Breastfeeding Twins - Long Beach,CA

If you really want to breastfeed, you can do it. I have been breastfeeding my 9 month old twins since they were born. What worked for me was to breastfeed them seperately until they were a couple weeks old and they had learned how to do it. Since then, I have been breastfeeing them together with the help of a poppy billow. Breastfeeding is best and it helps you fit back into those jeans faster! You can do it!

I don't have twins so no personal experience to share. But from reading your post I could see that you answered your own question. Sounds like you just need some reassurance that what you want to do is ok. Go ahead and pump for your twins. I would say give it a try breastfeeding them (you never know this time around it might be easier!), but if it just isn't working well for you give them the breast milk in a bottle. At least they are still getting the breast milk! You will not be a bad mom if you do this! Good luck and congrats!

I cannot stress the importance of great support. that can come from family, friends, your spouse. but these are people that support your choice and will help you achieve what your real goal is.

usually twins come a little earlier than singletons. so you may only have a little time left to prepare.

you're right when you say that breastfeeding is important. it is even more important if you're babies are born early. the truth is though, there aren't really any benefits of breastfeeding. breastfeeding is what babies were born to do. and your body creates the right kind of milk for the age of your child, when he's sick, or is going through a growth spurt. the flavor also changes with what you eat. instead of being the exact same flavor forever with formula.

so basically, you want to get more information on what the formula reps don't tell you. and that's the risks of formula feeding. it's a simple internet search. keep in mind, as normal a breastfeeding is, it doesn't always come problem free. but sounds like you already know that. but just as natural as breathing is, it can be more challenging for someone who has asthma, for example.

here are a few tips to help your breastfeeding experience a little better.

1. learn and WATCH as much as you about breastfeeding
this is a link to a preview of a good video, you can download it to your computer for $5. click on the breastfeeding how-to video. http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=breastfeeding%20&am...=

youtube.com has some too. just type in breastfeeding.

2. good position and support cushions. you want the babies up to your nipple/breast level. they should be on pillows or cushions that bring the high enough to feed that you could raise your hands in the air and they would still be able to stay on. you can also line up receiving blankets to tuck in under their heads or shoulder blades (if you holding them, then use the blanket to support your wrist).

3. asymetric latch--you want the baby to be feeding on the breast, not the nipple. aim the nipple at the nose, stimulate babies lip with the nipple so that she'll open wide, wait for the wide gaping mouth, then bring the baby to the breast.

you are hoping to land the nipple on the soft palate, that will trigger the baby to suck. (the soft palate is in the back of the roof of the mouth. you can find it by placing your tongue behind your teeth. slide is back a little, you'll feel it hard and bumpy. continue sliding it further back until it's smooth and softer. that is the soft palate.)

you want to make sure the baby's chin is pushed into the breast and nose is not. the baby should have more of the bottom of the breast inside than the top hence an asymetric latch.

4. read your babies. look to your baby for him to tell you if he's hungry or full.

hunger cues:
1. lip smacking
2. mouthing (sticking her tongue out)
3. turning head to side and opening mouth
4. bringing hands to mouth
5. in a sleeping baby, rapid eye movement

signs to fullness:
1. no longer showing any of about signs when stimulated
2. asleep with hands open and arms relaxed not flexed
3. weight gain
4. adequate wet and dirty diapers

5. most importantly, relax. do want you've learned and don't stress if it's not working right at that moment. keep your pain under control. it can interfere with let down.

6. know yourself, how much effort do you want to put into breastfeeding. how will you feel if you don't. to determine this, get as much information as you can so you and your husband can make the best decisions for your new babies and your whole family. make sure that you are weighing both sides to avoid feeling guilty later on.

good luck with everything. feel free to email me anytime if you have questions or need someone's support.

The advice to get with a support group is great. Also ask to see a lactation counselor as soon as you can. I breast fed my twins for 6 months and it was very labor intensive. They grew fast and ate often. I am so glad I hung in for 6 months with them, they rarely got sick as children. But at 6 months and enduring life as a 44FFF I stopped. So your decision is for you alone and not to be judged by anyone. Good luck!! A tip for you, I had the luxury of a queen size bed in the baby room that I would use to feed in the middle of the night and go back to sleep with them. Not possible for everyone but great if you can swing it. You will do a great job!!!

Hi Steph!
See if you can get a postpartum doula. You can log onto www.dascdoulas.org and find one in your area. Having supportive people around you will make it easier. I have worked with several sets of BF twins and all were successful in their mission to BF.

Kind regards,
M.

My twins are now 9 months old and still exclusively breastfed. I pumped exclusively for the first 4 months and then was able to transition them to the breast. (It took that long to get a successful latch and adequate milk transfer). It is the hardest thing I think I have ever done and in the early days it was HARD HARD HARD work to keep up motivation. But now that they are older, it is SO much more rewarding and I am so proud of myself for sticking with it. It's definitely not for everyone and you will absolutely be challenged, but if you find a good lactation consultant and surround yourself with people who support you, it can definitely be done!

Find a multiples support group NOW if you can! I have two friends (one in Carlsbad and one in Murrieta who breastfed twins past a year). I'm sure both would be fine to talk to you, if you are interested, email me directly and I'll send you their email addresses. Mine is ____@____.com

Breastfeeding is important, but so is your health. Those babies and your 2.5 year old will need you to be as sane as possible, so don't beat yourself up if breastfeeding doesn't work out.

Congratulations!!
M.