Breastfeeding Twins - Chicago,IL

I had twins. It is not too late at all. And definitely have someone from la leche come out to see you. I did and it was free and so helpful. I also found that a nipple guard helped me tremendously. Good luck and congrats.

Never too late. I think I hit a wall around 2 weeks being frustrated with my son not latching on correctly. I called Art of Breasfeeding (www.artofbreastfeeding.com ) and Peggy came out to help me. She made a couple of house visits and was always available via phone or email when I needed her.

Congrats on the twins!

Most multiple moms (and singleton moms) CAN produce enough milk for their babies... but it takes them not getting 'enough' for a day to a few days for the supply to kick into gear. They're wired for that, and so are we. Hence the (dreaded;) "cluster feeding". You know where you just sit in a chair 20 hours a day (it seems like) and they're nursing ever 30 minutes. With twins and trips, that is essentially *constantly*. Right before they actually NEED the surplus, they start nursing you dry CONSTANTLY, and then coming back for seconds before you have a chance to pee and wash your face.

Supplementing with formula draaaaaaaaaags this process out, because your body never catches up with the demand. So there's NEVER enough for their appetites.

THAT SAID: Nope. Some women (single & multiples) just cannot make enough milk. Sometimes it's because they are dehydrated (most common cause of low supply is dehydration... if you're *ever* thirsty, you're dehydrated already), so downing a few gallons of water (not in one sitting), or juice (feel free to add calories to your drinks esp the first few months) will ramp the supply into Bessy standards (I was a cow. I don't know about anyone else, but I durn near MOOED -couldn't pump for one thing-, and since nursing have just never been able to look a glass of milk in the face.). Sometimes it's not a 'simple' fix (like dehydration, or nixing supplementing).

This is why formula ROCKS. In days of yon... babies died. In modern times, they don't. I've never understood "formula guilt". Dead baby. Live baby. Ummmmm.... no brainer???

((Like I said, I was a cow, but I was 'lucky'. My anatomy handles nursing like nobody's business. It's not like it's some kind of accomplishment. My body did it very easily. Yes, big parts of it sucked -oh, dang, really, no pun intended there- (like anime boobs -each was bigger than my head and weighed over 25lbs each, lots of pain, no nipples from the Hippo Ballet going on for over a month, etc.) but I was *able* to nurse without having to do a rain dance, cut off my right arm, down enough fenugreek to become my own maple syrup bottle, or give up my first born male child. Not everyone is that LUCKY. There are about 50 medical -unfixable- problems that can prevent women from nursing either at ALL, or exclusively. If your body can't adjust... your baby doesn't have to die. How flipping cool IS that??? I think it's just marvelous, myself.))

Yes. Absolutely get the lactation consultant out (or go to them). They'll be able to (in about 2 minutes flat) figure out what the latching problem is (and nippleshields are a gift from a silicone god who loves women, I used one for several months, and then went bareback when I lost it -had a panic attack, actually that I lost it- but by then we were fiiiiiiiiine). They also will (or SHOULD, one of the few times I'll use that word, btw) have a super nifty electronic scale. You'll put on a new diaper, weigh the baby, nurse, weigh the baby. It's the only way to find out how much they're actually GETTING when you're nursing.

Some kids are just *super* efficient and knock back 10oz (huge) in 5-10 minutes. Other kids take half an hour for 2 ounces. You never know, until you start weighing them. With those super nifty electronic baby scales that measure down to the 1/16th of an ounce. Your daughter MAY be falling asleep so quickly because she's stuffing herself, or your daughter may be falling asleep because she's exhausted from only getting an ounce. So drag the lactation consultant and their scale out, and find out.

BTW... I'm sure you know, some twin and trip mums tandem nurse, some "assign" each baby a breast and tandem or alternate, some alternate, and some nurse for 1 pump for the other, then nurse the other and pump for 1. It's REALLY personal preference / what works best with YOUR babies, and yourself. One of my aunts was blessed with 2 sets of twins, and she thought she had it DOWN tandem style, but no. Second set "fought" and pestered each other. So she alternated. Alternating with the first set had one screaming the whole time (not fun). My cousin was HILARIOUS with her twins, btw. She's cursed with large breasts like me... so she had the babies one "up" and one "down". It started as a joke. But it ended up being the easiest thing for all of them.

Sigh. Everyone in my family has twins or triplets but me. I'm defective.

Although my son nursed apx 20oz each feeding from 3weeks old until an infection brought us to a crashing halt at 9.5 months. That number is *almost* off the charts. Half that is huge. So I still have my Bessie status, at least. ;)

I was able to breastfeed my twins until they were almost 2. (just so you know it is possible). The first month, I would breastfeed one and bottle feed formula to the other. Here are some recommendations:
If you aren't already, pump in between feedings.
I had success eating oatmeal before bed to increase my supply.
check out the EZ 2 Nurse pillow http://www.nurturecenter.com/index.php?l=product_detail&a...
this was a lifesaver and could allow you to breastfeed one or both and bottlefeed the other. It can also be used by others to bottlefeed both.

If you can, get and keep them on the same schedule!!!! I can't stress that enough. You will lose your mind if you don't. To keep them awake, use a wet washcloth inbetween you and your babies.

If you have any more questions, or want someone to talk to, feel free to message me.

As others have said, La Leche League! They are free and SO helpful. I never had twins but there were plenty of moms with that experience to help and support each other.
Please get in touch with them right away, I'm sure you won't be sorry.

I breastfed my twins exclusively, and we made it 15 months. First is to get that lactation consultant ASAP. If you need to continue pumping, you'll give up pretty quickly because it is so time consuming, especially when you have two newborns to take care of. Get that little one to latch on, and try, try, try not to supplement!!

The BEST piece of advice I received while pregnant with my twins was to ALWAYS feed them at the same time, no matter what. When one wakes to eat, wake up the sibling to eat, too. This forces them to be on the same schedule, and you're not doing double duty or up all hours of the night to feed. I was so grateful for this. I couldn't imagine waking up, feeding one, putting him down, climbing into bed, then getting up within minutes to do it all over again.

Also, if you're not tandem breastfeeding, try to do it. If you can feed them at the exact same time, you will save yourself hours a day!

As for the appetites, babies go through growth spurts when they are eating all day long. My newborn (now one month old) just did that at two weeks. She was attached to my breast all day! As long as you let them nurse, your supply will increase to meet the demands of their appetites.

Just know that breastfeeding takes a bit of time to get the hang of for both you and babies. But, if you stick with it, it will be soooooo worth it (especially financially...we estimated I saved us over $6,000 by not having to buy formula!).

Good luck and congratulations!

Just a note about the supplementing - your babies will go through growth spurts where it's very frustrating because it seems like they want to nurse forever and it feels like they aren't getting enough. This is nature at work. If you breastfeed exclusively your supply will pick up and you will make enough. That said, of course twins is already a difficult job and breastfeeding twins is harder still - especially when you throw in pumping. So no one would fault you for choosing to supplement with formula once in a while! But know that your supply will respond to their needs - it's just difficult for a couple of days now and then. GL!

congratulations! breastfeeding twins-wow!! i do not have twins myself, but all 4 of mine had latch issues. with my 3rd i pumped for 6 weeks and he finally latched and we nursed for 2 years. i have found that babies seem to get it somewhere in their 2nd month and nursing becomes easier. please get some support from lll or an lc. it will really boost your confidence in nursing. good luck to you and your little ones:)

Good for you Mama! I agree with others, contact LLL they will be able to help you out.

It is absolutely not too late to have someone come out and help you! Good for you for asking for help when it is needed.

Be careful supplementing with formula, if you don't use as much breast milk, your body will think you don't need it and stop producing. Two weeks is the first major growth spurt (usually) so it is not unusual for them to be eating constantly. It will seem worse because there are two of them. :)

I can't speak from experience with twins (I've only had singletons) but I would pump from one side with my oldest while she was eating from the other side, it saved me time and made our nursing time even more productive. With my 4 month old I don't pump really at all, she has only had 3 bottles in her life and I used a hand pump for those.

Definitely not too late!!! My son used a plastic nipple shield over my own nipple for FOUR months, and then one day I tried nursing him without it, and he latched on perfectly! (I was sooo mad at the lactation consultant who gave me that dumb sheild in the hospital and sent me home....I was clueless!). I ended up nursing him for 16 months! AWESOME job at nursing twins, every day they get breastmilk is beneficial, so even if you do end up not being able to manage both, it's GREAT that they are getting it so far!!

There are TONS of resources for Moms who wish to breastfeed their twins. www.kellymom.com and www.llli.org are great quick sites to check out.

Yes a lactation consultant would help greatly, but if one doesn't work out, quickly find another one to try - not all LC are created equal and some have much more experience and training than others... IBCLCs actually hold Ba and MA degrees in human lactation.

Off and on the first 3 months and at 3 months there abouts - the babies will have enormous appetites - this is to stimulate your milk production to the levels in which they need.

I would hold off on formula for the moment - it introduces foreign proteins and bacteria into their open and immature GI tract, which can cause severe inflammation, irritation and both diarrhea, gas and constipation.

I'd get some help and support first, and maybe even check out your local Le Leche League meetings. I'm sure there are a few Mothers there who are nursing twins.

Never mind lactation specialists. Call LeLeche League. NOW. They know more than anyone. It's not too late for her to latch on. When she falls asleep tickle her outer cheek and she'll root around and start sucking again.

There are many chapters in Chicago so keep calling until you get someone who'll come to your house and help you nurse both babies. A friend's school age daughter lived with us and walked home see her mother while her Mom got to nursing identical twins. That is all she did for months, nurse the babies and wash and fold diapers.

congrats on your twins - ditto what others have said about joining a parents of multiples club (http://www.NOMOTC.org can help you find a club near you) and doing what works for you to feed your babies (LLL is a great resource but as a caution, since they're SO enthusiastic about the value of breastfeeding sometimes they aren't sensitive to the reality that exclusively-breastfed isn't always feasible for every mom). Whatever you do, know that you ARE a good mom and don't let any formula guilt stick to your psyche.

My 9YO twin DD's tandem nursed but I was fortunate that one was an expert nurser from day 1 and could get the milk works flowing well enough that her sister pretty much just had to open her mouth to get fed LOL (sister tended to fall asleep while nursing too - DH would pick her up and blow on her face gently until she woke up and just as she would start to cry, he'd pop her back on to her feeding station!)

Hi Angel, my twins are now 11, but I breastfed for only about 3 months. If you haven't already, you can find a twins club in your area and there are many moms who can help and advise you. I was a part of Clusters, Moms of Multiples in the Southwest suburbs, but know there are many around the entire area.

And remember, whatever you decide is okay! Don't let the naysayers get to you :-)

Good luck!

http://www.lllusa.org/IL/WebChicagoIL.html

They can help you and the twins....Blessings

It's never too late!!

My son always fell asleep while nursing and we did everything we possibly could to wake him up all the way to stripping him down to his diaper and wiping a cool washcloth on his bare skin. (Lactation folks gave us these hints). He eventually outgrew it. My niece had the same issue with her momma. She didn't latch well, would give up and tended to fall asleep. My sister kept at it and for a while had to use a breast shield thingy that helped the baby latch better--eventually was able to wean off of that and now has no issues. But it does take time and a lot of effort.

Being born is hard work and it can take a few weeks to rest up and recover for the babies, too, especially if they were preemie at all.

Definitely get a lactation consultant in to help. She can help answer all your questions, even how/whether best to supplement with formula, if needed.

Congratulations on the twins!!

I doubt it's too late. My kiddo fell asleep constantly too, and our ped suggested undressing him to his diaper (so he wasn't as warm and cozy) and stroking a cool wet washcloth against the bottoms of his sensitive little feet to keep him awake while nursing. It worked for us. Good luck!

Sorry I am no help - only have had single babies. But you're awesome for breastfeeding twins! LLL is a great idea, also if you have any moms of twins clubs in your area? One of my neighbors has twins and is very involved in a local moms of twins club (she didn't bf so I can't ask her advice for you). But this may be a good resource for you! Good luck and good for you and those babies!
I will say from my own experience, with my first child, I introduced formula too soon because she seemed too hungry after just bfing and this messed up my milk supply - I only nursed for 2 months because of this with her. Now on my third child, I am smarter - he is 3 1/2 months old and has never had a bottle. Plenty of milk and a very happy satisfied baby..

It is not too late. I would have an LC come to your house.

I only have one new baby and it was overwhelming, bless your heart. You must spend your entire day feeding these babies.

They are at a growth spurt. Do not stop nursing. In a matter of a day or two your milk will increase and catch up to what they need. This happens at 1 wk, 2 wk, 1 mth, 3, 6, 12 months. They will eat like crazy just to get enough milk, just let them do it. Give a lactation consultant a try or la leche league as they are very experienced.

Though my dd had no problem latching on, keeping her awake was an issue. I had to constantly be tickling behind her ear and her feet and keep her cold so she wouldn't fall asleep too fast. Remember mama's milk has relaxin in it which causes the babies to get sleepy (and mom too) as they nurse.

Keep up the great work mama!!!!

It is not too late. I haven't had twins before, but my daughter always had trouble latching, and I thought I had waited too long to try to get her to nurse, so I just pumped and fed her, which is something I regret to this day. With my son I talked with more than one lactation consultant and was able to nurse him just fine and dandy, and I had even asked them about my daughter, if I could have done something different, and they all told me it was not too late to have tried to get her to latch on.

Just as a side note, with my son I did end up having to use shields to aid in the latching process.