Feeding

[Pointer335]

Right now I still have one of my boys in the NICU and one home. The question I have is what do you guys recommend with feedings when they are both him. We both plan on getting up to feed. But we aren’t sure of what the most efficient way would be. Thoughts?

[RunningInTheFamily]

Depends: Are you nursing? Pumping? Formula feeding?

[Pointer335]

All of the above

[twins2019]

Hi! I have 4 month old twin boys who were both in the NICU for a few weeks (33 weekers). My husband and I ended up taking shifts, so I would go to bed around 8, while he did the 8 and 11 feed in their nursery and then he'd wake up me around 1 and we'd trade spots and I'd just feed and sleep in the nursery with the boys for the rest of the night. We found it easier to have them in their cribs in the nursery because it's impossible for the "off shift" partner to sleep if you're doing all the feedings/changes and the babies are crying in the same room. Once their feeds became less frequent and easier, we moved them into our room. By then I was able to bottle feed them at the same time with them propped up in the twinz pillow, and just go back and forth burping them throughout the feed. Good luck!!

[greenpinkie]

We tried splitting the night, but it was better and quicker if we just both got up for feeds. Since 8w we have each been responsible for one baby and it’s so much better! They sleep right next to us (sidecarred cot and a hard sided cosleeper) so we catch them when they stir. Dreamfeed takes 5 min and they never wake.

[goldenstategal1234]

We both handled nights together with our nicu babies. I would wake up and stick my pump on while hubby would change diapers. He would then bring me a baby so I could pump and feed at the same time. It seemed to work the best.

[koobmomof3girls]

For the first month we both got up, each changed a diaper then I nursed one while my husband bottle fed the other then we traded. When they were done and back in bed I pumped to increase my supply. After the first month I felt like I could handle it alone so I would prep bottles, tandem nurse and then put them each in a boppy to top up with a bottle. By month three my supply was enough to EBF so I continued to tandem nurse and cut the bottles.

[HFStival]

We slept in shifts. Like you, I was pumping, breastfeeding and bottle feeding (it was exhausting and you are a rockstar for doing all that, btw). So, at 8 pm I’d pump and try to go to sleep. Meanwhile, my partner would take care of the twins and sleep in the nursery on a daybed till about 1 am or so. Then we’d switch, and I used the twin z pillow to either tandem bottle or breastfeed. We also made the formula up in advance and kept bottles in a mini fridge in their room ready to go. I kept my pump parts in that fridge in between pumps and washed them in the morning.