View from above

("We're hungry, Mom. Stop taking pictures and feed us.")

When people get past their initial list of questions about the twins - assuming I am still standing there and willing to discuss them further - questions of practicality usually follow. One of the most common questions has to do with feeding infant multiples. Specifically, "how do you do it?"

This is not a crazy question. When I found out I was having twins, I wondered the same thing. I had been unsuccessful in my attempts to nurse Alaina so I had really no confidence in my nursing abilities. But I knew the value of breastmilk (especially in preemies) and I also knew how expensive formula could be with just ONE child. But, could I breastfeed twins and avoid feeling like a human milk machine?

It was when I was reading "Twinspiration" that I first heard about tandem nursing. Essentially, one baby on each breast for each feeding. Certainly the author was kidding. This was logistically possible? After reading and re-reading the author's words on breastfeeding twins, I started to feel confident that this was something I wanted to try.

My first attempt at tandem feeding took place in the NICU and it was a bit of a spectacle. We started with two nurses and a lactation consultant. And my husband with the camera. Then, once both boys latched on, more nurses were called over to witness. "Awww, how cute" "Oh my God, look at that" Normally, the fact that I was sitting topless in a large group of people would upset me. But this was such a victory in my mind that I didn't notice. Although, I did hide the pictures away in a safe, non-disclosed location.

Upon arriving home, the boys (thankfully) kept identical schedules and the tandem nursing continued. We got a nice system down. The boys would eat every three hours (sometimes 2 and a half). I would set up in my seat with the Twin Nursing pillow while Brian changed the first boy's diaper. He would bring him over and while I had him latching on, he would change the second boy. When I was done, he would take one boy to burp and I would burp the other. At every feeding, they switched sides.

The boys were strong nursers, always focused on the task at hand. They got on, they ate and they ate a lot. They didn't take breaks. When they fell asleep, I knew when they were done. Occasionally their hands would meet on my chest and they would hold hands while eating. As a mother, if that sight doesn't make you smile, what will? (I have pictures of this, but again, in a safe, hidden location)

Soon, I was feeling confident enough to set up myself. I would place a Boppy pillow on either side of my spot on the couch. I would set down one boy on a boppy and hold the other while I sat down. Once the first boy was in position, I'd pick up the second. When I was done, I had the Boppies still in position and I could place one down while I stood up. Although, often I'd just stand up with one boy on each shoulder and gently lay them down (simultaneously) in their crib or pack-n-play.

After every other feeding, I would pump. This resulted in a freezer FULL of expressed breastmilk for the occasional times I was not home. That wasn't often so it meant that when I went back to work, I had a great starting supply. I pump twice a day at work and whatever I get, I use the following day in their bottles. I do have to supplement with some formula during the day at this point as well.

I continue to nurse first thing in the morning and last thing before they go to bed. While I will probably stop pumping for the middle of the day feedings when they hit the 6-month mark (and start on solid foods), I will continue the morning and evening nursing sessions as long as they'll take them. I just enjoy them. The morning sessions end the way the night sessions start with both boys staring up at me with big smiles, as if to say, "Thanks Mom"