Breastfeeding Triplets: Second Year Battles and Joys

Breastfeeding Battle #1: Teething

Somewhere around that darn one-year mark, I realized I really enjoyed feeding sleeping babies while I was still awake to enjoy them. My hubby was so supportive and took advantage of these times to also get some too-quickly-growing-up baby snuggles. But it was around then that we noticed we were waking them up to nurse—a couple of times we forgot and went to bed and they slept 12 hours.

So I began contemplating what it would look like to drop that feeding. And then…the molars arrived.

Yes, those molars sent us into wakeful nights that rivaled those of the newborn days. We got eight molars from two babies within just a few weeks of each other. With all three sharing a nursery, you can imagine the commotion that was now an all night occurrence at our house. So I spent about two months nursing one or two or three babies a couple of times during the night. We were exhausted. But it was so very worth it to be able to comfort them in the middle of the night with what they really wanted!

And then, just like that, it was over—the night-waking, that is. So after a few weeks, we stopped waking them for the “dream feed.” All of a sudden, my babies were sleeping through the night at nearly 16 months! On the random nights they did wake, my hubby was able to quietly help them back to sleep. While I missed those sleepy snuggles, I realized we were in a new season. And that was ok.

Breastfeeding Battle #2: Breast Infections

Another challenge we encountered was renewed bouts of mastitis and thrush. These experiences are a completely different ballgame when nursing munchies who can munch. With teeth. And this followed right on the heels of the babies getting their molars. Needless to say, it was a challenging few months. So challenging, in fact, that I would have gladly stopped nursing forever—right then and there—if I wasn’t very concerned the infections would get worse. So I nursed through them.

I begged my babies to be extra gentle, took medications, did home remedies, massaged, cried, drank wine to relax, and prayed. Eventually, we were back to normal and I was cautiously optimistic that I might not need or want to end breastfeeding after all.

I have since learned that breast infections are common with toddlers who engage in gymnastics while breastfeeding and develop lazy-latches. It is in the best interest of both mom and baby for mom to not allow these behaviors to continue. I learned this the hard way.

Battle #3: Multiple(s) Children

Breastfeeding multiple children also presents challenges during the toddler stage. Toddlers can become jealous and impatient while waiting for their turn to nurse. Fights and squabbles can break out.

But this can also be a wonderful opportunity for the toddler to develop a relationship with their younger sibling—either while tandem nursing and sharing or in preferring the younger sibling. I chose to not continue tandem breastfeeding around 15 months because I wanted to focus on each child at a time. This also saved me from having to break up boob fights at each feeding. Now that I breastfeed one at a time, occasionally one gets impatient and pitches a temper tantrum. But I attempt to redeem that tantrum and teach them that it isn’t their turn yet.

Breastfeeding Toddlers: The Joys

As challenging as breastfeeding can be, I have decided I really enjoy this stage. Each of the babies has their own little games they like to play while nursing. For instance, Makenna is nosy and listens in on everything going on around her and wants to react to it altogether. Emma likes to come off for a hug and a kiss (or two or three) and to point out my eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. And Noah wants to just snuggle with mommy and pretend he’s the only baby I’ve got.

I love that I see their personalities emerging even in our breastfeeding relationship. These games won’t matter to them in 20 years. But they matter to me now. And I’m sure in 20 years these memories will be that much more priceless.

It’s also a time for just the two of us. They love it, and I love that they do. It’s also a time for me to sit and not chase after a toddler (or two, or three). And I love that they are continuing to get nutrients their bodies need, an emotional connection their minds crave, and antibodies their immune system requires. It’s a win-win, really.

And I am so grateful that God has brought us this far. It has been a journey fraught with confusion and angst. But also one filled with answered prayers. Oh, the prayers I’ve uttered over uninterested newborns, latch issues, supply issues, scheduling confusion, feeling-like-a-cow moments, countless bouts of mastitis, and tantrums and biters.

Not every prayer was answered to my liking. But I realize that where we have been is good. It’s been good even though it included more formula and medications than I’d hoped. It’s been good even though it was painful and exhausting like nothing I’ve ever experienced. It’s been good because it has caused me to rest in what God has given me and to enjoy it. These victories have been hard-fought-and-won battles:with three beautiful babies at my side.