Twins, Triplets & More Support Group

Triplets & More","This community connects people seeking information and experiences about multiple births. Different names for multiple birth are used, depending on the actual multiple. Common multiples are two and three, known as twins and triplets respectively. Share your thoughts and find whatever support you need."

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should I try to breastfeed my twins

deleted_user
deleted_user
Hello. A week ago I took my twins home from NICU. They were bottle feeding my expressed breast milk. I am still pumping and filling bottles and washing bottles!! I feed them at the same time, which is easier; but I heard of mothers who can breastfeed twins at the same time! I tried this a couple of times and it only made me more frustrated. They don't latch correctly and it seems impossible that I would be able to get both of them on at the same time. Their bodies are so tiny and fragile and the boppy pillow doesn't hold them right. I have heard of the EZ 2 nurse twin pillow, that sounds good and wish I could just go buy one, but I am broke right now. Does anyone have any suggestions? I really would like to try this, but I don't know how I should go about it. Should I get one established on nursing first and then introduce the other at separate times and then when they are both nursing, then try to put both on breast?? That sounds exhausting!! I don't think my boobs would be able to handle all that sucking and I imagine I would be nursing almost constantly!! Is this the only way or is there another?? Please help, thanks, Dee
deleted_user
deleted_user
I nursed my twins for thirteen months. My situation was maybe a little different, but here's what worked for me. My kids were 4 lbs 10 oz and 4 lbs 13 oz. They didn't spend time in the NICU, but my milk took a really long time to come in and so they were bottle fed for a while until we could get the nursing down. It was a lot of hard work and a frustrating six weeks but worth it in the end. No more bottles. I wasn't able to tandem nurse until they were about six weeks. My girl figured nursing out first, but it took my boy at least five weeks. It was hard work, I would nurse girl and then try to nurse boy for 10 minutes, they feed him a bottle and then pump. It made for really long nights. I was determined and he finally got it. when I tandem nursed, I but girl on left breast, cause she was more experienced. He feet pointing at right breast, then took a small pillow and put it on her belly. Next put brother on right breast feet pointed same direction as sister. It will be different for everyone, and may be really difficult at first, but I really think you can do it if you are determined and patient.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Twan and I had the same problem...It took FOREVER for my mild to come in...but it did and after about 6 weeks we three had the nursing thing down...I gave formula to supplement until we got the situation managed...I nursed for almost a year, then the twins just stopped...kinda bummed me out...you can do it...just be persistant...
deleted_user
deleted_user
My girls were premies and when I bought them home even though they were perfect in everyway they were tiny! They were both under 4lbs, I tryed breastfeeded and it just did not work for me, my pediatrician advised me to express the milk and if I didn't have enough to supplement with formula which I did, I actually rented an electric pump from the hospital which was much easier than the hand pumps, my pediatrician said it was also important to monitor how much they eat as it was important for them to put on weight and when babies are so small and premies they eat so little and fall asleep so quickly on the nipple so they may not be getting what they need to put on weight. I kept a little chart for each feed and would write down what each twin had. By three months my girls were on par weight wise with full term babies.I know it's not easy I felt like a jersey cow for the first 3 months, no sleep night feeds every two hours but I was so focused on getting them in-sync with each other from the beginning. Even know my girls who are five will fall asleep within minutes of each other.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I breastfed my twins for only 3 months. They were not premies but it was difficult. I understand your frustrations. I never got the feeding both at one time. I felt like a feeding machine. I would lay in bed at night and fall asleep while feeding them. My doctor gave the best advice. She said that as much as they needed my milk they needed me more. I stopped breastfeeding.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I just attended a breastfeeding class on nursing twins.

First, I did buy an EZ to nurse bobby pillow. Well worth the money.

The lactation consultant told me the key is to hold both babies myself and then have my husband help to position my breasts and express the milk so the babies will latch on. We plan to try this method once our twins arrive.

Best of luck!
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