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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Breastfeeding twins... tips?

    Related Topics
    Breastfeeding Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
    I have twins and it can be quite exhuasting constantly breastfeeding them and taking care of them. Any tips?
    • 2 answers
    • Joy Anderson
    • Dr Karin Hammarberg
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  • Joy Anderson

    Dietitian, Nutritionist

    Joy is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Accredited Nutritionist, as well as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). She has a special interest in … View Profile

    Twins are hard work no matter how they are fed. Feeling overwhelmed, at least at times, is pretty normal for mothers of multiples. Breastfeeding is usually less work than bottle-feeding. A few tips:

    • Try to get their feeds at about the same time, either feed them together or one after the other. This might mean waking the second twin.
    • Minimise everything else, so your only responsibility is feeding the babies and resting. Have help for the rest. Worry only about the basics for now.
    • Use reclined positions to rest while feeding. Make sure you have lots of pillows, etc for support. If possible, lie down to feed.
    • Eat well to keep up your energy levels. Preferably have someone prepare your meals and snacks for you, or cook simple meals. Making milk for two needs lots of energy apart from your own needs.
    • Surround yourself with supportive family and friends, perhaps make contact with a multiples organisation like Multiple Birth Association and join the Australian Breastfeeding Association.
    • Have someone else with you when you venture out, to help with the babies. Or invite friends to your place, so you don't have to go out. Make sure they don't expect to be waited on! Rather, ask them to do something to help you, eg hang out the washing, make you a snack.
    Focus on the double pleasure your precious babies will give you for many years and know that things will get easier.

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  • Dr Karin Hammarberg

    Registered Nurse

    Karin is a Research Fellow at the Jean Hailes Research Unit at Monash University and Senior Research Officer at the Victorian Assisted Reproduction Treatment Authority.Karin … View Profile

    There are two organisations which provide a wealth of information about breastfeeding twins: Australian Breastfeeding Association https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/ and Australian Multiple Birth Association http://www.amba.org.au/ .
    Good luck!

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