Breastfeeding Twins, Phoebe & Sofie - 7 Months Old

by Kelly Thomason
(Chicagoland Area, IL, United States)

Kelly feeding Phoebe and Sofie

Kelly feeding Phoebe and Sofie

I breastfed my twins the first week after their birth. Doing this along with taking care of my 3 older children ages 6 and under was too much for me mentally. So, I switched to pumping exclusively until they were 2.5 months old. I then weaned them back to the breast and we've been breastfeeding ever since. I'm so glad I decided to breastfeed my twins. I've actually breastfed them longer than I was able to breastfeed my 3 previous singletons.

Comments for Breastfeeding Twins, Phoebe & Sofie - 7 Months Old

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Jan 27, 2011
Getting Them Back To The Breast
by: Anonymous

Somebody asked how I got them back to breastfeeding after taking a bottle. With one it was really easy. She wasn't ever super happy with the bottle so she was more than happy to start back to nursing. My other was more of a lazy nurser and she took a little more work. I would use my "good" nurser to get my milk to let down then switch sides and put my lazy nurser on that side so she didn't have to wait for a let down. I also nursed her for as long a she would stay latched on and would supplement breast milk with the bottle to finish her off until eventually she didn't need the bottle after breastfeeding anymore. I also quit trying to schedule them and went to a more "on demand" style of nursing. This worked better for us. I also assigned a side to each baby in the morning and only nursed that baby on that side all day. The next day I switched sides. That was less complicated for me and my "good" nurser kept up my supply so that one side wasn't drying up while the other side produced in abundance.

Good luck to all you mommies trying to nurse twins. It isn't easy but its worth it. Also, keep in mind, do what works for your family. Don't beat yourself up if you need to bottle feed, formula or your milk. We can't be so stressed out about breastfeeding that we lose the joy in caring for the rest of our family. I'm all for breastfeeding and babies getting breast milk, obviously. But I also know you have to be able to maintain your own sanity and still be happy for the other members of your family. Best of luck to you all!

Jan 27, 2011
thank you
by: Donna

my twin girls are almost 3 mths and i was about to give up as i cant fit everything in.I have been supplementing with formula since birth as i cant seem to increase my supply enough.I had decided to give up and switch to formula but have made me try again.Thank you

May 24, 2010
how did you wean back on?
by: Anonymous

please let me know how u weaned them back onto breats as i have to do that with my girl and she is proving a tough customer, have tried lactatino aids, shileds and being nice but she still only does 7 mins and has a wobbler

May 24, 2010
looks fab x
by: mummy of 6

You make it look so easy...my twins now 7 months...unfortunately I was tied to the breastfeeding on what felt like constant feeds!!
I also had 4 other children to look after...and I found it impossible to get the time to keep feeding..(and I did struggle to tandem feed to start when they were newborn...latching two babies single handedly with no help is hard!)
I successfully breast fed all my other children..getting better & better with each one..fed my now 4 year old until he was 12 months.
But just couldnt manage the twins...which is upsetting now...
I was exhausted & literally drained.
however....you seem to have passed all hurdles...I wish i could have been as capable as you :)

Apr 22, 2010
Thanks for the pic!
by: Anonymous

I have 3 month old twins and we have been nursing very successfully in the football hold, however, they are beginning to kick and I know that soon we will have to start finding a new position. I have experimented with the position that you are using in the pic. I think I need a recliner though. You look very comfortable! I haven't figured out the comfortable part for this position yet. I have nursed two other children for the first year though so I am pretty determined to make it work. Thanks for the added inspiration!

Feb 24, 2010
similar story of my own
by: Anonymous

I am glad to hear a story like mine! I am not alone!! I have 2 older boys and breastfeeding my twins was a challenge! To get the adapted to the breast and also running the house hold was extrememly time consuming. I exculsively pumped for the first 5 months and have switched back to the breast. This has been such an amazing yet challending experience. I too have not breast fed my older children for this long. I cant imagine paying for double to formula..yikes! And it is so much healther for babies and I. Thanks for your photo!

Jan 25, 2010
Thank you!!i
by: Kelly (proud2Bmomma)

I posted this picture because I was excited to have a picture of myself tandem nursing. I didn't think anybody would actually look at it and comment!! It has been a wonderful thing to breastfeed my twins and I'm so glad I didn't give up. If anybody would like to follow my family blog it is www.kellythomasonskapers.blogspot.com.

Thanks so much for the kind comments!

Jan 25, 2010
Wow!
by: Anne

That is just too cool! I am so looking forward to them coming, and nursing the two of them.I know it will be hard, but I am really trying to stay positive!

Jan 25, 2010
Good for you!
by: Stephanie

Wow! Congrats on having the patience and determination to make it happen! I bottle fed my boys (who are 2 months old now) from the beginning and know it is the right choice for me, but am still in aw of women who choose to breastfeed! I had a hard enough time with my singleton daughter and here you are nursing both of your daughters! It's definitely something to be proud of!!

Jan 24, 2010
nursing is WORK
by: beth laf

fantastic, i know ive thought of pumping more ,
i have a couple feedings worth in the freezer, just enough "in case" really
my breasts are sore now at nearly 3 weeks out , lots of mouth work on the chest from two babies, i know they and the rest of me will adjust , but i admit , its more work for me than bottle feeding , but ive nursed all my other children through at least thier first year
keep up at it !

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