Breastfeeding twins: how to do it correctly

Although breastfeeding and motherhood are beautiful things, it can sometimes be a little difficult for some mothers. Breastfeeding brings a great sense of responsibility and requires learning how to breastfeed. A mother needs a lot of patience, energy, support and even professional help to master the art of breastfeeding. If breastfeeding a baby takes so much effort, does that mean double that for twins? Here’s how you can handle breastfeeding twins to make your journey to motherhood more memorable in more ways than one.

How to manage breastfeeding twins?

Here are some ways to help you manage breastfeeding twins:

1. Sign up for a prenatal breastfeeding session

These sessions provide the mother with the opportunity to clear up any doubts about breastfeeding in general and feeding twins, to understand the major challenges that may arise during the hospital stay, and to assess your breasts at in advance to check the anatomy of the breast to avoid problems after delivery. These sessions would also provide detailed information on milk production, baby’s feeding cues, hospital breastfeeding policy, etc. so that a mother is prepared to breastfeed.

2. Understand the basics of breastfeeding

It is essential to understand the basics of breastfeeding, namely positions, attachment and latching. Why is this so important? If the position is not comfortable for the mother, there is a great risk of pain, pain in the upper body and lower back, which can lead to pain during full breastfeeding sessions and can also cause greater fatigue in the mother. The position and placement of the baby at the breast is equally important because it will ensure the transfer of milk to the baby, the drainage of breast milk which will ensure your newborn’s weight gain and prevent breast conditions such as breast milk. engorgement, cracked/sore nipples which can make breastfeeding difficult and painful. Learning different holds such as the cradle, cross cradle, and football hold, especially for feeding twins, can be helpful.

3. Use breast pumps

Investing in a breast pump can be a good deal, especially for mothers who are breastfeeding twins. The breast pump allows you to express breast milk and store it for later use, which is absolutely safe. Stored breast milk can be fed to babies by any family member, using a katori spoon or palladia feed. The same can be learned during the hospital stay to avoid any hassles at home. Often mothers ask which breast pump they should buy. There are mainly two types of breast pumps available: manual and electric. You can choose one depending on how addicted you are to the breast pump. If you plan to use a breast pump often, investing in an electric breast pump can save more energy than a manual breast pump.

4. Seek support at home

Breastfeeding requires support and it’s always good to ask for help rather than trying to do everything on your own. Outsourced tasks such as burping, diaper changing, pacifying can be done by the father or any available family member during the breastfeeding period. This saves the mother a lot of energy, giving her plenty of time to take care of herself, eat, or just take a nap if she wants.

5. Pay attention to what you eat

Breastfeeding twins can take up most of your body’s energy and time of your day until you train or understand your baby’s schedule. Lack of time and energy sometimes leads to poor eating habits or skipping meals, which has a huge impact on your health and energy levels. Taking care of your food choices, such as eating home-cooked foods often, including galactogogue foods in your meals, eating on time, and staying hydrated, are essential to feeling healthy and maintaining your breast milk supply .

Common Challenges Women Face When Breastfeeding Twins

Let’s also shed light on some of the challenges that can arise when breastfeeding twins. It is quite often observed that when breastfeeding twins, one of the babies is usually more active than the other. The most common reason is the baby’s weight, which can cause difficulty in establishing a suitable schedule, as one often takes a little longer than the other.

Another challenge new mothers face is either low milk supply or poor flow of breast milk, leading to engorgement. This is especially common in babies who require a stay in the NICU. With guidance from a professional such as a lactation expert and support, it can help face and resolve these challenges over time. All breastfeeding requires is patience and practice with your newborns!