Breastfeeding Baby - Breastfeeding Twins or Multiple Babies

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.

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.

You can view pictures of twin breastfeeding positions here.

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.