Babies who want to feed all night ...

[millie1]

I'm breastfeeding almost 2 week old twins. They're feeding well and gaining weight. DT2 has a tongue-tie and we're constantly working on her latch but that's another story and, I think, unconnected.

They feed well and sleep well during the day but come midnight it's party-time. All they want to do from around 11pm until 3/4am is feed, feed and more feed. After 13 nights of no more than 2-3 hrs sleep a night, I'm a walking zombie. They seem to take it night about with keeping us up and aren't necessarily actively feeding all the time. There's a fair amount of comfort feeding, latching on, drinking for a minute or two and falling asleep but as soon as I move her to the cot, she's awake and crying within minutes. One is more than happy to snuggle in beside me but this isn't a path I want to take.

I'm not expecting a mircale, it's early days and having b/f two other children for extended periods, I know a routine takes weeks/months to get into but can anyone give me some advice about night-times. I'm not really getting rest during the day as we've two older children and there are always things to be done so am desperate for sleep by midnight.

Thanks

Bumping ... please!

For the first ten weeks kids don't actually have any sense of day or night. Their melatonin secretion doesn't kick in for ages and I'm sorry to tell you this but there is very little you can do.

You can help accelerate the process by making the difference between night and day - using lights etc, taking them out in the afternoon, having a routine (as much as possible which is less fun in the afternoons and evenings).

It WILL improve. You are doing excellently breastfeeding them both. Hang in there!

my son who is 5 weeks feeds a lot at night too. i find the only way he settles is if i feed him in bed and then leave him to sleep in our bed! i know its not ideal but at least i get to sleep while he's feeding. it might be more difficult with twins though.
You could try putting a small item of clothing in the moses basket which smells of you to help them settle of a hot water bottle (take it out just before you put them down!!) so it's nice and warm.

i find if i give a bit of formula at the evening feed he seems to sleep better too and for longer.
Your doing really well bf twins so well done!

can't help sorry but bumping for you and just wanted to say WELL DONE I am in total awe of you bf-ing twins esp with older children! hope you get some rest soon

Thanks ladies for your advice and encouragement ... it helps! I'm waking them 3 hrly during the day to feed but it's having little effect ... DT2 is awake and wailing in DH's arms now even though she's poo-ed twice, been changed twice and had a good feed . I'll get the matchsticks back out tonight. They haven't actually been out for a walk yet as I had a c-section and am not up to much at the moment ... but soon will be!

Thank you.