In a message dated 4/19/03 12:08:37 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

> I am on my way to see a mom with triplets that were born
> yesterday afternoon.  She is having a hard time pumping.  I suggested for
> her to try hand expressing on her own until I get there.  Is there anything
> different that I should reccomend or help her with that will be different
> for her situation than from a singelton?

If a mom is having trouble coordinating double pumping initially, which many
do, I suggest single-sided pumping at first. It appears to be easier for mom
to keep track of, plus she can do compression easily. (Most switch back to
double pumping once they feel more adept and/or copious production begins.)

There is a LOT that will be different with triplets vs. a singleton! She just
had three times the usual number of babies--most likely preterm and also SGA.
She's more likely to be initiating breastfeeding with 3 different babies
while recuperating from a more challenging pregnancy and likely a surgical
birth. Yet she still has just 24 hours in a day to do all she has to do.
Empathy for this very different experience helps.

What are her breastfeeding goals? Are they realistic? What gestational age
are the babies and what breastfeeding cues or abilities is EACH demonstrating
now? Does she have a breastfeeding-friendly support network--people who can
provide extra hands, wash laundry, make meals, etc. so she and babies can
breastfeed and get to know each other?

If you post more particulars about the situation as you learn them, we'll try
to help.

Karen

             ***********************************************

To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]

The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html