Maybe you're pregnant with more than one baby. And you want to breastfeed. You tell everyone, "Yes, actually. I am planning to breastfeed." And in the back of your mind you wonder how on earth you will be able to pull this off. Maybe you're lying in a hospital bed with several TOCO belts strapped to your stretched belly and wondering if you've done enough - gotten the right pump, talked to the right lactation consultants, found the right bottles that won't mess with nursing. Maybe your babies are already in front of you and you're struggling to balance a messy pump with colic-y babies with a supply that just will not boost. It's Ok, I Understand I've been there, mama. I have. I … [Read more...]

So you've figured out how the pump works (a feat worthy of a celebration!) and now your breast milk is piling up. Yay! But, quick, freeze it so it doesn't go bad! Ok, so now the freezer is filling up...how long will all this frozen breast milk last?  Frozen Breast Milk - How Long Will it Last? You ask a very good question, my friend! It would be such a shame for that liquid gold to go bad, so I've put together some information to help you figure out a good system for using up the oldest milk first and determining how long your little one's frozen breast milk will last. Once I finished pumping (I rented this one from the hospital for many months!), I ended up with enough frozen … [Read more...]

"Mama, meet The Pump. Pump, meet Mama. Now, you two play nicely and have fun." Does it feel as if you've been handed a strange contraption and now must figure out how to get those breasts to put their milk in those bottles? Well, hang tight because I've got ya covered with some essential tips for pumping breast milk. Whether you're a mama for the second, third, fourth (or more) time around and just need some reminders or you're a brand new, first-time mama, with these tips you'll be well on your way to becoming a Pump Pro. (There really should be such a title. Pumping is hard, but rewarding, work, y'all!) 20 Tips for Pumping Breast Milk As a brand new mother of triplets, I knew the … [Read more...]

It’s not something anyone hopes or plans for – to go into preterm labor and deliver prematurely. But it happens often. In fact, 1 in 8 babies is born prematurely in the United States! Often, babies born early may face unique challenges that require medical supervision. So, is it safe to assume? Is breast milk enough for premature babies? Will it help them grow and develop their minds and bodies during the weeks they were missing from the womb? As a mom of triplets born at 32 weeks and 4 days, I have experience with giving my children both formula and breast milk (my own and donor milk). I wish I knew then what I soon learned after their birth. Read the rest here: Breast Milk for … [Read more...]

Is it possible to breastfeed triplets? Many told me no. They acted uncomfortable and I knew they pictured me with babies hanging off of me, nursing all the time. And it was kinda like that, but...well, let's go back to the beginning. Here's a peek at my story I shared over at The Paleo Mama. Can I Breastfeed Triplets? This Mama's Journey “Well, the good news is - it’s triplets!” Not the sentence I was expecting to hear from a doctor I’d never seen before. The day I learned my husband and I were expecting spontaneous triplets was one of the most memorable days of my life. I had a deep desire to birth any babies we were blessed with - naturally. I had a midwife, we were planning a home … [Read more...]