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Can't cope BFing prem twins - copied from BFing forum

27 replies

firsttimetwins · 26/11/2009 12:48

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. I have the Mothering Multiples book but find it a bit utopian and haven't found anything that addresses my particular problem. 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?

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
firsttimetwins · 04/12/2009 18:13

Got through another couple of days! Have fed DT2 on her own a few times and she's getting much better, though am still topping up with EBM or formula. She seems not to fall asleep when feeding on her own, I reckon the problem might be the latch when there's two of them as you suggest, kathryn, cause my technique isn't good enough to make sure she's doing it properly. Am feeling much better in my head too...

OP posts:
kathryn2804 · 04/12/2009 18:35

Great news well done. Latch DT2 first if you're trying to do 2 together so you can concentrate on getting her on well, then do DT1 after as she's easier. It'll come, sounds likes you've made leaps forwards, technically and emotionally!!

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