Pen Pal: breastfeeding twins
#TeamFeed are delighted to introduce you to Lucy who shares her experience and tips for tackling twin breastfeeding.
The nausea was intense this time around. I’d found out I was pregnant at around 5 weeks, then, like last time, at 6 weeks the nausea hit. It was really bad – ‘must be a boy this time’ I thought. ‘I’m so tired….but it’s your second, of course you’re tired’. ‘I’m showing so early …everybody does second time!’
These were the thoughts occupying my mind before our first scan. This and simply: go to work, don’t vomit at work, try and get through bedtime routine with my toddler to be able to lie on the couch again.
Never in a million years did I expect to go for our first scan and be told… “It’s twins.” I didn’t believe the sonographer, just simply stared blankly at her thinking she was having a laugh.
As it started to sink in we were in shock. How would we manage? Our first experience of parenthood had been a very difficult journey. A tough first year, followed by a year of being in and out of hospital. How would this ever work with twins?
Breastfeeding was a huge question mark for me. I had exclusively breastfed my little girl for 4 months or so, then switched to mixed feeding. This had worked to some degree and eventually had lasted 2 years. I had never expected or planned for that at the beginning, it just sort of happened.
In this scenario I had no clue; ‘How do you even do that?!’ And ‘Is it even possible?’ Thankfully we have some friends who have twins and were able to give us lots of advice. They had various experiences and essentially we approached it with an entirely open mind. If it works, great; if not, we’ll bottle-feed no question.
In addition we found the Twins Trust, a UK-based charity with lots of resources for parents of twins. They also directed us to our local twins and multiples support group – something most areas of the UK have. Both have been excellent for support. In addition, the Facebook group ‘Breastfeeding Twins and Multiples’ has been a lifeline. The moderators of this group are a wealth of knowledge and support.
On the approach to my C-section date, I had my breast pumps in the boxes – ‘would I even need these?’ ‘Would I be able to use them?’ I didn’t know how it would be possible. With my first I used the Haakaa let-down system whilst feeding baby from one side which worked a treat. But with two – there are no other breasts to catch a let down from! And of course throughout, there was the very real possibility that the twins would come early, and perhaps require time in NICU or special care where expressing may become necessary, I simply didn’t know.
We were very lucky to make it to my section date at 37+2 weeks pregnant. One benefit of having twins is you are almost guaranteed the first slot, so by 9.34am and 9.35am respectively the twins had arrived!
One thing with sections, and particularly twins is, it’s very difficult to get skin-to-skin in theatre. The staff were amazing at helping do this as much as possible, but we did have to wait to get to recovery to start feeding.
I was so grateful when, as soon as we were in recovery, they both latched and fed. From there on, there was lots of help, and because the delivery was early in the day, my husband was able to stay for much of those first 12 hours (my first baby was born late evening and he was sent home straight away!).
It was difficult to manoeuvre myself and the babies initially, and I cannot tell you how grateful I was to have a single room and an electronic bed. One thing I would emphasise to anyone due to spend time in the postnatal ward, whether twins or singleton babies is: please do not feel afraid to ask for help. Staff are busy, and may not necessarily be able to proactively come to you all the time, but if you ask for help they will gladly come (in my experience).
We remained in hospital for a few days because the babies had jaundice (very common in babies born under 38weeks), but it allowed me lots of time to establish feeding, and a routine, which became necessary with the 3-hourly feeds required.
From there I kept thinking, we’ll just see how it goes. And then it did. It just kept going and going, and 5 months later it’s still working.
If there are some main points I would highlight to anyone worried about the idea of breastfeeding twins it is the following:
It absolutely IS possible – don’t exclude it simply for fear of feeding two!
Invest in a twin feeding pillow – this absolutely made every difference in the early days. Research which one will fit best for you (it’s all about ‘nipple to naval’ distance!)
Join the facebook support group – ‘Breastfeeding twins and triplets uk’ – they have a wealth of knowledge and advice. Similarly, I would recommend the Twins Trust and your local support group.
Ask for help and support, don’t be afraid! Both in hospital and from your midwives and health visitors once you are home.
Try to establish a routine early – with my first I just went with the flow, but with twins it was imperative to get them feeding regularly, and ‘in sync’ – this means you are more likely to get some rest in between feeds
Take all and any help offered from family and friends. I am writing this in the midst of a global pandemic, and I know how utterly difficult it must be for new parents with little or no support. You can only do your best, and if you are struggling, reach out to those you love
Thank you so much for reading this far, and thank you to Feed for having me as a guest blog!
Thanks Lucy for such a wonderfully insightful piece.
If you, like Lucy, would like to become our Pen Pal and share your feeding story then please email us hello@feeduk.org and stay tuned for more to come!
