Is breast milk alone enough for infants?
According to research, it has been found that mothers of twin babies produce close to 2-2.5 LT of milk per day for the first 6 months.
However, in some twin babies, the development of the babies can be monitored and formula can be started as a supplement to breast milk if necessary. At this point, we emphasize that the development of your babies should be evaluated by your doctor and your doctor should make the formula decision.
The best way to evaluate whether your milk is enough for your babies is to examine your baby's weight gain. You can visit our article for more detailed information.
Breastfeeding Twin Babies
Breastfeeding twins differs from breastfeeding a single baby in two ways. These are the breastfeeding pattern and the breastfeeding positions.
Breastfeeding Patterns in Twin Babies
In the case of twins, the breastfeeding pattern is different than usual as two babies need breast milk at the same time. There are two techniques: alternate breastfeeding and simultaneous breastfeeding.
We have compared the advantages and disadvantages of simultaneous breastfeeding and alternate breastfeeding for you. You can examine both methods and choose the one that suits you best and that you feel most comfortable with.
Taking turns breastfeeding twins
This is a very common method for breastfeeding twins. With this method, you breastfeed your babies alternately.
Advantages
- Because you breastfeed one baby at a time, it is more comfortable than breastfeeding at the same time.
- You give your babies individual attention and one-to-one time.
Disadvantages:
- It is more tiring and time-consuming, especially if we consider the time newborns spend at the breast, as the number of breastfeedings will increase.
- While one baby is breastfeeding, the other baby will be hungry and may get impatient and cry.
Breastfeeding Twins at the Same Time
It is a method of breastfeeding twins at the same time and in the same position.
Advantages
- It saves time because you breastfeed both babies at the same time.
- While one baby is breastfeeding, the other does not have to wait.
- The milk secretion mechanism works more evenly as both breasts are equally stimulated.
- By breastfeeding at the same time, you promote more skin-to-skin contact, more stimulation of the oxytocin reflex and more milk secretion.
Disadvantages:
- It is physically tiring to hold two babies at the same time.
Things to Consider When Breastfeeding Your Twin Babies
At the same time you do this alternation;
- Both breasts are stimulated by both babies and produce equal amounts of milk.
- If one of your babies has a weaker sucking reflex, by always sucking on the same breast, you will prevent the stimulation on that breast from decreasing.
- You establish a balanced system for both your babies' milk intake and milk production in your breasts.
- Another thing you should pay attention to is to follow your babies' hunger cues. Especially if you are alternating breastfeeding, one baby may get impatient and cry while the other is breastfeeding.