How early did you tandem?

My babies are a little over three weeks and I've finally been able to get them both to latch pretty well. I wanted to try tandem. It feels awkward. I was able to do it a little while but wondered if they are just too small. How early did you start to tandem?

Lanie

 

I tandemed right from the hospital. The nurses helped me and then my dh was home for three weeks after they were born which I had help with positioning and burping. After that, I tandomed only when needed because it is tricky especially when they are that young. I would set each on each end of the couch, I'd get the pillow attached to me and then grab one and set him/her on the pillow. I'd then reach over and grab the other. I'd get the good latcher latched and then work with the other one. It was awkward, but do-able! Good luck!

 

We started playing around with it right away, but it wasn't really efficient or comfortable for a couple of months. It's just something all three of you have to learn. We used piles of folded blankets and towels in the beginning just to keep them on the pillow and at the right height to reach my breasts. If I got too frustrated, though, I'd give us all a break and feed them singleton.

 

Same here....I tried it right from the start, but it was complicated and uncomfortable. It takes a couple of months for it to get easy. Now at 7 months it's a breeze. Just try a little at a time. Congratulations on your little ones.

Reyna

 

I remember at about 6 weeks it became a bit easier. Maybe it was just desperation because that's when my help left! I had my MIL for 2 weeks, my mom for 2 weeks and DH for 2 weeks. Once they all left nursing was pretty well established and I was able to just work on perfecting the tandem thing. I remember in the hospital a LC coming in to help me get the babies latched tandem. I was so overwhelmed! She was tucking blankets here and there to get the height just right and basically fussing over us. I thought, "I will NEVER be able to do this alone!" But, I eventually did and it became 2nd nature and very easy. Good Luck!

 

I started trying about 3 weeks but didn't do it consistently until later as my colicy DD woudln't let me. SO start now. It makes it easier and it is great now.

 

I still haven't found it to be as easy as staggering them by 20 minutes but I am looking forward to trying again soon.

 

I tried around 2 weeks but didn't become efficient until they were about 4 weeks. Now it's becoming a little more difficult because they're always swatting at each other and pulling my teet out of the other one's mouth...not fun.

 

I also started at the hospital the day they were born. it does get easier once they have better head control. for me it was never easy to stagger them - the one that wasn't eating would cry the entire time so I found that tandem was more relaxing for me - even in the early days when my nipples were very sore and I had to hold little heads. - at least they were both happy!

 

QUOTE(Heathermomof5 @ Nov 25 2007, 05:58 PM) [snapback]508204[/snapback]
I also started at the hospital the day they were born. it does get easier once they have better head control. for me it was never easy to stagger them - the one that wasn't eating would cry the entire time so I found that tandem was more relaxing for me - even in the early days when my nipples were very sore and I had to hold little heads. - at least they were both happy!



Same here!!! Still doing tandem and going strong!!

 

started in the hospital.... it gets easier & easier so keep at it. it will save you tons of time once you & the babies get the hang of it.

 

My first tandem feeding was in the recovery room at the hospital. It took awhile to get comfortable with it, for a long time my husband would hand me each baby so I could get comfy, but when he went back to work I had to start getting into feeding position on my own. (at about a month) I would put both babies on the bed within reach of where I sit at the headboard, get myself set up with the body pillow, then latch them one at a time, usually putting Lilly on first since she's been a better latcher.
After you get the hang of it, tandem is much easier than feeding one at a time... we're still doing it at 9 months!
Helen

 

We also started tandeming nursing at the hospital. That's pretty much the only way they nurse since they're on the same schedule. They're six weeks old tomorrow and it's SO much easier now.

 

I attempted twice in the hospital with a nurses help and it was a disaster. But two days later in my own home and comfy recliner (and all alone) I tried it and waala we have been tandem nursing all along. I unswaddled mine to nurse and then swaddled them right after we were done. I know that some babies latch better while swaddled, but mine were just easier to manuver around without extra blankies. We also have never used any sort of pillows, just a slightly oversized lazy boy. As your arms get stronger (and with twins THEY WILL get stronger) you can sit in almost any place and hold all their body weight to get through a session, all be it a little uncomfortably. I can nurse both 9 month olds in a metal folding chair if I have a foot rest ie. another chair to put my feet on... not fun or comfy but it gets the job done.

 

Do you have a nursing pillow? If not definitly get one (my fav is the EZ-2)!!! I would practice when you have help (say a weekend). Great job on the nursing!!!

 

I just started tandem feeding two days ago. It is going pretty well so far, but it is definitely a challenge! It's easier for me if I feed them in bed because I can lay them both right next to me, have the pillow ready to set up, and get one going, then the other. I hope you find success with it, because it's a great time saver! I still think it's easier to do one at a time, it takes a bit of finesse to get them both on and going, but once you do it's great. GL!

 

I tried while they were in the nicu (well while Mitchell was still there) but it was way too hard with all the wires. The first day I brought Mitchell home, my dh was out of town, so my oldest dd (5 at the time) helped me to get them to both latch. I did it every time after that. For me it was so much easier. I put Mitch on the left boob laying towards the right, McKenna layed on top of him and nursed from the right. Occasionally I would change them up but bc of McKenna's reflux I thought it wasn't too good to put pressure on her belly. I actually was able to tandem nurse once in public like that...not VERY public but I was ilsolated and able to cover up pretty good. I did it that way for almost a year. (Mitchell self weaned and they started to fight each other)

 

I started day 3 at the hospital. It's one of those things that requires practice to feel comfortable but it's amazing how quickly you can learn when your babies are always hungry at the same time like mine were.

 

we started immediately, but it took a few weeks to get the hang of it due to 1's latching issues. if yours are both latching well, it's a great time to try. i also think the ez 2 nurse pillow is absolutely necessary. we have been tandem nursing for 4 months now and it's gotten to the point that if i TRY nursing 1 at a time, my girls almost "forget" how to nurse. we are all so used to tandem feeding and it is SUCH a great timesaver. 10 minutes and we are done!

 

I started in the hospital, but went to full-time tandem at 2 weeks. I met with an LC who really encouraged tandem feeding at every feeding. It has been so great! I occasionally nurse solo when one needs to due to illness/teething, etc.... or if one wakes in the night to nurse and it hasn't been at least 3 hours then I don't wake the other. Otherwise, I wake them both to nurse at night, and always nurse together during the day. Despite that, one of my boys is about 20 lbs, and the other is 16 lbs!

The EZ2Nurse Twins Pillow is truly a life-saver! I hate nursing tandem without it.

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!