Welcome to a journey unlike any other—preparing to breastfeed your twins. If you’re feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness, you’re not alone. Breastfeeding one baby can seem daunting, and the thought of two might bring even more questions and concerns.
I thought I was ready for my twins. I was wrong. I wish I had listened to others’ recommendations and advice. This small guide comes from a combination of advice I’ve collected over the years and many things I wish I had done better. I hope that this will empower you, the soon-to-be mama of twins, with knowledge, tips, and strategies to make your twin breastfeeding experience as smooth and joyful as possible. I hope it will help you be more prepared than I was.
From preparing your mind and space to finding the right support, we’ve got you covered. Let’s start this beautiful journey together, filled with learning, love, and the unique bond that breastfeeding twins can bring.
Here’s a comforting truth: you are perfectly equipped for this adventure.
Breastfeeding might already seem like a big step for any new mama, and the thought of nursing twins might just add to those butterflies in your stomach. First things first, let’s reassure you: your incredible body is more than capable of this journey, and with the right preparation, breastfeeding your twins can be a beautiful and fulfilling experience. Here are some steps to help you navigate this path with more confidence and less stress.
Mentally prepare for your new role
Breastfeeding twins is not just a part-time endeavor—it’s a round-the-clock commitment that will take extra patience, dedication, and love. It’s basically your new full-time job. Embracing this new role means understanding the time commitment you’re about to undertake. Here’s a closer look at what a typical day might involve:
Newborn twins often need to be fed every 2-3 hours, including during the night. Each feeding session, from start to finish (including feeding, burping and settling the babies back to sleep), can take about 30 to 40 minutes for both if you’re tandem feeding. If you’re feeding them separately, the total time might be closer to an hour per session. I recommend feeding both babies at the same time, it worked so much better with my twins.
Remember the “full-time job” idea? Let’s create a table view of the total time commitment based on tandem feeding, assuming an average of 8 feeding sessions in a 24-hour period:
| Feeding Time | Total Duration per Session | Total Daily Time |
|---|---|---|
| Every 3 hours | 40 minutes | 5 hours 20 minutes |
Note: This schedule is an approximation and will vary based on each baby’s needs and efficiency at breastfeeding. Some sessions may be shorter or longer.
In addition to the direct time spent breastfeeding, you’ll also need to consider the time for related tasks:
- Pumping milk (if you’re also expressing)
- Cleaning and sterilizing feeding equipment
- Attending to your own nutritional needs to maintain milk supply
It all adds up quickly. That’s why it’s so important to have extra support.
Strategies for managing twin breastfeeding:
- Organization: Set up multiple nursing stations around your home to save time and ensure you have all necessary supplies at hand.
- Support: Get help from your partner, family, and friends to assist with non-feeding tasks or to give you a break when you need to rest.
- Self-care: Prioritize your health and well-being. You need to maintain your energy levels as much as possible. Eat a balanced diet, stay hydrated, and rest whenever possible.
- Connection: Engage with twin parent support groups, both online and offline. Sharing experiences and tips with other twin mamas can be immensely reassuring and helpful.
- Flexibility: Be prepared to change your schedule as your twins grow. Their feeding patterns will change. What works one week may need adjustment the next.
Remember, while the commitment is significant, so too are the rewards—nurturing your twins and watching them grow because of your love and dedication is an incredibly rewarding experience.
Take a breastfeeding course
Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to breastfeeding twins. A breastfeeding course can demystify the process, offering practical tips and reassurance. Find classes through your healthcare provider, local hospitals, or breastfeeding support groups. Don’t miss out on courses offered by International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs), such as the Lactation Collection’s free ‘Breastfeed with Confidence’ email course, which provides five essential steps to prepare for breastfeeding.
For those looking for more tailored advice, we also offer in-person and online courses. We have a course specific to feeding multiples coming soon.
Connect with a lactation professional
Finding an IBCLC who specializes in twin breastfeeding can be a game-changer. If you can find one with personal experience as a twin mama, even better! They’ll offer invaluable insights and support tailored to your unique situation.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you’re within our service areas or use online directories to find a specialist near you.
Schedule a pre-birth consultation
You should meet with an IBCLC or other healthcare professional who can answer your breastfeeding questions. You should schedule a consultation to be at about 30 weeks gestation, before your twins arrive. This is your chance to ask all your burning questions to help you start your breastfeeding journey on the right foot.
Your questions might include:
Build your support network
Tell your partner, friends, and family about the demands of feeding twins and how they can assist you. Sharing everything that you are learning and setting clear expectations for support are key steps in preparing your loved ones to help support you.
If you need help communicating your needs to your family and friends, the blog post, “How to Help and Support a Mom of Multiples” will help you.
Create a comfortable nursing environment
Design a nursing station equipped with all you’ll need for a comfortable and efficient feeding experience. Consider a portable option to move easily around your home. Include necessities like snacks, drinks, a twin nursing pillow, your breast pump, and other care essentials. If your home spans multiple levels, you might opt for more than one station for convenience.
Get a quality breast pump
Most health insurers provide a breast pump at no cost. Ensure you select a high-quality pump to support your milk supply and allow for storage. An IBCLC can guide you in choosing and fitting the right pump for your needs.
Develop a thoughtful birth plan
A birth plan helps you articulate your wishes for labor, delivery, and postpartum care, including immediate skin-to-skin contact with your twins, which fosters bonding and milk production.
Discussing your plan with your partner and healthcare team ensures everyone is aligned with your breastfeeding goals.
Additional skin-to-skin reading
- Blog post: The Importance of Skin-to-Skin Contact with your Newborn: Benefits, Breastfeeding, and Beyond
- Blog post: Skin-to-Skin Contact with your Baby – The Who, What, Where, When, How, and Why
Preparation, support, and confidence are key to your breastfeeding success. You’re not just feeding two babies; you’re nurturing a bond that lasts a lifetime. Welcome to the incredible journey of twin motherhood.
Remember that every journey is unique, and so is yours. While breastfeeding twins comes with its set of challenges, it’s also filled with moments of triumph, bonding, and incredible love. You’re well on your way to equipping yourself with the knowledge you need. You know the basics of how to prepare yourself and your environment and build a personal and professional support system—all vital steps towards a successful breastfeeding experience.
But the most important thing to carry with you is confidence in your incredible ability to nourish and nurture your twins. Trust in your body, lean on your support network, and embrace each moment with your little ones.
Welcome to the remarkable journey of twin motherhood. You are ready, you are capable, and you are not alone. Here’s to the start of an incredible chapter filled with double the love, double the joy, and double the cuddles.
Happy breastfeeding!
