A quick progress report: so far Kristin has faired well today and we were able to get some extra rest last night and learn some new skills with the help of our amazing Doula, Kimberly. And now back to the story...
Last week, before Kristin got sick and just a few days after being discharged from the hospital, Kristin and I went for our first follow-up appointment with the post partum care / lactation and breast feeding clinic.
Kristin and I had been working on getting the twins to double latch and breast feed, while also working on keeping their weight up with formula, and learning to feed them. A three-pronged challenge with four players and none of the advantages of an udder.
As such, we also had to learn how to use the breast pump to supplement the feedings.
While we were waiting for the lactation consultant, we began to inspect the breast pump tools and their potential uses:
Setting weapons to stun in a B grade sci fi flick with low production value
And crooning 'Love Me Tender' to the fans
But ultimately, this is what we were preparing for:
Our lactation consultant really helped set us on the right path to competent twins feeding with her soft teaching skills, a gentle touch, incredible empathy, a wide knowledge base and a huge heart.
The goal is to avoid having Kristin looking and feeling like this:
And here are some of the other tools and materials that are part of our new arsenal to avoid engorgement:
And if you like those pictures we've posted of the kids in the drawers, you can also thank Doris for getting us back on the path to co-sleeping Annika and Luka, which we started doing again at this appointment:
As we headed home, we realized that it was time to set up the twin stroller for greater mobility:
Later, that same stellar lactation consultant and nurse would save Kristin's life. Thank you and God bless you, Doris, where would we be without you?
