New to BF questions- Twins :)

[~Brandy~]

Breastfeeding twins is so stressful! I will try not to write a book but I am wondering if anyone else is having issues? I am working with a lactation specialist and following what she recommends.

We started out trying to only BF and that wasnt working the babies were losing weight. Second try was breastfeeding and then supplementing with finger feeding and BF. Babies were still losing weight because they werent getting enough on the breast but putting out the sucking effort and burning too many calories. Third step.. We moved to BF each baby for 10 minutes and then supplementing formula via a bottle. This is the method we were using till yesterday. I have no idea though how much breast milk they were getting during those 10 minutes though... but it kept them from getting nipple confusion. They switch very easily between BF and bottle which is great!

Today at the lactation specialist she had me switch to a SNS system... where you put 2.5 oz of formula in the tube and then attach the tube to your nipple and breast feed till they are done. I am hoping this method helps us get a little closer to being exclusively breast fed or atleast get the babies more breast milk...

During the lactation appt today the babies each got 1 oz of breast milk using this method and 2 oz of formula based on the weighing she did. I would like to get that ratio closer to 2oz breast milk and 1 oz formula.

Anyone have any experience with the current method I am using? Will my milk increase enough to reach my goal? Do you think this is the right direction?

 

[kmr1763]

I only had ONE! So major kudos to you for having two! But yes, that method is how we succeeded at breastfeeding.

My DS was born around 35 weeks. All was well except he inhed meconium and wound up in the level 2 nursery for several complications caused by that. I did not get to nurse straight away. Then I began nursing but my little guy got jaundiced. Milk had not come in and they really wanted to flush out the bilirubin and so he got formula. When we got home and attempted to start breastfeeding again it wasn't good enough. Milk still wasn't in! So we taped a tube to my nipple which fed him formula via a syringe and let him nurse. And then milk came in (in abundance, the boy was drowning.)...
I know the situations are different... But the idea is that your babies are eating while stimulating more milk production.
It was tough, and I wanted to give up! But I didn't and was so glad, I breastfed him for two years.

Good luck, I really have faith in this method!

 

[AC1987]

I don't have any advice since I don't have twins but well done for trying to bf twins!!!
As the previous poster said its hard enough to bf one!!

If you're looking to up your milk supply I know oatmeal works great, and making sure you're getting enough calories in.. I always struggle with getting enough calories!
Also letting them feed even for comfort will help your milk come in loads... like not waiting for them to cry(not saying you are) but like as soon as you see signs of waking putting them on and trying to feed might help

Good luck!!

 

[Meezerowner]

Just wondering what the LC thought the problem was? Is it latch or is it supply?

Do you tandem feed or one at a time? Cos apparently tandem increases supply as it triggers more hormone release etc.
I never managed tandem that early on though only cracked it when they were about 10-11 months.

Also do you feed on a schedule or demand?