Breastfeeding twins

If you’ve been told you’re expecting twins, don’t let it put you off breastfeeding – it’s definitely possible to breastfeed more than one baby.

Your body can produce enough milk for two, and as twins are more likely to be born prematurely, they’ll really benefit from the protective goodness of your breast milk. In addition, breastfeeding twins is going to help you save time, as preparing bottles for two will be very time consuming, as well as expensive.

If your babies are born prematurely, they’ll likely be tube fed if they aren’t old enough to have developed a sucking reflex. If this is the case, feed them your expressed breast milk from a special cup rather than a bottle, since bottlefeeding requires a different sucking motion and your babies may suffer from nipple confusion when you try to make the transition to breastfeeding.

At first, it may be easier to feed one baby at a time, but it is possible to feed simultaneously, if that makes things easier for you. Trying to impose a feeding schedule on twins is likely to be difficult, especially at first. Either feeding on demand (which will help to establish the correct milk supply for your babies) or letting one baby wake to feed and then waking the other so they start to feed at the same time, are probably the best options.

You’re likely to be hungry all the time if you’re breastfeeding two babies, so don’t miss any meals, and ensure you have plenty of snacks to hand to keep your blood sugar levels stable. You must also drink enough water to help your body manufacture breast milk and prevent dehydration.

Your babies may well have a preference as to which breast they feed from and if they’re similar weights, this is fine. However if one twin is larger, it’s a good idea to alternate so that both breasts are simulated to produce a good supply of milk.

Breastfeeding positions for twins?

As far as feeding positions are concerned, if you’re feeding your twins at the same time you can use the traditional cradle hold with one baby lying in front of the other, but many moms find the football hold, where your babies’ bodies fit under your arms and their heads are held in your hands, to be the best option. You can also mix positions, with one twin in the football hold and one in the cradle hold – whichever is most comfortable for you. Experiment with positions in the early days to find what works best for you and your babies, and enlist the help of your partner as you learn to be one-handed in your approach.

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.

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Last Modified: 06/07/2007

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