Hey everyone, our 30 weeker BBG are finally all home and doing well. I had some questions about this period of time, as it has been a difficult 72 hours since they are all home.

What was the best way to feed/hold them? In other words, when by ourselves, we change/feed the refluxer first and then do the same on the other 2. After the refluxer is done eating, he stays in an elevated bouncer for about 45 minutes while the other two feed (although he still refluxes in this device)

The babies are now 9 weeks old (1 week adjusted) and I am finding it hard to do these every 3 hour feeds and hold the babies after the feeds. If I do try to hold the refluxer upright for 3o minutes, the other 2 are screaming bloody murder.

I know my wife and I are in the survival mode timeframe but was wondering if anyone had an effiecent and atraumatic way to get through the changings/feedings? Also, at this age, should we just feed them and put them down (especially when obviously tired?

Thanks for any advice...

It does get easier. The more you do it the easier it gets. When my babies were first home. I breast feed. I would feed two while the other one got a bottle. Then after the two were done breast feeding they would get half of a bottle and I would pump while they were taking the rest of their bottles. The first one was done by this time and I would burp and put them down. I did cuddle time after everyone was done eating and I was able to sit for a while. Mine were also born at 30 weeks.

I never held anyone upright after feeding. That is what our Baby Papasan chairs were for. Bouncy chairs work the same. The babies need to get used to this. You can't physically hold 3 babies upright and it would not be an efficient use of time to have to hold everyone for 30 minutes. At this age they sleep much of the time so if they are tired, let them sleep. Mine often fell asleep in their chairs after feeding.

You guys are in survival mode. It is going to take time to get in a routine so cut yourselves some slack. Also, learn to prop bottles as soon as possible. If you can feed everyone at the same time it is much easier. I often hand fed one and propped the other 2 if one was having a hard time with the propping.

Lori

http://yesidohavemyhandsfull.blogspot.com/

What age can you start propping? I guess I haven't heard of this technique or know much about it. Is there a device you have to buy?

Thanks

Hi!
Yes it does get better as you get used to it and get a routine down pat. I started propping mine as soon as they were home. I had each baby in a boppy with receiving blankets rolled to prop their bottles. Then I would make the burping rounds after each ounce or so. You will drive yourself crazy trying to hold each baby for feeding and get no rest yourself. I had no help and a lot of guilt about not holding them for feedings, but it's all part of having triplets. My trips just turned 2 last month and are happy healthy kids!
Good Luck!
Nanine

Nanine
Mom to
Michael 5/5/93
Samantha 8/22/08
Aidan 6/21/10
Matthew 6/21/10
Kaitlyn 6/21/10

You really are in the trenches right now, I wish I had more to suggest but I barely remember those days! We also had a spitter and I know we spent time holding him and burping him after feeds, longer than the other two. He would always spit up anyway, but spending the time to keep him upright did seem to help him feel more comfortable than otherwise. Thankfully he was the most patient and quiet, so we could often feed the other two first and then get to him. You do have to accept that some screaming is inevitable, you gamble on which to feed first and which can wait, and sometimes you're going to get it wrong. You can only do so much. Get as much help with feedings as you can (people LOVE to help feed babies). And don't worry about entertaining the babies or keeping them awake if they are tired - I think we pretty much changed, fed and put back to bed for the first few weeks. It is just a treadmill lifestyle at that point, but it will get better as they start to adjust to a daily schedule and become more receptive to distractions like mobiles and music.

Hang in there, it's such an exhausting and difficult time, but it will get better...

DS 03/06
BBB 03/09 @ 35 weeks, 1 day
Baby A - 5 lbs 1 oz
Baby B - 6 lbs 8 oz
Baby C - 4 lbs 5 oz