Breastfeeding twins: Is it possible?
Most mothers want to breastfeed their twins, but worry about whether it will work. Experts reassure: With a little practice and patience, breastfeeding twins also succeeds without problems. Fully breastfed twins do not need tea or water. And supplementary feeding is only necessary for weak twins born too early.
Mothers of twins (and other mothers of multiples) should prepare for the dual task and breastfeeding options during pregnancy and get extensive help for everyday life, especially in the early days. With support from a partner, grandparents and/or friends, mothers can breastfeed their twins in peace. In addition, women with twins may use the midwife’s care longer than mothers with only one child. The midwife can provide valuable tips for breastfeeding twins.
Twins: Breastfeeding is particularly important
Twins are often born earlier and with a lower birth weight than a single child. This makes the precious components of breast milk and especially colostrum all the more beneficial for them. In addition, the immune cells in breast milk protect against diseases. Colostrum contains particularly high concentrations of immune cells. Some lactation consultants therefore advise women who are expecting twins to express colostrum even before the birth and to freeze it for storage.
Women who breastfeed their twins strengthen their bond with their children and promote their healthy development through close skin-to-skin contact. Breastfeeding breaks and the hormones they release also have a relaxing effect on the mother and promote involution of the uterus.
Last but not least, it saves money and time to breastfeed your twins. There is no need to sterilize the bottles or buy and prepare formula.
There is no need for multiple mothers to worry about not having enough milk. Whether you are breastfeeding twins or sextuplets, milk production adjusts to demand within a few days.
To get production going, you need to breastfeed your twins between eight and twelve times in a day. If the babies are still too weak, diligent pumping (about every two to three hours) can replace this. If the siblings are of different strengths, it is advisable to let the stronger baby drink alternately at each breast or to breastfeed at the same time. This stimulates milk production for the weaker child as well, and both breasts fill evenly. You can also pump milk for one child and breastfeed the other.
Breastfeeding twins – singly or simultaneously?
It doesn’t matter whether you breastfeed your twins at the same time or one after the other. However, in order to get to know each child, it is advisable to breastfeed multiples individually, at least initially. Breastfeeding twins at the same time also requires practice, but it saves time. Another advantage of so-called tandem breastfeeding is that both breasts are emptied at the same time. The blood level of the maternal hormone prolactin, which boosts milk production and has a positive effect on mood, increases more as a result.
However, both babies do not always have the same rhythm, so the mother cannot breastfeed them at the same time. In this case, it takes twice as long for both children to be full. But this way, mothers have the opportunity to spend intensive time with each child individually.
Breastfeeding twins: Breastfeeding positions
If you want to breastfeed your twins one after the other, all breastfeeding positions that are also possible for a single baby are possible.
Twin breastfeeding succeeds very well in the following breastfeeding positions:
- Double back hold (also called side or football hold): The babies lie sideways next to the mother, their heads resting in her hand or forearm, with the babies’ legs facing the wall behind the mother.
- Cross-over or V-position: Both babies lie in a cradle hold, their feet meeting in the mother’s lap.
- Parallel position: In this position, one baby lies in the back grip (football posture) and the other in the cradle grip.
- Side position: The mother lies half sideways so that one baby, lying next to her, drinks at the lower breast while the second baby reaches the upper breast on her stomach.
- Supine position: Lying on the back with the upper body slightly elevated, babies in the prone position can easily be positioned crosswise on the stomach or – if they are bigger – sideways.
Breastfeeding twins: Tips
- Keeping track: With twins – especially identical ones – it can be helpful to keep notes on drinking times, drinking patterns and full diapers.
- Enlist help: Get household help, involve grandparents and the children’s father, apply for financial and social assistance if necessary.
- Rest: Especially the first weeks and months with twins are exhausting. To be able to cope, you as a mother need sufficient breaks.
- Tandem breastfeeding saves time: Occasionally, you may gently wake one of the children to breastfeed both at the same time.
- For when you’re on the go: An inflatable floating ring can be used as a nursing pillow.
Make sure your diet provides ample calories, minerals and vitamins. Especially if you are breastfeeding twins who are already bigger, you need to increase the calorie count accordingly. Ask your doctor or midwife for advice on this.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the same breastfeeding duration for twins as for singles, which means that mothers should breastfeed their twins for at least the first six months and then gradually switch to formula.
Learn more about breastfeeding duration in the article “How long to breastfeed?”
