Three week old twin boys feeding help needed

[@llli*zoe.thomas]

Thank you Karen,
I will think carefully about what you have said.

Mama2oneboy&onegirl.
Your video is lovely and I've shared it with some pregnant twin Mums from an online twins forum based in the UK. What a possitive film!!!

Zoe
xx

[Macrina]

I just wanted to jump in to share the web site: www.D-MER.org

and it's true Karen that there are some emotional reasons why women feel this way, but there are also women who suffer from it stricly on a hormonal basis. Here are two FAQs from the website that may help:

I experience something that feels like D-MER when breastfeeding, but not when I pump or with spontaneous letdowns. Is this the same thing?
D-MER is very predictable. Because it is physiological it is unavoidable when oxytocin is released and triggers a letdown, when breastfeeding, pumping or other. True D-MER will show itselfs with all milk releases. If a mother is not experiencing it with all releases, to some degree, then it is likely that the feelings are stemming from something else.

Are all cases that present like D-MER going to be “true” D-MER?
No. There is a reason so many people felt that D-MER was a physiological problem as first, and this is because a woman can have uncomfortable feelings when breastfeeding for a varying degree of emotional reasons. Past experiences do play a part in birth and breastfeeding and this will end up being the case sometimes. There are going to be key points that diagnosing professionals will look for when deciphering between physiological D-MER and psychological D-MER.

There is a lot more information on the website.

And I understand your hesitancy to label things, but D-MER needed a name as it was misunderstoond and unknown, and the name's stuck! LCs all over the world are now talking about D-MER and even speaking about it at conferences now.

[@llli*zoe.thomas]

After carefull thought it is most likely that I am experiencing a physiological reaction/D-MER and not a psycological, experience related reaction. This is because I only have this uncomfortable feeling just prior to letdown and not at any other time. I am relieved that I am not alone in this and am pleased that some research is being done into this little known reaction.

Apart from all that I want to let you know that breastfeeding my twins is going very well and I have been able to successfully 'tandem feed' them a few times when they were both needing me at the same time. I found using the position 'double cradle' the most comfortable for me and my babies.

Things are a little unsettled at the moment because I have been prescribed antibiotics for a tooth problem that I am having extracted ASAP! I also have an infection(post birth) causing the lochia to be 'offensive'. The antibiotics are giving all three of us stomach cramps and possible a touch of colic.

I am hoping that after a visit to my doctor and dentist on Monday these setbacks will be sorted out.

Thanks again
Zoe
x

[Karen Gromada]

Glad that all in all things are going well with the BF -- hope the antibiotics issues are resolved soon!

I want to apologize if I gave the impression I'd ever think the feelings you experience with MER are "in your head"! I don't at all! How many years did we hear that menstrual cramps were in someone's head, and then they found cramps were related to the action of prostaglandins. We used to think depression was in one's head but now we know it is related to neurotransmitter action. And I did say "may" -- as in one possibility, not the only possibility.

What I was thinking of was more along the line of panic attacks and how an experience that somehow reminds one of a similar past experience or memory, which in turn may contribute to the triggering of very real shortness of breath, a racing heart or palpitations, clamminess, shivering, etc. Many persons experiencing panic attacks are not necessarily aware that trauma they experienced in the past may contribute to current attacks. Ditto with depression for some -- but not all -- and physical response over time to life stressors.

While I think there can be a brain-body connection re: past trauma, stressors, etc., I definitely don't think that is THE answer. A paradoxical response to oxytocin, similar to the paradoxical response a child or adult with attention deficit disorder demonstrates when given ritalin or some similar physical stimulant... For those with ADD/ADHD, a stimulant may help them stop and focus while for most it creates the opposite effect.

And I also think it would be possible to experience a combination of factors...

[twinmamalove]

Just want to send some hugs and support. I've been very lucky in breastfeeding our twins and yet know how, even when it comes easily, caring for twins can be overwhelming. You're doing a wonderful thing for your boys! Many mamas of singletons don't stick with BF.

[@llli*zoe.thomas]

Thank you for your words of support Tori. x

Karen, you didn't say anything out of line. I really have had to think cafefully about this type of MER and after a little further investigation have found quite a few people who like me have negative feelings before letdown. I also now feel its actually a normal yet not the usual reaction to breastfeeding. Now I know that this is normal and there isnt a problem I can deal with it. In fact in doesnt bother me now and I can observe it start and finish. this only lasts seconds and breastfeeding is still a pleasure.

I agree with you to exercise caution when using lables.
Whilst I agree that research can be done into this I don't agree with the sale of t-shirts for dogs with breastfeeding quotes etc for 'awareness'.? ? ? ? ? ?
I hope that people are not prophetting out of copywriting and merchandising the feeling of others! I do hope this isn't the case.

Thank you for you honest opinion.
Zoe
x