on breastfeeding twins.

when we found out we were having twins, i was given so much

[unsolicited] discouragement about breastfeeding.

it will be so hard.

it will be impossible.

well, surely it would be easier to just give them a bottle.

you'll be stuck nursing them all day.

and for the love of the stars & the moon,

YOU'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO NURSE IN PUBLIC.

 well, i'm writing this for all the twin mamas-to-be that have any

desire to nurse their babes.  i am fully aware that each person's 

experience is different & am a huge believer that moms know and

do best for their babies.  so, this isn't some political statement.

it is simply me saying what has worked for us & [hopefully]

being a voice that it's not always that hard, definitely not impossible,

i find breastfeeding easier than preparing/carrying around bottles,

i am not stuck in a corner nursing all day and it's even possible

to nurse twins in public if you so desire.

see?

so, i'm just going to share what i find to work best for us:

•if at all possible, fight to breastfeed your babies as soon as possible after
delivery.  our babies were in NICU for 9 days & upon arrival the nurse
asked me what kind of formula to give them. she said that i couldn't breastfeed
because then they couldn't properly monitor how much they were taking in.
i [cried a little lot] & asked if we could weigh them before & after every
feeding.  she reluctantly asked the neonatologist & he very happily agreed.
[and the rest of the nursing staff for the rest of our stay was truly awesome.]

•nurse them and pump as often as possible those first couple weeks to get
a good supply.  when i had a few days where my supply dipped, massaging
before and compressions towards the end of the feed did wonders.
i've also used fenugreek & blessed thistle at times.

•drink lots and lots of water. this was the hardest part for me.  how did i have
time to drink that much water?!  when i finally did have time i was already settled
into a comfy spot with them eating.  i seriously considered wearing one of those
crazy hats with double straws coming to my mouth!  i began just keeping cups
of water in rooms around the house, making it a priority to get before sitting
down to nurse & having my sweet older kiddos bring me some!

•eat well.  again--hard.  i love oatmeal and it does help with milk supply
so i tried to eat it everyday for a mid-morning snack at first.  i keep
almonds & granola bars by the chairs where i sit to feed.

•swaddle those babies!  my number one baby advice or tip regarding
anything is swaddling.  i know that a lot of moms feel their babies don't like
it, but a good swaddle does wonders.  as far as tandem breast feeding i can't even
really attempt it without them swaddled.  it keeps their hands out of the way, they
feel safe & secure, they can't bother each other & it is super easy to burp them
then transfer them right to wherever they will sleep.  i love blankets that are about
 40x40 & a great material. our favorites are aden + anais' muslin ones
and the organic cotton ones pictured above from pottery barn kids.


•try different holds.  both of them in football hold is what worked best for us
from birth to about 6 weeks.  from that time on they have almost exclusively
been cradled in one of my arms, laid on their sides, one resting her head
on the other's ribs & fed. this position usually even allows one of my arms
to be free.

•for the logistics of getting them there, i normally pick them both up out
of the bouncy chair that they are sharing.  as they get bigger, i'll probably
have 2 boppy pillows near where i'll feed.  i can then position them near me
in the pillows & pick up one at a time.  if i need to burp one at a time,
they can go back to the bouncy or boppy, then switch.

•for nursing in public. it's not impossible. i'm careful to layer appropriately.  i usually
wear a tank, a shirt & a cardigan.  a scarf or their blankets add extra fluff when needed.
i try not to let them get too hungry.  when i know it's about time or when i start to
see their clues, i get ready.  that way, they're not starving & screaming and i'm not
worried about all the extra attention we're suddenly getting.  depending on my outfit
and my comfort level regarding where i am [the place & where people are in
position to me] i may use an extra blanket or not.  often, people have no
idea.  i try to relax knowing that & just talk myself out of any fears--
i'm just feeding my babies when they need to eat!

 that's all i can think of for now.  i'm happy to address any questions in the
comments.  don't get me wrong--it's not easy.
but, it's definitely not impossible!
you can do it, twin mamas!