Tandem nursing

leviandlandensmom

When did you get started? I am so intimidated by the thought of nursing them at the same time. Right now I am nursing them one at a time and it isn't too bad but lately they have been waking up at the exact same time so while I'm feeding one the other is crying. Is the football hold the only position that works for tandem feeding two? I have never been able to nurse using the football hold with any of my kids. Any advice you ladies can give would be awesome! TIA

MamaCrystal

I didn't like the football hold with my singletons either... but it's all I used with the twins.  I think using the EZ-2-Nurse made it much easier.  We started tandem nursing immediately in the hospital.  (The LC was surprised that it was actually working out so well right away, but I was determined and just made it work!) : )

I also always fed them at the same time so that they'd be on the same schedule.  I don't know how I would have stayed sane any other way!

babydontforget

Honestly, I still have trouble with it. I try it only when the conditions are exactly right--both babies are in a perfect mood for it and my supply is perfect (breasts aren't too full--I have oversupply issues). If I try it at any other time, it's meltdown city for one or both babies, and the whole thing takes longer than it would have taken me to just feed them separately.

Some people start in the hospital and swear they couldn't have breastfed without it. But that hasn't been my experience. I'm lucky, however, that my babies eat fast: sometimes five minutes per baby, never more than 10 (this would be the silver lining of the oversupply issue).

My LC showed me a hold other than the double football hold. You put one baby in football, and the other across your front. I'm not a huge fan, and when I do pul off tandem, it's with double football.

Good luck! 

SoldiersGreenBean

We started in the hospital, and have been doing it ever since.  I couldn't football hold DD1, but have had no trouble with the twins.  Find a good lactation consultant!

meagamomma2be

I didn't get the hang of it until they were 2 months.  It was just so stressful for me because as soon as one would latch on the other would come off and it would go back and forth the whole time.  Once they can latch on well it is so easy to tandem nurse (with EZ2Nurse pillow).  So if you don't get it right away, take a break and try it in a few weeks.  Oh and I also didn't sue football hold w/ my singleton.

Haven1

EZ2Nurse pillow for sure!!  I started about 4 days old in the NICU once they were off IV sugar and ready for food.  Thankfully my boys were latching champs, so the football hold was golden. 

monkski

I started on my first night home from the hospital (day 5) after I realized I really needed the sleep and didn't want to waste time feeding them individually. I was determined to make it work after a LC told me to not even think it would be possible to do before two months!  I was and still am using nipple shields and I think that does make it easier to tandem, although not something I'm recommending, just what is working for me right now.

angiek

I started on my second day in the hospital.  After going through the first night almost sleepless feeding them one-at-a-time I decided I needed to for myself & my boys.  I had an awesome LC & nurses that helped out so much.

I had my DH help me get set up everytime until I was on my own when the boys were 1 month old but we figured it out eventually.

I only used the double football hold - that's all I felt comfortable doing.  My boys had good latches, so that helped out too.

Good luck!

anyalee

I started tandem day 2 once Charlotte got the tube out and was able to nurse.  I have the My Breast Friend Twin pillow and LOVE it!  You should get a good LC to come to your house and help you!

jalaiaa

I started in the hospital with the EZ2Nurse. Saved SO much time and allowed much needed sleep. The key for me was getting a bunch of blankets to prop the boys heads in place early on.