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Realistic expectations for b/fing

mamammamam
in Multiples
With DD #1 I b/f exclusively through 8 mos and then am/pm until 11 mos.  I know you can tandem b/f, etc... but realistically what should I expect for twins?  Is there pretty much guaranteed supplement feedings?  Do you just need the help and have to give into the bottle feedings?  I can't imagine washing all of those darn Dr. Brown bottles for two. 
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Re: Realistic expectations for b/fing

  • macchiattomacchiatto member

    There are moms who make EBFing twins work. I wouldn't say supplementing is a given, but that I do think you have to have flexible expectations. Good luck! :) I started supplementing pretty early and only BFed/pumped for 1 month but that was more about serious health issues of my own rather than just the twin factor.


    (And we never used Dr. Brown's bottles; we used VentAire at first and then Gerber ClearView; much easier to clean from what I hear. :))

    fraternal twin boys born january 2009
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  • gumiberggumiberg member

    I think you just have to be open minded.

    Lots of twins are born early - mine were born at 35 weeks and so they were too little/weak to properly latch on.  So we had to supplement in the beginning a lot (since I dont respond that well to the pump).  But  now, we supplement only a little - 2-4oz for my DD before bed, and 8-10oz for DS before bed (he is a HUGE eater).  Many women dont have to supplement at all, some women perhaps need to supplement a little more.

    I find that tandem nursing works the best for us but it really depends on the babies.

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  • sfitz0711sfitz0711
    I have been EBF since the beginning and still going strong!  However, like with just 1 baby, EBF is not for everyone for various reasons so if it doesn't work for you, it's okay!  If it does, great!  I tandem feed them all night and the majority of the day.  Sometimes I do them 1 at a time when DH is around for more 1 on 1 time with them.  You'll figure what works for you but don't give up on it already.
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  • LoveTravelLoveTravel member

    The twins were my first babies and my first attempt at BFding so I think you might have an advantage since you breastfed DD#1 :)

     I really wanted to BF and had an open mind about it since I had the same questions as you did- the boys were not the best at latching in the beginning so the nipple shield for us was a lifesaver!  The nurses at the hospital helped me and my mom was here with me the first week and a half or so to help out, it was hard at the beginning, but I'm glad I stuck it out since now it's just part of the routine.  I personally haven't had to supplement and the boys have received breast milk from day 1.

    I will also add that for me, having them on the same schedule made it easier as well :) GL!

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  • heathb21heathb21

    I exclusively pumped for my twins until 6 months, then slowly weaned down and pumped until just over 8 months.  Now my babies get about 1/2 freezer milk and 1/2 formula.  My babies had latching/sucking issues, so bfing never worked.  I only supplemented them until they were 2 wks old, my supply took until then to come in.  But once it did, I did not have to supplement, and had an amazing supply.  At one point I had over 1,000 oz (no joke!) of freezer milk.  I was pumping 80-85oz a day and my twins were only eating about 60.  I decided to wean because it was just getting to hard and I felt so tied to my pump.  It was hard finding time to pump when my babies were so active. 

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  • carissasmomcarissasmom
    I consider myself EBFing.  I did w/ my DD too until she was a year old.  I think having the past experience helps tons!  I also work full time, so I pump at work.  I usually supplement w/ 3-6 oz of formula per girl in their bottles for the next day as they eat 3 times and I only have the time to pump twice.  Weekends, holidays, evenings, sick days, etc they get nothing but mom.  My number one reason is b/c I honestly didn't want to wash that many bottles.  So it is possible and in my opinion its even easier!!
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  • RunnerGirl17RunnerGirl17
    I had similar concerns and I can tell you that so far, so good on EBFing.  My girls were born at 38 weeks, 2 days, but were only 5lbs, 0oz and 5lbs, 3oz when they were born so we had to supplement with formula for the first 10 days.  Since then, we've been exclusively breast feeding.  It was really, really hard at first (i.e., setting the alarm in the hospital to make sure I was constantly pumping to establish my supply, battling with nipple shields, etc.) but now, I find it a lot easier to breast feed.  It can be hard, and it takes some luck, but it's doable.
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  • RinnieRinnie

    I am still nursing my 14 month old twins.  A night feeding only.

    But I have never had to supplement, other then when we were in the hospital and had some latching issues.

    The only time they ever got something other then breastmilk is when I wasn't home and they were hungry.  Therefore they got formula.

    That being said my expectations while pregnant and even when they came home that first couple of weeks was if it doesn't work I can give them formula.

    Like you I also have another child and wasn't sure how that would all work attempting to tandem BF and having a demanding toddler.  It's is stressful enough with 2 newborns and a 20 month old, I didn't need the added stress of BF the twins if it didn't work.

    In the end it did work, and I am greatful, but it they had to be formula feed they would have been fine also.

     

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