Breastfeeding Twins

[Barb Glare]

Hi,

Most mothers with PCOS are able to feed their babies just fine. More often than not, it is the usual stuff ups surrounding birth and early feeding that result in problems, rather than the PCOS. Some mothers with PCOS actually find it causes oversupply.
Preparation is you best ally. Go to an ABA breastfeeding class. In some areas they have special twin ones, - but otherwise the normal ones are great.
Keep your babies with you skin to skin as much as possible. Twin babies can also have the problem of being premature. If your babies are born prem, or near term (but not term) and are unable to effectively suckle, stimulate your milk supply as early as possible with a good electric breastpump (your hospital should have one, and you can hire them from ABA)
Get your support networks sorted out. Having twins is a lot of work - however you feed them.
Let us know how you go, and if you want to know anything else, just ask.

[tk1999]

Thanks Barb, I am only expecting the one but appreciate the advice all the same. I have contacted my local ABA and am going to a meeting soon and my membership is being submitted soon

Good to know that PCOS shouldn't hinder anything else!!

[jenc77]

Hi there

I'm not sure if this thread is still active, but I'll give it a go!

I am 26 weeks pregnant with twins, and am expecting them to make their appearance in about 10-11 weeks. I am really committed to the idea of breastfeeding, and have been doing lots of reading. However, as these are my first babies, I have no idea how it will actually work in real life.

I know I need to get a double electric pump. Can anyone recommend which sort to get? I am planning to hire I think.

Also, does anyone know of any twin breastfeeding classes in Brisbane? I called ABA, and they don't seem to have any. I am sure the normal class would still be useful, but I'd really love to see how someone actually breastfeeds twins. I wonder if there is an option to arrange a special twin class via the ABA if there is enough interest? Any other brisbane based twin mums-to-be out there?

Jen

[hannahfroodoo]

HI Jen - which hospital are you delivering at? I went to Mater Brisbane and they had a special ante-natal class for parents expecting multiples. It wasn't just about breastfeeding but breastfeeding was covered a little bit. I would highly recommend the class - or check out if they offer something similar at your hospital.
Otherwise, I'd say just talk to other mums. I really don't think a class can prepare you for the reality.
A couple of things from my experience of breastfeeding my two:
-the biggest difference feeding twins compared to feeding 1 for me was that when I was feeding 1, I could alternate breasts each feed so that each side got a 'rest'. I had plenty of milk and at one stage was even feeding my singleton solely from 1 side because the other side was so painful. You can't do this with twins (obviously!) your breasts don't get a break because you're feeding from each side at every feed. Be prepared that it might hurt a LOT in those early days. Breastfeeding was more painful than labour in my opinion! And remember to ask ask ask for help from the lactation consultants in the hospital. If they don't give you the help you need, ask again, insist, get angry, cry, whatever it takes. make sure you get the help you want so you can leave the hospital feeling confident in the breastfeeding you have established.
-they say it shouldn't hurt if you're doing it right. I say bollocks. Everyone I have ever spoken to has at least a little bit of pain in the first few days. However, if the pain is getting worse, or your nipples are visibly damaged, ask for help. Get a lactation consultant to sit with you for a couple of feeds.
-start feeding them individually. once you feel confident, then try feeding together.
- it is hard work. But if you can stick it out till 3 months, it gets much, much easier. after 3 months, it is so rewarding and so worth while.

HTH!

[MantaRay]

Congratulations Jenc. What an exciting time you have ahead!

The ABA's Breastfeeding Education Classes are absolutely fantastic, and while they do not cover twins specifically I think you would still get a lot of benefit out of one. It also gives you the opportunity to ask questions, and to meet some local counsellors who can help you out with information and support once the babies are born.

I also recommend joining the ABA - apart from the fantastic support you get from the local groups and the magazine, you also get a 50% discount on pump hire with counselling thrown in! Plus the Breastfeeding..Naturally book you get for free when you subscribe is excellent. The ABA store, Mothers Direct also sells a booklet about Breastfeeding Twins for just $5. It has lots of fantastic information on pros and cons of feeding separately, or both babies together, and suggestions for positioning.

I am sure that the thought of feeding twins is a bit daunting right now, and I am sure it will take some getting used to. But many mums do successfully breastfeed twins so it is certainly possible, and it will get easier with time. The ABA helpline is 24 hours toll free - 1800 mum 2 mum - so you can call that anytime you have questions or need support.

All the best hun. I'd love to hear how you are going.

[Baby Dreamtime]

Hi Jenc, I just asked my SIL this same question, she is actually from the US and her company deals with breast milk banks etc so she is in the know. She was in Australia for the last 9 months and recently had her second child here, this is what she replied:

"I bought the Avent Handpump - it was around $80 or so at Target. But pumping for twins you will be much better off with an electric pump. You can either rent a hospital grade electric (they are about $100/month), if you don't want to fork out all the cash right now. And that way you can try before you buy. Otherwise some of the electrics cost up to $400.

I have used both the Ameda pump as well as the Medela pump. I personally prefer Medela but everyone is a little different. The electric pumps will be good if you can afford it because you will be able to do the double pump - it looks crazy but it saves a heck of alot of time.

Just to throw it in while I'm at it even though I am sure the lactation consultant will tell you -

1. It is always best to pump in the morning this is when you get the most milk

2. Don't be disappointed if you are producing very little when you first pump, it will take some time to get used to pumping. You can expect only a few ounces at first each time you pump. This will increase week by week as long as you make pumping part of your regular routine.

3. Drink ALOT of water - if you are properly hydrated you will make more milk. Dehydration puts you at risk for mastitis and low milk supply.

4. Relax while you pump - make it daddy's time with the boys, watch something funny on TV. It is proved that you actually make more milk when you are laughing. And it's good for your sanity.

5. Change positions when you feed and don't wear a restrictive bra, if you get plugged ducts (hard lumps in your breasts) do a gravity feed or pump (sounds crazy, works like magic) As you might have guessed you lean forward and allow your breast with the blockage hang and pump or feed with it hanging. You always want to aim the baby's nose in the direction of the blocked ducts - same with a pump. Gently massage the lumps and feed/pump frequently until they are gone. NO HOT SHOWERS when this happens it will get worse."

I hope this helps some, I found it great initial advice. If you organise for breast feeding classes, I would be interested, and don't mind travelling to Brisbane, I also have another friend who is 13 weeks pregnant with twins who may be interested also. Let me know, xx

[jenc77]

Thank you so much for your advice. I called the ABA again and talked through the breastfeeding class, and will be going to one of those in a couple of weeks. As the lovely woman on the phone said, it covers all the stuff you need to know whether you're feeding one or two - like attachment, nipple care, expressing, etc. And many twin mums feed one at a time anyhow.
BDT - I'll let you know how it goes.
Jen

[hannahfroodoo]

just one point on the pumping - lots of people talk a lot about pumping when you have twins. I didn't use my pump once. Not once. I bought an Avent pump when I had my first DD and never even got it out of the cupboard for the twins. You might be wanting to express so that DH can bottlefeed or you can go back to work or because you want a brreak from feeding or something but don't be fooled into thinking that you will HAVE to express in order to have enough milk to feed 2. If you are feeding them both, that should be more than enough stimulation for your breasts to produce the milk you need. There are always exceptions of course, and some people do need to express but remember your breasts will work on 'supply and demand' and produce the milk your babies need.

I mention this becuase OVER supply of breastmilk can cause problems just as undersupply can. Things like recurring mastitis because you're producing far more milk than your babies can drain or overactive letdown.

I highly recommend the book 'Mothering Multiples' as a fabulous breastfeeding resource for twins or more. it answers every question you would ever think of asking and then some. It is endorsed by LLL in America and is very good.

Hope the ABA class is helpful. Good luck!

[rhyb]

Hmmm does anyone know anyone who was BF triplets? I didnt BF DS and I really wanna do it for the triplets cz theyll be premmie babies

[Barb Glare]

Hi,

head straight for ABA. Get a copy of their book "Breastfeeding twins, triplets and more" Go to a class - as some-one else said, you will learn the basics of understanding how breastfeeding works - and that is important. Breastmilk will be vital for your precious, prem little babies. Unfortunately it is likely you wwill get a lot of negativity from some people- people who don't believe breastfeeding *works* let along breastfeeding 3! Let us know what we can do to help and support you.
Join ABA - they are vital support for any new mothers. They will put you in touch with other mums who have been there, done that