How can I stop b-feeding my twins quite so much? Too tired now!

[Somethingwicked]

They are nearly one, and big eaters of completely normal food, but they still want to breastfeed all through the day and night. I have no control over it, if they wake in the night, they have never been settled to sleep any other way, and during the day, if they want milk they literally mount me and start tearing at my clothes. Often at the same time, as if one sees the other feeding, it reminds them to get in there and have a go too.

I still haven't slept all night since they have been born, and tonight is fairly typical: DT1 up at 8.30, 10.00, 11.00 and 2.30, DT2 up at 10.00, 11.00 and 2.30. (They are in different rooms but they still manage to wake each other). When I write it down it looks utterly ridiculous. I am now downstairs eating toast, as I often can't get back to sleep in the night because I am so hungry.

I am a huge fan of b-feeding and only stopped feeding my 2 year old when I was about 5 months pg with the twins and the milk just dwindled to nothing.

BUT I just really need to encourage them to cut down to the more normal morning and evening feeds, as I am so bloody knackered and more than a little fed up with not being able to go out in the evening (I have tried to go out about 4 times in the last year and have been summoned back by a phone call with a howling baby in the background each time after about 45 minutes) or sleep all night.

I have no experience of 'cutting down' feeds, what can I do without leaving them to cry?

At my wits' end!

You need to find an alternative. I started my DS on full fat cows milk at about 10 months because he wouldn't drink formula. Some of the books say this is ok, some suggest waiting until one year. It just gives you a chance to regain a little bit of life and some energy.

If they've never used a bottle, start by expressing some breast milk and use it to get them used to a bottle and then move to cows milk.

Babysitters become a reality and means your DP can do the occasional night feed allowing you a bit more sleep

You don't need to use a bottle once they're past about 4 mths. Cup is fine.

My friend offered water instead of milk at night and she swore it worked, it didn't for us though, they just refused to drink it.

I have to say controlled crying worked brilliantly for us, but it's not for everybody. It really did only take 1 or 2 nights and suddenly they were sleeping through. They have to learn how to settle themselves without you, however you choose to do this.

You could try getting into a routine during the day around your meals. We used to roughly do:
bf 7am
breakfast 8am
bf 10:30am
lunch 11:30am
bf 2:30pm
tea 5pm
bf 7pm
'dream' bf 11pm

Used to always tandem feed to give ultimate time in between!

However, have a singleton now and can't believe i was so regimented with the twins! I completely go with the flow with him, but of course it's much easier with one! However he has got himself into a similar routine without me even trying!