Hi Everyone,

I'm 12 weeks pregnant and it looks like I'm having twins, had a scan at 10 weeks (as I was overseas) and there were 2 little heartbeats. I am really excited about it, but also really scared. We have a beautiful 4y.o DS, his great and is great with kids. I'm wondering how the feeding all works? I breastfed my DS for 1 year and would really like to breast feed the twins, is it really difficult? As I heard you have to feed them at the same time. Does that mean they only feed from one side and that's enough for them? I'm going to see my OBGYN tomorrow so will go thru with her too, but I love this website as it has always helped me in the past with my questions.

Thanks
Cstar

Congratulations!!! everyones really helpful here. So ask away...
I breast fed my girls for 8 and 12 months. Amber weaned herself at 8 1/2 months and I weaned Olivia when she turned one. I tandem fed for the first 4 or 5 months until they got too wiggly and could roll away then I fed them seperately( which I found much harder) You'll be suprised how much milk your body can produce.

Eat well, get plenty of rest and enjoy the ride. It's a different life with twins on board.

Good luck, Rebecca

Rebecca 32
Nathan 28
Fraternal twin girls Amber & Olivia 08/05/03

Hi Cstar,

Congratulations on expecting twins. If you want me to add you to our expecting list which is stickied at the top of the forum, just pm me with your details.

As far as breastfeeding goes, there is no written law that says you have to tandem feed. I breastfed my triplets so I did tandem feed. As Rebecca said, you will be surprised at how much milk your body can produce.

Cheers,

Congratulations on this nice surprise!!
My girls are 4 months old and I had a problem with breastfeeding - I had too much milk for couple of months ;p, which was annoying at the time, but now it's all settled and good side of it is that it does not take long to feed them. I started with tandem feeding but then after few weeks began to feed them separately (it took me less time, because the flow was so strong - I had to concentrate on each of the babies).
You do not have to tandem-feed your babies. It does save time sometimes, but might get harder especially when they get bigger - I find it very hard now to arrange them on a pillow by my own now. And if it's a matter of saving just few minutes, it's not worth a hassle.
I worked out that one of my mistakes when I started feeding them separately was to swap breasts for each of them every feed, so that one breast had much longer break than another. Now Sophie feeds from left side, and Alina from right side every time and this works much better for me. I also tried to change sides every day (which probably would be even better), but I am so forgetful these days...
I find BF so much easier than giving a bottle.

Good luck with your babies!!



This message was edited by Yulia on Wednesday, 19 October 2005 @ 2:03 PM

Hi C-Star and Congratulations on both the news of expecting twins and your 4 year old DS!!! How exciting for you but I can also imagine that you are very scared about it all!
Try not to be ~ you have found the best resourse here in Eb already!
I fed Hayden and Brooklen tandem and it was great that Dh was able to take 6 weeks off work to help me out It was amazing to look down and see two beautiful little faces whilst feeding....Brooklen had some troubles with the amount of Lactose in my Milk so she was later diagnosed LI and put on Formula...I continued to feed Hayden until he was 3 months or so. They are both now fully bottle fed and they are happy so am I. (I would have loved to continue but it was not meant to be)

We have all had this scared and excited feeling so we know what you are going through Take care, try to get lots of rest and ask as many questions as you need to.

Join in the Expecting Multiples thread if you havent already as there are lovely ladies in there going through all the same things as you are atm

Look forward to sharing this beautiful Journey with you!!!

Hi Cstar and congratulations! Don't worry, we all know exactly how you are feeling

On the subject of breastfeeding, I tandem fed for 13 months. Once you get the hang of it, its not difficult. I found it easier (and less time consuming) than feeding one at a time, but you will work out what's best for you when the time comes. You are correct, when tandem feeding they get one side each feed and they do get enough. I swapped sides for each feed (when I could remember which side they had last, that is!). It was mostly for selfish reasons - I didn't want to end up permanently lopsided if one was a better feeder than the other! I've heard of people doing it both ways (ie swapping each time, or giving each child their own side so that supply adjusts to suit them).

Can I suggest you get in touch with your local Multiple Birth Assoc? Every club is different, but all of them have lots of resources to help you to prepare for your multiple joy.

All the best and here's to a long and boring pregnancy!

Nicolie
DDs Paige & Hannah (23/09/03)

First Congratlations to you and your family. I also tandem feed and as everyone said it is easier when they are smaller. Unfortunately my body didnt produce enough milk right from the word go so i managed to only BF for about 6 weeks with bottle feeds. I wish i could have gone longer but my bubbies werent getting enough food. So good luck and enjoy the quietness of pregnancy coz the fun is about to start.

hugs and Kisses
Catherine

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Hi there everyone,

I am also 12 weeks pregnant with twins, my first babies, and have not been able to stop thinking about all the practical things like feeding them both, holding them both, bathing them, what I am going to do with one when I have to change a nappy etc etc.

Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions and what they did, it certainly lessens the worry!!

Jac

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR TWIN PREGNANCY !!! Just to wish you all the best and hope you have a happy & healthy pregnancy. You will find the ladies here wonderful and full of great advice. Take care & enjoy.