Feeding Twins

 

Breast-feeding twins is totally possible, and there is nothing to suggest that you should turn to bottle-feeding just because there is double the consumption. Your body has had a good few months to prepare itself for their arrival, and will always provide each twin with the right amount of milk per feed, so there is no need to worry about under-producing. Breast-feeding is definitely more beneficial to any baby, especially in the case of twins, where they are likely to be born pre-term and in need of the additional antibodies that breast milk offers. Pre-term babies may also have difficulties in digesting formula milk.

Due to the fact that you will be spending most of your time feeding, it is important that your chosen method of feeding, is one which you are comfortable with and offers you maximum satisfaction. Each method has it's advantages and disadvantages, and it may be helpful to discuss your fears with other parents in a similar situation to yours. Breast-feeding, although it does carry a few minor disadvantages, should naturally be your first option, as it offers the best in nutritional value, which is vital for small babies. It is digested easily and offers the baby a huge amount of protection from infections - something that bottle-feeding can't vouch for. Choosing this ideal option will also mean that you spend far less time coping with sick infants and worrying over their health.

The fact remains though, that in the end it is your choice, and regardless of what method you choose, the essential factor is that you feed in a way that offers you the most help in caring for two babies.

Breastfeeding

There are a number of different ways in which you can position your babies on the breast, these will naturally change as they get older and bigger. You may begin feeding your new babies' together, but as they become heavier it may be easier for you to feed them separately. Mothers of single babies are advised to allow the baby to suckle from each breast, but because breast-feeding works on a supply and demand basis, it may be easier to let each twin have her 'own' breast. This will ensure that a supply is established according to each baby's need.

Feeding them simultaneously, may at first seem like quite a daunting task, especially if they are very small and still battle to latch-on properly, but with a little experience this should become easier. You may find it easiest to sit on your bed with your back firmly supported and your babies each lying along a pillow, where you can cradle the head of each twin. In the beginning it may also be helpful if you have someone on hand who can wind and change one of the babies while you continue to feed the other.

The reasons many women choose to breastfeed are varied, but the majority say that not only are they offering their babies the 'best' there is, they are also able to build a close bond through it. Caressing, and talking soothingly to them while feeding are excellent ways to build on to the bonding process, however, feeding twins can at times be a lengthy and difficult process, and occasionally it will be common for you to feel fed-up and maybe even bored.

Insufficient milk

Producing insufficient milk, can be remedied by taking good care of yourself, through enough rest and following a correct diet. This will also help you to cope more efficiently with the daily doings of caring for your twins. Support is of great importance here, as it would be unfair to suddenly offer your babies an alternative, when this small problem can so easily be corrected.

Alternating between breast and bottle

Many mothers of twins, find that constantly having to breastfeed two babies becomes too much for them to handle, and combine breast and bottle feeding. This method should be introduced as soon as possible as it is quite easy for a baby to become attached to one specific method. If you are totally against the use of formula milk, and want to increase your milk supply, you can express breast milk into a bottle for feeding. This has the added advantage of not only still offering the best there is, but also allows for your partner to become totally involved with the joys of feeding - giving you that much needed break.

If you have difficulty in expressing your milk, you may want to try using formula milk. The idea here is to alternate between the two - while breast-feeding one twin the other will have formula milk, and then vice versa at the next feed. This way both babies will get their fair share of mother's milk, and it may enable you to persist with breast-feeding that much longer.

 

Bottle-feeding

While some mothers are unable to breastfeed, others choose not to from the very beginning, be this due to feeling tied-down, unappealing or from embarrassment of having to expose yourself for each feed. Bottle-feeding however seems less intimate than breast-feeding does, as there is little skin-to-skin contact and you may later regret having had to compromise on the extra-special contact one experiences while breast-feeding. It is therefore suggested, that if bottle-feeding is your only or chosen option, you make it as special a time as possible by insisting on close contact, even by holding your baby against your naked skin while feeding him.

Bottle-feeding as a choice may also help a mother who has other children, cope with the guilt of having to spend most of her waking hours caring for the twins. Older children can participate in the feeding schedule, or other family members can be called in for assistance while you spend quality time with the rest of your family. Bottle-feeding also helps establish a bond between father and child, something that fathers of babies who are breastfed aren't lucky enough to have. This will offer you extra assistance and will enable your partner to understand the trials and tribulations you are having to cope with each day,

Holding two babies and two bottles at one given time may make you wish you were born an octopus, and this is where help is greatly appreciated. When they are still reasonably small, it may still be simple for you to control both during feeding, but as they get older, it may be easier to feed them separately or place both babies in a pram where you will be able to hold each bottle.

Dummies

Babies gain a great deal of comfort through sucking, and even though you may have been staunchly against dummies during pregnancy, you may now find it particularly helpful to use one. When dealing with two babies, there will always come a time when one baby will have to be placed to the side while the other is bathed, changed or fed, and this is where the dummy is particularly useful - that's of course if you plan on saving your sanity!
Dummies are also a blessing for mothers of twins that suffer from colic, as there is nothing worse than having nothing to offer a screaming baby.

Solid Foods

Once your twins begin eating solid foods, you will probably find yourself spending less time feeding them. The easiest way in which to accomplish this, is by positioning them side by side, and feeding them from the same bowl - just be sure that both are receiving equal amounts.
As they progress onto self-feeding you may just discover that your house does actually resemble that of a pig-sty as it is bound to be a messy time. Finger foods can be introduced from about 7 months, or when you feel they are capable of feeding their mouths and not the kitchen walls.