Home » Partners & Parents » Breastfeeding » Nursing Twins

Nursing Twins

© Jessica Williams

Imagine you are in your first trimester of pregnancy. You are excited about becoming a mother, and in preparation for the impending birth, you have decided you would like to breastfeed. At your three-month checkup, your pregnancy caregiver is about to let you hear your baby's heart beat for the first time. As she places the Doppler on your belly, you hear the fast heartbeat of your child. Tears fill your eyes. And then you hear the second heart beat. You're carrying twins!

For a mother who plans to nurse, the news that she is carrying two babies can bring up many questions. Is it possible to make enough milk for two babies? Can I nurse both babies at the same time? Will supplements be needed? It may be overwhelming to think of caring for twins at first, but help is available.

First, the most important thing you can do for yourself is work closely with your pregnancy caregiver to ensure you have the healthiest pregnancy possible. Eat a balanced diet, keep aware of any warning signs of pre-term labor and most of all, get plenty of rest and fluids. You want to give your babies the best chance at being born full term. Nursing premature babies can be difficult, but even if your children arrive early, your chances of having a successful nursing relationship are good.

Getting support before your babies are born is very important. Seek out other mothers who have nursed twins and ask for advice. Join your local La Leche League group and read some books about nursing twins. Surround yourself with people who are supportive of your desire to nurse your babies.

Contrary to what some people believe, your body can make enough milk for two babies if your twins are nursing frequently enough and not receiving supplements. Your breasts take cues from the stimulation they receive from your nurslings. Your diet will need to be enhanced to maintain a good caloric intake for yourself, but the milk you provide for your twins is based on the supply/demand system. The more your twins nurse, the more milk you will make.

Be sure you have plenty of help around the house for at least the first few weeks after the birth. You need to devote a lot of time to establishing your milk supply and getting used to nursing two small babies instead of one. Nursing twins can be a challenge at first and you may need your partner or someone else to help you. Here are some things to consider:

The copyright of the article Nursing Twins in Breastfeeding is owned by . Permission to republish Nursing Twins in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.