BF and twins??????

[_Vicky_]

Hi all,

A very tentative step in here I have a million questions and although I keep thinking its far too early I really thought just ask lol

I am 10 weeks pregnant with twins and have never thought about feeding any other way than breast feeding but here is my dilema - how realistic is it with twins?

I am also trying to find out the pros and cons of expressing and really dont know just how much time it takes for feeding or expressing.

I want to buy/hire a breast pump but not a clue which are best - I am assuming double is more time effective but they range in price so much is it a case of the more you spend the better?

I am sorry if these are real rookie questions I had a look to see if any previous posts could help but couldnt see them.

Can anyone help or point me in the direction of assistance?

 

[asacia]

To express enough milk for one baby, most women need to express for 20 minutes (with a double pump) about 8 times a day, including through the night. For the first 6 weeks, it is recommended to pump 10-12 times. I'm not sure how it would work with making enough milk for twins, I don't have any experience of pumping for twins. It is hard work to pump, direct breastfeeding is much, much easier.

If you do exclusively pump, a double hospital grade pump is best. A double pump halves the time, and when you have to pump so often, that makes a big difference! Most exclusive pumpers would say that anything but a rented hospital pump isn't effective enough for long term use.

When you bottle feed babies breastmilk, you should pace the bottle so it takes 15-20 minutes. This prevents overfeeding.

A Mum from my NCT group is successfully feeding twins, and many, many women do.

Can I ask why you are considering pumping?

 

[_Vicky_]

Not a clue why I am considering pumping I just assumed it would be a handy thing to have alongside so I can go out or oh can feed occaisionally.

Lol sorry total novice

 

[Mervs Mum]

We have a twin BFing mummy on her at the moment - Fsmummy - and she is doing AWESOME!! It's totally doable and why you have 2 (.Y.)s!!

If you are talking about exclusive expressing then there's a thread at the top of this board with one member's experience of exclusive expressing - I'm not sure it's something many women choose to do - it's usually because they cant directly BF for some reason, but not always. With regards to general expressing once BFing is established (approx 6 wks) if you can fit it into your busy schedule with 2 babies, if can be useful for various reasons. I would cross that bridge when you get to it really but in terms of a pump, your local hospital might be able to point you at double pump hire.

Good luck and congrats on your twins!!

 

[Brockie]

'FSmummy' on here is bfeeding twins hon she can prob give u some good tips!!! xxx

 

[Mervs Mum]

Great minds eh Brockie!!!

 

[asacia]

Ahh, occasional pumping, I get ya! It is recommened that you wait till 6 weeks before doing this, as then your supply is more established and there is less chance of nipple confusion. A lot of women express for occasional feeds. If it is just occasional, a less expensive pump should be fine. A good guide to choosing a pump: https://www.breastfeed-essentials.com/pumps101.html

Are there local Twin groups near you? They might be able to put you in touch with someone who has fed twins.

There are some links about feeding twins here:
https://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/basics/bf-links-multiples.html

 

[Brockie]

Great minds eh Brockie!!!

haha! ya just pipped me to it!

 

[_Vicky_]

fantastic - thank you all xxxxxxxxxxx It seems a lot less daunting now xxxx

 

[asacia]

It can seem very scary, but there is so much help and support out there. A lot of women have no problems, but if you do, there are lots of places to get help. We are always here, and there is the NCT Breastfeeding Helpline, local Breastfeeding clinics, La Leche League and the National Breastfeeding Helpline.

 

[FsMummy]

im famous lol seriously though its not as tough as you would think. its time consuming
and a bit awkward (we are still getting used to it) but it is totally doable. i have a 2 year old as well and we are still managing fine! i am nursing them both as i type this! it can be tough at night when they want feeds every half hour but once they laying there looking up at u and falling asleep you soon forget about your lack of sleep lol tbh i think the night feeds are just as time consuming and tiring as if you are bottle feeding as youve got 2 of them to do and youve got to make up bottles!

 

[Mervs Mum]

You're an inspiration FSmummy!!!!!
https://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh82/cjm_harris/Smiley/notworthy.gifhttps://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh82/cjm_harris/Smiley/notworthy.gifhttps://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh82/cjm_harris/Smiley/notworthy.gif

 

[FsMummy]

thanks mervs mum, means a lot to me! everyone on here is so helpful and supportive!

 

[_Vicky_]

thank you - I have been doing LOTS of research and am determined!!! Now lets just hope they are both still there on monday when I have my scan (please god)

I personally (and yes maybe naively) wouldnt see it as any more time consuming than bottle feeding - or does that sound stupid? Providing you can feed both at once of course

But EEKKK every half hour ................................ (((gulp)))

 

[wishing4bub#3]

FsMummy i love your pic! and congrats on BF twins

 

[FsMummy]

every baby/babies are different, mine do seem to feed very often but yours could b totally different so dont worry about half hourly feeds till the time comes lol tbh i cannot stand bottle feeding them. they have a top up in the earlyhours so i get a cpl hours sleep and my god it takes ages. at first i tried feeding them at the same time but this was practically impossible so i then tried doing them one at a time but the other would sscream constantly until it was thier turn. now i give one an oz and burp them then give the other an oz and so on, its not easy but its the easiest way ive found of doing it.i dont know how id cope with bottle feeding them throughout the day too as im on my own while oh is at work. i love breastfeeding them so much and it really is so much easier than you would think (its still early days but so far so good). having an older child makes it more difficult but when the babies are feeding now ive started getting her to choose a book and we sit and read stories which i love doing. these bein your first can only make it easier in my opinion as you can devote a lot more of your time solely to them and the bf. trust me ur gonna love it

 

[MandaAnda]

I've not had my baby yet obviously, and there's only one in there!

However, on the neonatal unit I work on we see a lot of multiples. We've had a lot of mums of twins go on to breastfeed both beautifully. When they're newborn, it seems that the rugby hold is best when you feed them simultaneously. We tend to recommend that you let whichever one that demands first feed and then wake the second straight away or when the first one demands wake the second and feed them together, as if you let both demand separately you may never get a spare moment.

With the right support and determination, you can do it!

 

[Mervs Mum]

I personally (and yes maybe naively) wouldnt see it as any more time consuming than bottle feeding - or does that sound stupid? Providing you can feed both at once of course

No washing, sterilising, boiling water, measuring scoops, making sure you remember to take it out with you, reheating.....times 2?! I find when I've bottle fed, I need both hands = one to hold her and one for the bottle but when I BF once she's positioned on pillows and my feet are up, I have both hands free! For me it's less time consuming. I FF my eldest from 6 weeks and I definitely find BF more convenient in that respect.