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Having twins is a remarkable experience in itself, but when parents decide they’ll try breastfeeding twins, it’s even more challenging. We’ll outline some of the questions and answers that many parents have when contemplating this journey, and discuss some tips, helpful products, and advice for those new moms breastfeeding multiple little ones.
Parenting Twins: Erin and Jay’s Story
At seven weeks, Erin went to her first ultrasound appointment alone, as Jay was at work. She promised to call him as soon as she was done. When he got the call, Jay was in for the surprise of his life: they were having twins!
To be specific, they were monochorionic-diamniotic (mono-di), or monozygotic twins, of the same sex. That means the identical twin boys shared a placenta but had separate amniotic sacs. Both Erin and Jay had multiple births in their family history, so while Erin had always considered the possibility, the news was still a shock.
This was the start of an incredible nine-month twin pregnancy. Family and friends rallied around them with showers and gifts. Erin and Jay created a birth plan for multiples and began adapting their home and lifestyle. Now, let's follow their journey to see how they navigated the first months of parenting and breastfeeding twins.
Erin and Jay B. with their newborn twin boys.
How do I prepare for breastfeeding twins?
Carrying twins can be exhausting for a mother as she tries to keep her regular schedule before they are born. As some moms work outside the home or remotely, they still need to plan twice as much for their two babies, like a nursery with two cribs, double the diapers, and thinking, “How am I going to feed these two little beings?”
Once the initial shock of knowing you will conceive twins wears off, planning is in full force during your pregnancy! Let’s talk about a few of the products that can make your breastfeeding journey with more than one baby go a little more smoothly.
Breastfeeding/Pumping Essentials
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Breast Pump
Breastfeeding multiples does not always mean nursing. When expecting twins, a breast pump can be your best investment. You can certainly use one breast pump to express your breast milk, taking turns on each breast. However, there are now double breast pumps that you can hold in your pumping bra - hands-free - that allow you to express milk from both breasts at one time while still carrying out other tasks. In one cycle, you can collect from both breasts. It saves time, and you produce enough milk for your two babies.
Momcozy offers a variety of breast pumps. Erin chose to exclusively pump for her twins and use the double Momcozy Moble Flow™ Hands-Free Breast Pump - M9.
This pump offers 4-5 pumping sessions on a single charge. The DoubleFit™ flange gives you a snug and comfortable fit. The pump has powerful suction to increase milk output, and is controlled via the Momcozy app on your phone.
Erin found her Momcozy Mobile Flow™ Hands-Free Breast Pump | M9 to be comfortable, fast, and efficient, and would recommend it. She mentioned that she could accomplish a lot while pumping when the boys were asleep.
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Hands-Free Pumping Bra
To better hold and use a hands-free pump, you need a great breastfeeding/pumping bra! They offer support and comfort as you use your hands-free pump, allowing you to do other tasks for your babies or your home. Momozy offers a variety of pumping bra styles. The one especially made for the M9 is the Jelly Strip Seamless Nursing Bra YN46.
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Breast Pads
When you are not pumping, your breasts may leak milk. Something may trigger your let-down reflex, and you may secrete milk even when you are not nursing. That’s where breast pads come in. The Momcozy Reusable Breast Pads can help. With two different absorbencies, you can wear these reusable pads inside your pumping bra day and night for protection against leakage and soiling your clothes. They are washable and have a small zippered pouch for carrying extras. The pouch is separated down the middle by a barrier so that you can store wet and dry pads simultaneously.
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Nipple Cream
When you begin nursing or pumping for the first time, your nipples can become sore from the suckling of a single baby, let alone twin feeding! A cooling cream can soothe and nourish your nipples and protect your delicate skin. Momcozy ComfortNip™ Cooling Comfort & Touch Free Nipple Cream glides over your skin to provide instant relief and gentle care to nipples.
Erin had nipple cream and breast pads for all of the reasons described above. Here’s what she said about the breast pads: “They saved my shirts from becoming wet multiple times.”
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Breastfeeding Pillow
One very important product for any mom who is nursing or pumping is a breastfeeding pillow. This can help the new mom have support for her baby or multiple babies during the time she is nursing twins, pumping for two babies, or using it to prop them up during bottle feeds. Here’s a look at Momcozy’s MaxSupport Nursing Pillow that offers plenty of room while you are breastfeeding both babies or propping them to bottle feed.
- Nursing Cover
Having a nursing cover for breastfeeding in public or other settings where you do not feel comfortable exposing your breast is an essential item to have in your breastfeeding ‘must-haves.”
These covers can be used anywhere. They can double as a baby blanket, shawl, or scarf, or stroller cover. Momcozy’s Nursing Cover is a multi-use privacy poncho that allows you to see your baby from the neck of the cover without anyone seeing your baby nurse. It’s made of premium cotton with mesh knit design for superior airflow.
Breastfeeding Twins: Advice and Practical Tips
We all know that breast milk is the best milk, right? No one can deny that babies who drink breast milk have greater immunity, because it comes straight from the mother. Even breast milk fed from the breast or by pumping for the first stage of a baby’s life gives them vital nutrients that are hard to find in formula.
The choice to breastfeed when parents find out they are having twins is just one of many decisions they must make. Breastfeeding twins is undoubtedly more challenging and time-consuming than feeding one baby, but it can also be doubly rewarding! It is something that can be done with a lot of patience and persistence, with the benefits of breast milk being a factor.
The early weeks are tough, but even a small amount of breast milk has tremendous benefits as your babies grow. This is especially crucial as twin babies are more likely to have lower birth weights.
Breastfeeding twins is:
- A great way to soothe your little ones
- An excellent way to bond with your twins
- One way your twins get valuable nutrients
Other tips:
- Your energy levels may be low, and you might feel like you made the wrong choice to start nursing, but you didn’t. Keep this in mind.
- Try to sleep when you can, even if it’s when the babies sleep.
- You may need more rest when all you are doing is feeding your twins.
- Breastfeeding a baby burns many calories. Twins burn double that amount!
- Treat each of your babies as individuals; one baby may feed more easily, one may need more frequent feedings, and one may gain weight more quickly as they grow. Even identical twins do things differently.
- Take care of yourself. Go to your doctor for follow-ups as ordered.
- Let the physician know if you are feeling ill in any way after the twin pregnancy and delivery. Early intervention is best for any abnormality for you or your babies.
- Make yourself comfortable when breastfeeding. Have a bottle of water handy and drink while feeding the babies. Get cozy!
- Take advantage of online grocery delivery or have someone else get those for you.
- Take any help you are offered by those you are comfortable with. Household chores can be delegated.
Should I feed my twins together or separately?
Many moms say, “If you have two breasts and two mouths to feed, why not feed them together?” This is excellent advice, and it may be easier on you to do this, but at first, your twins need to get the hang of latching on to your breast one at a time.
Once they latch on and stay latched on, you can try this method and cut your nursing time in half. This is called tandem-style nursing.
You may choose to feed one baby at a time. If one is too sleepy to latch on, but the other is ready to eat, feed them separately. Although many moms insist on feeding their twins at the same time to ensure they have a schedule and get enough breast milk.
Other mothers let their babies decide the schedule. Whatever works for you and your family is best. Family dynamics can make it challenging to stick to a schedule, especially when you have other children to care for.
Good attachment to your nipples and being comfortable yourself is vital. This goes for breastfeeding and pumping. A cozy setting with soothing music, a drink to stay hydrated while nursing or pumping, and a calm attitude is best for both you and your twins.
Erin loves to snuggle with her twins.
What are the best breastfeeding positions for twins?
There are several feeding positions mothers can use to feed their twins. The mother decides what different positions work best for her and the twins to ensure an optimal feeding experience.
This does not mean using the same position for each feeding. Various situations make it difficult to use your favorite position when in public or a new environment. Two (or more) babies, trying to nurse at the same time, may not be feasible in other settings.
Positions For Breastfeeding Your Twins Simultaneously
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The Double Rugby Hold or Double Football Hold (for Americans)
This is the most popular hold for tandem feeding. You place each baby on one of your sides with their nose and mouth facing your nipple. You may need a nursing pillow or two separate pillows to position them comfortably at the height of your breasts. Support their heads with your hands and allow their mouths to gently touch your breasts, chin first, and allow them to suckle.
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Stacking Position
In this position, you are holding one child in the cradle hold across your belly or the nursing pillow and the other in a rugby hold with their head on the first baby’s lower section.
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Double Clutch Position
When your twins are a bit older, you can position them in a more seated position with both of their bodies lying parallel with each other and touching. Pillow propping or a nursing pillow may still be helpful.
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Lying Down
While lying on your back, you can position each baby to lie up and over your side to suckle at your breast. This will be very comfortable for you as well.
Since Erin was new to caring for infants, she found it challenging to get the twins into position for breastfeeding. For the first month, she opted to pump breast milk so she and Jay could feed the boys with bottles. They would either feed the babies at the same time, sometimes propping them up with a twin nursing pillow, or each take a turn feeding one baby.
How do I collect colostrum for my twins?
Colostrum is the first and most vital milk that comes from a mother’s breasts. It’s more concentrated than later milk expressed from the breasts. It is packed with nutrients, and sometimes called “liquid gold” because of its yellow color.
Colostrum collecting for twins can be done in a container for those who may be unable to breastfeed right away. Premature babies sometimes cannot nurse for a while, and colostrum can be frozen for the duration. Colostrum collectors, such as the Momcozy Colostrum Reusable Breast Milk Collector, make it easy to collect with minimal effort.
The Momcozy Warming and Vibrating Lactation Massager helps new moms to stimulate their breasts to produce more breastmilk and open clogged milk ducts if needed. The warmth is soothing, and the vibration can help activate the let-down reflex for more milk production. When collecting colostrum, both tools can be helpful. Before nursing or pumping, the lactation massager can also help increase her milk supply.
Erin had these products on hand, but didn’t use the colostrum collectors. While in the hospital, she expressed her colostrum directly into the pump, and it was given to the babies with a container provided by the hospital.
Can I breastfeed and pump at the same time for my twins?
Yes! Many moms rely on their breastpump, especially with twins, to keep their milk supply flowing to have enough milk for both of the babies. In the early days following your twins’ delivery, you may find that one does not take to the breast as easily as the other. Breast pumping can be crucial to produce enough milk until both are breastfeeding effectively.
Breastfeeding twins is undoubtedly the best method for feeding your babies, but if it is not working, pumping your breastmilk and feeding your twins in bottles still gives them the vital nutrients of mother’s milk.
Erin and the boys during some downtime.
Sample Pumping and Nursing Schedules for Twins
A schedule or plan is essential when you are breastfeeding twins. You need to figure out a way to meet the twins’ hunger cues while also increasing milk production for your babies. You will have a milk supply that meets the needs of more than one baby, just as other mothers feed their single babies.
If you have premature babies, you may need to still pump on a schedule to keep up your milk supply adequate for them later when they can breastfeed. This may be at least eight times a day for twins. Premature babies have immature gastrointestinal tracts that cause issues with their digestion, and breastmilk is easier for them to absorb.
Keep track of your twins’ eating habits so that you can determine what works best for them and you. You can feed them on demand, which may mean feeding one, then the other, without breaks for you. They will usually be hungry every one to two hours at first.
Pump at least every two to three hours, even if you are breastfeeding, to maintain your breastmilk supply. The timing will be different depending on whether you are pumping exclusively or pumping for 10-15 minutes after each nursing session. When pumping exclusively, you’ll need to pump every three to four hours for about 20 minutes.
Here is a sample schedule:
7:00 AM - Feed both babies from the breast or bottle. Pump after for 10-15 minutes.
9:00 AM - Feed or pump. Twins may want a nap or be wide awake. This is a good tummy time about half an hour after eating.
11:00 AM - Feed your twins, then pump afterwards for 10-15 minutes.
1:00 PM - Feed or pump. Then, playtime?
3:00 PM - Feed your twins, then pump afterwards for 10-15 minutes. Nap?
5:00 PM - Feed or pump. Playtime or bathtime?
7:00 PM - Feed both babies and put them down for the night. Pump for 10-15 minutes.
10:00 PM - Feed or pump if babies are sleeping
1:00 AM - Wake them, feed them, then pump for 10-15 minutes.
4:00 AM - Wake them if they are not already, then pump for 10-15 minutes.
Keep these tips in mind:
- This is only a sample schedule. Adapt it to your twins’ hunger cues and adjust it as they grow older, they want more milk, or their needs change.
- Wake them up to eat to keep your babies on a routine. It’s okay and will make sure they are getting plenty of nutrients.
- Tandem breastfeeding can save you time and energy.
- Be flexible. Timing will change many times during their growth.
- Get your rest. Whether during the times you have help or while your twins sleep.
- Every mom and their twins are different. Don’t try to meet the expectations other moms set for themselves or compare yourself to them.
Will I have enough milk for my twins?
Your milk supply works based on supply and demand. Very few moms lack enough milk for their twins. With multiple babies breastfeeding, more milk is produced because more milk is being removed from their mother’s breasts.
In the first few weeks of breastfeeding, babies will need to nurse more often to meet their hunger demands. This will increase your milk supply. You can judge whether they are getting the milk and nutrition they need by their weight and their wet or soiled diapers. If you have a concern about these issues, talk with your doctor or the twins’ pediatrician right away.
FAQs About Breastfeeding Twins
Q: What should I eat when breastfeeding twins?
A: Healthy moms need to focus on nutritious choices. Stock up on fruits, veggies, lean protein, low-fat dairy, soy milk, and whole grain foods that you can eat if you are on the go. You need a balanced diet, as the demands of more than one baby make it challenging to take time for yourself. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and maintain a healthy milk supply.
Q: How many calories does breastfeeding twins cost?
A: Breastfeeding a single baby burns off 500 calories a day. A mother of twins usually burns 1000 calories or more daily when breastfeeding. That’s why it is essential to make good choices about what you eat.
Q: What can I do to make breastfeeding my twins easier?
A: Never be afraid to ask for help when providing breastmilk for your babies. Use your resources; don’t think you have to do everything yourself. While you take on the role of nursing your children, others can change diapers, soothe and play with your babies, and you can get some rest.
Conclusion
Breastfeeding twins can be very rewarding for the mother and the babies. When it is clear you will have multiple births, planning is crucial. Hopefully, you have learned some tips and absorbed some advice that will help. Explore Momcozy’s complete line of breastfeeding essentials to support your journey.
Erin and Jay B. with their twin boys.
Erin and Jay made the best of Erin’s pregnancy and the twins' delivery, and they're now making the routine at home work well for all of them. Their pregnancy journey was marked by intense planning, hard work, and numerous adaptations to their home. Now the first months at home are complete. She is grateful for her breastfeeding experience and is happy to have provided valuable nutrients to her boys when they were first born.
Erin says they are finding their groove with the daytime experiences and nighttime feedings, sleeping, and taking care of their sweet baby boys. They enjoy their time with family and friends who come to help when needed. Even Ellie, the family cat, is becoming more tolerant and less jealous of the boys!
