Barb - advice with weight gain and bowel movements in twins

Our twins were born at 36w3d. They had some problems with low blood sugar levels that required top ups while in hospital. These were kept to as much of a minimum as possible and I was pumping after feeding each to give as much ebm as possible in the topups but both babies had a little bit of formula in the first 2days. Once my milk came in I was giving little top ups all of ebm but stopped that at about 4.5days old. Twin 1 was born at 3kg and lost over 10% going down to 2640g and twin 2 was 3.2kg and he lost just over 10% too going to 2880g. I'm feeding them both together they are feeding approx every 3hrs sometimes 2.5hrly and sometimes cluster feeding in the afternoon might have a 1hr or 1.5hr gap and at night were having 1 6hr gap and then 3hrly but the last couple of nights have been doing a 5hr gap and then a 4hr gap,basically demand feeding them but I feed them together so if one is wanting a feed I will feed them both. They are very settled and sleep really really well. I also had a pph and haemoglobin went to 81. They feed for between 15-30mins and I alternate sides each feed.

weight gains have been as follows and have been weighed at a couple of different places so have recorded that too. All weighs are nude weighs

Gracen Twin 1-
Birth - 3000g
2days - 2640g at hosp
3days - 2720g at hosp
5days - 2650g at chemist 1+30g in 2days
7days - 2830g at chemist 2 +80g in 2days
10days - 2860g at gp +30g in 3days
15days - 2930g at chemist 2+70g in 5days
20days - 2940g at chemist 1 + 10g in 5days
22days - 2960g at chemist 2 +20g in 2days

Gracen (twin 1) has had good wet nappies always, wet at every feed but after pooing in hospital didn't poo on days 5,6,7 or 8 then had one bowel movement on day 9, none on day 10, one on day 11, 2 on day 12, none day 13, and for the last 8days he has been having bowel movements at most feeds.

Nate Twin 2 -

Birth - 3200g
2days - 2900g at hosp
3days - 2880g at hosp
5days - 2900g at chemist 1 + 20g in 2days
7days - 2920g at chemist 2 + 20g 2days
10days - 3000g at gp +80g in 3days
15days - 3060g at chemist 2 +60g in 5 days
20days - 3100g at chemist 1 + 40g in 5days
22days - 3150g at chemist 2 + 50g in 2days

Nate hasn't been pooing anywhere near as much as Gracen and has been having very infrequent bowel movements, he does have lots of really wet nappies though and they are wetter than Gracen's. No poos on day 4 or 5 one on 6, one on 7, none on 8 or 9 one on 10 one on 13, one on 19 and none on 20,21 or 22. When he does do a poo they are a good full nappy but not poo explosions up the back etc.

I hadn't pumped since day 4 so pumped once today a bit after feeding and got about 70mls I think it was. Both babies are incredibly settled and aresleepy but are demanding feeds. Oh and the one thing I didn't mention is I'm using nipple shields because they were so sleepy once I started feeding them together on day 4 it was the only was I could get them to both attach so I could kinda force it on them a bit more, the midwife/lc I saw for my home visit agreed this was needed when she she saw them feed. Planning on getting rid of the shields soon. So what do you think?? I'm a bit worried about Nate's lack of bowel movements but he is gaining in line with Gracen who is pooing heaps? but then neither of them are quite back at birth weight yet and some of the gains are a bit low but both still gaining which is great.

I am absolutely determined to breastfeed,there's no way that we won't be having a long breastfeeding relationship and I won't use formula top ups but just want to see if these bowel movements/gains are ok or if I need to look at increasing my supply??

Congrats on your twins and your hard work so far!
Now I don't know if there are particular considerations with regards to early babies.... but generally in the first 6-7 weeks poos are a good indicator of milk intake and you'd expect at least a couple per day. Fewer than that *can* suggest they're not getting enough milk.
There is a wide range of variation between babies, of course. Some will poo every time they feed. Some will only poo far less frequently.
I wouldn't worry about the shields at all for now, if they're helping then use them. How often are you feeding now? Sometimes sleepy babies just don't quite demand enough and squeezing in one or two extra feeds can make a big difference. Do you have ongoing support from the LC?

I have no doubt you will breastfeed long and well :D

Hi, you are doing great with your new twins-congratulations. Your babies are acting just like 36 week twins and twins born at 36 weeks will not be the same as a single fullterm 9lber! Would you feel confident to move to weekly weighs? Weighing every day or so just really doesn't tell you much. It's better to look at it over a longer period. The good thing is that they are becoming more wakeful. You will find things will change quickly over the next days and weeks. Keep feeding those babies frequently - feed them at least every 3 hours day and night. Let us know ow you are going!

I'm no expert, but just really felt the need to say wow, you're doing an amazing job!

Sounds like you are doing a great job and your determination and experience will certainly help you in your bfing journey with two!

I'm so impressed - way to go Mamma!!!

Thanks for all the lovely support ladies! Mad B, they are feeding 7-9times in 24hrs usually 8 though. Nate, who isn't pooing is putting on weight in line with Gracen who is pooing at most feeds that's y I'm thinking maybe its not a problem? but then neither of them is putting on amazing weights.

Barb, I will slow down on the weighing. DS1 I had a bit of a bad experience with and he still wasn't back at birth weight at 7weeks old so with ds2 I did the same weighed very frequently so I knew he was doing ok. It's definitely good to know their gestation will effect things and they have started becoming even more wakeful in the last 2days again and having some feeds even closer than the 3hrs, 2.5hrs ish at times so that's good to see that they are waking to demand. So you think they weight gains and lack of poos is nothing to worry about? Do you think adding in a few times of expressing a day would be a good idea just to help with supply or do you think the weight gains are fine for their gestation?

And thanks everyone but I feel like a bit of a fraud, have been out everyday since they've been born and everywhere I go ppl comment on the fact I'm out etc but these 2 babies are just soooo easy I'm on holidays from uni (student mid) and last week I was a little bored and had to go out as the 2oldest were at kindy and the 2 babies just eat and sleep lol and really no more amazing than feeding a singleton, 2 babies 2 boobs....show me a mum of triplets or quads who breastfeeds...that's amazing!!

Sounds good Jas :)
I think frequent weighing will only add to your anxiety at this point. Maybe try weekly for a bit.
If they're waking up and feeding more frequently that will be more effective than pumping. Maybe just see how you go? Sounds like between the 3 of you you'll have it well in hand pretty soon.

yep! I have decided to cut back to weekly, I have a feeling with how they've been feeding, bit stronger more active suck for longer etc that they might have a good gain in a week, I think it's kinda like the biggest loser in reverse.....any gain is good but you just wanna see a big number lol. I just have to remember they r consistently gaining, they are happy and sleeping but not too sleepy to demand food which is good sign, lots of wet nappies and look good so not dehydrated so if after a while they r still not gaining well etc and there is a supply, or more like a demand problem it will be an easy one to fix!.....just great to be reminded of that!!! so thanks :