looking back I am very happy about that. I was required to stop breastfeeding due some complications later on and I am extremely pleased I did while I could. I am not too sad I am no longer able to breastfeed my kids, I just find it amazing how my instincts behaved during this period and how I celebrated each ml I expressed. :)
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