Breastfeeding twins ?

Kelli&Jed

How did you keep track of which baby started or finished on which breast?  A friend (of a singleton) said she would put a rubberband on the wrist of the side she ended the feeding with so she'd know which side to start with next time.  Someone else suggested writing it down but I could see that becoming a PIA very quickly.  Any tricks/tips?

macchiatto

I was keeping a feeding/diaper change log anyway so I just jotted it down on there. You could do the rubber band trick and just associate it with one baby.

MamaCrystal

We had an Itzbeen timer for each girl and they have a L,R button for which breast that girl fed on.  Super easy to keep track of! 

CER+MEL

I just do my best to remember.  I'm sure I am wrong a lot of the time, but keeping track in any formal way just isn't worth it to me.  My babies and my boobs have been just fine. 

CER+MEL

I just re-read your post.  Is there a reason you switch during the feedings?  I know that's common for singletons, but my lactation consultant said not to bother with that for multiples.

MamaCrystal

CER+MEL:

I just re-read your post.  Is there a reason you switch during the feedings?  I know that's common for singletons, but my lactation consultant said not to bother with that for multiples.

Ditto.  I never switched breasts during feedings.  (I actually never did with my singletons either!)

heatheric71505

My LC said the same thing, that it's usually easier to assign one baby to one breast each day.  That's been my method since day one and I haven't had any issues.

When I was nursing my son I used to keep my nursing bra unsnapped on the side that he nursed last on so I would remember to start him on that side.  It was easier for me then remembering to change a bracelet.etc. 

 

 

jalaiaa

CER+MEL:

I just do my best to remember.  I'm sure I am wrong a lot of the time, but keeping track in any formal way just isn't worth it to me.  My babies and my boobs have been just fine. 

This

sunnybrook.

I never switched breasts during a feeding. Whatever baby started on that breast also finished on that breast to make sure she got the proper foremilk and hindmilk.

You can either alternate breasts at each feeding (Baby A on right breast for first feeding, then left breast for next feeding, etc.) or alternate each day. I found it was easier to assign a baby to a breast each day.

Ditto pp that I just tried my best to remember who belonged on which side. I know there were times I put the "wrong" baby to that day's assigned breast, but it doesn't really matter if that happens occasionally.  

macchiatto

Oh and yeah, with twins I wouldn't switch them *during* the feeding. Too much of a logistical challenge and not really worth it! I did change them from one feeding to the next though because one of my breasts produced a lot more milk than the other.

Kelli&Jed

MamaCrystal:

CER+MEL:

I just re-read your post.  Is there a reason you switch during the feedings?  I know that's common for singletons, but my lactation consultant said not to bother with that for multiples.

Ditto.  I never switched breasts during feedings.  (I actually never did with my singletons either!)

No, not switching during feedings.  The LC at the breast feeding class said not to feed the same baby on the same breast each time (like baby A gets the right side baby B gets the left) because breasts don't produce the same amount of milk.  She recommended making sure that the babies get equal time with each breast each day...this way they both had a fair chance at getting what was being produced.  Does that make sense?

 

mrsfirefly

I'm lurking, but there is a great iphone app called Baby Connect.  Also keeps track of diapers, medicines, etc.

jennie13

small notebook and a pen - one page each day.   I alternate sides each feeding and note the time I fed them and who got which side.  I also use it to keep track of naps, and when the babies get their reflux meds.    I like having it written down so I can see patterns emerge with their eating and sleeping since I did not put them on a set schedule.

AliciaMomof4

I also switch breasts with each feeding and just do my best to remember which side to give each baby. They and my milk production had always been fine. I have mixed it up every now and then but it's no big deal. In the beginning when they were nursing much moreoften I would jot it down or ask my hubby to help me remember.

amanda31H

Kelli&Jed:

MamaCrystal:

CER+MEL:

I just re-read your post.  Is there a reason you switch during the feedings?  I know that's common for singletons, but my lactation consultant said not to bother with that for multiples.

Ditto.  I never switched breasts during feedings.  (I actually never did with my singletons either!)

No, not switching during feedings.  The LC at the breast feeding class said not to feed the same baby on the same breast each time (like baby A gets the right side baby B gets the left) because breasts don't produce the same amount of milk.  She recommended making sure that the babies get equal time with each breast each day...this way they both had a fair chance at getting what was being produced.  Does that make sense?

 

Yes, that's what most of us did.  I kept a log in the early weeks when I was sleep deprived and tracking wet/soiled diapers, etc.  But eventually I just would remember. I always start A on the left for the first morning feeding and go from there.