When my son was born 6 years ago, I really wanted to breastfeed him exclusively. I had read so much about it that I didn’t even buy bottles because I didn’t want them in the house. It’s funny when you plan something, because then life happens. My son was born 3 weeks early and then had jaundice where he had to be in a billi-bed for most of the first few weeks. I would breastfeed him but when he continued to lose weight, our pediatrician recommended that we supplement. Not wanting to confuse him with a nipple that wasn’t mine, we fed him from a syringe – hey, it worked!
After about a month, I decided that I needed to do a combination of breastfeeding and bottle feeding and you know what? I didn’t feel like any less of a mom by giving him a bottle. I’ve been saying for years that I’m pro feeding your child….no matter which way it happens. I was only able to breastfeed until Hayden was 4 months old though because I then had emergency gallbladder surgery with complications. After that, I happily switched to bottle feeding but a part of me did miss breastfeeding.
Fast forward to 2 years ago when I found out that I was pregnant again. There were a few new things I was excited to try with this baby – babywearing, something I never did with Hayden and a longer breastfeeding relationship. Then, when I was 8 weeks pregnant, I found out that I was having twins. I thought there was no way that I could breastfeed them. After doing some research, I found out that it WAS possible but I spent the whole pregnancy thinking I would have to supplement and I was a-okay with it!
Breastfeeding
If you’re wanting to breastfeed your twins, you can do it! I was nervous, but luckily my husband and family was very supportive of what I wanted to do. A lot of twin pregnancies end up in c-sections and because Baby A {Olivia} was breech, I opted to have one at 38 weeks, 2 days. I made sure to communicate to my OB that I wanted to try nursing as soon as I could – and I did, about 40 minutes after they were born.
Here are some tips on breastfeeding twins!
– Check out the book Mothering Multiples – a book about breastfeeding and caring for twins. It’s really a great book even if your not breastfeeding, but reading this while pregnant really helped me for what to expect.
– Ask for a lactation consultant. The LC at my hospital was an absolute lifesaver. When both my girls latched on right away, I thought I wouldn’t have to see her. Again, life laughed because just later that day I was asking to see her and each day until I was released from the hospital. Our LC was a huge help in helping me learn to tandem nurse and get my girls to have a great latch.
– The biggest piece of advice I have is nurse your babies at the same time. You’ll want them on the same eating and sleeping schedule, especially at the beginning or else you will never ever sleep. I would nurse on demand but always try and make sure both would feed a little bit at the same time. Make sure you have lots of pillows. Setting up and getting ready to tandem feed, you’ll want lots of support for both babies. Those first few weeks, I almost always had to have someone hand them to me too before I got situated. The Twin Z Pillow is great for nursing – and bottle feeding!
– But also nurse them individually. I’m contradicting my above advice but try to nurse them individually sometimes too. Life can be so hectic and fast those first few months, having the chance to bond individually with each twin was special.
– Eat and drink! Breastfeeding two babies takes up a ton of energy so make sure that you are eating and drinking enough. You may be tempted to want to drop the weight fast but you’re feeding three humans! I drank over 100 ounces of water while pregnant and breastfeeding. I also used the supplement Motherlove More Milk Plus to help boost my supply.
– Invest in a pump. I started pumping at the hospital and didn’t stop when I got home! I would nurse, bottle feed and then pump. It can feel like all you are doing is feeding some days! You can also find a handy guide on lovemajka.com to increase your milk production.
Bottle Feeding
Even before we left the hospital, we had to start supplementing with formula and bottles for Olivia and Evie. I was actually glad that I didn’t have this huge pressure to be feeding them myself – I loved the fact that Dad or Nana could help out. I always made sure to nurse and then feed the girls the bottle.
Here are some tips on bottle feeding twins!
– Make sure to figure out how you’ll feed them. Whether it’s two boppy pillows, the Twin Z pillow or two bouncers, you’ll want something where you can easily sit in front of them to feed them because once again I recommend feeding them at the same time!
– Invest in a lot of bottles! The first few months, the girls were drinking every few hours so we needed to make sure we had a ton of bottles so we were constantly running the dishwasher too. The Playtex VentAire Bottle Feeding Set is a great starter kit as it includes 5 bottles and different nipples too. The Playtex SmartSpace Drying Rack is great too for saving cabinet space.
– As I mentioned earlier, it’s great to feed your babies at the same time to keep them on the same schedule but it’s also good to be able to feed them individually for bonding time. There’s nothing like holding your little one close and staring into their eyes while feeding them!
– Make a pitcher of formula. I wish I would have done this but read it in my twin groups and never got around to it. Making a pitcher of formula and keeping it in the refrigerator greatly cuts down the time of having to make the bottles.
No matter what you do – breastfeeding or bottle feeding – you’re an awesome mom! Way to go for feeding your child! I’d love to hear about some of your breastfeeding and bottle feeding experiences!
If you’re looking for ideas, tips and advice from real moms, check out the Playtex Baby Mom Trust tab on Facebook. Along with some other bloggers, I’m over there sharing reviews on the best Playtex Baby products and life with three kids.
Disclosure: I am a member of the 2014 Playtex Mom Trust Panel. I have been compensated for my time but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
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I LOVE this post!! So many great tips. I breastfed my twin girls 🙂 I’ll refrain from writing a novel, just want to say congratulations! I love this: “If you’re wanting to breastfeed your twins, you can do it!”
My Mom breastfed my twin sisters when I was a child and she did really good. I was 10 when my twin sisters were born, and I have to say that it was a sight to see my Mom breastfeed two babies. But she did a great job. She only breast fed and never used a bottle. I think it is great when a Mother breast feeds their child. I breast fed both my son and daughter. Congrats on breastfeeding your twins.
I have a friend who exclusively breastfed her twins. I swear she was superwoman. Breastfeeding just ONE was hard enough for me! Ditto what you said- no matter how you feed your child, you’re awesome.
They are so beautiful <3 You are one blessed woman!!
Those two are the cutest! Thanks for all the tips! We are having a baby in January and are over the moon excited!
Your babies are so adorable. Beautiful!!! I have a friend who just had twin boys, and I am totally sending her this post. She had a heard time breast feeding her daughter 5 years ago, and is sad that she may not be able to do the boys. Totally sending her this, great posT!!!
Your little ones are so so cute! I really want twins. my mum wanted some and should have but they skipped her. Fingers crossed for me then!
Katie <3
Ah, your babies are adorable! Having twins must bring new challenges every day. 🙂
EVERYONE is having twins these days. I think I would die! Haha. Great post for all my friends though. And me if I ever have babies!
People that breast/bottle feed twins are my hero’s! I have two boys (that aren’t twins) and man, it was hard enough to handle one at a time. lol. But these are seriously great tips!
Aww how adorable!! I secretly wish to have twins 🙂
Wow twins seem like such a challenge, but you seem to be handing this with such finesse! There’s a lot to be learned from you 🙂
It would be a lot of work to have twins, but you seem to have it under control! I’ll save these tips for the future.
My cousin is currently pregnant with twins and is going through all of the scenarios of how to feed in her mind. Will send her this and hope this helps her decide.
My little brother just had twins a few months ago and my step-sister just had twins two days ago! I’ll have to share your tips with them – they’ll think I’m the best sister in the world. 🙂
We are actively trying to get pregnant, and the thought of having twins terrifies me! I am definitely pro-breastfeeding, but you really do have to do what’s right for your child. Glad you found a way to reconcile the two! Your little ones are just adorable, by the way 🙂
I know very little about breast feeding so this was very informative!! On a side note: every since I was a little girl, I’ve dreamed of having twins!! They’re so cute!
Great tips! I’m pregnant with my first and will definitely be breast feeding. Twins must have been difficult for you but you seem to have handled it so well.
They are so stinking cute! I want to breastfeed as well and although I am not having twins this is such a great tip! Thank you!
Great tips! I love that little pillow at the end – super nifty!
I lived breastfeeding. It’s totally possible to do it with twins. Of course it’s a lot of work but either way we are all just doing our very best.
‘Pro feeding your baby’ I love it!! They are so beautiful ♥
I had a friend who had twins and now has another one on the way! I have no idea how you guys do it!
They are super cute! I remember meeting a mom with triplets before and she was breastfeeding. I was amazing. Hats off to moms of multiples.
I bet feeding them at the same time is a huge key to happiness. I am sure there are moms with twins out there that thought it would be easier feeding at different times not realizing she just made her life a little more complicated. I don’t have kids but I have a friend who just announced she is having twins so I will pass this along to her!
Great advice! Thank you for sharing!
Twins make my heart happy! Great advice for breast and bottle feeding in general.
One of my best friends is getting ready to have twins! I will be passing this link on to them!
Oh wow that sounds like a real challenge but so worth it 🙂 you have beautiful babies!
Having twins is a “fear” of mine. You do what you have to do, though! Thanks for these great tips!
These are all great tips. Going through fertility treatments, my biggest worry was that we’d have twins and I wouldn’t be able to breastfeed.
I’ve wanted twins since I was little. They really are so beautiful!
These are such great tips! I don’t have any babies yet, but my cousin is due any moment so I keep forwarding her any mom advice I get !
I breastfed my son exclusively for the first 2 months, but I would never think less of people who choose not to. These are wonderful tips and while I envy you for twins, I would probably be scared out of my mind!
These are great tips! Twins run in my husband’s family, so I may need to bookmark this post for the future 🙂
I can’t imagine breastfeeding twins. More power to you! Thanks for sharing!
Great post, I cannot imagine having two babies at once let alone breastfeeding two babies! You go girl!
Go you for double breastfeeding! Your girls are so sweet!
They are sooo cute! It never occurred to me moms having twins how much more complicated it can be – I’m amazed and give you a lot of credit! It must have made you very happy to be able to do this!