The Ultimate Guide to Breastfeeding Twins: Tips, Tricks, and Tools

Breastfeeding twins comes with its own unique challenges and rewards. You will become familiar with new words like tandem feeding and breast pumps all whilst navigating your own breastfeeding journey.

When breastfeeding mums know where to access support and resources, it makes breastfeeding twins a smoother experience for all caregivers. There are lots of different types of support you can tap into so that it is accessible regardless of the circumstances. Support can be provided in person with a lactation consultant, or with a group of nursing mum friends, or virtually with online chat services and guides such as this one.

Throughout this guide, you will discover helpful tips, tricks, and tools to make breastfeeding twins an enjoyable experience.

Preparing for Breastfeeding Twins

During pregnancy it’s common for multiples to be born earlier than their due date, so you’re unlikely to go full term. With this in mind, preparing yourself physically and emotionally for the journey ahead will help you in your decision to breastfeed infant twins. 

Don’t be put off from breastfeeding when you discover you’re expecting multiple babies - the benefits are the same as if it was just you feeding one baby. It doesn’t mean double the work or double the struggle, with the right support you and your twin babies can flourish and thrive as you learn to breastfeed together. 

Prepare Your Body to Breastfeed

During the last trimester of pregnancy, your body will be rapidly preparing for the arrival of your newborn babies. You may even notice some colostrum (thick, pale orange-colored liquid) leak from your nipples as the time gets close to giving birth. 

You can support milk production before your infant twins are born by eating a healthy, varied diet. Avoid consuming particular foods and drinks that may hinder your breast milk production, such as highly processed foods and high quantities of caffeine. You can start to harvest your colostrum, which is helpful when babies are born early, to help them gain weight and consume precious nutrients to give them the best start. 

You can take this time to prepare a feeding space at home and practice sitting comfortably with a twin feeding pillow. Use a pretend doll to try some different feeding holds and positions so you can get a feel for what will work best. 

And above all else, rest is the best preparation you can give your body in the build-up to giving birth. Your body is carrying multiple babies, and everything else! Rest as much as you can in the final weeks to save your energy for two or more hungry mouths to feed. 

Prepare Your Mind to Breastfeed

However you’re feeling about breastfeeding twins, talk to your healthcare provider about life with infant twins. Ask what support they can signpost you, should you need help with breastfeeding after they are born. 

If there is anything about breastfeeding that you want to learn more about or you want to educate yourself on the potential challenges that come with breastfeeding, online resources and maternal experts are at hand to answer your questions. From low supply to poor latch, the answers are there to help you. 

Create Your Support Network

There’s only so much you can do by yourself and if having a baby teaches you anything, it’s learning how to let others help you. Infant twins are completely dependent on their parents, and you’ve both only got one pair of hands! 

Call in some favours amongst family and friends, and keep your visitors to a minimum to begin with so you can settle down into your new life as a family. Joining a breastfeeding support group, or one that is specifically for breastfeeding twins is a great way to connect with other parents who are in the same boat as you, looking for advice and encouragement. 

The Essentials – Tools for Breastfeeding Twins

When you’re breastfeeding twins, you’re going to need a twin feeding pillow to help you hold and support both babies as they feed. Especially in the early days or if you have a c-section, your back, neck, arms, and core will need the extra support from a breastfeeding pillow to take the extra weight too. 

A twin feeding pillow can take on multiple uses as well as for breastfeeding. Some double up as a hip support when you’re carrying your baby as they get older and others feature handy pockets for all your breastfeeding essentials. There are now travel-friendly breastfeeding pillows that you can deflate or store away easily when feeding on the go. 

Recommended Pillows for Breastfeeding Twins

1. bbhugme Nursing Pillow

An adjustable nursing pillow that you can strap around your body to secure into position. The beads allow you to adjust the height and length of the pillow so you can get a comfortable custom fit. The cover is made from soft cotton and it's easy to machine wash too. 

2. Ergobaby Natural Curve Nursing Pillow

In a double-sided nursing pillow, one side is flat for a firmer raised position for your babies and the flip side is curved allowing their head to tilt above your tummy. This position aids their digestion and the carry strap can secure around mum for a snug fit. They also boast sustainable features and use less packaging for a greener shipping experience.

3. Twin Z Nursing Pillow

The unique shape allows a nursing mum to breastfeed and/or bottle-feed both babies at once. This twin-feeding pillow has been praised for its quality and longevity as it grows with your twins. The soft cover is super snuggly too and easy to clean in the washing machine.

Breastfeeding Cushions and Essentials

As well as twin feeding pillows, you can also invest in a breastfeeding cushion that acts as a support under your arm or around your sides to support your posture whilst you feed. It’s so easy to slump into an awkward position and your body will not thank you for it after a long feeding session! There are lots of different types available, it’s a case of trying a couple to see what’s comfiest for you. 

Other lesser-known breastfeeding essentials that you will want to keep handy are:

• Nipple shields - to help protect your nipple if your baby has a poor latch

• Re-usable bamboo cotton breast pads - these are so soft and simply throw them in the washing machine and wear them again and again!

• Breast milk storage bags - a handy way to store expressed breast milk in the fridge or freezer. If you purchase the Lola&Lykke breast milk storage bags, you can pump straight into the bags and feed your baby directly from them. This will save you from decanting breast milk into a bottle and reduce waste. 

Breast Pump for Mums Breastfeeding Twins

With two mouths to feed, using a breast pump is a game-changer for every twin mum's breastfeeding schedule. Breast pumps can help you manage your milk supply to increase or decrease your supply, and also manage feeding routines for your twins. While you're pumping from one breast, you can nurse one baby on the other, and your partner can feed their twin with expressed breast milk.

You’ll know you have found the right breast pump for you when it is easy to use, makes feeding simpler, and the features are working hard for you. Introducing a breast pump like Lola&Lykke’s Smart Electric Breast Pump will help you to build a breast milk stash as well as help you manage your supply needs throughout your breastfeeding journey.

Tips for Successful Breastfeeding with Twins

There’s nothing better than learning a few handy tips and tricks from breastfeeding mums who have already walked the path you’re on. Bear these tips in mind for when you’re breastfeeding twins.

Feeding Schedule for Breastfeeding Twins

Whether you are feeding on demand, exclusively, with formula top ups or expressed breast milk, a feeding schedule will save you so much time and wash away any unnecessary stress. Feeding one baby can feel like a big demand on your time, and feeding two babies will feel even more so at times. 

Establishing a feeding routine between you and your partner helps to lay out expectations and provides structure to the day. You’ll know when your feeding routine is working at its best because it will happen like clockwork without giving it a thought. You can map in when you want to pump, schedule 1:1 feeding time with each of your twins, and times when you may be out at classes and will be feeding on the go. 

Breastfeeding Positions for Twins

With the help from a lactation consultant or your midwife, they can assist you with different feeding positions until you find one that is easy to manoeuvre yourself in and out of and it is comfortable. Common breastfeeding positions for twins are cradle hold and football hold. 

With any breastfeeding position, ensure that you’re leading your baby’s nose to your nipple for the best latch. When you are only breastfeeding one baby, you can try different positions such as laying on your side. 

You can also breastfeed your twins at the same time, this is called tandem feeding. Tandem feeding is easier with a twin feeding pillow to use for support, so you can balance and support their bodies at the same time whilst you position yourself. 

If you want to try tandem feeding in public but you’re not feeling ready yet, that’s ok! To build your confidence, why not try using a breastfeeding cover so you can feed more discreetly and your babies, therefore, may be less distracted and less likely to pull away.

Managing Milk Supply for Twins

It is good practice to switch the sides your twins feed from so that your milk supply is even and it will encourage any weaker feeders to still get a full feed compared to their twin. If you notice one breast is not producing as much milk as the other, you can use an electric breast pump to increase your supply on this side. 

You can also use a breast pump to relieve engorgement and take the initial letdown off of your breasts, and then latch your baby on once the flow is steadier and not as strong. Some babies can struggle with the speed of letdown breast milk and this will stop them fussing at the breast or pulling away. 

Your baby will show they are drinking enough breast milk by being a healthy weight for their age and development and they are producing lots of wet and dirty nappies. When they finish a feed they are content and not searching for more milk. 

Conclusion

We’ve covered how you can prepare yourself for breastfeeding twins, and the types of support you can use before or after they’re born. If you seek it out, there is a village of people around you that will help you through those tougher, more demanding days. 

Learning to be patient with yourself and allowing people to help will put you in a good state of play to take each day one day at a time. Breastfeeding twins can take time to master and feel confident with, so be sure to set your expectations with a dash of realism too. Breastfeeding twins is a beautiful journey, albeit sometimes a challenging one, and it can feel incredibly rewarding when you have the right preparation and support around you.