Ellen, it sounds like you are doing everything possible to help this Mom.
She is still in the adjustment phase as the babies are just now all at home.
I think with a mother who is a NP, the best thing you can do is continue to
cheerlead and applaud her efforts to breastfeed. As a NP who has put lots
of effort into breastfeeding, she is most likely very aware of the medical
benefits of breastfeeding and I would continue to stress the great benefit
she is providing her babies. Triplet Moms really need this in the
beginning. If Babies A and C are sucking well at breast, that's great! If
Baby B is still having difficulties, remind Mom to always offer breast
first, so baby has the best opportunity to learn. The problem is, if this
baby doesn't go right to the breast, Mom doesn't have an hour or so to work
with baby B. A and C are probably hungry, too. Her best option is to have
pumped milk available to feed if feeding at breast is unsuccessful. As the
babies get closer to being "term" the breastfeeding should improve.
Tandem nursing is great when breastfeeding one on one is firmly in place.
It is difficult to feed two at a time before they've really got the hang of
it.
If she can get more help with the babies, that's great. In my situation,
though, I found that with breastfeeding, there was really not a whole lot
left for someone else to do for me. If she can afford to get housekeeping
help, sometimes that is the best option for a breastfeeding mother of
triplets. She will most likely feel better if she knows she can just focus
on the babies and doesn't have to worry about the dusting, vacuuming,
bathrooms, etc. Also, if she has a church or support group that could bring
meals, that would be a big help, too. Otherwise, just make sure they are
buying easy to prepare meals.
It will get easier for her. You may gently guide her to lighten up on the
lists, charts, etc. If she can put the NP role on the backseat for awhile
and focus on being Mom and listening to her instincts, she may be able to
relax a bit easier and have more breastfeeding success.
Hope this helps, please feel free to email me privately if you would like,
Anne Nans, RN, IBCLC
Mom to Caleb, Amy and Riley (triplets born on 12/17/98 @ 33+2 weeks)
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