Did you successfully breastfeed twins?

Question

My plan is to breastfeed our twin boys when they arrive in 15 weeks or less. My OB is supportive of breastfeeding in general, but he also mentioned that only 30-40% of twin moms can successfully EXCLUSIVELY breastfeed their twins, and that most twin moms have to use formula to feed their babies. I know that there is nothing wrong with formula feeding babies, but it is not what I had dreamed to do. I am feeling discouraged that I might not be able to nurse my sons like I had planned. I would LOVE to hear your story of how you SUCCESSFULLY breastfed twins for several months to a year.

Answer

You can do it I've only been doing it for about 3 months now it's definitely hard work but it's definitely possible I found a lot of information on twiniversity about breastfeeding twins the first couple weeks will be rough with two of them cluster feeding but your body knows what it needs to do and how much to produce good luck!!

Answer

Still nursing my 10 month old twins! If you're going back to work I suggest investing in a good pump. It can be done, good luck momma!

Answer

Well, first of all, you can do anything you set your mind to:).  So don't let anyone discourage you.  I was not expecting twins literally until the first one was born.  I was 100% expecting to tandem nurse my 3 yr old along with our newborn...plans changed, and I have now been exclusively (beside the first couple of days of supplementing) breastfeeding for almost a year now.  It can be a challenge in the beginning, but you can do it!  Drink loads of water, eat lots of good fruits and veggies and include the goods like chia, flax, brewers yeast, oats, quinoa in your diet and you will do great.  I also took a natural supplement in the beginning made by legendairy milk, you can find the shop on etsy or look her up on Instagram.  
Be prepared mentally to do it and you will succeed 98 3/4 % guaranteed😊

Answer

I agree with Kristen. I have been doing it for 12 weeks and have plenty of milk to go around. I never supplement or pump either. Feed on demand for the first couple months. You need to let them establish your supply. Don't worry if it's only been an hour since last feeding, trust the babies. Timing it can be stressful, don't over think it.

Answer

I've exclusively breastfed my twin girls and when I returned to work breastfed and pumped. Didn't need to supplement, my supply was always abundant. Your body will know to make enough for two when you begin, cluster feeding at the beginning helped signal how much of a supply you need! My biggest support and source for encouragement and answers was La Leche Leaque for twins/multiples on Facebook! Join!!! It prepared me beforehand and has kept me going strong! Been breastfeeding my girls for 8 months and almost to my year goal! 😊 good luck mama, you got this!!

Answer

I'm also planning on exclusively breastfeeding my twins when they arrive. It's intimidating!! Does your hospital or community have lactation consultants? My hospital has them to help you right after delivery and there's also an independent one in my community that everyone raves about. I just found out my insurance covers the independent one! She comes to the hospital and also to your house later to help. There are also free breastfeeding classes through the hospital and some support groups like La Leche League. Look for all the support you can! But don't be too hard on yourself if you have to supplement or it doesn't work out. You are a great mom either way!

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My twins are 3weeks and I've been breastfeeding and doing some supplements with formula, mostly so that I can get some sleep while dad feeds them.

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I breastfed my girls for 4.5 months. I'd still be breastfeeding but I ended up with double mastitis and I killed my production and I couldn't manage to get it back. 
It was very rewarding but has its difficult moments. Get a twin feeding pillow and a good pump. 
Congratulations And best of luck to you!

Answer

I've been breastfeeding my twins for over two months and am hoping to go a full year. You can do it. Like some have said make sure you breastfeed on demand in the beginning. This may mean feeding every hour for a few hours some days. Also make sure you wake then up to eat every 3 hours, for at least the first 4-6 weeks. Mine now do 5-7 hour stretches at night depending on the night. But for the first 6 weeks I woke them up to eat if they didn't wake up on their own. Also if yours aren't gaining enough weight, you can pump and supplement with breast milk. So breastfeed then syringe or bottle feed breast milk. I had to do that with one of my twins for 2 weeks.

Answer

Also try tandem feeding from day 1! I started in the hospital. The nurses or lactation consultant can help you. I have a Twin Z pillow and it is AMAZING!! It's the only way I can tandem nurse. I also have the My Breast Friend pillow at my parents' house and it works too.

Did you successfully breastfeed twins?

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