Successfully Breastfeeding Twins - Tips and Tricks

Are you expecting twins?

Some people wonder whether it is possible to have enough breast milk for twin babies, and yes, it is. It is possible to have enough milk for both your babies and extra for freezing. Not only will your baby twins receive all the benefits of breastfeeding, but you will also reap the rewards.

You don’t need to worry about not having enough milk. The more your babies suck and empty your breasts, the more milk your breasts will produce. You might need to breastfeed and pump for the first couple weeks to get your milk supply up.

Breastfeeding Premature Twins

More information about breastfeeding preemies and bottle-feeding breast milk here.

Breastfeeding vs. Bottle-Feeding Twins

Breastfeeding saves time—no cleaning and sterilizing bottles or preparing and heating formula. According to La Leche League International, breastfeeding your twins during the first year saves a mother about 300 hours and more than $1,200.

Tips for Breastfeeding Twins

• Relax. Make sure you have somebody else to do the dirty work, or at least most of it! Focus on feeding your babies and forget about everything else. Accept all the help you can get.
• Bottle feeding breast milk. Get yourself a good nursing pump so you can store milk when you need to bottle-feed your twins. A heavy-duty, electric double-pump action breast pump is best.
• Try different breastfeeding positions; try breastfeeding one at a time or both together until you find what works for you and your babies.
• Drink enough water. Your body will need the fluid to keep up with milk production. Keep a glass of water nearby, especially during feedings. Also, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, and keep snacks handy during breastfeeding.
• Sleep when your babies sleep. This will help you cope with their eating times. Whatever you do, try to get eight hours of sleep every day.
• Offer your breasts to your babies when they wake up, do not leave them too long, as they might become fussy and miserable.
• Breastfeeding twins together will leave you with more time for yourself! A baby feeding schedule isn’t always possible.
• Get yourself a comfortable twin nursing pillow before the birth to take to the hospital with you. A good breastfeeding pillow can ease a lot of the stress.
• Be prepared to breastfeed often! Keep in mind that it gets easier as time goes by.
• Get together with other women who have successfully breastfed twins. Pick up some hints, ideas, and advice.
• Try to breastfeed your babies immediately after birth; if this is not possible, then start to pump until you can breastfeed them.
• Do not assign your babies to their own breasts; instead, keep putting them on the opposite breast every time you feed. If you do this, you won’t get one breast fuller than the other because they have their own sucking patterns.
• If your nipples become sore, try nursing more often instead of for more extended periods. How to handle sore, painful nipples.

How Often Should I Breastfeed My Twins?

Your babies should feed for at least 10 minutes and at least eight times during 24 hours. They should be gaining an ounce a day by the fifth day after birth until at least three months. For more info on how to know if your baby is getting in enough breast milk… click here.

Positions for Breastfeeding Twins

• You could breastfeed them separately and use any normal breastfeeding position.
• Football hold – Babies are breastfed, facing each other in opposite directions with their heads at the front of the mother's chest and bodies tucked under the mother's arms.
• Parallel - Babies lie in the same direction. One baby's head will rest on the other baby's tummy.
• Cross-cradle - Each baby is held in the cradle position. One baby's feet will rest on the other baby.
• Other unique breastfeeding positions for twins.

It would help if you had patience and willpower when nursing twins; it’s sometimes helpful to make yourself the target of breastfeeding for three months. Some days you might feel like all you do is breastfeed. But it will be worth it in the end!

Yes, It Can Be Done!