https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 05 Apr 2026 06:26:42 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-twins#post-527695 Fri, 25 Jan 2013 13:40:36 +0000 andrea86 527695@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh man that brings me back! I actually was able to exclusively breastfeed my twins, BUT my first singleton baby was a complete no go. I ended up switching to formula after about 9 weeks of torture with her. The guilt was horrible! I thought I was failing her and a terrible mother. I honestly think a lot of it comes down to the baby as well. With my first baby it was torture, with the twins it just worked and I wasnt even really planning on breastfeeding, simply because of my horrible past experience! Try to relax, that will effect the let down of your milk and eventually your supply too. Good luck and enjoy those sweet babies! Eventually you will miss these early crazy days, even if at the moment they feel never ending! ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-twins#post-527673 Fri, 25 Jan 2013 13:32:17 +0000 2PeasinaPod 527673@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunshineandsushi: Congratulations on your twins! And goodness, I had so much trouble breastfeeding my one baby let alone two!</p> <p>I just want to say you aren't alone in your feelings of failure. It was taking over an hour for my LO to nurse off of me, and then I would have to pump right after that b/c either he wasn't getting everything out or I was just producing a ton. It was exhausting, especially in the beginning when he wanted to eat every 2.5 hours. After a while, I started to give up on nursing altogether and just pumped. He would take from a bottle like a champ, and it was so much faster than nursing him. I felt like i was failing him that I couldn't get him to nurse off of me better.</p> <p>Now that I look back on it, there's so much pressure on mothers to breastfeed now and I bought into it all. You have to keep telling yourself that formula is not poison. You can supplement and shouldn't have to feel guilty about it. </p> <p>And your hormones will start to balance out a bit more, but it does take time! Here's hoping that gets better and your supply just keeps increasing!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-twins#post-527619 Fri, 25 Jan 2013 13:09:05 +0000 sunshineandsushi 527619@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At my dr appt yesterday, my OB told me she doesn't recall any patients who had twins who were able to breastfeed without supplementing with formula. </p> <p>I think the hormone swings are pretty much behind me. Woohoo! My saving grace this week has been just pumping and bottlefeeding them breastmilk with formula. I think next week I'll try nursing them again and see how it goes. I think my supply has gone up a bit, hopefully it continues to increase! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-twins#post-517607 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 12:57:44 +0000 sunshineandsushi 517607@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you everyone! I feel a lot better knowing I'm not the only one who has gone through this. </p> <p>@mrs. train they were born at exactly 37 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-twins#post-517523 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 12:25:19 +0000 babynumber1 517523@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The hormones should subside in a week or so, so maybe only a few breakdowns every week. EBF is difficult with even just one child, I don't know how it would work with 2. </p> <p>The only advice that I have is supplement and use formula if you feel overwhelmed, or just need a break. It won't hurt them. I had to switch to formula after emergency surgery at 3 months pp. I was so upset, but them remembered that I was a formula baby. I was fed with 1983 formula and I turned out just fine. 2013 formula will be fine, and your babies will thrive :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-twins#post-517514 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 12:20:02 +0000 sarac 517514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sarahewhitford: OMG, when I was doing clomid, I thought oh, twins, please, then I can just be done. Now, after going through it with one baby, I realize how utterly crazy a thought that was. Crazy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-twins#post-517511 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 12:19:24 +0000 sarac 517511@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: Not to derail, but I have to point out that breastmilk has a ton of vitamin D. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-twins#post-517437 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 11:46:48 +0000 twoofeverything 517437@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Train: YES! I can't believe it when people tell me they want (or wanted) twins. I feel like they should come babysit for (at least) three bedtime routines in a row, then tell me what they think! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-twins#post-517417 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 11:32:44 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 517417@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunshineandsushi: I don't have twins but I just wanted to say how tough breastfeeding is in the beginning with just one child, let alone twins. I also cried a lot in the early weeks. I just want to to let you know that it's ok, it will pass and you will get to a better place. Good luck and congrats on your twins! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-twins#post-517350 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 11:08:43 +0000 Mrs. Train 517350@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunshineandsushi: don't worry the hormones will balance out. I promise the crying will slow down a bit. I still cry way more than I did before motherhood!! I don't know what that's all about but it happens. </p> <p>Also when did you deliver your twins. Mine were born a 37 weeks and miraculously when I reach my actual due date they started sucking better, my milk came in stronger and it seemed to get a bit easier. I don't know whether it was because we were at it for three weeks and just getting better or whether it had to do with their development. </p> <p>Don't worry momma. Each month of your twins will get better. Wen they start interacting more at 3 months you will look back and think, oh they are so much easier now. A six months they might be starting to crawl and play ad you will be amazed at how far you have come. </p> <p>It always made me laugh when people told me they wanted twins. I think the only thing I could say with out telling them they were out of their mind crazy was just be careful what you wish for they are a lot of work. In my head I would think I haven't slept in months and there is constantly a baby hooked to my chest trying to get any bit of milk that I can make out of my body and crying when their isn't enough. Each evening my husband and I Walked the halls of our house trying to calm not just one but two screaming babies. I can't even blow my nose while their sleeping because I am terrified that they will wake up and they will start the whole process over. Is that what you wish for?</p> <p>Having said that I wouldn't trade all those sleeps nights and stress over breastfeeding for anything. My kids are awesome! You will get there too, I promise! Hang in there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-twins#post-517132 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 09:43:25 +0000 Mrsbells 517132@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunshineandsushi: I supplemented with formula from day one, it helped take the pressure off me until I got the hang of breastfeeding. Don't feel guilty at all! One good thing about formula is that it has vitamin D and breast milk doesnt! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-twins#post-517127 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 09:41:54 +0000 twoofeverything 517127@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Awww! Remember you're doing great, no matter WHAT you do. The hormones will seriously mess with your head.<br /> My twins are 7 1/2 weeks, and I was able to BF for the first four weeks, supplementing heavily with formula. I SOOOO wanted to go longer, and, (thanks to those awesome hormones), felt like the worst Mommy ever when I couldn't. But here's the thing: they got SOMETHING. And now? They are happy, healthy, and gaining weight with a Mommy who has time to enjoy them. BF, supplementing, and then pumping takes hours and hours with twins. It's really okay if you end up deciding that those hours are better spent engaging with your babies.<br /> That said, if you decide you really want to BF, find a lactation consultant! When I was trying to boost my supply, I was told to pump every 2-3 hours. It can be done if that's the route you want to go!<br /> Good luck! And let me know if you ever need to talk :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-twins#post-516962 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 07:12:49 +0000 T.H.O.U. 516962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunshineandsushi: best of luck and keep GReAT work! Getting them as much breastmilk as possible is best but that has to be within your sanity level!! </p> <p>I also saw a LC a few times in the hospital as thought I was good to go. Things constantly change with breastfeeding andthe number one thing that brought me I my goal of one year of nursing was seeing a LC in person twice a week while on maternity leave. It was a free class offered by the hospital. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-twins#post-516952 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 06:25:36 +0000 matador84 516952@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Keep it up! I can't imagine how hard it would be. I read in a book one thing to do is feed one side and pump the other OR while one is breastfeeding the other is getting formula and then just switch at the next feed. Keep up the hard work! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-twins#post-516932 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 04:44:48 +0000 tequiero21 516932@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congrats! Man, it really brings me back! I really remember how hard it was! My kids are 9.5 mo old and we r still breastfeeding. From the beginning we bottlefed. My supply didn't kick in for a few weeks, and honestly, I wasn't even sure I was going to breastfeed until the babies came. It took me awhile to work down to feeding only 1 bottle a day of formula. I think I'm just happy we got to breastfeed at all. Hang in there! It took a month for us to get into a groove. Just set yourself mini goals. I was happy to get to 3 mos. then, I set a 6-mo goal. Then I set a 9-mo goal. Now, it's a year. If I make it, great. If not, that's okay too. While I want them to get breast milk as long as possible, boy, can I not WAIT to get my life back!</p> <p>All said and done, you need to do what's right for you and your babies, no matter what anyone else tells you! Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-twins#post-516921 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 03:25:07 +0000 birdofafeather 516921@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congrats on the arrival of your twins! It's sounds like you're doing great! Don't feel guilty for supplementing because they have to eat and as PPs said, any breast milk they get is Awesome! Can't wait to hear more about your little guys once you have some time to settle in! I only have my one lady who's 9 days old and I'm just still trying to get my head wrapped around it all! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-twins#post-516916 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 02:14:06 +0000 littlehunny 516916@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congrats on your twins!! Any amount of breastmilk is good for them. I found it was taking way too long to breastfeed my twins (they're just over 2 months old now) as they were very slow eaters. I am mainly pumping unless I have help around to feed the twin who isn't breastfeeding a bottle.<br /> I'm not producing enough milk for them both so I am supplementing with formula too. I pump enough in a day to do breastmilk for 5 out of their 8 feedings. I give them both formula at the same feeding do I don't get confused as to who had breastmilk last &amp; who should get it next.<br /> I was really upset with the amount of milk I was producing and the mindset that helped me was I can only do what I can and babies have to eat so if I had to supplement I was still feeding my babies. If you want to do it keep it up! It can take a little bit to find the routine that works best for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-twins#post-516909 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 01:38:26 +0000 sarac 516909@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Any amount of breastmilk that a child gets is absolutely fabulous! I think you're amazing for working so hard to breastfeed your twins. Your best is good enough, period! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-twins#post-516905 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 01:28:22 +0000 sunshineandsushi 516905@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for the support! @mrs. train, I've read your post many times to familiarize myself! It's so different when you're actually living it. I can say I've cried more in the past two weeks than I have in years, I think. </p> <p>Our pediatrician is completely supportive, which is great, as is DH. I think he's just hoping I stop crying soon. ;) </p> <p>I hope I can stick it out and keep trying this until they're one month old and then reevaluate. It's just hard to look past the next feeding, let alone day or week. </p> <p>I can't imagine that me being this stressed and anxious is doing me, or my boys, any favors ... but it's so much harder than I ever thought. I can only hope my emotions will return to normal very soon. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-twins#post-516895 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 00:45:16 +0000 junebuglim 516895@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congrats on the birth of your twins! And please don't be so hard on yourself - the first days, weeks, months with twins are so challenging, but as @merryc says, things definitely get better.</p> <p>I did not have the patience to get to the point where I could nurse my twins together or at the breast at all - I ended up pumping breastmilk and supplementing with formula. I was just so overwhelmed it was less stressful for me at that time to just pump and give it to them in a bottle. I ended up pumping for about 7 months and they've been on formula (and solids now) since (they're 9.5 months). I pumped every 2-3 hours around the clock for the first few months to get my supply established... it was painful (sleep and tiredness wise) but I was willing to do it to give them as much as I could.</p> <p>I did not let myself feel guilty about supplementing because I knew I was doing the best I could possibly do with all the other adjustments, lack of sleep, and taking care of two babies. My husband, mom, and friends were also very encouraging and supportive.</p> <p>@merryc definitely points out great encouraging and positive points. You can do this! It is so tough in the beginning, but things will get better each month. It took me a while to begin to truly enjoy being a mom of twins versus merely surviving as one, but once I got to that point it's been awesome. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-twins#post-516886 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 00:29:01 +0000 Mrs. Train 516886@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congrats on your twins momma. Let me tell you breastfeed ing your twins is not easy. If you want to do it just keep going, it will get easier!!!</p> <p>I did a post on my experiences with breastfeeding my twins for a year.<br /> <a href="http://www.hellobee.com/2012/09/13/breastfeeding-twins/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/2012/09/13/breastfeeding-twins/</a></p> <p>I think the biggest help was my pediatrician telling me that it was perfectly fine to give them some formula! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-twins#post-516884 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 00:27:39 +0000 sunshineandsushi 516884@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for the responses, everyone! I think the hardest part is letting myself be okay with this. I was so ready to breastfeed and make this work, it's hard to accept that it may not be possible for me - and not feel like a failure. </p> <p>@mrsmate I met with the lactation consultants in the hospital three times before we were discharged and have talked on thw phone with one since coming home. They've said I'm doing everything how they would recommend, so I'm at a loss as to how to make my supply catch up with demand, as I keep reading everywhere.</p> <p>@merryc thank you!! This is really helpful to hear. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-twins#post-516770 Sun, 20 Jan 2013 22:13:14 +0000 twinmama 516770@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hang in there mama! Congrats on your twins! </p> <p>I was so committed to breastfeeding my twins, and as luck would have it, I had low supply despite everthing I tried. So yes, my twins are heavily supplemented with formula. I was a total mess over it for 2-3 months.</p> <p>I did everything I could to make the max amt of milk while dh was home with me...about 2 months. After that, I simply didn't have the time to nurse each and pump after every feeding...on demand. I still pumped overnight for another month or so, then stopped that to get more sleep. I rationalized that the milk was most important while they were teeny, and there came a point where they needed a sane mother over another bottle of milk every day.</p> <p>They turned 6 months today and I am still nursing. We have to buy a ton of formula, but I still get the bond of nursing them both and I love it even if my milk is just bonus rather than sustinence. It helps ease my mind that my kids are thriving and super healthy. I am doing whats best for them because my body simply couldn't keep up with their needs. Every woman is different. My mom could have fed the whole block with the milk she produced. My body just couldn't. So I had to focus on what it could - I carried them to term, vaginal delivery, no nicu time - all other things that were important to me. Another bonus, I'm not the only one who can get up with them at night. It is so wonderful to have ongoing help overnight!</p> <p>It will get better, but you are in the trenches. I think I finally got my head on straight again at about 3 months. At 6, I feel great. Congrats again and good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-twins#post-516756 Sun, 20 Jan 2013 22:00:19 +0000 mrsmate 516756@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh man I don't have twins but I feel your pain bc I was in the exact same place you were in two years ago. </p> <p>First of all you should see a lactation consultant, to try to work on a solution that fits your specific family's needs.</p> <p>Second of all you should feel zero guilt for not EBF. Formula is not poison. Anyone who tells you that has no credibility. The benefits of breast feeding are not as concrete as you may think (google Hanna rosin and breast feeding).</p> <p>Lastly, yes you will feel normal again. That means you have to figure out the balance bw your needs and th babies' needs. It's different for everyone. Just know that your needs to matter too. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-twins#post-516753 Sun, 20 Jan 2013 21:56:09 +0000 travelgirl1 516753@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Aw you're doing an amazing job! Breastfeeding, pumping AND giving a bottle is hard enough with one baby, never mind two. I'm a firm believer in breast is best for baby only if it's best for mum too. Breastfeeding is hard, and even giving them a little breastmilk is giving them huge benefits, you don't need to exclusively breastfeed for them to benefit. PP hormones are awful but they do pass and whichever method of feeding you choose, you'll do a great job. Big hugs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-twins#post-516737 Sun, 20 Jan 2013 21:44:52 +0000 sunshineandsushi 516737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am majorly struggling with getting the hang of breastfeeding my two week old twins. Every time I think it's starting to get better, the next feeding I feel like it gets worse. I'm currently breastfeeding and supplementing with formula afterwards. I am also pumping to try and boost my supply, but I feel like I'm spinning wheels. I don't think it helps that these postpartum hormones are making me completely emotional where I'm breaking down in tears and sobbing multiple times a day.</p> <p>Did anyone breastfeed and supplement with formula? How did you get rid of your guilt for not exclusively breastfeeding?</p> <p>And will I ever feel like a calm, normal person again? </p>