Was it me or the twins doing all the sucking during breastfeeding? Perhaps it was a bit of both. After navigating through one adoption, multiple miscarriages, fifteen rounds of fertility treatments, a challenging high-risk twin pregnancy, bed rest with a toddler, and nearly facing death from postpartum hemorrhage, I knew not to expect a seamless breastfeeding experience. Spoiler alert: It was a struggle, both literally and figuratively.
I devoured every book recommended on breastfeeding twins. I underlined so many passages in my La Leche League multiples guide that my partner jokingly suggested I should only underline the stuff I wanted to forget. I thought I was prepared, cramming all that information into my brain like a high school exam. But when the twins arrived, I quickly realized I had to improvise. Who would come out on top: the books or this twin mama?
The Books vs. Twin Mom
The books say: Breastfeed right after birth, ideally within 60 minutes post-C-section, giving you just enough time to get stitched up.
Twin mom says: Good luck breastfeeding in the ICU when you’re out cold. Winner: No one.
The books say: Frequent breastfeeding will train your body to produce enough milk for your little ones.
Twin mom says: Almost dying and needing blood transfusions really mess with your milk supply. Winner: No one.
The books say: Start by feeding each twin separately to help them latch properly, with tandem nursing waiting for later.
Twin mom says: Sure, tandem nursing can wait. Winner: Books.
The books say: Avoid bottles and pacifiers in the hospital to establish a solid nursing routine.
Twin mom says: You don’t get to make decisions when you’re unconscious in ICU. Winner: No one.
The books say: The double-football hold is the best position for tandem feeding.
Twin mom says: Seriously? You need some serious assets to pull that off! Why didn’t anyone mention that? Winner: No one. Definitely not my boobs.
The books say: Your milk should come in within three to four days after birth.
Twin mom says: I rebelled! Mine didn’t arrive until the eleventh day, breaking records with my lactation consultant. Winner: Twin Mom!
The books say: Skin-to-skin contact helps babies learn to nurse.
Twin mom says: It’s tough when you’re bruised, battered, and recovering from life-saving procedures. I came home with a walker and a physical therapist. Winner: No one.
The books say: Pumping or feeding every 2-3 hours in the first two weeks helps establish your milk supply.
Twin mom says: Great! I’ll never sleep again anyway. Winner: The books.
The books say: Rent a hospital-grade pump for twins.
Twin mom says: NOBODY warned me about how awful pumping would be! I had no clue how long it would take or how my toddler would act up when I was tethered to those tubes. Winner: My toddler.
The books say: Tandem feeding is trickier with fraternal twins due to differing hunger cues.
Twin mom says: So true! My fraternal twins were polar opposites in the womb and while nursing. One was a champ; the other had feeding issues. Winner: The books, or maybe the competent twin.
The books say: Tandem breastfeeding is the best option for twins.
Twin mom says: No one told me how much I would loathe tandem nursing! Positioning two babies was a circus, especially when I was alone. I gave up and nursed them separately. Winner: No one.
The books say: Alternating between bottle and breast feeding is not recommended.
Twin mom says: Well, too bad. I never produced enough milk! I devised a system to breastfeed one twin while bottle-feeding the other, and it worked like a charm. Winner: Twin Mom! And my toddler.
The books say: Aim to breastfeed for at least a year.
Twin mom says: My goal was one day at a time. I made it to just under seven months, which, in my Twin World, counts as a year! It was time to sleep-train them. (Ironically, the last time I breastfed one twin, I was listening to “The Last Time” by The Rolling Stones.) Winner: Twin Mom!
The books say: Any amount of breast milk is beneficial for babies.
Twin mom says: Absolutely! I never produced enough, despite consulting multiple experts and trying everything. I supplemented with formula early on. Winner: Everyone.
The takeaway? Books are useful, but the experiences of twin mamas are unmatched! For more insights on pregnancy, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy.
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Summary
Navigating the challenges of breastfeeding twins is a unique journey filled with unpredictability and learning. While books provide guidance, real-life experiences often tell a different story. From the struggles of positioning to the challenges of supply, twin moms adapt and find what works best for them and their families.