Breast feeding twins

[NoMoreWineForMeThen]

My boys are 3 wks old and EBF but I'm struggling a little. No issues with the feeding as such, both boys are feeding well and gaining weight its just that its non stop!

They both tend to want 'dinner and pudding' so a nice big feed with a few minutes break and then back on again for another. They are feeding pretty much every 2 hours which means that I'm virtually starting again as soon as I've finished if that makes sense.

I can feed them simultaneously but it's fiddely and they don't seem as comfortable when I do so.

I'm contemplating introducing a formula feed just to give me a few hours break. What are your thoughts? Is one formula feed likely to affect my supply? If I did go for one formula feed, how much should I offer (they are 7lbs 4 and 7lbs 5).

I'm worried about whether offering formula now would mean that I end up finishing breast feeding sooner than I'd like.

Wow, well done for EBF twins, that's amazing :)

There are things to be aware of if you're thinking about introducing bottles. Sometimes babies can get nipple confusion, because the way they feed from a bottle is very different to how they feed from a breast. Also some babies can come to prefer a bottle because the flow is faster and they don't have to work as hard. These things don't happen to all babies but they do to some. There's some info here and here that might help.

There are some stories here from mums with twins that might help you out.

Is there a BF group near you where you can get help?

Congratulations
My twins are nearly 2 so the sleep deprivation and constant feeding is but a distant memory. I do remember how bloody hard it was though.

Feeding them together gets easier. FWIW I always found bf them together alot easier than bottle feeding.
I did mixed feeding from about 10 weeks but my 2 had bottles in scbu so I was not too worried about them getting confused. Some babies do though so thats something to consider.
I always had problems with milk supply so skipping feeds did effect me and I settled in to a routine of every other feed after a few weeks of occasional bottles.

Second the suggestion of a bf group. I am pretty sure some support workers will do a home visit. I know it is pretty hard to get out in the early days.
As for how much to give them - blimey I cant remember but I am pretty sure on the back of the formular box is a rough estimate of how much a baby will have depending on their weight. I always made up too much as I would rather waste some then have 2 babies scream at me while I make up another bottle.
Good luck

I ended up giving my twins a bottle of formula (5oz) at about the same age as they were feeding constantly. I gave it at the same time each night, I only gave them the slowest flowing teat and found they had no problem switching between bottle and breast. As they got quicker at feeding, I dropped the bottle and went back to ebf (about 20 weeks). I never wanted to give formula, and was worried that it would affect my supply, but in the end I don't think I could have managed without it and I think even with giving a bottle, if you're feeding twins, your body is being hyperstimulated to produce loads of milk anyway. Good luck and don't feel guilty.