Calorie intake while BFing twins

Mrs. Alice

I've been EBFing my twins since they came home from the NICU and up until the last check up, their weight gain has been fine.  Now the pedi is concerned and wants them to get "as many fortified bottles as possible" now.  I am not ready to give up BFing and I certainly don't have the time or energy to EP.  I thought my milk supply was good (they seem satisfied, have enough wet/poopy diapers) but I am lacking confidence now that they aren't gaining enough weight and their demands are increasing. 

I am on the thin petite side and I feel like I eat lots of food, but I am continuing to slowly lose weight.  I was down to 119 lbs (my pregnancy weight) yesterday.  Could this be a reason why my supply isn't keeping up with their needs?  Does anyone know what amount of calories I should be taking in?  Thanks!

amye84

I don't have an answer for your question, but am very interested to see what responses you get! I am also EBFing my girls (although they are much younger than your boys!) and wonder about how much I should be eating. I'm back to my pre-pregnancy weight and even hovering 1-2lb below (123-125ish).. But I eat constantly!

One thing I will say is to not let the pedi destroy your confidence. Look at the amazing job your body has done! Your boys are happy and healthy Good work mama! 

Fisherman'sWife

Ok, I don't have twins but can share my experience of almost 6 months breastfeeding. 

 You have to eat WAY more than you think especially with twins and if you are loosing weight. I am good about drinking water (2L during the work day plus any tea, soda, juice) but on weekends I slack off and I immediately see a dip in my supply (when I return to pumping on Monday).  

I still eat like I was pregnant with snacks almost every two hours.  Sometimes its just a handful of almonds, a piece of fruit, or a cheese stick but its something almost constantly through the day.  I am still loosing the weight so I know I need these calories to sustain breastfeeding. 

I think the estimate is that you burn over 600 calories a day breastfeeding which would be double if feeding twins.  Thats a lot of extra calories you need! 

ajswart

I was told bfing takes 500 calories a day, so with twins you could probably double that!

vgreet

I eat lots and lots of high calorie food.  When I cut the high calorie food, their weight gained slowed, but that may have just been a coincidence. I eat way MORE than I did when I was pregnant.  One thing maybe to try... DS1 gained little weight a couple weeks ago, so this week I gave him a couple one ounce formula bottles following feedings where he didn't seem quite as content.  That way he was getting some high cal formula and extra food.  I don't know if it recommended or not, but like you- I have no interest or time for EPing.  Two weeks ago he gained 2 oz. Last week he gained 14.  That could just be a growth spurt as well, but he wasn't acting like it.

boogerbearoriginal

First off - ditto PP don't let your pedi discourage you! Did your boys lose weight or just slow their gain? If you want to continue BFing I don't see why you should stop if they are continuing to gain but you need to make sure you are eating/drinking enough to keep up your supply. 

My Drs told me to take in 500-600 extra calories for BFing one baby, I would guess you would need at least that but probably minimum of 1000 extra calories or more. FWIW I'm just guessing but eating too much can't hurt at this point if you're losing weight. I joked that now is the time to enter pie eating contests lol.

Similar to you I am naturally thin and I am actually under my pre-pregnancy weight because I sometimes don't eat enough. It's hard when you're taking care of the LOs to take time to eat but it's so important. Try to keep it healthy, but eat second/third helpings if you're hungry.

My concern with his advice is that adding bottles instead of BFing WILL effect your supply long term. You need to let those guys nurse and nurse often to tell your body to make the proper amount of milk. If you start adding in bottles your body will not make more and your boys will grow accustomed to the extra food which tends to lead to less nursing, more bottles, and lowered supply and so on.

I started making freezer meals so I have things to just pop in the oven, precooking soups and chilis for easy lunches, and always having snacks at home. Things like nuts or cheese are good choices. Whatever you like that you can just grab and eat since time is a precious commodity. Just make sure you take care of your needs. Can your H help with food prep too?

Lots of women successfully BF twins - you can do it! 

Matt Dvorak

I don't have twins and I am now 6 lbs below my pre-preg weight (114lbs) and I eat ALL the time. I've never been one to count calories, but I know that I eat a lot - with twins you probably need to eat a lot more than what you did before getting pregnant and drink plenty of water.

I agree with others that I wouldn't give up EBF - I would try to up your own calories and water intake. 

JaysonandKristin

It isn't just a straight mathematical equation here, ladies.  BF'ing one child means an extra 500 calories per day does not mean that BF'ing twins is a 1,000 extra calories.  I highly suggest that you talk to a lactation specialist and a nutritionist pronto.  NEVER let a pedi discourage you.  

Your BM is typically the same no matter what you're eating.  Your body will take from you before it ever starves your children.

Fortifying one or two bottles a day wouldn't be a terrible idea, and it shouldn't take up too much time (as you expressed that you didn't want to commit to EP'ing).

In terms of feeding your kids, solids are also a great way to go.  Introducing them could be helpful.  Higher calorie foods (avo, banana, etc) on top of your BM is a good way to boost their caloric intake. Oz of BM = 20 calories vs. Oz of avocado = 45 cal.

Pedis are not nutritionists.  I find it laughable that they should ever make recommendations about feeding.  Good luck!!  

Mrs. Alice

Thank you for all the replies!  In response to some of the questions, my babies only gained 6 and 8 oz in the past month and are currently in the 0% and 1% for their adjusted ages since they were preemies.  Between their 4 and 6 month check ups they gained about 2lbs each.  I've decided so far to start with at least 2 fortified bottles a day, one being mid day before their nap so I can pump afterwards and the other right before bed time.  I think one issue may be that they sleep for long periods at night time and have been for a couple months now.  They were STTN before they were even 10 lbs.  I'm going to try to also give them a middle of the night nursing to get some extra calories in.  They will be reweighed next month so I'll see how this works.  Otherwise they are very healthy and developing just fine.  I really attribute their bfing to helping them stay healthy.  I'm also going to make an extra effort to eat lots of high quality foods.