Trinity's story October 2008 Every second night, Trinity would leave her partner Sonny and three daughters and travel 45 minutes to the neo-natal unit at Wellington Hospital with bottles of precious breast milk for her premature twin girls. The 90-minute round trip is a sign of Trinity's dedication to breastfeeding and typical of the challenges she has overcome to breastfeed her daughters. "That's what I had to do. I guess I could have put them on formula, but it was really important to Sonny and I to give them the best start in life," says Trinity. Coming from a family that chose to breastfeed (Trinity's mum breastfed all five of her children, and her elder sister all of her six) it was not hard for Trinity to choose breast over bottle. "It's full of antibodies and helps their immune system and is full of other benefits that just aren't in formula," Trinity says. Trinity's first experience with breastfeeding, however, was hardly plain sailing. After discovering she was not producing enough milk for Huirangi - now six - she was advised to put the baby on formula. But determined to do the best she could, Trinity would breastfeed Huirangi first, then use expressed milk from her breastfeeding sister who lives close by, and only then if needed, would Trinity feed Huirangi formula. "Formula feeding is so expensive! That's was another reason I really wanted to keep going if I could." Four-year-old Hine-iti was also breastfed. "Again, I didn't produce much milk although it seemed to be enough for Hine-iti. At six months Hine-iti was being fed breast first and then only if I had to, formula." One-year-old Oriwia was also put on Trinity's combination of breast first, then expressed milk, then bottle. Now Trinity and her partner Sonny have their newest daughters. "Finally I'm making masses of milk! I'm even helping my sister out with expressed milk because for the first time, she's not producing enough! "While the babies were in the neonatal unit at Wellington Hospital I expressed during the day and every second night went into the hospital. I couldn't go any more often because of my responsibilities to the other girls." Trinity's sister is a great support for her and she has two "nannies" from the local kohanga reo who are keen to help with hanging out washing or taking the elder children away for a few hours. Sonny takes the occasional day off work to care for the girls as well. Trinity has no regrets about the extra lengths she has gone to, to breastfeed her children. "You can't beat breastmilk." Back to the Breastfeeding stories page Back to top Tips on milk supply Baby is getting enough milk when: they have six or more wet nappies a day. Usually they have two or more soft yellow motions/kaka a day in the first few weeks, although this can vary they can be heard swallowing during breastfeeds, and continue strong suckling for at least 10 minutes on each breast, 8 to 12 times in 24 hours they continue to breastfeed until they come off the breast spontaneously, and appear satisfied. Baby may not be getting enough milk if: they are on and off the breast, fussing, searching for the breast with their mouth, crying and not being settled by breastfeeding, or quickly fall asleep at the breast they are not suckling strongly to stimulate more milk production, or are constantly taking small feeds they sleep for long periods, feeding less than eight times a day, or start waiting for top ups by bottle regular baby health checks show they are not gaining weight or growing in length. If you are worried that your baby may not be getting enough breastmilk, seek advice from someone familiar with breastfeeding. La Leche League Leaders counsel breastfeeding mothers voluntarily and are just a phone call away, or you could approach your Plunket Family Centre who have lactation consultant trained nurses. How do the breasts "know" to produce more breastmilk? Breastfeeding is the trigger for ongoing breastmilk supply. When baby breastfeeding empties the breasts, hormones stimulate the production of more breastmilk. Back to the Breastfeeding stories page Back to top Website feedback We welcome your feedback on this page.

Comments from Marcia Roberts – Lactation Consultant What a wonderful story Trinity has shared! When she felt her milk supply was not meeting the full needs of her babies she continued to breastfeed, and also used her sister's expressed milk for Huirangi. She also mentions expressing with her third daughter Oriwia, and has been very successful expressing for her twins. Expressing helps to stimulate the breasts to produce more but it is the continuing to breastfeed which is most effective. Trinity's perseverance has resulted in more than sufficient breastmilk for her twin daughters and she can really enjoy the time breastfeeding her two babies. View related tips from Marcia on milk supply.

Page last updated: 31 July 2009