Hallelujah

Things have changed here in the last two days. Over the weekend, on the trip to Shreveport, the breast pump I had been using broke. I bought a new one (a much cheaper one, actually, which is an entirely different consumer issue). The new one works really well, and I can pump an average of 12-14 oz per pumping. That, my friends, is a lot, if you don't know.

For several weeks, I've had this issue with my oversupply of milk. The babies nurse, and since they only have about a four ounce tummy, all they're getting is what's called "foremilk"-- the skim milk of breast milk. It makes them fussy & gassy and the situation isn't really healthy (they need a balance of both fore and hindmilk).

Yesterday I interviewed the babies' new pediatrician, a 50 something Indian doctor. She seemed pretty cool, and I'm glad she's on our insurance plan. But one of the things we discussed at this appointment was my milk problem. She suggested I pump everything out every three hours or so & then feed both babies from bottles. This will correct the milk imbalance, as well as give me a break from the perpetual feeding schedule (other people can actually feed them an entire meal!!).

So we started doing that yesterday after the doctor's appt. The babies had had a bad night the other night where they were constantly hungry, even immediately after feeding, and cranky & gassy. Yesterday, they calmed down, slept, and had normal poops (if you're not a parent, you probably don't know that an awful lot of time and energy is spent talking about the quality of an infant's poop). It needs to be yellow, like mustard, and seedy (if you're breastfeeding).

Last night, glory of all glories, Andrew participated fully in the new feeding plan. We did rotation-- you get up for this baby needing to be fed & I'll get the next one. So I actually got to sleep really well (for me) last night. Andrew might be a little tired, since this is new for him, but I am really feeling great this morning. And though the babies are currently awake, they are content to lie in their crib right now and look at their mobile & make sleepy grunty sounds. That will probably pass soon, but it is soooo nice to not feel the desperate need that I have had at this time of the day to just get them to sleep some more so I can go to sleep for a little longer. (Andrew has left for work, so it's all me).

Now, breastfeeding fascist types will say that what we're doing is wrong, that I should focus more on trying to figure out some other way around my milk imbalance issue. I talked to a lactation consultant yesterday and she actually didn't criticize, but she sounded a little disapproving. Screw it! I'm doing what is best for the babies, and with twins, you just have to make up your own rules.

So anyways. This is a banner day.

Other changes-- yes, we are becoming resigned and actively looking for a minivan. The other option is a Honda CRV (small SUV) but frankly, I think the Honda Odyssey minivan is a much cooler option. Someone said it reminded them of a space ship. I like that-- the mother ship van it may become. I had resisted the minivan idea for a long time. But things change. I have to admit that I'm not a young chippy anymore, and practicality has to reign supreme. Especially since it is a huge pain in the ass to try to resist and remain who I was before I had the babies. I want storage space, dammit, and enough room in the car for everyone to be comfortable (including me. I spent three hours of the road trip wedged uncomfortably in a space entirely too narrow for my ass, between the car seats in the backseat, trying to feed the babies their bottles, me not seatbelted, etc, etc. No more, thank you very much. I want a bench seat & cupholders.)

I'm thinking that this new scheme will allow for more free time for me, naps during the day if I can get someone to come over and help out when Andrew's working (hello Grandma Wells). It will also allow me to consider actually starting to work on my dissertation again soon (which was looking like a grim option there for a while). Perhaps even more writing in the blog of a literary nature, as I can do more during the day than be a giant walking boob.

Although, with my new super dooper breast pump, I now understand more why pumping women like to call themselves cows. My god man, who knew my boobs could stretch like that? The old pump was hidden inside my bra (and didn't work very well at all, really) and made little wheezes (hence my femme-bot feelings). But it's all good. I am so loving this new change.