Newborn Twins - Advice on feeding!!

[macca197831]

My twins turned up early at 34 weeks, we had a boy and a girl Nieve and Sam! Despite a few ups and downs we have now got them home and they will be 37 weeks on Sunday.

We have been home two days and I was hoping some of the twin mums could share some tips/experiences on feeding! I am expressing breast milk and using formula at times (long story but I was very ill after my delivery and havent been able to breast feed).

Anyway the first night they were feeding two hours apart, we have managed to get them feeding at the same time which is a relief and they are waking for a feed every 3-4 hours. Usually we can get one 4 hour sleep out of them during the day but through the night its usually every 3 hours.

Is this ok for premature babies and should I just feed on demand rather than try to push them out to 4 hours every time? the hospital suggested that I try and get them to 4 hourly feeds but it seems to cruel to leave them starving for an hour when they wake and they end up getting quite distressed. My plan tonight is to feed them as an when they wake looking for food.


Any advice anyone can give me would be appreciated, I am completely exhausted right now and worried that I might not be on the right path!

 

[ShelbyLC]

Congratulations on your babies!

You should absolutely feed on demand. If one baby is hungry, wake the other and feed them both at the same time. It sounds cruel to wake a sleeping baby, but I PROMISE it will be worth it. I fed on demand for a while without waking the sleeping baby and as soon as the first baby would go to sleep, the other would wake up.

I exclusively pump, so if you need any advice on that, I'd be happy to help!

 

[Meezerowner]

Im defo a big fan of demand feeding - it's much easier and everyone is happy and content. I've tried feeding a baby who's not hungry and it's a waste of time if they are not interested - they get frustrated and tired and similarly I cant face keeping a hungry baby waiting unecessarily. But this is just what's worked for us and I know some people swear by routine feeds with twins.... so whatever works for you.

I dont know what issue you had with breastfeeding and illness but if you wanted to try again it is possible especially as you have continued expressing..... just letting you know that if you were keen you can try that too. But its not the be-all and end-all if you dont.

Mine were born at 37 weeks and we were in hospital for a week as one twin was small. The staff there encouraged timed feeds every 3 hours (not four?) so if you wanted to do timed feeds maybe at that sort of age they really need to feed every 3 hours anyway.... not sure but it might be worth thinking about.

Unfortunately not a lot of sleep is had at the begining what ever you do! But they will settle into routines and go longer between feeds eventually!

Congrats on getting them home!

 

[PammyJ]

I agree, feed on demand, they're still so young! Good luck and congrats!

 

[first time x]

My twin boys were also born at 34 weeks and 2 days on 22nd may, we have just got them home yesterday and i am having a similar issue. They both wake at roughly two hourly intervals and take roughly 50-60 ml each time. My midwife came today and commented on how well they are doing with their weights so i don't really want to try and change anything in case they don't continue to gain weight as well as they are. My partner has been off work with me so its helped a lot as hes great at doing his bit but hes back to work on monday and im already functioning on about 4 hours sleep a night so dont know how i will do things when i dont have him here to give me a break. Any tips would be greatly appreciated x

 

[Babyduo]

I would feed on demand but that being said I don't let mine go much over 3 hours during the day. I will wake and feed if it is going over that time. I do allow them to go longer at night. Usually they will go one 4 hour stretch during the night and I like the extend sleep to be during the night. They actually went 6 hours the other night but then last night were up to feed every 2 hours. I try to make them wait at least 1.5 hours between feedings. Since I breast feed I get spree if it goes shorter than that. I also always feed together at this point. If one wants to eat I feed them both. Trust me getting them in the same routine is the best way to get more sleep. Remember, if you have no other kids, sleep when babies are sleeping. The only way to feel half normal!