breast feeding , formula or both

Krista - posted on 03/21/2011

Hi shantel! JUst a quick note to say sit down and decide how much breastmilk you want them to have and then figure out how you want to get it to them. My experence with my twins, they did not latch well and with two I couldn't keep working with then so I pumped for six months and gave them some at each feeding. There was never enough for a full feeding this way so I had to suppliment. But they got six months worth of the good stuff. I had another baby after the twins and he latched....but the work it took to get him to made me realize what I should have done with the twins is let one breast feed all day and one have formula/bottle(whatever your supply is) and then swich it up either the next day, or every couple days, or whatever you are comfortable with. The point is, it's your choice and they will be healthy and save you money as long as they are getting some! Also If you struggle for your milk supply the more you get them to latch the more you should make. Sticking to one child who latches better for a while might help that too. Good luck we are all here with you.

Celeste - posted on 03/21/2011

This is an old thread but I think it's important to talk about, especially for new twin moms who want to breastfeed. I breastfed my twin boys. It was very difficult-they were premature, one refused to latch thanks to nipple confusion. I did NOT have an easy time at all at the beginning. But, when we got our issues worked out, it got so much easier as they got older. Those first few months were challenging.

I think the most important thing to do is to educate yourself. Know how to tell if baby is getting enough and what signs DO NOT mean low supply. Find support. I went to a breastfeeding support group. It was mostly singletons but it was still helpful.

I went on to successfully nurse them into toddlerhood!

Julie - posted on 03/15/2011

I didn't have a choice....I had to use formula. I hear all the time the LA LECHE preaching...but i didn't have milk no matter what i ate or drank. My first child had breast milk at every feeding and then had to fill up on formula until he was 3 motnhs old and then lo and behold I had breast milk and nursed til he was 15 months. The next two kids were breast fed and formula fed til they were 5 and 5 1/2 monthsw old respectively. I just didn't have milk. It was the hardest decision to stop breast feeding becaues I felt like a failure. Then I had the twins....and I had enough milk for QUADS! As I look back I used to wonder who would be healthy and who wouldn't be....but there is NO DIFFERENCE! They are all wonderful kids and what I fed them seems to not have done anyone any harm.. They are all busy kids and athletic and nobody is over weight in comparison to the others let alone anything else that some worry about at times.

So as an RN with lots of kids.... I say have no fear. We do what we have to do and the kids will be just fine. So will you!

Alisa - posted on 07/22/2009

Hi - I tried breastfeeding both for 4 weeks. For us this was next to impossible, there was very little sleep because I couldn't get it together to try to feed both at the same time (hopeless at the football hold!) I ended up combining goat's milk formula with breastfeeding. Kind of complicated - alternated twins each feeding between formula and breastfeeding. This way I still was able to feed both of them at the same time with one on the breast and the other in a baby seat on the other side. Before long I had it down to a science getting both babies fed, burped, changed and back in bed in 45 minutes. It all comes down to what you're comfortable with and how much help you have. :)

Lies - posted on 07/20/2009

my twin is 2 months old.. and untill now they just get breastfeeding..
I hope to give them the breast untill 6 months... but we'll see how it goes..

Sarah - posted on 07/20/2009

I did both. Mostly breastfed though. I breastfed for 6 months. I think its good to do both just because your boobs aren't always going to be there and they need to get use to bottle so you can get a break too. Your babysitter can't give them a boob but they can give them a bottle.

Michele - posted on 07/20/2009

My twin girls are 8 weeks and I only formula feed whenI feel it's necessary lke when they've wanted to nurse every hour and a half (growth spurt) and I just couldn't keep up with the demand. They are thriving so it seems to be working out well for us. I don't make enough to have "extra" to pump and keep stored so I'll have their dad give them formula so I can pump and store it but I only do this when I don't have any stored.

Rebecca - posted on 07/15/2009

I did a mix of formula and breastmilk as well. I was simply not able to produce enough milk for two babies, despite trying Fenugreek, Blessed Thistle, and finally Reglan. The amount of formula varied (more as they grew because my milk supply was tapped out a certain level). Any breastmilk is great and I think it's fine to supplement with formula. You have to do what works best for you and your kids!

Tansy - posted on 07/14/2009

I breast fed for 10 weeks and wanted to do 6 months =( my ex partner forced me to give them a bottle at night and they soon became very lazy on breast and then just stopped takng it! if yolu can stick to breast

Jayne - posted on 07/14/2009

I breast feed both twins and then topped them up after each feed with alittle formula. As they got bigger one twin showed preferance for formula so I stopped breast feeding him at 6mths and only gave him formula. His Twin sister continued with breast feeding and formula top ups untill she was weened at 1yr

Kristen - posted on 07/14/2009

I did both, it's a great way to help the Dad bond and help out with the feedings!

Beccy - posted on 07/13/2009

i breastfed, but knowing how your breasts work helps! I knew not to pump until when my supply had regulated (4wks for me) - other than for topping up in the early days at the hospital. I just fed on demand, but the hospital had got me into a 3hr routine from day one, just fed them every 3 hours and if they required it inbetween, but always offered at the 3 hourly slot!

Your body will produce enough to supply on demand - but pumping can interfere with this. i can honestly say I'm pro breastfeeding as I don't like what the milk companies do in the third world, but formula has it's place - for some it is the only option.



For me it was the easy option, I didn't see the point of expressing - I'd sooner have had my baby suckling than a machine! And the babies still needed feeding too. I only expressed upon returning to work - but only for a few weeks, as it was easier to wean them onto solids than give a bottle of formula.

For me there was no sterilizing or fussing with how much and when.... I was lucky to have excellent support and be 200% determined to make this work. It was always ready, and at the right temperature, had the right composition and I could do it anywhere at anytime all i needed was my babies.



I wanted to feed until 6mths - but continued until 12mths.

Martine - posted on 07/12/2009

It's been quite a while, but I breastfed my sons untill they were 10 months. When I started of breastfeeding them I didn't have enough breast milk for both of them so I had to breast feed them first and than give a small amount of formula. I only did that for a few weeks and from that time I had enough breast milk to feed 3 babies. I loved it so much and by the time they were 6 months they had 2 solid meals and the rest was breast milk. It was great to comfort them too when they were upset. I would say just do what's best for you and if you like feeding your twins the way you do and feel good about it than it's OK. I felt great breastfeeding mine.

Carol - posted on 07/12/2009

just put them straight on the bottle its alot easier. My twins are 5 now and they are doing just great

Ceinwen - posted on 07/12/2009

I alternated so I twin had a bottle and the other had breast milk - that way they got the advantage of breast milk but enough food to thrive. Do what ever feels right for you an unstressed mum is the best thing for your twins

Tracy - posted on 07/11/2009

I ended up nursing/pumping for about 6-8 weeks and couldn't keep up with my twins, so I changed them to formula. I think whatever you can handle and keep up with is best for you and your family

Charlotte - posted on 07/10/2009

I had problems with attachment at first so I would express and give this to them in the bottle then my milk died right off so I was giving them expressed milk first and then topping up with formula for the first 3 months. Then I decided to stop as I was only getting 40mls a day from expressing. My boys are now 4 months. But I am happy that they got brestmilk in the start. But you need to do what works for you as everyone has said. As we still need to keep our sanity

Linda - posted on 07/09/2009

breastfed then topped them off with formula if still hungry. have you tried breastfeeding both at the same time? did that twice, not easy but efficient.

Julie - posted on 07/09/2009

i breast fed during the day bottle fed at night

Lesa - posted on 07/09/2009

I only breast fed for about 4-5 months and I also bottle fed in between but It just became to much,So I had to throw in the towel and just bottle feed but it gave them a great head start and gave me more time to get other things done...Best of luck.How old are yours mine are now 18 months so potty training is on our list of things to do.Not looking forward to this one:)

Keri - posted on 07/08/2009

I breastfed during the day and gave formula at night. The formula kept them asleep for longer spans at night.

Angela - posted on 07/08/2009

Hi, My twins are now 6 and when they were babies I breastfed one while I bottle fed the other and then switched back and forth for each feeding. It worked out well for me because I knew they were getting what they needed and I know you will do what is best for you and your wonderful babies.

Sarah - posted on 06/29/2009

Both. I breastfed my twins for 10 months and supplimented with formula. I breastfed as many of the feedings as possible and tried to pump for feedings when i was gone. But any breast milk is better than none at all. and the formulas they make know are great.

Melissa - posted on 06/29/2009

Hi! My twins are eight months old, and they are exclusively breastfed. But, you need to do what's best for you and your family. Every little bit of breastmilk helps, but if they need formula, that's okay, too! You are doing a great job!

Jodie - posted on 06/29/2009

i did both for as long as i could but only one twin would drink it!! My milk never really came in though and the twins wouldn't latch on for me to feed so i was pumping i only managed a couple of weeks but some is better than none!!

Dani - posted on 06/27/2009

i was planning to breastfeed my twins.. but they came at 29weeks.. my supply was only enough for one baby.. if the twins were my first babies i would have persevered once they came home.. but i had a 16mth old and a 3yr old when they came home and they would wake up when the twins cried and a few other factors.. so i was expressing for 2 weeks after they came home and while my partner was on holidays.. then when he went to work i stopped and just formula fed them.. from date of birth i expressed for over 12weeks.. i no i tried and i now dont regret going to full formula.. but it would b a different story if they were my first.. do wat ever is right for u and do wat u have to do so u wont regret any of ur decisions..

Marne - posted on 06/26/2009

I tried to do the combo but even with pumping my milk never came in real well. Then I got mastitis and the anti-biotic dried me up practically overnight. I liked doing both because it gave the babies what they needed from me but also allowed Dad, big brother, and grandparents bond with the babies by feeding them bottles. I did use the playtex nursers that are supposed to work more like breastfeeding b/c I've heard that you can confuse the ability to latch correctly by switching back and forth, not sure if thats really true though. Enjoy this time with your babies. Whatever works for the 3 of you is right for the three of you :-)

Dana - posted on 06/26/2009

i only breastfed but i think it is great that they are getting 2 feedings of breastmilk!! any breastmilk is better than none!! how old are you twins?