Breastfeeding Tips for Twins
Here are my Best Breastfeeding Tips for Twins:
Enjoy and Relax
The more you relax your way into breastfeeding twins the more enjoyable it will be for you and your babies.
Do you have Older Children?
If you have older children, especially toddlers you may like to have activities ready for when you need to breastfeed. Things like an educational DVD, drawing, books, even a snack. Being prepared will make your breastfeeding experience more pleasurable and stress free.
Invest in a Breast Pump
Many mothers of twins use a breast pump to store extra supplies in the freezer. Often twins are born prematurely and may not be able to breastfeed straight away. Therefore you can pump to get your breast milk in and then store it in the freezer. Stored breast milk also means time out for you as someone else can bottle feed your twins using your milk.
Ask for Help!
Never be afraid to ask for help if you need it. My husband helped out by cooking the dinners and helping me latch the twins on my breast, this was in the earlier days of breastfeeding eventually I could feed the girls on my own.
Tandem Nursing
Tandem nursing your twins is one of my best breastfeeding tips. Feeding your twins at the same time will save you time and can also help with keeping them in the same daily routine.
Get a Nursing Pillow
A twins nursing pillow makes breastfeeding so much easier, almost hands free.
Drink Plenty of Water
Keep hydrated, this will help with your milk supply as well as having a healthy breastfeeding diet. One thing that worked for me (so I didn’t forget) was to have a glass or two of water before I breastfed and had water bottle with me all the time.
Alternate Breasts
Because of different feeding needs with twins (one twin may need more than the other) it is important not to assign a breast to each baby. You may end up with one breast larger than the other, so alternate breast to twin for each feed. You could use a breastfeeding chart to help you remember who feeds on which breast next.
Sleep!
Sleep when your baby twins sleep. Breastfeeding actually releases hormones (oxytocin and prolactin) that help relax you with feelings of nurture. So once the babies are sorted and nestled into bed, this is a good time to take a nap or at least put your feet up.
Ignore Ridicule and Controversy
Keep your spirits up and if you decide to supplement with formula or switch completely to bottle feeding, remember you are a great mother and you’re doing the best you can for your babies because everything you do is in love.
Breast or bottle feeding for twins – whichever decision you take, read our indepth guide on Breastfeeding twins