I am curious as to how all you twin mums breastfed. Did you feed both at once or one at a time. I imagine if I'm feeding 1 at a time that I would be constantly feeding and not have much time for anything else.

Thanks
Lisa

Hi Lisa

It will depend alot on what you are comfortable with and also your babies. I wasn't confident feeding mine twin style until they were about three months old...they seemed so small and I just coped better feeding them one at a time, I could conce ntrate on the feed and until there was a little more baby to grab onto and they had more head control. I found my girls were quite efficient feeders and only took between 45mins to 1 hr to start with to feed both, then when we started twin feeding it just got better from there. In the beginning I just made feeding my focus, and didn't worry too much about other stuff, just feeding and resting. It worked for us. It is such a precious time and it goes so fast other stuff can wait there is plenty of time later on.

I still pinch myself sometimes when I look down at the two sets of eyes peering up at me during a feed...it is so lovely!




Sharyn
Mum to Meg14/4/99
Hannah & Josie 22/3/04 (33 wks)
<a href="http://www.tickercentral.com"><img border="0"src="http://www.tickercentral.com/view/2k3/1"></a>

I agree!

We started with a commbination of twin feeding, single feeding and bottles (my girls were prem and had lots of trouble feeding and couldn't cope with full breastfeeding for quite some time). As the girls got bigger and we all got better at it we twin feed almost all of the time, except over night when I'd feed them one at a time if they let me, lying down so I could sleep!

We hit trouble with twin feeding when their reflux got bad and they refused to feed at all and it has taken us a long time to get back to twin feeding. But even when I was feeding them one at a time you all get really efficient and it doesn't take as long as you expect. Plus it gives you a chance to sit down for a little while! Mind you they are back twin feeding now and I am really glad of it!

I would totally reccomend giving twin feeding a go as it means you don't have the problem of keeping one baby happy while you try to feed the other. Talk to an ABA councellor or LC who has experience with twin feeding now, get the ABA booklet and read up, but really whatever you all feel works for you is what is best!

Kate

Hi Lisa, I tried twin feeding for about two weeks but found it difficult to do without someone else handing me one of the twins and helping. Then I got a cracked nipple because they weren't attaching well and eventually consulted a lactation consultant. She was amazing and suggested that since I was having some difficulties, just to feed them one after the other (alternating breasts each time) and that worked so well for me. I fed them like that until they were 7 months. They were very efficient feeders and like Sharyn it didn't take as long as I expected. Many of my friends with one baby complained that they were taking longer than me! I basically knew that Patrick generally took about 13 minutes and Michael fed for around 15 minutes. I mentioned this once at my Mother's Group and some of the other mums said that their babies would want to feed for an hour or more if they let them. I think because I had twins I didn't have the time or the energy to do that and as we settled into a routine I got to know how long each baby took. I also jotted down which twin fed first on which breast at what time because I would be so tired I would forget!


Maycee (35)
DH (33)
Twin boys (4/12/01)
DD (7/10/03)

Hi Lisa,
My twins are almost 6 months old and for the most part I have single fed them as they are fairly efficient feeders (and always have been). I can be all done with feeds in about 20 minutes now - though it was more like 45 to start with when they were young. I enjoy it as time to spend with each baby. Initially I also found it easlier to make sure they were feeding properly when I only had one to concentrate on.

Early on I used a twin feeding pillow and sat in the middle of our qn size bed (leaning up against bed head) or on the floor (against the lounge)if I was on my own and needed to tandem feed (such as when they were both crying). I do still tandem feed if I need to get out of the house quickly eg going to the shops b/w feeds. It is definately the quicker way to go.

I would suggest experiment with the different options and go with what suits you best. It is really hard to know before you have two tiny little bubs to try with..

It really is the most amazing experience to feed two babies at once, and we mums to multiples are the lucky few who get to experience it.

All the best




Julie

DS Luke 6/8/04
DD Jenna 6/8/04

Hi there,

I tandem fed right from the beginning using a pillow that is very similar to the brestfriend one (main differences are that mine has a velco strap and has a vinyl convering) Now at 9 months of age I only tandem feed for the first feed of the day and then feed them one after the other for the other 2-3 feeds of the day (as they are two wiggly now!)

Cheers!

Miriam

Hi Lisa,
I too used a My Brest Friend Feeding pillow. It was brilliant. My boys were 7 weeks prem and I used to swap sides and give formula top ups after feeds if required. At 10 weeks they were strong enough and had built up supply enough they did'nt need top ups and at 11 weeks picked a boob each and they always had the same side till they stopped the other week. I used to single feed when we went out but at home we always twin fed because it was so much quicker. All the best
Rhonda

I tried both out.

Early on I used the twin style feeding however my little man was so tiny that he had lots of trouble getting on, while my little girl was a greedy guts.

So for me it was easier to feed them individually. After the little man was able to attach easy I tried to do the tandem feeding again - but I just didn't like it. For me with an older DD I needed to be able to chase after her if necessary and this couldn't happen when I had two attached. Also couldn't do it when out, so I fed one then the other.

Both were efficient feeder around 10 minutes each and they were done, so it was easy to have one in the rocker and one on the boob.

I would say try both ways and go with what suits you best.

Cheers

Mags

Hi i breastfed the girls together from day one. Just get yourself really comfy. Work out how many pillows etc you need. it took me about 2 weeks to be able to do it by myself but you'll be amazes at how adept you become. I used to put them in rockers at my feet and then put them up to the pillows to feed.

Found they got a bit too big and squirmy at around 5-6 months so started feeding them separately if DH wasnt around to help. But always felt not quite right. I'd gotten so used to feeding 2 at a time that it felt really odd. Good luck!

Cheers Rebecca
Me 31
DP 28
Amber and Olivia 08/05/03