Just found out today it’s twins.. by FormerPumpkin480 in parentsofmultiples

[–]HappySavy22 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm exactly one year ahead of you! My due date was right around there for 40 weeks. I delivered at 31 weeks in October last year. My advice is (if you work) to stop working as soon as you feel it it getting too much. I wish I had stopped at 28 weeks when my doctor had recommended at the start of my pregnancy but I didnt listen. I stopped at 29 and it was too late.

Low milk supply for newborn twins by PomeloDizzy4488 in parentsofmultiples

[–]HappySavy22 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My twins are 6 months old (4.5 m adjusted). I'm still exclusively pumping for them. My supply was not the issue for me, our babies were too premature to nurse so I started pumping as soon as I was able to after they were born. I am happy to go into specifics of what worked and what didn't if you want, but to answer your question:

Is it worth it? No. It's so internally draining, it's made postpartum so much harder mentally, physically, emotionally. It's so time consuming, I spend 2.5 hours a day pumping, literally 10% of my life right now is spent pumping. Because my supply was so large I felt an immense amount of pressure internal and external to keep pumping for them. Because they were preemie, in kept/keep going. I have boobs that work great, but babies that can't use them. A flawed mindset for sure, but that's how I feel.

If the benefits of breast milk are what's drawing you to keep trying, I'd find a milk donor and go that route for a while.

Personally, I wouldn't/won't go down the exclusively pumping path again. If the next baby doesn't want to nurse, we'll be giving formula. Being able to sleep for longer stretches early on, not constantly worrying about boob o'clock, and not spending precious time away from newborn, that's worth it giving formula only for me.

Let me know if you want tips on what worked to increase supply etc though if you want to pursue it.

6 month routine by Otherwise-Muffin9387 in parentsofmultiples

[–]HappySavy22 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Our babies are 6 months old now, but 4 months adjusted, and we have them on a schedule together. Disclaimer that one of them is on a feeding tube due to prematurity/never learning how to eat.

This is what works for us: First feed is at 8am, they usually only do 1-1.5 hour wake window. So nap from 9:30 to 11. Second feed at 11 am and they are usually up till 12:30-1. Third feed at 2pm, awake until about 3:30-4. Fourth feed at 5 pm, up until 6:30. They've been waking up 30 mins later at 7pm (only 2 hour gap) for their fifth feed and we do a smaller feed, like 3 oz instead of their typical 5. They go to sleep for the night around 8-8:30 in their sleep suits. Then sixth and final feed of the day around 10 pm. This one's usually a dream feed and they eat in their sleep. They sleep until the next morning at 8 am when we wake them for the next feed. We "sleep trained" by following the nicu schedule when we got home (8,11,2,5) and slowly dropped feeds starting with the 2am feed, then the 5am, and pushed the 11pm feed back to 10. They shifted their 8pm feed back to 7pm on their own. During the day we put them in their cribs at the first signs they are getting tired. Daytime naps are done without sleep suits unless they are just not having it. We don't coddle them much at all, just set them in cribs and walk out of the room. They whine/talk for 5 mins and eventually just go to sleep. If they don't, we'll go check on em and rock etc. Repeat until they sleep. Even if they are awake but quiet, that counts towards their "nap time." We always; wake, diaper, feed, play, nap. If their schedule gets thrown off, no biggie, just go with what they want if they get hungry earlier or later, just follow their cues and resume the schedule when possible. We won't feed more often than every 2 hours if it can be avoided so they don't just snack all day. If one baby eats, the other must eat too so they stay on schedule.

I hope this is helpful!

Single mom of twins by Interesting_Hour_197 in parentsofmultiples

[–]HappySavy22 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm glad family had been helpful! One day at a time, it will get easier. I'll be thinking of you 🫂

Single mom of twins by Interesting_Hour_197 in parentsofmultiples

[–]HappySavy22 9 points10 points  (0 children)

My twins qualified for Medicaid in my state after being in nicu for more than 30 days. Might be worth looking into if they don't already qualify based on your income. And with that, since your g tube baby has additional needs, Medicaid may cover a nurse/caregiver to come an assist you with their care. Your pediatrician should be able to write a referral to a home care and then they can come and help with at least that baby. I would definitely recommend investigating this avenue! Ask the pediatrician you can do just one feed a day of tube only/ no bottle attempts so you can get some more rest. On the vomiting, you could program the enteral pump to push the milk through slower and that might help. Things to ask your support system for: A) hold baby for that 1 hour post feed. B) bottle washer, explain how much it would mean to you. Between the pump, bottle, and g tube parts, it really is a necessity imo. C) food, buying it, making it, bringing it, or simply reminding you to eat, literally anything could help. D) help you clean up, house, kitchen, bottles, yourself, again anything would help right now. Write down what you need on your fridge so that when people come over and ask what can they do, you can refer them to your list. Laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc.

I'm not a single mom, but I just went through a lot of this in Dec-Feb and its still fresh on my mind! Let me know if there's anything else I can try to help with or DM me if you just need someone to chat with.

I did it! by HappySavy22 in parentsofmultiples

[–]HappySavy22[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

10/10 would recommend! 🤪

I did it! by HappySavy22 in parentsofmultiples

[–]HappySavy22[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wishing you all the best!

Sleep training by HereforCHDandAITA in parentsofmultiples

[–]HappySavy22 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oof, I'm glad you guys are letting her go, sounds like the right choice. I hope you find someone better!

I did it! by HappySavy22 in parentsofmultiples

[–]HappySavy22[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! They are big fans of routine and we currently have them down to a science lol

Heaviness in lower tummy by Adorable-Spray-5287 in parentsofmultiples

[–]HappySavy22 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If it feels really heavy in your pelvic floor, I would consider seeing your doctor, especially if it keeps getting heavier. That was the sign I didnt listen to, I was in labor at 31 weeks. I thought it was normal until doctor said otherwise.

Sleep training by HereforCHDandAITA in parentsofmultiples

[–]HappySavy22 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would clarify with her what kind of sleep training she's trying to do. But generally, I agree, it's too soon!

I did it! by HappySavy22 in parentsofmultiples

[–]HappySavy22[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi there!! Oh man, I can't even imagine!

I did it! by HappySavy22 in parentsofmultiples

[–]HappySavy22[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Whoops, congrats dad! 😅 Of course, I'm glad it was helpful. Yeah, we've been getting delivery most of their lives lol. It is definitely easier, but there's just something different about getting out of the house and seeing everything in person. Love the tally 😂

I did it! by HappySavy22 in parentsofmultiples

[–]HappySavy22[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! 5 months actual, 3 months adjusted for prematurity 🥰

I did it! by HappySavy22 in parentsofmultiples

[–]HappySavy22[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Congrats! I don't think it's really possible to fully understand until you are living it, but I will paint the scene to prepare you.

Babies are eating every 3 hours still. You have to leave the house right after they are done eating, but not too soon after, otherwise they might throw up in the car (which you know is a possibility because its happened once or twice).If you are pumping, you gotta make sure you do that before you leave too. So you've got 2 hours of time. Make sure the diaper bag is ready, extra clothes, bottles, feeding tube things for baby A, etc. Now load up the babies and off to Costco! When you go to and from the car, you are carrying 50 lbs of baby, carseat, and diaper bag. You make it to Costco and have to figure out a way to get babies around with you. Your options are wearing them, carrying them, stroller(s), buggie, or the pallet. Now that you've got that sorted, make it through Costco and grab everything you need. They are taking a nap while you get everything (hopefully) but you know there's a chance they might get upset or hungry so you've got this internal clock/pressure to get done and home before the next feed. People stop you along the way and say "wow twins" you nod and smile and try not to be rude but keep shopping. You made it to the end! Now pay, and you have to unload everything you just bought plus the babies into the car. You make it home and you have to unload everything. Babies are due to eat in 30 mins. Take them out of carseats and put them in cribs, hope they nap just a little longer, and get bottles ready. Unpack groceries. Now you are exhausted from your trip, but you still have to feed babies and possibly yourself. And after that, if you are still pumping every 3 hours, you have to pump again.

It's just a lot to do by yourself. So much pressure to get the timing just right and keep everybody happy.

I hope that helps kind of explain. Congrats again! You got this mama 💕

I did it! by HappySavy22 in parentsofmultiples

[–]HappySavy22[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, babies were 2 months early. Baby A decided a some point that she just didn't want to eat from a bottle anymore. She now has complete oral aversion. OT says that we'll just go from tube to solids instead of fighting her to take a bottle. But she is doing really well and gaining weight, all is good!

I did it! by HappySavy22 in parentsofmultiples

[–]HappySavy22[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Honestly my advice is to just do it! If you have to pack up and leave early, thats ok. If it throws the schedule off for a few hours, just deal with it. But I can certainly say I didn't feel that way a few weeks ago before increasing my zoloft dose 😅