LivingBreastfeeding twins: nine keys to happy breastfeeding
Living

Breastfeeding twins: nine keys to happy breastfeeding

44

Finding out that you are pregnant with twins can come as a huge surprise! It is also likely that a lot of doubts regarding their upbringing will begin to invade you, and if you had decided to breastfeed, you may now wonder if you will be able to breastfeed two babies .

Although breastfeeding after multiple births may require more complexity and organization, this feeding option is the most beneficial for mother and babies, both in the short and long term. We give you all the keys so that you can enjoy a happy breastfeeding with your twins .

Your breasts produce milk based on demand

This is the main rule that you should keep in mind . And it is very common to think that the body is “programmed” to satisfy a baby, but that it will not be enough to satisfy two or more. There is also the belief that one baby will “steal” the milk from the other. But none of this is true, rather they are two of the many myths that revolve around breastfeeding.

The mother’s organism responds in proportion to the feeding needs of all her children, be it one, two, three … As long as milk production is stimulated by sucking, it will be enough for all.

At first, the mother’s breasts will produce enough colostrum to feed her newborns, and days later, with due stimulation, the milk will rise and the body will begin to adjust its supply according to the demand it receives .

“When they tell you that you are not going to have milk for everyone, or that your milk is not going to be good enough, or that the effort is not worth it, remember that there is ample scientific evidence that shows that all mothers produce the best milk for their children, and that women can breastfeed not only one baby but several “- we can read on the website of Alba Lactancia

Trust yourself and your body

All mothers need to trust our abilities and our bodies , and when it comes to breastfeeding it is important that we feel capable of feeding our babies with our milk, if we want to.

There is no doubt that breastfeeding twins is a significant challenge that requires additional information, support, and great organization. But for the rest, there are no differences with breastfeeding a single baby, so we should not think that we will not be able to breastfeed our children.

Information is power

Nine months of pregnancy offers us a wonderful opportunity to learn, read, and document about breastfeeding and parenting. In the childbirth preparation classes we can also consult all our doubts, and even attend breastfeeding groups where we can chat with the advisors.

Another wonderful idea is to spend time with moms of multiples ; Watching them feed their babies and raise your concerns with them will be of great help when it comes to facing this experience for the first time.

The importance of skin to skin

!! Congratulations!! Your babies have been born!

If everything is fine and possible, it is important that you put them on your breast immediately , as early skin-to-skin contact favors a better establishment of exclusive breastfeeding. The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF have long emphasized the importance of the newborn’s first hours for successful breastfeeding; and these first hours should start from the delivery room.

If your babies are born prematurely, they will most likely need to stay in an incubator for a while (how long will depend on their gestational age and physical conditions), but this should not be a reason for not being able to touch and hug your children if doctors consider it so.

In this situation it may be difficult at first to establish breastfeeding, but in that case it is important to stimulate production through a breast pump to be able to offer the expressed milk to your babies. Remember that breast milk is the best food a newborn can receive , but in the case of premature babies it is much more so.

The health staff will explain how to extract the milk and offer it to your children. You should start doing it as soon as possible, periodically and increasing the amount extracted each time.

Remember: breastfeeding premature twins is possible if you have the right information, emotional support, and the necessary practical help.

Patience: you are getting to know each other

Whether you are breastfeeding a baby, two or even more, the important thing is not to set goals or expectations , and to trust yourself and your children.

The first few days at home, or even weeks, it is normal to feel overwhelmed. Tiredness doesn’t help either, so having a good support network is essential.

She thinks that for any mother, the birth of her child implies a knowledge of her and her needs that are gradually arriving. Take time to get to know your children and adapt to each other.

With each feeding, offer a baby a different breast

When breastfeeding your babies, it is advisable to alternate them each time, that is, not always assign the same breast to the same twin . In this way, we will ensure that one breast does not produce more than another, since if there is a twin with more suction force, it will stimulate both breasts equally, helping to establish a more uniform supply.

Correct comfort and grip

As when breastfeeding a single baby, it is essential that the mother is comfortable and that the baby’s posture is correct . In this way, we will avoid the appearance of cracks caused by poor grip, pain when breastfeeding, and interference in production.

As for whether it is better to breastfeed the two babies together or separately, experts advise opting for the method that is most comfortable for the mother, although breastfeeding at the same time will save you time.

At first, you will probably prefer to breastfeed separately while you get used to breastfeeding, as well as opting for a cushion or pillow that makes the task easier and helps you avoid tension in your arms. Little by little, with time and practice, it will be easier for you.

Choose the best position

There are several positions to breastfeed twins at the same time . The most recommended thing is that you try them all until you choose the one with which you feel most comfortable and safe. See your midwife or a lactation group for advice.

Some of the most recommended positions are:

  • Rugby ball : you must place each baby under each of your arms and support their heads with each hand.

  • Cross position: you are sitting and your babies hooked to each breast parallel to your body but crossed between them.

  • Mixed position: it is a combination of both positions. You remain seated and one of your babies is in a rugby position while the other is on your chest parallel to you.

  • Stretched position : mother lies on her side on a bed. One baby is lying parallel to her, while the other suckles on the other breast lying on the mother’s body.

As your babies grow and gain autonomy, it will be much easier and faster for you to breastfeed them at the same time in any position.

Support is essential

And although it is something that we have mentioned throughout the article, we emphasize again the importance of supporting the new mother , especially after a multiple birth. Being a mother of twins is doubly wonderful, but also doubly exhausting, so help should not be lacking.

This help must come from both the environment and health professionals, so do not forget to consult with your doctor or midwife any questions you may have during the first days. Lean on your partner and your tribe, seek expert breastfeeding help when you need it, and set your own rules regarding visiting hours and things others can do for you.

Photos | iStock, Pixabay

More information | The milk league, LactApp, Alba Lactancia

Breastfeeding in children older than one year: breastfeeding from 12 months is not spoiling

The first thing that caused me doubt when writing the post was the title. I have often heard the terms prolonged breastfeeding to refer to children older than 12 months who are still nursing. Or breastfeeding in older children. And yet, I get the impression that these terms refer to something that is not normal, as if breastfeeding had to have a short duration or children beyond the age of 2 years were considered too old to breastfeed.

Breast cancer during breastfeeding: a difficult diagnosis to face

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Spain. So far this year, 35,000 new cases have been diagnosed in our country according to the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC), and it is estimated that one in eight women will have breast cancer at some point in her life. However, it has a high survival rate: more than 90 percent overcome it or it becomes chronic, achieving a great quality of life.

My baby is very distracted while breastfeeding: why it happens and how to get...

During the first weeks of life, breastfed babies often only want to be at their mother's breast. The shots are long (practically one with another), the baby's movements are slow and calm, and the exchange of glances between mother and child is constant.

Mixed breastfeeding in twins: how to organize to feed two babies

The WHO recommends that babies under six months be exclusively breastfed. Mothers who have twins or fraternal twins are capable of producing milk for both of them, since we know that the greater the stimulation, the greater the production of milk; women in these cases can produce... up to 2 liters of milk a day!

Does your baby "tune in" to the nipple while nursing? Why does it do...

Does your baby play and touch the nipple that is free while he is sucking on the other one? This is a behavior popularly known as "tuning" (the child moves the nipple as if tuning a radio), and although it is completely normal and natural, it can be uncomfortable for some mothers.

More