Breastfeeding Twins - Bethesda,MD

I don't have experience personally, but I know my cousin would BF her twins at the same time. Each baby got one side of mom. She made enough milk due to supply/demand that each baby didn't need both breasts. This in turn takes the same amount of time as BF one baby. Use the down time to have your son sit next to you while you do this and you can read to him (if he can turn the pages for you, your hands will be full). Or, you can tell him a story or sing together, etc. Best of luck and congrats on all 3 of your little ones.

I BF'd mine at the same time. Or you could pump or BF them together for say 10-15min then give a bottle. Bottle feeding will be time consuming, too. My girls would take an hour to eat the 1st few monthes, so I know how time consuming it is. You could save tv time for your son during the feedings, save special toys or coloring pages for that time, play games like I Spy or give him laundry or towels to fold, read a book-sit on your bed with him while feeding and lay it out in front of you.

I have a toddler and a one week old as well! ...but just one, not twins! congrats!

So far with my toddler, I let him do special activities when I need to focus on the baby.... he gets in his high chair (booster) for almost all of them, but he loves it because they're fun. Here's a list:

coloring (crayons, computer paper, markers)
play doh (when i can be in the room with him - this is a good BF one.)
flash cards
stickers
Color Wonder color pad and markers
favorite movie and a special snack (cookie, or a favorite food)

Hang in there and good luck! And listen - I'm just going to say that breast milk is obviously the best thing you can give to your kids, but if you need help and you're adjusting to being the only adult at home for the day; its OKAY to use a few ounces of formula - its not like thats all you're feeding them... they do get breast milk, in large quantities, but sometimes it may be easier to use a bit of formula so that you can focus your attention elsewhere at the time.

Good luck!

Congrats on the twins! I was able to breastfeed my twins for 15 months without needing to supplement with formula.

I can tell you right now, it does get easier! As for suggestions for pumping and then doing a bottle, I found it extremely difficult to find the time to pump, so I'm not so sure this would actually lighten the load.

My twins were my first babies, but I have twin mom friends who had toddlers first, and some of them also exclusively breastfed their twins. They had some ideas similar to other posts. One would have her toddler get her special toys, and then would have her sit at mommy's feet while she nursed. Another one would nurse in a bedroom and close the door with the toddler inside (and, of course, toys or activities to do). Then, all four of them would be in one room.

Having twins is a huge challenge, so to have a toddler at home in addition only adds to the balancing act. Just do your best to make sure your son receives enough attention and love from you (I know, easier said than done, right?) so that he doesn't always feel left out.

Good luck, and congratulations on your babies!

Can you pump and give a bottle? That might lightened the load a bit for feedings to not take as long..you know how much the twins are consumming and then you have time for your two year old. No matter what distraction...a new toy...TV..game etc...won't distract an older sibbling for long. Keep you sanity as you adjust to your expanded family. Congrats!

The Intown Atlanta Parents of Multiples Club just discussed this issue on our forum and the overwhelming feedback was a recommendation to consult the pediatric nurses at Moms on Call (momsoncall.com). If you're in Atlanta they can come to your house for an in-person consultation. Otherwise, you can set up a phone/email consultation and they'll give you a great schedule for all 3 kids.
Good luck!

I'd contact your local La Leche League, and twins groups in your area for support and suggestions.
Congrats for choosing to give your babies one of the best gifts for their minds and bodies. I have several friends with twins. All have nursed their babies. Some have added bottles, some have not. All of these mamas have other children and have found ways to stimulate, and comfort their other children while nursing.
Best of luck to you,
L. M

good for you and congratulations! breastfeeding is so good for your babies. i'm sure it is a little tough with twins! can you 2 year old have a special basket of toys (even if dollar store- but new toys) to have when you have to attend to the baby. He will feel special and interested in the new special toys.

Hi; I know breastfeeding seems very time consuming, but if you are able to BF them at the same time it is actually faster than taking the time to separately give them each a bottle. My twins were born at 32 1/2 wks and never did learn to BF even after several lactation consults, so i ended up pumping, then giving each a bottle, which took about 1 1/2 hours or more each feeding for the first 3 months and washing all those bottles and pumping equipment took time also. They have twin nursing pillows; hopefully you have one to make life easier! Luckily I did not have a toddler to take care of; looks like the other moms have given lots of great ideas!

I am breastfeeding a baby and my 4 1/2 yr old makes this time difficult too. Now I set him up with a video (forget the guilt in that!) for the 30 minutes or so that it takes to really get in a good feeding in one room and nurse baby in the next room. Baby is less distracted that way too.

I tell my son that baby gets some special time, and HE will have special mommy time (meaning one-on-one time) when the baby is napping and before bedtime. Rewarding him for good, calm behavior while I nurse ("you get to pick a few books or a quiet activity if you let mommy nurse baby").

This is just what we do here. You are certainly to be rewarded later for your dedication for breastfeeding your babies! What a wonderful gift!

Hi and congratulations on your twins! It's a very exciting time, and it really does get easier soon. My twins were my first, and #3 came when they were 2 years old so it's not quite the same situation, but similar. The best advice I got, and would pass on to you, is to have one room in the house where you feel it's totally childproof and your son will be safe and contained and play while you stay in there with him and nurse. For us, it was the family room. All the twins' toys were in there and I could feed the baby while they played without feeling like I had to jump up and attend to them constantly. If you feel comfortable tandem feeding (both twins together) it can certainly be a time saver. Personally, I was never able to do that with my twins, but by the time they were a couple of months old the feedings were quick enough that doing them consecutively wasn't a problem either. One thing that might be helpful is if you have a sling or carrier you can put one of the twins in while nursing (it can take a few tries to get well positioned but it can work) you can have a hand free to hold a book or something.

I see you are in Bethesda, and I am too, so if you'd like to talk further please feel free to contact me!