Breastfeeding After You Deliver
By MamaBirdie and Smidget
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After delivery you may see your babies right away, or they may be taken to the NICU for awhile, especially if they were premature or ill. You may have a fairly simple vaginal birth, or you may have a c-section with spinal, epidural, or general anesthesia. If you had a vaginal birth and the babies are doing the best thing you can do is let your babies nurse as soon after delivery as possible. The hospital should have a lactation consultant on hand if you need some help, and the first milk that comes from your breasts, called colostrum, is a yellow substance that is full of antibodies for your babies. This gives them a wonderful start in life, and the more they nurse the more chance you have of getting in a good milk supply. You will have to let the staff and your doctor know you want to breastfeed and ask for the babies, since some hospitals don't ask if mom wants to nurse.
Of course not all deliveries are quick and uneventful, and you may have a c-section and/or premature babies. The chances of prematurity are greater with multiple pregnancies than singletons, so this is defintely possible. This does not mean at all that you can't breastfeed, and again, the key is to pump or nurse as soon as possible after delivery. If the babies are in NICU you can still pump and either send that precious colostrum to the NICU for them to give your babies via tube feeding if they aren't able to eat by mouth yet, or you can send it to be frozen for when they are ready to have it via tube. It is a very imprtant substance, so even if you pump or nurse and it seems they get none or very little it is wonderful, and even a drop or two is worth the whole effort.
If your babies are in the NICU just pump or nurse about every two hours to help bring in your milk and let your body know those babies will be needing more very soon. Babies don't need to eat much for a few days after birth, so don't worry about them not gulping your milk for a whole feeding as of yet. Many hospitals automatically assume mom is formula feeding, so make sure the staff knows you will breastfeed and doesn't start with full bottle feedings, and ask when you will be able to try some practice breastfeeding if they aren't able to at first.
Even if baby can't get much milk from you or has some trouble latching, she can still get used to being at your breeast and learn to associate it with sucking and the taste of milk. Make sure to pump every two hours until your milk comes in and supply is established, even if you don't get much at all. Remember, their tummies are tiny and they don't need much at first, and it can take 5-7 days for milk to fully start coming in, so don't give up!
Either way you get started, the most important way to get a good supply established is to nurse often, and any time you can't nurse, pump. If baby stimulates the breast often, more milk will be made since it is a supply and demand cycle. If someone tries to tell you that you must supplement keep in mind that if you replace nursing or pumping sessions with bottles you can end up with less milk due to less stimulation. As long as baby has several wet diapers a day he is most likely getting enough milk. Babies will often suck on a bottle of milk offered after nursing because they have the instinct to suck, but that always doesn't mean that baby is hungry because she sucks on the milk. After an intial normal loss in the first few days, as long as baby is gaining some and having wet diapers your supply is most likely adequate.
Set up a nursing station at home with a place to put snacks and drinks fo ryou, your stool, telephone, and anything else you need to be comfortable. You will be there a lot and you can get into the habit of drinking every time you nurse.
If you need help ask for it! There are many resources out there, but I suggest caution in believing what you read or hear. If anyone tells you that you must supplement right away and the babies are gaining and wetting, please ask a second opinion first. The breastfeeding forum here at GZ is a great resource for you if you run into problems or want to share your success, and we will support you and help you in any way we can.
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