Breastfeeding Your Twins

Breastfeeding is an intimate moment between you and your newborn twins.
Here are some tips on how you can make the most out of this precious time.

By Associate Professor Dr Poh Bee Koon, Nutritionist.

Breastfeeding has many benefits for you and your babies. Besides providing the best source of nutrients for your babies, breastfeeding is also an excellent opportunity for you to bond with your babies. However, you may find breastfeeding tiring and frustrating at times. These tips below can help you breastfeed your twins more comfortably and effectively: Do It Simultaneously. Try the breastfeeding positions illustrated below. Alternate breasts between babies with every feed to produce equal amounts of milk in both breasts and decrease the chance of blocked ducts. Invest In A Good Nursing Pump. Pumping stimulates your milk production, so don’t worry about not producing enough milk. It also allows you to stockpile extra milk should you need to bottle feed your babies at any time, or if you are away. Use a pump to express milk from both breasts at the same time. An electric pump will work best. Keep Count.  Keep count of your babies’ wet nappies and observe their bowel movements. Each baby should have one wet nappy in the first 24 hours after birth, two on the second day, three the third day, and so on. After the first week, you should be changing seven to eight nappies a day for each child. You can expect your babies to feed eight to 12 times in a 24-hour period. Develop a chart of feeding times to help you keep track of your babies’ bowel movements. Get Help. Enlist the help of a friend, mother-in-law or partner. He or she can help carry your babies to you for breastfeeding, change babies’ diapers and burp babies after you have breastfed them. Also, get support of other parents of twins. Ask them questions so that you can gain first-hand knowledge on breastfeeding twins. Relax! Feeding your babies is your ultimate priority. Find a quiet place where you won’t be distracted. Look at your babies, touch them, sing to them and enjoy this private moment. Also, remember to take good care of yourself. Get plenty of rest, drink lots of water and eat nutritious food. Your babies also benefit when you feel more energised while breastfeeding.