EBF new borns

[chocolatedrops31]

Trying to breast feed my new born twin girls born on Tuesday. My milk has not yet come in and they are clearly not satisfied with the colustram and literally feeding round the clock. I know it's early days and I haven't given it long but I'm beyond shattered..has anyone had this experience and given a bottle of formula to tide them over until the milk comes in? I really didn't want to use formula but am starting to feel a bit desperate!

[PrincessPotsie]

Wow you must be exhausted as my DD was continually feeding often all through the night til my milk came in and I was shattered. I bet your milk will be there today and I honestly would let them just keep on feeding. I remember reading about giving a bottle if they're really unsettled so I'm sure it wouldn't do any harm. I'm sure you've done the hardest bit now though.

Welcome to the world of no sleep and congratulations!

[Pink01]

Yes I gave my son some formula in the hospital. He was nearly 10lbs and was just crying and crying and crying. He had a formula feed and then slept for about 7 hours so he had clearly been hungry! I went on to breast feed him for 6 months so it didn't interfere with that.

Congratulations!

[Twicethehugs]

Congratulations on your new babies!

It took a while for my milk to come in too - had something on prescription to help & took fenugreek capsules from health food shop to help, was also told to rest as much as possible to help supply (easier said than done unless you have lots of help!)

My girls were around 5lb and there were concerns re weight gain so they had some formula, weren't allowed to leave hospital until I'd agreed to give top up bottles of formula. This bothered me at the time but once milk was in I got advice and dropped the bottles before 6 weeks to ebf. Still breastfeeding at 13 months.

It is really tiring breastfeeding twins and I think they will feed round the clock even if supply is good. Mine seemed to want to feed most of the time when awake at least every 1-2 hours. I found ringing one of the breastfeeding advice lines really helpful. Good luck with it.

[neversleepagain]

Mine were given my colostrum and formula in the NICU until my milk came in. I expressed colostrum every couple of hours and my milk came in on day 3.

Congratulations

[chickenoriental]

Congratulations!

My milk took 4 days to come in. In the end we cup fed on top of colostrum as their birth weights were low and they both lost a bit ( as well as other issues).

By the time I left hospital they were both exclusively bf, so it can be done!

Just do what you want to do, be it bf, formula or both.

Mine fed every 1-2 hrs at first, so keep your strength up.

[beachesandbuckets]

I had this with my babies, just let them feed whenever they wanted and rested as much as I could in between. You are doing ever so well, am sure the milk will come in very soon but if you need to give formula in the meantime, then do, and don't feel guilty/like a failure AT ALL. You are their mother and you will have a gut feeling on what's best. It will get easier I promise, mine are now 7 months and sleep is generally ok, babies are thriving, and i have even been out for a few sneaky glasses of wine in the pub in the evening! X x

[beachesandbuckets]

Ps you have to eat like a horse if you breast feed two (at least that's what I am telling myself as I stuff cakes into my mouth at a rate of knots 7 months later..)

[NaturalBlondeYeahRight]

How is it going, any progress on the milk front?

[Melonbreath]

I topped up with formula at night for the first 2 weeks as I had an overdue massive baby. I went to to breastfeed for over a year no problems at all.
It gave me a few hours precious sleep so I don't feel bad about it.
It won't hurt a couple of times just to give you a bit of a rest

[chocolatedrops31]

Thanks for all your advice. Turned into a nightmare week..my 2 year old got chicken pox and my husband got tonsillitis immediately after we returned from hospital! Became utterly exhausted so have been given the twins 2 bottles each at night but ebf during day. They haven't had a problem switching from nipple to bottle and I'm trying to stop myself feeling guilty for not ebf!

[NaturalBlondeYeahRight]

That doesn't sound like your best week ever (well, apart from having lovely new babies)
Don't beat yourself up, I can't imagine how hard ebf twins must be.

[Balaboosta]

You can totally mix breast and bottle. I did!

[lucyclaudeclaude]

How to you get them latched on alone?
Hi everyone, sorry to change the subject slightly, but I need some help! I am 34 weeks with MCDA twins which are being delivered at 36 weeks. I would like to breast feed them but am concerned that I will be unlikely to get any help in the hospital (I had my 3 yo daughter there by emergency c-section and struggled to get any help at night whatsoever.) Is there a trick to getting both of them out of the cot and into my bed, bearing in mind I know I'll be fairly sore and linked up to a wee bag etc for a day or so! I know things may dictate otherwise, but I would love to be able to feed them myself as I'm convinced this was the best thing with my first child, and I would be cross if it were to be simple logistics that get in my way! Obviously if they need any special care or help I will back down on this stubbornness.

[chocolatedrops31]

Hi Lucy
If you have your partner with you he can help you, otherwise when you're alone you can keep their bed right next to yours and you should be able to reach in and get them, you can also keep them in your bed with you (which I found easier)..I was worried about this after the c section but didn't find it to be an issue at all. Good luck!

[Doublethecuddles]

I had an emergency c-section and was attached to a wee bag and managed fine. I had no help during the night and managed to get up and out of bed to get the babies for feeding.

[lucyclaudeclaude]

Thanks so much chocolate and cuddles! If I know it is possible I will have more confidence! Is it OK to keep them both in the bed with u if u happen to dose off? I know hospital beds are quite big and have bars on the side so maybe yes! My husband can be there if really needed but we are trying to save his paternity leave until I get home, partly as we have a toddler too. Did you feed your bubbas lying down? I have got a twin feeding pillow but not sure if this works lying in bed? Also, is it likely my milk will take longer to come in as I am having a planned section? It came in after 2 days with my daughter when I had an emergency section but this may be because I also went through labour. Some mums have told me their milk took 4 days to arrive hence the babies were given formula, and if this happens are they less likely to accept my milk? Sorry for the lengthy grilling! Lucy x

[Doublethecuddles]

I feed my sitting up, and I never mastered the twin feeding. Although to be honest I didn't persist for very long as I didn't have the confidence to sit with my top fully up. I never kept them beside me in bed, but was quite mobile after my section.
I honestly can't remember when my milk came in. I did give my babies a bottle of formula at 6 pm as by this point my milk supply was low. The babies never confused this with the breast and accepted both. I started this about at about 3 weeks. This was a life saver otherwise they screamed all evening! It allowed me to rest, eat my dinner in piece and have a little bit of time out.
Good luck

[lucyclaudeclaude]

Thanks for your advice cuddles. I think I will find it hard to feed tandem unless in a very private situation too. Does anyone have any tips for covering up a bit instead of having full frontal exposure? ( I know I won't be able to do this in front of my dad for example! ).

[Doublethecuddles]

Oh the other bit of advice I would give is it you have a freezer and still have the energy get cooking meals and freezing. I had soups, and lots of meals like fishpie, shepherds pie, lasagne and casseroles that required very little attention. At least then you can have a proper meal to help keep milk supplies up and energy!!