When a mother is blessed with twins, there’s a lot that is going on in her mind. For example, how to breastfeed my twin babies, will I be able to breastfeed both, how will I take care of twins, which position is the best to feed twins, will I be able to produce enough breast milk, and what all is required to be the best mother of a twin and so on. These questions do not end here but as soon as you start caring for your twins, you gain that much-needed confidence that will help you enjoy your pregnancy.There are many myths about breastfeeding twins which are not valid. It is not a tedious task to breastfeed your twins, but it is a blissful process.
Many mothers think that they would not be able to breastfeed twin babies simultaneously as it might be a painful procedure. For those who think the same, we would like to tell you that, no, there’s no pain involved in breastfeeding, and you do not have to listen or pay any kind of attention to claiming the same. Although it is quite normal that you feel a little nervous at first as you have two mouths to feed and two little bodies to balance, this becomes even easier if you come up with a positive approach. Today in this blog, we will unveil everything about how to breastfeed twins. So, let’s dive right into this blog to know everything about it.
In This Article
- Why Should You Breastfeed Your Twins?
- How Can I Prepare For Breastfeeding Twins?
- How to Breastfeed Twins?
- Top 3 Appropriate Positions to Breastfeed Twins
- Five Easy Tips to Follow While Breastfeeding Twins
- Are You Producing Enough Milk For Twins?
- What if Your Twins Are Unable to Breastfeed?
- FAQ’s
Why Should You Breastfeed Your Twins?
Breastfeeding is the main thing after childbirth. This is because a newborn baby is dependent only on the mother’s milk and hence for the first few months, a mother needs to breastfeed their babies so that they can grow and gain essential nutrients in them. Well, breastfeeding your twins might seem challenging, but it is the best feeling once you become comfortable with it.
Breastfeeding would take up a lot of your time in the first few months of motherhood. You will have to formulate a routine for it so that your twins can have all the required nutrients from the mother’s milk. Breastfeeding is a great way to soothe your baby. This would not just make them stronger but also build their immune system.
How Can I Prepare For Breastfeeding Twins?
Breastfeeding mothers need to be fully prepared so that they can perfectly feed their twins. When a breastfeeding mother is in a good state of mind, the nutrients in the breast milk double up, and this way the baby gains more goodness than usual.
Here we come up with some useful tips so that you can prepare yourself in a better way to breastfeed your twins.
1. Organize a Separate Nursing Room
Well, a nursing room is somewhere you can breastfeed your baby with no complications. This room will have all the essential amenities which are required during the breastfeeding sessions such as burp cloths, feeding pillows, wipes, diapers, snacks, drinks, etc. It would be helpful for you if you set up a separate nursing station so that you can breastfeed your twin babies comfortably.
2. Eat Your Meal and Keep Yourself Hydrated
It is very crucial to keep yourself well-fed and hydrated when breastfeeding so that you do not fall short of nutrients while you’re breastfeeding. Also, as you are breastfeeding twins, this is required even more. Breastfeeding makes you feel thirsty and hence a breastfeeding mother should make sure that she is keeping herself hydrated and full so that there’s no harm to the milk supply of the twins.
3. Do Accept Help
You might hesitate in accepting help while you’re breastfeeding. But when you need help in some serious situation, always ask for it. There’s no harm in having someone near you who could help you and your baby in a situation of need.
How to Breastfeed Twins?
As per some experts, the ideal way is to place the twins simultaneously and then breastfeed. This is the best way to feed a twin baby. For instance, if one baby is awake and is willing to breastfeed, you should also wake your second baby and breastfeed them as well. The reason behind this is that your babies would eat around 8-12 times a day and hence feeding them separately would make you super tired.
Furthermore, having the same breastfeeding schedule for both of your babies would help you keep count of their feedings easily. This way you will also have some extra time to rest. Although, feeding both the babies at one time simultaneously is the better choice but even if you do not feel comfortable doing so, you are free to feed your twins one by one. But you can always try simultaneous feeding. Once you come across a better feeding position, you can switch to simultaneous feeding.
Top 3 Appropriate Positions to Breastfeed Twins
There are some appropriate positions that we’ve catered for you in this blog so that you can breastfeed your little one comfortably and without any physical strains. Keep reading:
1. Front Cross or Double Cradle Hold
In this position, all you need to do is to place both of your babies in a cradle position so that their legs overlap and form an X in your laps. You can also use your hands to support your head.
2. Double Clutch or Double Football Hold
This breastfeeding position is mainly for the ones who just had a C-section. This is because in this position there would be less or no pressure on the belly.
3. Football and Cradle Hold
In this breastfeeding position, you need to place one baby in a football position and the other one in a cradle position. It is to be noted that the baby who latches easily must be placed in a cradle position and the other one in a football position.
Five Easy Tips to Follow While Breastfeeding Twins
We have mentioned some breastfeeding tips which you should know while breastfeeding your twins. This would ensure safe and optimum breastfeeding.
1. Consult an Expert to Position the Baby Properly
When you have just entered motherhood, you may experience some complications in holding your baby in the correct position. But as you seek a professional’s help, you will realize that this is not even a challenging task. Well, do not hesitate in taking the help of a professional and this would ensure comfortable feeding and correct latching for your newborn.
2. Take the Help of a Lactation Expert
Are you unable to breastfeed your twin babies simultaneously? If yes, then you should go and take some advice from a lactation expert. They will help you with solutions and help you decide what works best for you and your baby.
3. Move Your Breasts
You may notice that your babies are comfortable latching from one particular breast so in this case, you should let them feed from that breast. But for this, you need to move your breasts constantly so that your breasts do not experience engorgement or clogged milk ducts.
4. Get a Feeding Pillow
To make the twin breastfeeding experience easy, you can get a feeding pillow. This is designed in a way that helps in supporting your back and arms as well as helping your baby while breastfeeding. These cushions/pillows are better than regular pillows.
5. Take Care of Yourself
To be successful in breastfeeding, you need to take care of yourself so that you stay healthy and active throughout the breastfeeding session. It is essential to take a well-balanced diet enriched with fruits, vegetables, and other nutrients so that your milk proves to be safe and healthy for your twin babies.
Are You Producing Enough Milk For Your Twins?
If you are breastfeeding your twins regularly, then this habit would keep up the supply of your breast milk. But if you are feeding your baby on demand and not regularly and having problems with the supply, then this might be an issue of concern. To cope with this situation, regular stimulation from a pump might help.
If you start pumping the breasts regularly each day then this would boost your supply and help you to keep your breastfeeding sessions for a longer time. It is better to formulate a regular schedule of pumping each day for better results.
What if Your Twins Are Unable to Breastfeed?
Well, there is a possibility that your twins are not able to breastfeed. If you are not able to breastfeed your twins right away, then you should cuddle your twins and practice skin-to-skin contact so that your baby feels pampered and starts latching the milk.
Your babies’ pediatrician and lactation consultant will advise you on the further course of action. For all babies, breastmilk is the best source of nutrition and highly recommended.
- A lactation consultant can guide you in case your babies are experiencing latching issues.
- For underproduction of milk, you can make changes to your diet, and take supplements and home remedies to improve milk production.
- For any other issues, your doctor may advise supplementing breast milk with formula. You must start your babies on formula only after due consultation with the pediatrician.
Having twin babies is a blessing and a double package for everything- double the joy, double the fun, and double the issues too. Among the many issues moms may face with twins, breastfeeding tops the list. We hope our article on how to breastfeed twins will help new moms ease into breastfeeding mode without much worries and stress.
Happy Parenting.
FAQ’s
1. Is Breast Milk Different For Twins?
No, breast milk is not different for twins. It is the same as for any type of birth – singleton, twin, or multiple.
2. How Many Calories Does a Mother Burn When Breastfeeding Twins?
When a mother is breastfeeding her twin babies, then they would be burning at least 1,000 calories every day.
3. Should You Feed Your Twins Together or Separately?
It is your choice whether you want to breastfeed your twins together or separately. Well, if you choose to breastfeed them together, it will save a lot of time and you will be able to take proper rest. You can also keep a track of how many feeds your babies are taking.
Read Also: Supplementing Breast milk With Formula for Twins
