Breastfeeding Three Toddlers!

So this post has been a work in progress for almost a month now but oh well...

I wanted to do an updated post on how breastfeeding is going now that our triplets are officially toddlers! I originally just wanted to breastfeed them for as long as I could because I didn't want to set any goals that I couldn't reach. As they got older, I slowly realized that I could do this and I must just be made to nurse! So when they were around 9 months old I started doing research on extended breastfeeding and benefits as well as just logistical ideas and how to do food/drink after they turned one.

WHO, the World Health Organization, actually is now recommending breastfeeding until 2 years old as opposed to just 1 like it used to be. Im happy that it is becoming more normal to do this as I really do think it is important and love the bond I have with my babies!

I have chosen to let them self-wean which basically means that I will let them choose when they want to stop. I will eventually set boundaries and limit the amount if they are still going strong after 2. For now, my milk is their main form of dairy so I do not have to introduce whole milk yet. They nurse at least 4 times a day and sometimes 5. They nurse when they wake up, before naps, and before bed, although I do not nurse them to sleep. Owen is definitely the most connected to it and goes the longest and asks the most often.

I tink he is really the only one that wants to nurse more than the four times but if the others see him thats when they want to as well. Evelyn asks to nurse sometimes if she's upset or really tired.

The way we nurse now is a bit different than before as they can be more patient and it isn't their only form of nutrition anymore. Owen is always the first to wake in the morning so he gets some one on one nursing and cuddling and then Evelyn and Declan get fed as they wake and if they are up at the same time, I tandem.

At night we always have the same routine which I will do another post on, but after reading books I tanden Evelyn and Declan while Owen just hangs out a bit longer. I put them down and they fall asleep quickly. Then Owen gets his turn as he needs a bit more one-on-one time at night to nurse and wind down before he can fall asleep.

With naps, it really depends. A lot of times I will feed one before we even go into their room because they need it and then just tandem the other two once in the room. If I have help, I will feed one at a time while the others are getting changed and read to, and sometimes I do it like our night routine. They only nurse for about 5 minutes at naps and maybe 7-10 morning and night.

We're Alive! Our Triplets are ONE!

It's been over a month since my last post and a lot has happened! First off, my babies are ONE!!! I can't believe how fast this year has gone by and how much has changed. It has been a whirlwind but so amazing and I wouldn't change a second. We celebrated their birthday with a party at our house a few days after their actual birthday. We had lots of family and friends over and had a great time! I didn't really do much of a theme because I didn't find anything I liked but we just did lots of bright colors and patterns and kept it very "summery". We did a big Barbecue and just enjoyed our little munchkins and their big milestone!! The triplets had a great time and loved all the attention.

The morning of their birthday they woke up and we just enjoyed some family time. We had them open up a couple gifts and that was quite the ordeal haha. I think the paper was a bigger hit! We took them to the playground to wear them out for a hopefully long nap that didn't happen. We had people come over at 11am. We had lunch and games and the weather was great. That time worked out really well except I wish we did the cakes a bit sooner. We had smash cakes for each of them but we pulled them out around 12:300. I think they all, especially the boys, were a bit tired and overwhelmed at this point. Declan wanted nothing to do with it and Owen followed suit. They ended up needing to be held and then Owen got into it. Evelyn was a bit wary at first but figured it out and really enjoyed it! Overall it was an amazing party! (I am working on another post with more pictures and details of the party).

The week after their birthday we went up to Tahoe with the whole family for just over a week for the forth of July and just got back today. We had a great time and the babies really enjoyed the beach!

Now here's their One Year Update!

Weights and Lengths: D- 22 pounds 29.5 inches, O- 22 pounds 3 ounces 29.5 inches, E- 21 pounds 1 ounce 29 inches.

Eating: Still nursing about 4 times a day, when they wake up and before naps and bedtime. They eat 3 meals a day and some small snacks throughout. They are great eaters!

Sleep: They all go to bed at 7:30pm and wake up around 7am. They nap twice a day for 1.5 to 2 hours.

Clothes Size: All of them are in 12 and 18 months sizes.

Milestones: They all were walking before they turned 1! Owen was first at just over 11 months, Declan was next at 11 months and 1 week and Evelyn at 11.5 months!

Pictures: 

Declan

Owen

Evelyn