Updated: June 3, 2020
Originally Published: March 29, 2019
With advancements in IVF treatments and fertility medications, the incidence of multiple births has surged by 200%. In fact, by 2009, one in every 30 babies born was a twin. Given the well-documented advantages of breastfeeding, why is there such a scarcity of resources for mothers nursing multiples? As a mother of two sets of twins, I can confidently say that twin moms, along with those having other multiples, require better support to successfully breastfeed their infants.
My first set of twins entered the world as part of the 60% of twins born prematurely, often leading to NICU stays. The challenges of early birth can complicate nursing for any mother, but for those with multiples, it can be especially daunting. My twins were placed in separate NICU rooms, preventing me from practicing tandem nursing during their six and nine-day stays. This separation not only took a toll on my emotions but also hindered my ability to nurse effectively. When we finally returned home, I was lost when it came to tandem nursing, ultimately ending my breastfeeding journey earlier than I had hoped due to insufficient support and knowledge.
Lactation expert, Sarah Roberts, explains that this gap in knowledge often contributes to mothers of multiples discontinuing breastfeeding sooner than intended. “The combination of misinformation and a lack of emotional and physical support can lead twin moms to stop nursing before they are ready,” she shared. “Mothers of multiples need extensive support, not just in breastfeeding but in every aspect of parenting.”
During my first experience with breastfeeding twins, I felt this lack of support acutely. While my lactation consultant was a source of encouragement, many others suggested I should give up nursing altogether. They promoted the idea that “fed is best,” but that didn’t resonate with my personal goals. Overwhelmed and feeling hopeless, I turned to formula, believing it was what everyone expected from a mom nursing twins.
When my second set of twins arrived and only needed a brief NICU stay, I was thrilled to nurse them on their first day. They quickly became adept at breastfeeding, and their small size made tandem nursing more manageable. However, even this experience came with its own set of challenges that caught me off guard once we left the hospital.
As my milk supply increased, I found myself nursing both babies while still producing enough milk to fill two nine-ounce bottles afterward. According to Roberts, this overproduction is typical for twin mothers, who develop additional breast tissue during pregnancy. While some may wish for such an abundance, I often felt overwhelmed, as if I were drowning in what should have been a blessing. The nights became particularly chaotic; after nursing, I would wake up soaked from my chest to my pants, despite wearing nursing pads. My solution? Taping diapers to the inside of my shirt to stay warm and dry at night—innovative and effective, if I do say so myself.
Though I cherished the moments of nursing, they sometimes felt like an endurance test. When one baby latched well, the other would often come unlatched, disrupting the flow of my let-down. I attempted to nurse them separately, but that led to endless cluster feeding and very little sleep. The chaos of having two babies on different schedules is something only mothers of multiples can truly understand.
To put it plainly, nursing multiples is a vastly different experience from nursing a single baby. With a singleton, you can comfortably lie on your side and nurse once you both get the hang of it. But with multiples, comfort is often out of the question. Public outings often turned into a cycle of nursing one baby while the other cried, repeating the ordeal endlessly. And if, by chance, I managed to nurse both in public, I felt like a sign should be hanging above me saying, “MAMA COW AT WORK!”
The exhaustion led me to shorten feeding times, compromising my mental health in the process. “If breastfeeding is taking a toll on a mother’s mental well-being, that’s a key moment to reassess,” Roberts advised. “Each situation is unique, and moms should remember that every drop counts. It’s possible to blend breastfeeding with formula feeding or reduce nursing without completely weaning.”
Ultimately, I didn’t let my babies go hungry. Instead, I began supplementing with stored breast milk rather than nursing them directly, which, along with not fully pumping as they grew, caused a significant drop in my milk supply.
Despite the abundance of breastfeeding support groups across the country, resources tailored specifically for mothers of twins are nearly nonexistent, especially in my state. Online, you’ll find countless nursing pillows designed for singleton babies, while options for moms nursing multiples are severely limited. Even the hospital where I gave birth seemed unprepared for a mother eager to effectively nurse twins, setting me up for failure from day one.
Had I been properly informed, equipped, and supported in the art of nursing twins, my experience would have been less daunting. Though twins are not the norm, their birth rates continue to rise each year. If we genuinely believe that breastfeeding is the best choice, we must create better resources and support systems for mothers of multiples, giving them the opportunity to achieve their breastfeeding goals.
For more information on home insemination and parenting, check out this insightful article on IVF processes.
Summary:
Breastfeeding multiples presents unique challenges that are often overlooked. Despite the increasing prevalence of twin births, resources and support for nursing mothers of multiples remain scarce. Personal experiences highlight the need for better education, emotional backing, and practical tools tailored for mothers of twins. It is crucial that society recognizes the struggles faced by these mothers and works to provide the necessary support for successful breastfeeding journeys.
Keyphrase: breastfeeding multiples challenges
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