Tuesday twin talk is a bi-weekly column about raising multiples in the Rochester area.
Many mothers pregnant with twins don't even consider the possibility of breastfeeding both babies. When I found out we were giving birth to two, the thought of buying twice as much formula scared me to death. Rather than take out a second loan on our house, I decided to give it a go: I would try my hardest to breastfeed my new little girl and boy.
Breast or Bottle: A Personal Decision
I am not a breastfeeding Nazi. My second child refused the boob and I ended up exclusively bottle-feeding him. There are definite pros and cons to the breast vs. the bottle. The evidence as far as what's very best for baby points with both fingers at breastfeeding. However, what is best health-wise for baby is sometimes trumped by mommy's sanity... If breastfeeding is too hard, causes too much stress, etc... the ba-ba is the way to go. Mommy's happiness= baby's happiness, after all. And although there are genuine health benefits to be gained by breastfeeding, my pediatrician told me something that greatly assuaged my guilt when I was unable to breastfeed my son. He told me his mother gave him, get this, CONDENSED MILK when he was an infant. Jokingly, he suggested that perhaps that was why he was a pediatrician and not a surgeon.
Here are some reasons to consider breastfeeding twins:
1) Cost: Parents of twins can expect to spend at least $3000.00 in formula the first year. Breastfeeding is free.
2) Health benefits for babies: Breast milk is nature's perfect food for infants. Babies get important antibodies in the first weeks of breastfeeding. Children who were breastfed have been shown to have reduced risks of asthma, ear infections, leukemia, and SIDs.
3) Health benefits for mommies: Breastfeeding helps stave off breast cancer, ovarian cancer, decreases the risk of PPD and type 2 diabetes. Also, breastfeeding will help you lose your pregnancy weight faster. Nothing is scarier than a mommy's belly after giving birth to twins. It will tighten up quicker when breastfeeding.
4) Bonding: Breastfeeding is a lovely way to snuggle with your babies and help them feel safe, secure, and blissfully happy.
Is There a Downside?
Sure. You may be wearing a bra size you didn't know existed, you might fight off the occasional bout of mastitis, and then there's that whole me and you and the other one are tied to each other until this is over. Oh! And the time! Lots and lots of time given to feeding.
Remember that it's just one short period in your life. I found breastfeeding to be worth it.
I NEED HELP!!!
My friend gave me a twin nursing pillow so I could breastfeed both babies at once. (You can either cross them over your lap when they are little or feed them in the "football hold." ) I was never coordinated enough to do this. Plus, I had two rambunctious boys running all over the place. Try putting down TWO hungry babies latched to you suddenly when your two year old is making long distance calls on the telephone.
Many others, however, have had success with the nursing pillow.
I took turns. My babies were fast eaters, so it really didn't take all that long. We got into a schedule, and it was only during an occasional feeding that one would scream to be fed while the other was eating. Oh, the good old days...
If you are going to breastfeed your twins, I recommend doing the following:
· Get a good breast pump and teach your babies to take an occasional bottle so you can have some time to yourself. Medela is supposed to be the best, but I found the Avent breast pump to be MUCH more comfortable. Rent a breast pump at the hospital you will be giving birth at.
· Get support. Explain to your closest friends and family beforehand what you are planning to do and why it’s important to you. Make sure your husband is on board!
· Enjoy this short, precious time with your babies. Mine were so attached, I breastfed for 15 months. I consider it a great feat! I can’t run a 5K, but breastfeeding my babies… that I could do.
Additional Resources
La Leche League: I've always been too wary of their strict philosophies to call them for help, but they are the best at what they do. Contact La Leche League in Rochester for meetings and consultations with lactating specialists.
Hospital services: Hospitals with birthing centers have lactating consultants on staff. They will help get started with breastfeeding in the hospital. Most will provide phone consultations after you are discharged. Some will visit your home for a fee or if you are having serious difficulties.
Comments
" I've always been too wary of their strict philosophies to call them for help, but they are the best at what they do. "
I would disagree with this! LLL does have a guiding philosophy, but the bottom line is that mothers are the experts on their own families. If you've ever gone to an LLL meeting, the Leader always starts off by saying "Take what you need and leave the rest." LLL's goal is to provide mothers with accurate information and then it's up to each individual mother to decide what would work best for her family. :)
Julie,
Love your spunky defense of LLL! "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" was my bible when breastfeeding all my kids. However, the book itself is fairly openly antagonistic toward the ba-ba (specifically, formula), which made me trepidatious about looking into joining an LLL group.
I love the LLL leader's start off note! That's pretty much been my philosophy about all parenting advice I get on a fairly regular basis :)
Thanks for your comment!
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