Breastfeeding
Multiple Babies
Some
people wonder if a mother has twins does her body
make enough milk to feed them both, and the answer
is yes! Actually because breast milk making is
a supply on demand production, as long as both
twins are suckling continuously a mother will
make milk for both of them. In fact a mother can
make enough milk to feed many babies, as long
as her daily calorie intake increases and her
diet stay healthy there is no reason that a mom
who gives birth a set of twins, triplets, etc
can't breastfeed her babies.
Not
to say breastfeeding multiple babies is not more
work than feeding one but more importantly it
is not different, breastfeeding is breastfeeding. |
Breastfeeding
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If you
have breastfed a baby before even if this time around you
find that you are having more than one baby you will find
the same techniques helpful. What will be different? Well
depending on the eating habits of the babies that you are
feeding will determine if you will be feeding them twice
as much. It is unlikely that a pair of twins will not want
to nurse at the same time, with many breastfeeding positions
for nursing twins feeding time doesn't have to be limited
to one baby.
Twin
Cradle Hold - The twin cradle allows you
to face each baby the same way, so that there feet are at
the same end as is their heads. Holding one of the babies
slightly above their sibling in the standard cradle hold.
With most twin nursing positions a pillow, or two, comes
in handy.
Twin
Cross Cradle Hold - Unlike the twin cradle
hold the twin cross cradle hold has your babies cris-crossing,
so that their one baby's feet are below the other baby's
head and visa versa.
Twin
Football Hold - This is a very common position
for nursing twins and often is accompanied with at least
one pillow if it fits underneath the babies. Nurse each
baby so their body curls around your outer body, they will
be able to see mom as well as one another, making the nursing
experience extra special.
Twin
Saddle Hold - Once your twins are able to
sit up you may find that setting them each on a leg and
letting them nurse sitting up works well. For this position
you need not worry about having pillow handy for positioning
unless you want it to put it behind your back.
Continue
to eat like you did while you pregnant as you will be making
milk that needs to be full of nutrients and don't be afraid
to ask for help. People find it both acceptable and understanding
that a mother who has one new baby ask for help, a mother
asking for help that has two, or more, new babies is something
that everyone will likely be expecting and eager to help.
