Seems like everywhere I turn there are babies around! In the last month or so there have been people announcing pregnancies or having babies…part of me wishes I was in the numbers. After losing one of my twins I still regret the decision of having a tubal ligation. However, gaining a little it of freedom since my little ones are getting older and that is something that I am currently LOVING!!!
I am able to reminisce with pictures and stories about our little ones! We have come so far, and I love thinking back to the challenges that we had to overcome with each child. And although some of our memories are very heavy I wouldn’t change a thing! Emma being in the NICU for 50 days with feeding issues, Darrick II not being able to eat due to being ill and Douglass being breastfed. It was a hands-on learning experience for my husband and I, and it was also a chance to talk to other moms and encouraging them on their journey!
Each child is different; and their may be some challenges along the way, but be encouraged you are A LOT stronger than you think!!
Breakdown of Feeding Each Child…
Emma…since she was born with a Cleft Lip and Palate she didn’t have the ability to suck. She had to be fed with special bottle nipples to actually pour the milk into her mouth until she learned how to suck. We had to be extremely cautious with her because we had to make sure she was getting the right amount because it put her at high-risk for aspiration. I tried breastfeeding but it didn’t work due to her cleft. However, I pumped as long as I could but being stressed played a major role in my milk supply and we ended up supplementing her with formula.
Twin A-Darrick II….With his condition of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) he was hooked up to lots of wires from the beginning. For his entire life most of his nutrients came from the IV Liquids. By the time he was able to take milk, my supply was dried up due to stress again and he was supplemented with donated milk and formula.
Twin B-Douglass (DJ)…was my only child that didn’t have feeding issues. Actually our issue with him was I wasn’t producing enough breastmilk to keep up with his appetite! I was stressed about his brother being in the hospital and being terminally ill. I was successful in breastfeeding him for 2 months, however, he was also supplemented with formula because I couldn’t keep up.
As I stated earlier, each child is different even if they are born at the same time. However, no matter what the circumstances are I hope that you do what is best for you and your baby…making sure your child is getting their proper amount of nutrients is the common goal, so if that is through breastfeeding your baby or feeding your baby with formula…you choose what’s best!
I also hope that all moms can come together and understand each others circumstances and support one another no matter what method you choose to use for feeding your baby.
Learn more about feeding options from The Honest Company
