Twin moms who've had babes in the NICU - Page 2

[Xerxella]

julyaugust - I'm so sorry you've had such a horrible experience. How long ago were your babies in the NICU? And can I ask where (just a general country/state if you don't want to be more specific [although I think I'd be shouting their name at the top of my lungs as the most horrible place to go])?

[momtoafireteam]

We've had experience with three NICU's now. My triplets are currently still in one. All our NICU's have been militantly pro-breastmilk. They are my biggest supporters. A lot of our current NICU nurses are also LC's and are great. The only incident I had this time was that the neo (NICU doc) asked me at about the 48 hour mark to lift my ban on formula "just in case". I refused- I was clear that IF formula was needed that they could contact me 24/7 and I would discuss it then, but I wouldnt say yes for no reason. Moral of the story: make sure they know you wont allow formula- mark it in the plans, and notate it on the NICU admitting forms. 

My triplets are 5 weeks now and have never had formula. My milk is the only thing that has crossed their lips. 

Well... kind of. 

Human milk fortifier is something you need to research. Some preemies need it. Some NICU's will give you a choice, some wont. It depends on a lot of things. My babies milk was fortified for a short period of time. I am OK with that. 

I am less ok with the poly-vi-sol. Whole 'nother story. 

[julyaugust]

Originally Posted by Xerxella 

julyaugust - I'm so sorry you've had such a horrible experience. How long ago were your babies in the NICU? And can I ask where (just a general country/state if you don't want to be more specific [although I think I'd be shouting their name at the top of my lungs as the most horrible place to go])?

 7 months ago, and we were in New York state. There was one LC for the entire hospital, which basically meant she was so busy she was practically unavailable. The first pump that they gave me was actually quite old and faulty (didn't work at all) and it took several days before I was finally able to see her face to face and get a different one. I had pretty much no breastfeeding suppor and was actually "forbidden" by the doctor to nurse both girls at the same time. She said it would take too much coordination and was therefore too risky (I think she was worried I'd drop them!). Even a day before their discharge, when I suggested that the NICU might be a good place for me to practice nursing both at the same time, I was told by a senior nurse that she thought it would be better for me to leave things as they were and not try to incur the wrath of the doctor any more than I already had.
I count my blessings that they had good latches from the start, I knew more or less what I was doing because I had nursed DS, I had a good supply and I had access to great info online!!

[lilysamsma]

Julyaugust---thay spunds horrible. I am so.sorry you had to go through that.

I am glad this thread is here, because i.would.probably not have given it much thought or research. The hospital i plan to deliver at has a levelIII(???the best one) so i just assumed that is all i needed to.know Can anyone direct me to other sources of information that would pertain to nicu stay? Maybe based on the care i have been receiving i.would be better off ignorant and blissful though (and i mean that non-snarky).

[Adaline'sMama]

Originally Posted by Keria 

Well that makes me fell like crap. I visited my girl about two hours every day. I was recovering from an emergency c section, was still dealing with high blood pressure and had another newborn to take care of. She is  definitely the one that wants to be held more and only wants mommy. I guess what's done is done it's not like I can go back in time and visit her more.

Be gentle with yourself, that's a lot of crap to be going through.