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Breastfeeding Full Term Multiples

I must say, before I begin this blog that there are a few things to note. First of all, you’ll notice in the title that this article is for full-term multiples. Nursing preemies (which many multiples are) is an entirely different story. I’ll blog on that later.
Secondly, you can breastfeed more than one successfully and exclusively. However, breastfeeding two is a tricky proposition. Most mothers of twins that I know or have talked to over the last few years, usually supplement with formula, especially in the early days. I don’t say this to discourage you, but I say this so you can have a realistic expectation for yourself and your babies.

Some people don’t want to breastfeed twins because they think they won‘t ever get a break or they think they won‘t produce enough milk. Let me debunk these two myths right away! It is true that your mommy breaks are few and far between with twins–regardless of your feeding choice. You have to feed them–if you bottle feed, you’ll add a whole bunch of dishes to your to do list in addition to the time you actually spend feeding them! Secondly, breastfeeding is a supply and demand process. If you have two babies demanding milk, you’ll make enough milk for two babies.

You’ve certainly heard the expression, “You only get one chance to make a first impression.” Well, the same is true in breastfeeding, you only get one chance to start out right. If you’re expecting multiples, I highly recommend hiring a lactation consultant before the babies are born. Don’t rely on the hospital to supply one. You need a real certified IBCLC (certified by an international board). You also need someone who is experienced in working with preemies AND with multiples. Ideally, find one who is willing to come to the hospital as you really cannot be sure when your babies will be home. Even if they aren’t, you’ll want the LC to visit you to help get things going.

Do not try to tandem nurse at first (unless you’re up for a good laugh)! If you have breastfed an infant before, you know that it generally takes two hands to nurse an infant at the very beginning. . .one to hold onto the baby and the other to help guide the breast in the baby’s mouth. Usually, you can then hold the baby with one hand while the other hand is free. But trust me when I say that it is not easy to attach a second infant with both hands while you’re trying to not loose the first. It only took one time of trying to figure this out with my twins. It is much better to work on their latch individually and not torment yourself by trying to get them on at the same time. When they both get the hang of it, and they are not quite as wobbly, you can tandem nurse a lot more easily.

While shopping for your nursery and other baby essentials, buy a nursing pillow designed for twins. The E-Z-2 Nurse pillow is great, but anything is fine as long as it is designed specifically to accommodate twins! Usually a twin nursing pillow will allow for two bodies to wrap around your back and is better suited towards a football hold. . .which brings me to my next point.

Get comfortable with the football hold in the early days. Once the babies are nursing well, and everyone has the hang of what they’re doing, you will use the football hold to nurse one or both of your twins in the beginning. The football hold is also the best position to help new nurslings get the proper latch.

One issue with feeding multiples is that you have to eat. . .and eat. . .and eat in order to maintain your supply. You need to consume an astronomical amount of calories in order to nurse twins. For each baby you nurse, you should add an additional 500 calories to your diet. That would be easy if you just had to eat an extra big mac every day. But you really need to eat healthy foods. In order to make sure you’re eating enough, eat three meals a day, grab a snack every time you nurse and drink and eat a snack after you’re finished nursing. Don’t worry, if you’re eating healthy foods, you are likely to find that you’re still losing weight–even with all that eating.

Don’t worry about giving pacifiers or a few bottles. If you have to do it–do it. Many mothers of multiples use a variety of techniques to get the job done. Some bottle feed one while breastfeeding the other, some give bottles at a certain time of the day, and others are able to exclusively breastfeed by giving a pacifier to one baby and nursing the other–the switching. Anything you’ve read about breastfeeding and not giving bottles or pacifiers goes out the window when there’s two!

Breastfeeding twins is not an easy task. It is not twice as hard, it is exponentially harder to nurse twins than to nurse a singleton–even full term healthy twins. However, with help and support, it is possible to nurse twins successfully and even exlusively.

Resources for breastfeeding more than one:

Karen Gromada
La Leche League
Dr. Sears