Formula feeding twins: tips for preparation, nights and getting out and about

[iVFtwins26]

Hi all, I have twins on the way in December & I have a 3 year old that was breastfed for over 2 years. Iv decided to formula feed the twins as breastfeeding really ruined my back, it was the hardest thing I ever done. and I can’t imagine BF 2 babies. Also will probably have c section this time and think with formula I can get more help with husband or sister’s feeding the babies.
I have no experience with formula making and have been trying to read what I can.
can anyone share with me their best methods making formula for twins? Any easy hacks? How did you do night time feeds? Also how many bottles would each baby need per day and how did you even carry so many bottles & hot water flasks when out? I was thinking to get a backpack just for the bottles/formula/flask. & keep nappies and clothes in a different bag? Or did you use a separate bag for each twin?
I have been seeing videos on the nuby rapid cool and the tommee tippee perfect prep.
i am also thinking to get the mom cozy bottle washer/ steriliser
everything is so expensive & breastfeeding was free and lightweight lol but anything to make things easier with twins. Thank you!

We sterilise storage bottles, then at night prepare all the formula we will need for the next 24 hours. We microwave it for a minute (no more), shake it and put it in a bottle to feed. When we go out and about, we bring the formula bottles and feed as is, we don’t heat it up. Just store it in a cool bag with no ice etc. we’ve literally never had a problem with this approach, even though it isn’t exactly what you’re meant to do.

Thank you for your reply. Which bottles and which formula did you use ? So you use ready made formula for out and about? & how come this isn’t how you’re meant to do it? X
I have seen those large dr brown formula pitchers but it’s probably more easier to just make the formula in each bottle right x

I combi fed for 12 weeks and then moved to formula only when my supply gave up. It depends on how robust you want to be on following the recommendations - we did pretty religiously until 8-9months but my boys were preemie winter babies and I was terrified of ending back in the hospital. We basically threw money at the problem! Mam newborn bottles worked and we were told they were most close to the newborn bottles they use in the NICU. I had both the nuby rapid cool and the perfect prep and much preferred the rapid cool. Getting out and about in the early days was a bit of a nightmare but once I was then I either had a monster rucksack or nappy bag and feeding bag. I'd also consider throwing money at the washing and bottle prep - I used the drier/UV steriliser (two) from Tommee Tippee I think but a bottle dishwasher/steriliser/drier that goes on your counter keeps popping up on my social media and I'd seriously consider it if I ever had twins again.

Did you go to NCT classes with your first? NCT provides local formula feeding advisors as well as breastfeeding counsellors.

One thing I would suggest - you might want to try breastfeeding as well so that you can retain the breast convenience when out and about. Babies are so different that you may find the twins settle into feeding much more easily and you can have the best of both worlds combining bottle and breast.

Get ready made if you can afford it, and don’t heat it. If they’ll drink room temp life is a lot easier! We used Philips Avent but they were very prem and in the beginning they used very cheap Primark bottles in SCBU as the teatime holes were big enough for them not to have to work too hard to feed once they came off NGT.

I might try combo feeding. Bf was so much easier at night than making a bottle. Was it hard for you to combo feed? I see a lot of mums using the mam bottles so I might get those. I have a pack of tommee tippee at the moment. But they’re quite big. So you always carried 2 bags? Oh yes defo want to get the momcozy washer steriliser and drier. It’s probably the most expensive item on my list but looks worth it and I can pass it down to my sisters! X

i didn’t go to any classes I’m not sure what NCT classes are but I will look it up x thank you x
I found breast feeding easier at home but out and about it was always hard looking for privacy unless I fed in the car as we have tinted windows. I just don’t know how I could BF both out and about discreetly. My son always fed little and often and was glued to me I just wonder if the twins will be like that too. But I might give it a try instead of not considering bf at all x

I am thinking to use ready made for the first month I think. I will defo give them room temp and hopefully they take it!
sorry what is SCBU & NGT? X

National Childbirth Trust - they have both breastfeeding counsellors and formula feeding helpers as well as running ante natal classes in small groups. They have a bit of a lentil weaving reputation but my experience and DCs’ experiences were of receiving very practical help (and much more helpful than the HV service). You may also have a multiple birth or twin group in your area.

My first was a little and often feeder - too easily distracted and a right PITA to keep fed. Second was “head down and get on with it” type feeder and much easier. The youngest two - different again.

Its worth a try, to give yourself time to work out what will work best overall. Its a lot easier with the right support, whatever method or combination suits you best.

I did a mix so used less formula (plus only had the one!) but I used exclusively ready mixed stuff. You can get 2 litre bottles for home and little ones for our and about. So easy and he likes it room temperature.

It depended on when I was sleeping really as the only way my husband I survived was doing it all
in shifts, but yes I did bf at night but also did bottles. I did a lot of expressing too because they weren't too reliable at breastfeeding, especially my smaller twin. I found it hard to bf out and about as you do essentially have to get naked to do both at once and I just found it really exposing to be honest but friends with twins would often bottle feed one and bf the other. It's really just what works for you.

Thank you I will check the NCT and also if there are any multiple birth groups in my area. You’re right as long as we get the right support it makes the whole difference. We are already thinking how to change furniture around or make more space in the kitchen for bottle stuff. It’s a lot to sort out I’m glad I’m getting information early. X

Where did you find the 2 litre bottles? I had a look today and only found bottles that looked less than 1ltr x

omg I don’t miss those days pumping and expressing. You’re so brave doing that. Just thinking about it is putting me off breastfeeding lol. I think I am too anxious to breastfeed 2 out and about. Especially if they’re both crying at the same time. I also wanted to travel more this time as we barely went anywhere when my son was a baby and flight tickets for 2 extra children after 2 years old will cost a lot more. I will try to BF I think but I won’t force myself to push through it like last time x

You might be able to rent a Perfect Prep machine - check out Baboodle’s website. I haven’t actually tried one so not sure what a game-changer it would be, but I’ve rented a pump from that website before.

I used Aptimil but I've just looked and can only find litre bottles. I might be remembering wrong or maybe they're stopped doing them - was 12 years ago now. They last opened in the fridge so I just filled from there then warmed them to room temperature under a warm tap.

NGT - naso gastric tube, the feeding tube that goes up the nose
SCBU - special care baby unit

please don’t be scared, mine were 30+2 so very early!

I have a friend who had two sets of twins (I know!) and she said that the best thing to do is to have two babies who you are able to feed in two ways.

She generally hated breastfeeding two at once (made her feel like a cow!) but at 3am with two screaming babies being able to put each one on a breast and get them back to sleep as quickly as possible was vital.

But also being able to hand either or both over to her husband / family / random person she had just met (I think that was a joke!) to be fed if she need a break was also so important for her sanity.

Oh thank you! I didn’t know about that website I will have a look! X

Thank you for looking I will look around more too hopefully I will find it x

Oh I’m so sorry that time must have been so hard for you. I am so worried about mine coming early too but apparently that’s expected. Also when they’re small it’s harder for them to latch onto breast. I’m so happy your twins are doing well x
how long were they in the special care unit. Did they encourage you to pump during that time? X

oh wow that must have been tiring but so worth it!
I remember with my first by the time my husband got the bottle ready my son was crying and I would end up breastfeeding him it was faster. And I’d lie down and feed him and fall asleep like that. I don’t think that’s possible with twins. My husband would sleep through the night as I breastfed so I want him to share the load this time lol with the bottles