Relactation & Breastfeeding

I nurse my twins and I have never switched breasts within a feeding. It is mostly because I did all their early feedings and at least half of them now as tandem feedings with my nursing pillow. Then when I do feed separately, I try to feed them at least within an hour of each other and I use the "one breast for each of them" theory because I have always been afraid of using up the milk for the second twin. At 3-4 months they were eating every 3 hours too - but I got nervous about a slowed weight gain they experienced between 4-5 months and started to try to feed them more frequently. I think upping the frequency would probably help you - also you could try for a day or two to just stop the supplements and see how they reacted (if they had wet diapers, were cranky, even go get them weighed) to be sure they even need the supplement. The best way to build up your milk supply is to nurse the babies. Pumping isn't the same and your breasts seem to know it! I wish you all the best! I love to read about another twin mom who is nursing.

I don't have any particularly helpful advice for you, but I just wanted to say, "WOW! You are amazing!"

Honestly, you seem to be doing an incredible job of working this out. I know a ton of twin mamas who can't or don't breast feed exclusively. I'd say keep up what you're doing, and follow your gut. Try the more frequent feedings. Keep pumping after feedings, though I always found it very hard to pump without somebody else watching my baby. The key is a calm and peaceful environment. Is that possible with twins??!

Good luck, and keep being the incredible mama you are!

Hi N.
Congratulations on your twins! How exciting. One day when DD was about 3 weeks old, I stopped keeping track. I know it's different/double/harder with twins, but the most important question I can think of is, are they gaining weight, pooping and peeing like normal. I was driving myself crazy with how long, how much, is she hungry, is this normal? Sometimes I felt like I was nursing 24/7 and my breasts never felt full or heavy. It's common to doubt yourself or wonder if your choices are correct. Sounds like you're doing a great job, and I applaud you for really trying to breast feed!! It's a lot of work, but there's no better payoff. If your babies are flourishing, you're doing everything right. Contact le leche if you have concerns. Mother from your gut!

N.,

Good luck!
Don't give up!
You're doing wonderful Mom!
M.

I've never nursed twins - but your body CAN adjust. Why do you think your milk supply is low? Your babies are much more effective in getting milk from you than the pump. They're still young yet and they prefer to nurse little bit more often. What you see in the bottle is not necessarily what your babies get. Did you try not giving them the formula?

My daughter would nurse every 2 to 3 hours at that age. Alternate because one twin may get more out of one breast or what not...
Go to kellymom.com - excellent resource on nursing...

Please contact La Leche League to see a group in your area - they will offer tremendous support!
If you know or your friends can recommend a lactation consultant - ask! If you're in Rochester, NY - let me know, I know JUST the person to ask!

You CAN do it - hang in there!!!

hi, just wanted to tell you it sounds like you are doing everything as perfect as can be. just relax, i know its hard though. i have formula excl fed my first, and exclu breastfed the second. i can tell you the biggest difference is you dont know, or need to know the actual amount of ounces. stop worrying about that, as long as you have wet diapers, no soft spots, and happy babies, you are doing well.

do not think you cant breastfeed both, the percentage of women who actually dont produce enough milk for their babies is much smaller than the amount of those who say they didnt. although twins i harder to breastfeed, dont think you arent making enough. at 3 months, your breasts are adjusting and no longer feel full, making some women think they are drying up which isnt the case. dont worry about how long they feed, babies are all different. my sisters baby fed for 45 min straight at that age. my daughter fed about 5 minutes, 10 at the most. some babies are snackers, some are more efficient, some like to take their time. you cant compare as they are all different. at 3 months, i was feeding every two hours still, which i relate to the fact she ate only 5 minutes. 2-3 hours is common for the entire first year for some babies nursing though.

i am telling you, as long as you dont get in the cycle of thinking- thinking your not making enough, give some formula, now your body doesnt realize it needs to make more, so then your baby needs more formula, ect. its a vicious cycle that is tricking your body into thinking its doing a great job, but if only it knew it needed to make more, it would.

for nursing twins, although i dont have any, i would suggest the breast for each. your body needs to have consistency, so if one baby is always eating an ounce more, you want the same breast so its always prepared. i also say always feed them the same time, otherwise you will wear out.

just reading your post, i know you can do this:) just let your body figure it out. aside from all that, i think you need to eat more. and drink more water too. i know the amount of extra food i eat, and fluids for one baby, i would have to assume you need much more for twins. its probaly more calories than you want, but think it will def help you. good luck, and know you are doing a great job, i just hope you realize that yourself!!!

Hey, N.,

First of all, good for you. It's so great that you are nursing your twins. Your body can make enough milk to feed twins and in fact is probably already doing it!

With my twins, I would have one baby on each breast for the full nursing session, then for the next time I'd switch who was where (I kept a ponytail holder on my wrist to remind me which baby was on which side, switching it every time. Because it's impossible to remember in the haze of it all). Like you, I would also pump after every feeding. I wouldn't worry much about not getting a lot with the pumping -- that probably means that your babies are just drinking more. They are far more efficient than even the best pump at removing milk from your breasts.

I would focus more on how frequently you are feeding than on how long each feeding lasts. My pediatrician said that they probably got all the nutrition they needed within 15 or 20 minutes, and the rest was mostly comfort (also important, but with twins, sometimes you may not have the luxury). When my girls were your babies' age, I was nursing them every three hours during the day -- waking them up to feed if necessary -- to start encouraging them to have longer sleeps at night. At night, I'd feed when they woke up, but I wouldn't wake them.

Even if your breasts don't feel heavy or full, you probably are making enough milk. Your body adjusts to what's asked of it.

Feel free to message me privately if you have any other questions or just want some support. I'm a big booster for nursing twins!

Enjoy your babies,
A.