triplets and breastfeeding...for a friend

[mom06]

k...my friend wanted me to ask you all if you knew anyone that had triplets and breastfed them a majority of the time. she is so happy to be having triplets, but is now upset that she can't feed them all. I mean 3 babies to feed off the breast is almost impossible especially with 2 older children at home(3 and 5). So she is worried about formula...her other 2 were ebf. Just wondering if even just bfing them a little bit will help or what would be good. Thanks.

[peaceful_mama]

OH WOW....um no...but I do know that any breastmilk they get for any amount of time in their lives is better than none. I have NO idea what to tell her to help things to work out. I know someone who bf twins...I have no idea how long she did it exclusively, but I know they were bf past 2. I know it is very do-able with 2.

If she's concerned about how much they're getting at the breast, oatmeal boosts supply, as do fenugreek and blessed thistle. I never tried the barley coffee substitute, but I have heard it works. I would try those before going to a prescription, personally.

I couldn't not reply, I think it's wonderful that she's trying to make it work with 3!

[Kierdan'sMom]

There was a mom who EP'd for her sextuplets for 8 weeks. Obvioulsy, its possible! Its a supply and demand thing. I used to nurse my DS and a friends 2 nurslings with no issues, and I'm nursing after reduction, it'll just be about good scheduling, and maybe a bottle will have to be given sometimes, but the majority could be BM and thats awesome that she wants to try~

[MaryJaneLouise]

www.tripletconnection.com

www.karengromada.com

more late`r

[MaryJaneLouise]

How far along is she? She needs to try to keep cooking her babies as long as possible. Preemie babies are an even harder challenge to bf. Tell her to read Dr. Barbara Luke's When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads, Revised Edition : Proven Guidelines for a Healthy Multiple Pregnancy

Since she has so many potential risk factors for low milk supply, I would stock up on Domperidone, herbal meds, etc. to help jump start her supply. Especially if she ends up with a c-section and/or preemie babes.

She also needs to line up some donor milk and/or lactating friends to help in the beginning.

[gemelos]

I know a friend of a friend who ebf her triplets for 15 months. :thumb Obviously they had to get some bottles of ebm, but no formula. She produced so much milk she had to wake up at night to pump or she would get engorged. I am not breastfeeding triplets but I am ebf my 5 month old twins and my toddler. I know it is not the same as triplets but I am happy to answer any questions she may have.

[alegna]

Try PMing Mimid- she just had trips.

-Angela

[bethsboys]

I have ebf'd my twin boys since birth-they will turn 1 in 2 weeks. I know it's not triplets, but can't imagine that it would be much more difficult. I WOULDN't think it would have been possible without HELP from my dh-he is a saint...and still loves me to this day for what we do for our babies. I've never used a bottle and only introduced sippies within the last couple of months with water only. Please feel free to respond. If your friend wants help-I will give her all the advice she wants...and can talk offline or over the phone.
-beth
MOM to Sebastien and Julien (7/14/05)