Feeding FAQ: 0-8 weeks – Breast Feeding

How can I increase my supply to fully feed my 3.5 week old twins?

I am finding that the twins are not satisfied with breast feeding as I assume my supply is low in the later part of the day. I initially tried expressing all feeds fully just prior to the feed time and then giving it by bottle as the time spent on staggered feeding was exhausting. I found that the amount expressed left them wanting more and I have therefore returned to breast feeding. I am having to supplement the 5/6pm feed with 100ml of formula and I am doing the same at 10.00pm, and then expressing that feed. I have been expressing after every feed except for the 5/6pm but find that I can only express a very limited amount. I wonder how I will ever build up a decent supply so I can replace the formula feeds with expressed milk. Should I be expressing at different times and how long should I express for? When I express the entire 10.00pm feed it takes about 10mins and usually yields about 100 – 125mls, is this what I should expect to get?

The boys are breast fed at 7am, 10am, 2pm, 5pm and 2.30am. They have 1oomls formula at 6pm and 125mls at 10pm. They weigh 3.5kl and 3.4kl.

They nap at 8-10am, 11.30-2pm and 3.30-4.45pm. They are settled at 7pm.

Breast feeding twins is demanding and exhausting. Finding time to express between feeds is not easy when you are coping with two babies. Sometimes, accepting that you can continue to breast feed them 80% of the time and use formula for the rest is the best way to look at the issue. If you become totally exhausted through trying to fully breast feed them you may have to give up altogether.

If you are able to, express a little milk first thing in the morning before feeding the boys and then aim to express between feeds, around 9am, 12pm and 3.30pm. By the end of the day you will be tired and, as you have found, your supply will be low. Keep the formula in place at 6pm as this will give you a much needed break and the twins will settle well for the evening having had a full feed. If you are able, express before the10pm feed so you can get to bed as soon as the twins are fed and settled.

Along with all the other things you have to do in your day make sure you are eating three well balanced meals, as well as healthy snacks mid morning and mid afternoon. Drink plenty of water both when feeding and expressing.

Some mothers do find that expressing for a few minutes more when they have appeared to have emptied their breasts can help to stimulate the supply. In the evening your let down my be slower due to the breasts producing less milk. Have a warm bath or shower before expressing, to help the flow, as well as massaging your breasts both before and during expressing. The amount of milk you are getting is quite low especially if you are using a double pumping system. By the end of the first month you may be able to get 180-240mls at this time.

Take a look at Gina’s plan for increasing your milk supply on page 52 of The Contented Little Baby Book. This, if followed over a week, can really help to boost your supply.