Can't cope BFing prem twins

[firsttimetwins]

My twins were born 9 weeks ago at 32+0. Spent 4 weeks in SCBU, where they were bottlefed a mixture of formula and EBM. I couldn't breastfeed in SCBU cause not relaxed enough. In SCBU, settled into a (very strict) 4-hour routine, which they have more or less stuck to by themselves (we feed them early etc. when they demand it). Been home 5 weeks and been breastfeeding and giving EBM, now introduced the odd bottle of formula if don't have enough EBM. Tried to BF both babies at same time but they're not proficient enough, I need both hands for each baby to help them latch on again when they fall off. Can't really feed one then the other because each takes an hour per feed, plus when the other crying I can't handle BFing. Am coping very badly with feeding one when the other is crying, though I can cope with crying at other times. Have asked midwife and paediatrician for advice on combining breast and bottle but they were totally dismissive of the idea. I'm in Germany, where there is an extremely gung ho attitude to breastfeeding and essentially you're a crap mother if you don't exclusively BF. Basically am looking for tips/encouragement. Or am I a crap mother for not being able to cope with the BFing thing?

firsttime - you're doing really well. You sound more relaxed now. If you get panicky or weepy do you think it would help to phone one of the 24 hour breastfeeding helplines or your mum. I find when the panic descends (had one myself last night where I was shaking so much I could hardly latch the babies!) it really helps me to just phone someone and get it all out - normally my mum. I have a huge fuss and then normal service is resumed.

Have eaten and drank a a litre today?

That is a great job for relatives/dp's who want to help. Tell them their job is to ensure proper glass of water passes your lips every hour, and that you don't go 2 hours without a calorie intake.

It is suprisingly tricky to do!!

Hello again. Have managed to exclusively BF twin one since original post, and since yesterday afternoon have been feeding both simultaneoulsy every feed, though just topped up twin 2 with a bit of formula just to make sure as she is still very small and though she seems to feed well at the breast, I don't want to take any chances (she's still under 7 lbs). Hasn't been too bad so far - spent today based around the bed just feeding, something I should probably have done a good while ago, you're right, treedelivery. It was nice just to spend time with them lying on the bed between feeds, though they've napped so much today I bet they'll be up all night...! They both seem to be keen on a feed every 3 hours, which isn't too bad. Last night was tough, with a one-and-a-half hour feeding session from 2 am to 3.30, then up again at 5, but I'm sure I'll get used to it... Phoned LLL Germany, they were very nice but not really able to offer any specific experience/advice for premature twins except what it says in the Mothering Multiples book, which I've already read.
Feeling positive-ish at the moment, though I'm pretty sure I won't be exclusively simultaneously feeding after the first while, cause it certainly isn't something I could do in public.

Incidentally, how long does it take before they get faster and more efficient, usually? I imagine they won't always take an hour minimum to get through a feed? Or will they?

Oh my, you are a superstar!!! Bloody wel done for working so hard and showing such grit and determination.

I reckon mine got more efficient and quicker at a couple of months, certainly 3. But someone with twins or a baby born at imilar weight and gestastion will have better experience of that.

I'm so pleased and fluffed up imagining you all laying about the bed in regal splendour. We all imagine being out with the travel systems, mooching about showing them off, but I think lots of us find the first establishing weeks are based around the bed/comfy couch. Your time will come though, so don't imagine this is your life.

WEll done!! Now go drink more fluid

Ok, so we had a bit of a relapse this morning... DT1 is doing ok, but DT2 really can't get her head round the tandem breastfeeding. She keeps crying to be fed then falling asleep after 2 mins on the breast. If it were just her I'd just keep feeding her till she sussed it out, changing nappies and sitting her up and so on to waken her, but because there are 2 of them, that's not feasible. So she got a bottle of formula this morning and I think what I might do is alternate breast/formula feeds for both from now on. I'm contemplating 24 hours demand BFing, then 24 hours formula. Anyone know if that's a system that might work?