What do you want to know about breastfeeding twins?
Here are some commonly asked questions and answers.
Should I prepare my nipples ready for breastfeeding?
There is no need to toughen your nipples up at all, breastfeeding isn’t suppose to hurt (as long as your twins latch on correctly). The softer your nipples are, the easier it will be for your babies to breastfeed.
Is breastfeeding preemie twins possible?
Yes you can breastfeed preemie twins. Depending on how premature your twins are will determine whether you will have to pump your breast milk and feed through a tube or cup, or breastfeed naturally. If you need to pump your milk, you only need to pump until your babies are ready to feed at the breast.
How often should I Nurse my newborn twins?
For the first month newborn twins are breastfed between 8 and 12 times a day. It all depends on your twins and how often they want to feed. Most babies will need feeding every 2 to 3 hours.
If you have had preemie twins (who now breast feed) it’s best to feed them as often as they want to get their weight up. Newborn twins should not go more than 4 hours without a feed. As your twins get older they will feed less frequently, about 7 to 10 times a day when they are 1-2 months old. Feeding less as time goes by.
What is Colostrum?
Colostrum (also known as first milk, beestings, immune milk) is what your body produces before the breast milk comes in. You could say its super milk as it contains antibodies to boost the immune system, is higher in protein and minerals, and is lower in fat. Colostrum is thicker than breast milk and has a yellowish tinge. This first milk (colostrum) gives newborn twins a healthy start to life.
How long should a feed last when breastfeeding twins?
There are a few things to take into account:
Newborn twins will feed for much longer than older babies, the older they get the more efficiently they will feed. Newborns can feed 20 – 40 minutes whereas an older baby between 4 – 7 months could feed 10 – 20 minutes.
Can I breastfeed twins at the same time (tandem nursing)?
Yes, most definitely Click here to view: Positions for Tandem Nursing Twins
Will I have enough milk for twins?
There is no need to worry about having enough milk because the more you twins feed (emptying your breasts) the more milk you will produce. A breast pump can be used to get your milk supply up, which you can then freeze and keep for later.
How do I know if my babies are getting enough milk?
There are a few other ways to know if your babies are eating well:
Breast or bottle feeding for twins – whichever decision you take, read our indepth guide on Breastfeeding twins