twins: BM supply issues and starting solids

curlywhirly

I have nearly 6 month old twins, and for various reasons I'm beginning to think that I'm not providing enough breast milk. They have only had breast milk.

I had been nursing them both at the same time for each feeding (each one getting one breast per feeding). Now I am pumping 3-4 times a day to provide a bottle for one of the babies before they go to sleep for the evening (for a few hours, at least, but I digress...) and the other baby nurses on both sides.

Because I used to nurse both of them at that "dinner" feeding, but am now providing a bottle of pumped milk, I'm wondering how this will affect my overall supply.

I'm happy to have been able to provide exclusively breast milk so far, and because I think they are no longer satiated with only my milk, I'm not sure if I should take more steps to increase my supply (already taking some steps) or if I should go ahead and start with solids food.

This has been pretty much rambling, but I'd love to hear any thoughts about what I should do to make sure that the babies aren't chronically hungry, as that thought kind of breaks my heart.

Thanks!

tokenhoser

First: if they're making lots of diapers and gaining weight, they're eating enough. Every single cranky day or bad sleeper is not caused by hunger. Promise.

Second: around 6 months is when you're supposed to start solids. You can either do the traditional purees or look into baby-led weaning. https://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/  has great info on both.