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12-03-2012 at 4:39 PM
chels38026
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Joined on 09-06-2008
Uxbridge, MA
3,065 Points
chels38026 is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 3:48 PMBronze

Tandem Feeding ?

Hi everyone,
I haven't posted in awhile since becoming a NICU MoM, but I have been lurking when I can! We just got the fabulous news that our girls might be able to come home on Friday! Now DH and I are rushing around to learn and put together all the last minute things that we thought we had a couple more weeks to get done.
One of my goals before leaving the NICU was to learn how to tandem BF. I just tried it for the first time with the assistance of our NICU nurse and it was a great success! But I have no idea how, or if it's even possible, to do tandem feeds by myself. I feel like I might be able to get them both on the pillow and to latch by myself, but have no idea how I would burp them.
So for all of you experienced MoMs, can solo tandem BFing be done? Or will I always need an extra set of hands to do this?
Any tips or suggestions are greatly appreciated! TIA!

After 5 TI Clomid cycles, 5 IUIs, and 2 IVFs we finally got our BFP!
Beta#1 (12dp3dt)= 353, Beta#2 (15dp3dt)= 1466, Beta#3 (22dp3dt)= 14,139, First u/s: TWINS!!
After 10 weeks of bedrest, our two little ladies joined us at 28w6d
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12-03-2012 at 6:31 PM
sing4mysav...
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Joined on 09-26-2008
Columbus, OH
19,276 Points
sing4mysavior is not online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 12:48 PMSilver
You can totally do it. I just took turns burping. The other one would stay latched or just wait, you can use an extra boppy next to you if you need a holding spot until you're ready to burp baby 2...I actually found getting us all set up to be the hardest part, but you'll figure out what works for you...just keep trying different things and keep practicing! YAY for coming home!!

Married DH 2/2007 --TTC since 7/2008 2 early miscarriages, 7 IUIs with 1 c/p unexplained IF, IVF #1= Jeshua and Becca (7/15/11)-The loves of our lives!!!! "I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him." 1 Samuel 1:27  
12-03-2012 at 6:45 PM
yinyang124
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Joined on 07-05-2012
20,631 Points
yinyang124 is online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 1:14 PMBronze

I have only done solo tandem feeding. Never needed any assistance. You can do it too!

I sit in the middle of the bed with the boppy around my waist. I have the boys on either side of me. I put them on the boppy in football hold positions and latch whoever is the most frantically hungry first. When they're done, I just burp one over my shoulder and then the other. I lay them on my chest and sit back with them for about a half hour to make sure they don't get any spit up or reflux. They both usually burp by themselves again during this time too.

Try to practice this before your girls are screaming in hunger. It makes the whole situation much better for everyone. Take your time and stay calm- they'll be fine crying for a minute while you adjust them. 

Good luck, sweetie! 


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12-03-2012 at 6:52 PM
shaunah816
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Joined on 08-22-2006
Cornelius, NC
5,731 Points
shaunah816 is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 2:17 PMNewbie

When I left the hospital I could not imagine how I'd ever be able to tandem BF by myself, but now I do it daily and it's not bad at all. Very doable. For me, the most important thing is advance preparation. While the babies are napping or quieting playing (aka my hands are free) I prep the bottles (since we supplement), burp cloths, pacifiers (we use these to calm them on breaks during the supplemental feeding, and afterwards to encourage napping), nipple shield, and anything else I want or need to have access to during the feeding (remote, phone, water, snacks, etc.), since once you start you're basically tied down to that spot until the babies are done and/or asleep. Once I'm prepped I change both babies, then get set up on the couch with the twin pillow and one baby, then grab the other baby from the couch next to me. 

I don't burp them during the BF portion because my babies haven't needed it, but will during the supplemental formula feed. I'll generally burp them once or twice while they're taking the bottle, and I'll burp one, set him down, then burp the other. If I'm still nursing one baby and the other finishes, I use my free hand to give him the bottle. If he needs to burp I give him the pacifier and soothe him until his brother finishes nursing and then I can burp him. I have not yet mastered burping a baby while the other is still latched, but I know it can be done.

You can do it, it just takes practice and organization! 


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12-03-2012 at 10:46 PM
chels38026
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Joined on 09-06-2008
Uxbridge, MA
3,065 Points
chels38026 is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 3:48 PMBronze
Thanks ladies! I didn't even think about doing this on the bed. All I could picture was trying to do this in the glider while balancing them both on MBF pillow and being scared of one of them rolling off!

After 5 TI Clomid cycles, 5 IUIs, and 2 IVFs we finally got our BFP!
Beta#1 (12dp3dt)= 353, Beta#2 (15dp3dt)= 1466, Beta#3 (22dp3dt)= 14,139, First u/s: TWINS!!
After 10 weeks of bedrest, our two little ladies joined us at 28w6d
Lilypie Premature Baby tickers 
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