The Struggles and Triumphs of Breastfeeding Twins

Last updated on February 14th, 2024 at 07:54 am

Read about the struggles and triumphs of breastfeeding twins from a mom who has had her share of ups and downs of feeding her twins.

Getting Set up for the Triumphs of Breastfeeding Twins

I always knew I wanted to breastfeed my baby for a year. With all the research and statistics out there, I knew this was the best option for me. I had seen my family members breastfeed their children for a year, and it seemed easy enough.

When I found out we were expecting twins, my thoughts on breastfeeding didn’t waiver. I just needed to do some research on how to breastfeed twins, and I’d be all set.

During my pregnancy I read books about breastfeeding twins, took a free breastfeeding class at the hospital, and researched any and all breastfeeding gadgets and gizmos for twins. This was going to be a breeze. And then they arrived. triumphs of breastfeeding twins

The Reality of Breastfeeding Twins

Our first day together seemed to go pretty well. My daughter latched right away and did her business like it was second nature. My son had a little more trouble latching properly. With the help of the nurses and staff at the hospital, I was able to get him latched.

Everything was going great. I was elated to be breastfeeding and basking in the joy of my two new bundles of joy. However, by the end of our second day in the hospital, my nurse informed me that my son had lost 20% of his birth weight and my daughter would lose her 20% by morning.

She advised me to consider formula for supplementation and start them on it before the doctors step in and forced the use of formula. I didn’t want to starve my babies, so I agreed. triumphs of breastfeeding twins

When I was discharged from the hospital, I was breastfeeding and using formula for supplementation. My plan was to cut out the formula and exclusively breastfeed. triumphs of breastfeeding twins

This was turning out to be much harder than I anticipated, and I was quickly losing my will and desire. I was also extremely tired! It was about this time that I began wishing away the months until they were old enough to start solids and not rely on me for all of their nutrition.

Getting Help

By my six-week postpartum checkup, I had mastitis and was in desperate need of a lactation consultant. My OB recommended a consultant named Christine who was extremely reassuring that I was doing the right thing, even though it didn’t feel like it.of breastfeeding twins

The next day Christine stayed with me for three hours. During this time she helped me nurse each one individually and showed me how to feed them tandem (kudos to anyone who does this. This style was not for me and I couldn’t make it work). triumphs of breastfeeding twins

After she left, I was feeling confident and back on track. But, I still didn’t trust myself and my ability enough to let go of the supplementation formula. My husband and I decided to give formula as their last bottle of the night, which we’d done since day one.

By Thanksgiving, the twins were just shy of three months old, and I was at my breaking point. Not wanting to breastfeed anymore, I wanted to give up and just use formula. I couldn’t sit on the couch all day and night, every day, just feeding babies.

The thought of quitting breastfeeding brought on feelings of guilt and hysteria. Even considering it made me feel like a failure. It made me wonder why I couldn’t do what I knew was best for my babies.

So, I did was I thought was the next best thing. I started exclusively pumping. This was so hard for me and I just couldn’t keep up for too long. triumphs of breastfeeding twins

Reaching My Turning Point

I’ll never forget the day it all finally clicked. It was right before Christmas and I was on the phone with my sister-in-law. I had just finished feeding and changing them. Both babies were happily swinging away, until my son started to cry.

Not trusting myself, I thought he was hungry. I was home alone, I didn’t want to hang up the phone, and there were no clean bottles. So, I took out my Boppy pillow and nursed him while I continued to chat on the phone. When he had his fill, he unlatched himself and went back to swinging happily with his sister.

I literally did a happy dance! I can’t even explain the relief and joy I was feeling. Christmas had come early! From that day on, I breastfed them, one after the other, on a two-hour schedule. As they got older, and more efficient, it took less time to feed them both.

It did take a little while for me to give up the formula bottle at night (I like my sleep), however, that too, fell by the wayside around five months. They still get a bottle a night — their only bottle — of milk pumped from the previous night. triumphs of breastfeeding twins

Now that they’re almost eleven months and I’m starting to think about weaning them off, I get all emotional and choked up. I’m really going to miss this special bond that we’ve created. It makes me sad to think that they’re not going to need or rely on me so much anymore. I guess this is only the beginning of many milestones of raising babies into adults.

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