Breastfeeding Twins
Bottle or Breast?
Breastfeeding twins takes lots of commitment, patience and hard work.
Here you can read, learn or share your experiences, whether you nursed or bottle fed your twins.
Though it can be tricky to begin with, you can do it and many mothers from everywhere are very successful in doing so.
Stories and Photos are a great way for new moms or moms to be of twins to hear and see how it’s done!
Bottle Fed Twins
Maybe you chose to bottle feed your twins, and sometimes moms who want to breastfeed didn’t have the option but to formula feed. Moms of twins, actually all mothers, can feel apprehensive when it comes to deciding whether to nurse or formula feed, so whatever you decide remember it’s your decision and your babies will love you regardless.
I Breastfed and Bottle Fed My Twins
Nursing is something I had found difficult with my first child (a singleton), so I was very nervous when it came to breastfeeding my twin girls. I made a decision that I was going to succeed and I stuck with it, asking questions from my midwife, lactation consultant and family members who had breastfed their twins.
While my husband was off work after the girls arrived, he would help me position them to tandem feed. After about 2 or 3 weeks I was successfully feeding my little girls at the same time.
By the time they were about 4 months I was exhausted. I decided to supplement one feed of formula a day, the last one before bedtime which my husband did.
Eventually I added in more bottle feeds till I was only feeding at the breast through the night. But my babies decided they only wanted a bottle making me even more tired. So my husband suggested we take turns feeding the girls during the night. It was great to finally get some sleep, and gave me more energy to do more things with the children and myself.
So I breastfed up until they were about 8 months old which I think was pretty good going.
Sometimes I missed breastfeeding my girls and I wished I had stuck with the breastfeeding longer, but in the end our girls are happy and healthy. What more could I ask for.
~ Charlene, Mom of Identical Twins ~
Stories shared and tips given from moms who have been there done that, gives great confidence and reassurance to those who are expecting twins.
Share your Story and Photos
- How did you or do you feel about breastfeeding twins?
- Did you struggle to breastfeed your twins? How did you cope?
- Did or do you bottle feed your twins?
- Maybe you pumped your breast milk. How do/did you feel about it?
- If you pumped, how did you store the breast milk ?
- If you had preemie twins, did you do kangaroo care
- Returning to work and breastfeeding.
- Any thoughts at all about breastfeeding, expressing/pumping breast milk or bottle feeding twins.
- Add a photo or two showing how you nursed your twin babies.
We would love to hear from you! Contact us today to share your own story – particularly if you have experience with breastfeeding preemies
A Story of Bottle Fed Babies
After trying to breast feed both my first son and my second son with no luck, we found out that I did not produce enough milk. So when our twins came along we chose to bottle feed them which has worked out great for us both.
My husband and I have them on the same feeding schedule which the hospital helped us set up before leaving.
So it has actually been pretty easy not to mention a great bonding time for my husband and I. Because for those midnight feedings we are able to talk without the other children running about.
Mom of Twins
Breastfeeding Twins
Jaimie’s Journey
A Long Road Ahead…
My twins Ellis and McKenzie were born at 33 weeks. The delivery was traumatic, following a blood transfusion I was finally released from the hospital after having spent 45 days during my pregnancy on hospital bedrest. My babies were in the NICU for 2 weeks.
Ellis progressed well, eating more and more at almost each feeding. McKenzie, however had a distended tummy and was taken off of feeding entirely for 3 days. The Drs finally started her feedings at the end of the 3rd day. She started off only eating 3mLs at each feeding. As the days went on naturally her feedings were increased thus resulting in my frustration. I was producing more than enough milk for one baby, but not quite enough for two babies.
Ellis and McKenzie were released from the NICU on Day 13 and Day 14.
I pumped every 2-2.5 hours trying to keep my milk supply coming. After having seeked out help from a lactation consultant I started taking Blessed Thistle and Fenurgreek to boost my supply. Those supplements didn’t work.
I tried to get my babies to nurse but they seemed to tire out before they received a sufficient amount of milk. I went to my Dr. and got an Rx for Reglan. After taking the medication for 3 days I finally saw an increase in my supply. And I continued to pump.
We could continue to “practice” nursing, but I kept pumping to maintain the demand.
Almost 2 weeks after the babies came home I received a phone call. I was phoned and informed that my Grandfather was in the hospital dying. It was up for 36 hours, half of which were spent at his bedside. Without pumping I stayed at his side so he wouldn’t die alone. He kept saying he wanted to meet his Great-Grand babies before he died.
Beyond engorged I finally went home, I needed to pump and I needed to sleep and eat. I pumped a total of 6 times only getting 20mLs of breast milk from each pumping. I was finally able to get some sleep and grab a bite to eat.
My papa got to meet his great grand babies… and 34 hours after holding them he went to be with the Lord. He died at 9:30pm Oct. 17, 2011.
It was a difficult journey, and though my babies are now strictly formula fed, they were able to get breast milk for their first month of life. I sometimes feel guilty that I am unable to provide natures best to them, but everything happens for a reason.
I believe God sent us our babies 7 weeks early so my grandfather would have the chance to meet his only great grand children. I am blessed in so many ways.
Jaimie RutlandPensacola, F
If you need more breastfeeding tips or you want to take a look at our Twin breastfeeding FAQs or you really just need some additional information on a great breastfeeding diet, then take a look at our various resources to help you.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.