Last updated on August 26th, 2026 at 10:32 am
When you’re planning to pump or breastfeed for your twins, a NICU stay can feel overwhelming. Hear what twin parents have to say about what helped them along their journey of pumping for NICU twins.
Pumping for twins is a journey in its own right. But figuring out the ins and outs of pumping for NICU twins adds a totally new layer to the experience.
If you’re prepping ahead for a NICU stay with your twins or you’re already in the thick of one, we know how overwhelming it can all feel.
But if you know that you want pumping to still be part of your experience, there are ways to make it possible. That’s why we called upon pumping twin parents who’ve been through a NICU pumping journey.
Keep reading for their honest experience and words of wisdom for a NICU pumping journey.
We recently asked parents of NICU twins:
What helped you most with pumping for your babies?
And here’s what they shared…
28-week twins
“I had 28-week twins. Personally, I believe it helped to have their bonding hearts with me and pictures of them in their nursery where I pumped at night. We were not allowed to spend the night in this NICU, so when I got up to pump, I also called and checked on them.  I think the connection really benefited me.” — Morgan
34-week twins
“I had Di/Di boy-girl twins born at 34 weeks. Baby B (boy) was in the NICU for 4 weeks, and Baby A (girl) was there for 7 weeks.
A few things that made pumping a little more manageable for me:
- Rent a hospital-grade pump for home. I rented the exact same pump I used in the NICU, so I didn’t have to lug a pump back and forth and had a consistent pump in both locations.
- The fridge hack! I brought a reusable Stasher bag with a clean set of pump parts each day. I wiped/rinsed the parts after each session and stored them in the bag in the fridge between sessions. I’d wash/sanitize everything at the end of the day at home.
- Keep a pumping kit in your NICU locker. Mine had pump wipes, a nursing cover, nipple balm, and anything else I regularly needed so I wasn’t constantly carrying things back and forth.
- Pumped every 3 hours around the clock. It was exhausting, but staying consistent was important for establishing and maintaining my supply.
- Use the lactation consultants! I asked them about everything from flange sizing to milk blisters and they were incredibly helpful. Don’t be afraid to ask the same question more than once or have them watch you pump.
- Communicate your pumping schedule with your nurses. Let your nurse know when you plan to pump so they can work baby care/feeding times around it when possible. It made me feel much less like I was constantly choosing between pumping and being available for my babies.”
— Allie
27-week twins
“My twins were born at 27 weeks.
I think it will depend on the hospital and the doctor involved. My twins were born at Texas Baylor in Temple TX in 2004. I had to fight them to allow me to pump and provide breast milk for their care.
I was only allowed to breastfeed them 3 times a day and they wanted to put them on formula for the rest. This led to me having to fight for the ability to leave pumped milk for my twins. They had limited storage and I had two babies in their NICU so I was only allowed to bring enough for one day. As I came in each day this was not a problem.
I pumped after the three feedings and again every 2 hours, including through the night so I could provide enough. It was an exhausting 6 weeks before they were able to come home.
After this experience, I highly recommend that anyone told they can only breastfeed their NICU child 3 times per day, immediately discuss with the doctor a plan to increase that up until they are ready to go home and be sure there are enough pumped bags in case the baby(is) have a set back.” – Kate
32-week twins
“1. My OB prescribed me a hospital grade pump. I rented it for 2 months, the predicted time my babies would be in the hospital (ended up being 6 weeks). They were born at 32 weeks gestation.
2. Support from the NICU staff, which included being able to pump at the hospital with one of their pumps. Their encouraging words and compliments helped a ton too.
3. Meeting with lactation consultant multiple times. They helped measure me for the correct flange size.
4. Sticking to a schedule, especially in the middle of the night.
5. Extra pump parts.” — Sarah
34-week twins
“My twins were born at 34 weeks and 5 days. Twin A spent 72 days in the NICU and Twin B spent 90 days, and pumping for them was the most mentally taxing and empowering journey. If I could go back in time to that time of my life, I would have been so much more gentle with myself. I remember sobbing over spilling breastmilk that I pumped thinking I was failing my babies and feeling like I wasn’t doing enough because my supply could only cover half of each of their nutritional needs. Yet the truth was I was doing my best, and I was an amazing and strong mother. The amount I was able to pump didn’t change that.
Here are some things that I found helpful:
- Having a lactation consultant that would come see me in the NICU helped (although I wish I would have worked with an IBCLC who specialized in twins).
- Once I was about a month or so into pumping, using a hands-free pump was helpful because it allowed me to pump in the car while I made the hour plus drive to the hospital. I don’t think these types of pumps are always recommended to be used too early on in your journey when your supply is adjusting, but for me it allowed the journey to feel more sustainable.
- Also, having a video of my babies crying (I know it sounds weird) to keep near me while pumping away from them seemed to help with the letdown.” — Paige
Bite-sized pumping tidbits that helped…
One twin mom shares several small steps she took that added up:
- “Having the Spectra S1 at home
- Pumping 10x a day every 2.5-3 hours
- Sunflower lecithin
- Magnesium
- Pump princess supplement
- A lot of protein through the day
- A hard flange instead of silicone insert
- Body Armor drinks
- Having 120 oz of water a day
- Extra bottles and pump parts along with Momcozy washer to cut down on cleaning time
- My husband
- My NICU lactation consultant checking in on me every other day the first week.
- Nipple butter
- Breastfeeding 1-2x a day I think helped as well!
- Holding them before I’d pump.”
– Katie
More pumping for NICU twins advice
“I pumped every 2-3 hours religiously. While looking at photos or videos of them when I wasn’t with them.” — Helen
“Do NOT assume the nurses are dividing your milk between babies. Do it yourself to avoid confusion.” — Amanda
“Taking it one week at a time. My twins were born at 30+4. When I thought about trying to pump for a year or even 6 months, I had a panic attack. I decided I would then make the decision ever Wednesday if I would do it for another week. This prevented any emotional decisions either. Made it 13 months and was about to exclusively give my twins pumped breastmilk.” — Sondra
“Everything everyone else is saying, but I was also surprised with once they came home how much more supply I got. It made me feel like the work I put in during the nicu stay was really fruitful.” — Molly
“Using the hospital pump while visiting the NICU and asking them for a place to store the parts while not there. And then just used my Spectra at home so I wasn’t lugging my pump back and forth.” — Ellie
“Feeling that BM was the only way I could possibly help them. Pumped the whole four months they were in the NICU, round the clock.” — Alyssa
“A good pumping bra! Kindred bravery I think is the name for busty moms!” — Sam
“Drinking a lot of water, smoothies, and lactation cookies.” — Kerri
Last thoughts on pumping for NICU twins
We hope you find some of this honest and real advice to be helpful! Take the advice and wisdom that feels aligned with your values and experience, and leave the rest.
At the end of the day, you know what’s best for you and your twinnies. And remember that your ability to pump or breastfeed for your twins does not define your worth. You are doing the absolute best you can with the journey that you are on.
Want to read more about pumping for twins or inspiring NICU content? Check out these articles too:
- When Does Breastmilk Come in With Preemie Twins?
- Top Pumping and Breastfeeding for Twins Resources
- 10 Tips to Ease Your NICU Stress and Anxiety
