Tandem feeding tips and tricks

Hi All,

I am so happy to be joining this Board after the birth of my babes last week. Miraculously, we are already exclusively breastfeeding and doing it tandem (except when we went to the Dr today - had no pillows etc so did a one at a time top up). I am still getting support from my hubby or doula to tandem and wonder what tips and tricks you have for doing it successfully, easily and (if possible) on your own. What did you learn or discover that you wish you knew all along? Also, have you been able to do this when out and about without pillow(s) etc? If so, how? There is probably a thread on this somewhere on the Board but my broken brain thought this would be easier. Thanks in advance for your help.

Cheers,

Amy

 

My EZ2 nurse went with me. Everywhere. After a few months I bought a 2nd one to keep in the car just so I wouldn't forget it. Without help I learned that nursing in the car was great- I'd get both changed, strap on the pillow and grab a baby. I'd leave the other baby in the carrier and plop him on the pillow when I was good and situated.

At a doctor's office I wouldn't hesitate asking anybody in scrubs or a coat to lend a hand and hand me a baby after settling in with one.

 

When I was able to tandem feed, I used my pillow and I always got my stronger nurser to latch first, then his brother.

 

Congratulations on your twins! Wow! You are doing great tandeming already! It can be a challenge, especially at first! I had an ez2nurse pillow. I would get them situated on there, latch on the strong nurser first and then work on the other one. Relax and enjoy!

 

Congrats on your twins! I never used pillows or anything unless I was in bed and they were avail. I just kind of stacked them on top of each other across the front of me in the side position. I could never get the hang of doing it any other way. Mine were tiny for a long time so that worked. I miss those days of tandem nursing!! Such an incredible bonding moment with both babies!

 

Probably not the type of tip you're looking for per se but have someone take pictures of you breastfeeding, especially tandem! It's something to be proud of & some day you'll wish you had the photos. :good:

 

I agree.. I treasure the few photos I have!!!

 

So very true! What- .5 of up to 3% of the population will only have the opportunity to tandem nurse twins. You are in a very elite group!

 

I had one very pour latcher and it took both my hands to get her and keep her latched, so I never really tandemed at all in the first six months. After six months they would sit on my lap facing me and tandem. or I would lie on my back and they would kneel on either side and nurse, never for long though as that way they would always start playing with each other across my chest.

 

Congrats! So happy things are going well. I did not tandem by myself until they were about 3 months old because I felt like I couldn't get them latched when they were so floppy. Even then, I saved tandem for times when I needed to feed them quickly, like in the morning before I left for work and at bedtime. When I had the time, I fed them one at a time because I liked that little bit of one on one time I had with them. I never tandemed out and about either. I was pretty reliant on my EZ 2 Nurse!