Breastfeeding Twins – Part 1

If you are pregnant with twins and intent on breastfeeding, you are likely to have many questions about how to do so successfully, breastfeeding can be tricky when you are feeding multiples and you may have concerns about how you are going to manage.

They may be twins, but each bundle of joy is a unique little person, that happens to come as part of a set! This will mean that they have different needs and you are likely to find that breastfeeding each baby will be slightly different. No two babies are the same and quite often, their feeding habits will vary.

Caring for two babies requires a great deal of time and energy, therefore it is very important to make sure that you surround yourself with people who are going to be there to encourage and support you as you adjust to life after the birth of your multiples.

Feeding On Demand

People often advise mothers to get their babies into a routine as soon as possible, to make things easier, however this can be easier said than done with one newborn, let alone two!

Don’t put yourself under pressure to get your babies into a routine, as this will only cause you to feel stressed and this could potentially affect your milk supply. Feeding your babies on demand will help you to establish a good milk supply, and this is very important, particularly when you are feeding multiple babies. 

Latching On

Twins are typically smaller than a single, full term baby and this often means that they are not quite as good at latching onto the breast to feed at first. Having someone there to support and assist you whilst your babies learn to latch on properly makes a huge difference. With some babies, this takes time and perseverance, but once your babies are latching on properly, things will click into place and feeding will become easier, for you and for them.

Some mothers choose to feed one baby at a time, while others choose to feed them both together. There is no right or wrong approach; whatever works best for you and your babies is the right way! Many mothers of multiples find that it can take around six weeks for a natural rhythm to establish and it is at this point that life starts to get a little easier.

Feeding Stations

Aim to create several areas within the home where you can feed your multiples comfortably. It could be that sitting in bed with a few pillows supporting you and your babies feels like the most comfortable place, or you may prefer sitting on the settee with some cushions for support. Wherever you choose, be sure to have a supply of everything you need, such as; drinks, snacks, pillows, a book, your IPod, nappies, wipes and a change of baby clothes. With two babies to feed, you may be there for some time – but with a couple of well-stocked feeding stations set up, once you settle down for a feed, you will feel relaxed. This is crucial as the more relaxed you are, the happier your babies will be, and the easier it will be to feed them.

Milk Supply

Not everyone is lucky enough to produce enough milk to breastfeed their babies without supplementing it. If you do want to breastfeed exclusively, it may help if you try to pump every couple of hours as the more you pump or feed, the more milk you will produce. Pumping at night as well as feeding can be particularly helpful as at this time of the day, your prolactin levels are higher and these help keep your milk supply up.

Handling Both Babies Whilst Nursing

You will often find that one baby will finish nursing before the other. With a soft blanket or basket on the floor beside you, you can put one baby down in a safe and comfortable position while you finish feeding the other.