Breastfeeding twins ... any advice for starting out please

[millie1]

The subject line says it all. Am expecting twins ... due to be delivered at 38w as long as they hang around til then so less than 3w left.

Breastfed my sons until 14mth and 26 mths and despite some teething problems (not literally ) we did pretty well.

Am realistic enough to know that feeding twins will be a different kettle of fish altogether ... not only trying to tandem feed but also juggling their needs with needs of rest of family. So would really welcome any advice on how best to start out ... feeding one at a time until we get established/feeding both simultaneously, positions etc. I do have (but haven't had time to read) the La Leche Mothering Multiples book & will have a look at it over next few days.

TIA for any advice

Do you have a local La Leche League group you could call or go to? I have heard their book that you have is very good but to talk to one of their leaders or other mothers in a group would probably help.

have just linked to the regular multiples thread for some help, mars and/or momma (or anyone else who has been successful) will be along soon

Can't advise much myself as only managed 3 weeks (which is better than I managed with ds1)

anyway congrats and come on over to the regular thread - those girls over there can answer anything

will do you a link in a moment

they are over here

congraulations by the way and welcome to the wonderful world of twins

Mine are 13 mths girl/boy they were 6lb14oz & 7lb14oz at 38 weeks naturally after induction with an epidural

Congratulations!

I am currently providing 1 or 2 days a week support to a mum of 4 month twins. The other week I took her out to a cafe after a dental appt and she fed her boys with me doig my usual routine of burping and then swapping over.

I was so glad to see that people were getting a good education in bf, and bf twins at that! If you could see the size of their baby thighs you would know that there absolutely NO need to top up with formula.

I am very honoured to be sharing this time with a lovely family!

Physical support is one thing you might like to plan ahead for How old will your sons be? Are they of an age where they can help much?

You can't go wrong with Mars and HoochieMomma

Thanks everyone for your advice ... every little bit is going to help !

Oogggs & Hoochiemomma ... the D'y ever thread just moves too fast for me! I do look in from time to time but couldn't keep up in a million years .

Well done with your Peer Supporter course Hoochiemomma ... I was a peer supporter for a while after my youngest was born. The training was great but tbh whilst we started up a local b'feeding group which is really successful and meets weekly, there weren't many 'help' phonecalls, then life got busy and I'm no longer involved. Thinking back, we didn't have any twins in our group at the time and I can't recall covering twin feeding whilst training but I must dig my notes out.

Your advice is super - thank you. I agree about one at a time at first til we get latches sorted out etc. Whoever mentioned ignoring HV's and the 'you won't have enough milk' brigade' .. you needn't worry! I'd enough hassle with our HV when DS1 was born that by the time DS2 arrived, if she had given me any grief she'd be shown the door!

Klaw ... it must be lovely helping your twin mum. Our boys will be a help to a certain extent ... they're 6 and 4 so that probably says it all!! Still, if they fetch and carry and amuse whilst I'm trying to do other things, I'll be delighted .

Now, best go as my bumps about to collapse and ankles are like balloons so had best get them up!

Thank you everyone ... and any other advice is more than welcome!

Hi Millie, no advice of course cos I am in the same boat as you - except I don;t have experience of BFing at all. But at least I'll only have my twins to consider, not other children too.

I just wanted to post so that this is on my threads I'm on cos I am sure I will need it in the days to come!

Hoochie I have emailed you hope you don't mind x

Hi Neenz ... any action??! Thought it was time to start thinking seriously about feeding etc ... shopping almost finished although I must order the Ez2 nurse cushion as it sounds great.

Hoochie ... I will get in touch with you - thank you. I'm notoriously bad at e-mailing so you'll probably see me pop up in your in-box in a week or so

Can't wait to be one of those wine-swigging twin mums!!!

Hello!!!!!!!!

You can't go wrong with Hoochie!

I'm away over the next week but you can get my number from Hoochie. Happy to support where I can.

Are you having a c-birth with the DTs or hoping for a vaginal birth?

If you're having a c-birth don't forget to make a c-birth plan so that it's personal.

If you're having a vb then the same applies. Happy to help if you want (though you'd have to get it to me by this evening).

Hi Mars ... thanks! You've been very good and have e-mailed me some info in the past. It's a section with the twins although I'm not scheduled to go in for another fortnight . I'll keep in touch with both yourself and Hoochie if that's okay with both of you ... all advice will be sooo welcome!