Plan to breastfeed. Do I need to prepare with bottles just in case?

Question

Hello fellow twin parents. I am in my 26th week of pregnancy with my twin girls. (This is my second pregnancy.) I plan/hope to exclusively breastfeed as long as I can with my twins. 
I am wondering if I need to get bottles and supplies just in case for the twins or if that’s not necessary. What are others experience with planning on breastfeeding their twins exclusively? Did you buy supplies just in case? Did exclusive bf with twins go well for you?
Thanks for your help.

Answer

My girls are 5 months old and EBF. The only thing I got was a pump from insurance (because it was “free” but haven’t used it yet) and a My Breast Friend Nursing pillow. I didn’t get any bottles or formula because I didn’t want the “temptation” to use them on a tough day (It’s easy enough to run to the store quick and get it if you really need to)
My girls didn’t tandem feed until closer to 3 months old (baby b had a bad latch we had to work on constantly for a while there) and honestly I don’t really like it so we don’t do it often. They’re much more efficient nursers now, so it’s less time consuming than it was in the beginning. But now they’re so squirmy.
For the first 8ish weeks, don’t plan to do anything anything other than breastfeed and sleep basically. Seriously. Have no other expectations. Find a comfy spot and settle in. My husband made sure I had food (got it ready before he went to work) and watched the babies while I slept in between nursing sessions. I seriously don’t think I left the couch for two months. The first few weeks were rough. Looking back sometimes I’m not sure how I survived, but I did. And it gets so much better and easier. My babies haven’t had anything but the boob and have started sleeping through the night all on their own.

Answer

I wouldn't personally. I did with my twins and that caused me to give up too quickly. The doctors were pushing for formula, and I never really got the hang of breastfeeding, but I really wish I could have. I think having bottles on hand is good for some people, but I personally wouldn't do it after my previous experiences.

Answer

My boys aren’t here yet, currently 31 weeks 3 days, but I have boughten pumps, supplies to those and storage bags/bottles. Also at least a set of bottles of pretty much each kind to figure out what would work best for them. I plan to ebf and pump. And if ebf doesn’t work I plan to just exclusively pump for them what I can and if I have to supplement I will do that. I prepared in all ways I could.

Answer

My twins are almost 7 weeks old and haven’t tandem fed well since day 1. I have been to many lactation appts to help. Even after 30 minutes they were only getting close to one ounce of milk. So I pump every 3 hours and give them breastmilk that way. I also have to supplement with formula because my body only makes enough Milk for one baby.

Answer

My twins wouldn't tandem nurse. They'd constantly fight over space, so I was feeding one for 45 minutes, then the other, then getting 30 minutes of sleep before starting all over. I was so sleep deprived so I ended up pumping for them so I could pump 30 minutes then feed them both at the same time quickly and get some sleep. If your girls will tandem nurse that's wonderful! But I'd buy a pump or get whatever your insurance will give you, to help boost supply and maybe have some help here and there.

Answer

I would get bottles to be safe. I planned to breastfeed feed as well but my twins were born 6 weeks early and got to tired breastfeeding. I had to supplement with extra calories to help catch up in growth. I ended up pumping and fortifying my breast milk.

Answer

I’ve been exclusively nursing my 37 weekers. I didn’t personally buy them but got bottles as gifts and in my target registry bag etc. so glad i had them! My twins ended up with a late onset of jaundice and one had to be hospitalized for 24 hours. I also had to give extra breast milk to encourage more poops to get rid of the jaundice. If anything I’d say have emergency bottles for pumping, a hand or electric pump (free if possible) and EXTRA breast pads. Leaking is an understatement with twins 😅
I also have no issue with tandem nursing and like to so i can get more rest. I do have one twin who demands more than the other at times, but we’re getting a routine now 
Don’t overthink things, it will come together. Also depending on your hospital you could ask for bottles there

Answer

My girls aren't here yet, but I got bottles and one can of formula just in case. We live in a small town and if we needed anything like that after about 8pm, we'd have to drive into the city.

Plan to breastfeed. Do I need to prepare with bottles just in case?

Let's Glow!

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey