Q & A: Pre-Delivery Planning

Jane asks:

What can I do before my babies arrive to prepare for breastfeeding?

If you’re a first time mom, I strongly encourage you to take a breastfeeding class through a local hospital or childbirth education center.  Even though basic breastfeeding classes typically don’t address twin-specific issues, they provide an overview of the fundamentals of breastfeeding for anyone.  (If you’ve breastfed a previous child, you still might learn something from a class like this.)  You can watch a video like Shari Criso’s “Simply Breastfeeding” class on DVD, or streaming online. You may also be able to check out an instructional DVD from your local library.

Beyond a basic breastfeeding class, you can seek out a local twin-specific baby prep class.  Some hospitals teach these, though content varies widely.  Some local Lactation Consultants and other breastfeeding professionals may also be able to teach a twin-specific breastfeeding class.

Here are some other steps you can take in advance to prepare:

  1. Enlist your partner’s support.  Set breastfeeding goals together.  Take a breastfeeding class together, if time permits.  While you’re the only one who can do the actual breastfeeding, your partner will have a role too.  (And not just changing diapers, though that WILL be part of things!)
  2. Line up some local support. Find a local lactation consultant and schedule a pre-delivery meeting, or at least post her name and contact info in an easily accessible place (on the fridge, maybe?).  Attend a breastfeeding support group or La Leche League meeting, or at least have their information handy.
  3. Enlist the support of family and friends. The more help you can line up in the early days, the more energy you’ll be able to focus on establishing breastfeeding.  In the earliest days, your best support will come from those people you don’t mind being seen by in your pajamas with milk stains on your clothes.  Social visitors are one thing, HELP is another.
  4. Invest in a twin nursing pillow.  Possibilities include the EZ-2-Nurse Pillow or the My Brest Friend Twin Nursing Pillow.

You can breastfeed your twins!

Posted in Tips & Advice and tagged , ,

1 Comment

  1. Melanie Monroe on November 4, 2010 at 8:20 am

    Getting involved with your local Mothers of Twins Club is a great resource too. It’s great to have a group of people who have been there, done that from whom you can get advice and encouragement.

    Also, just be prepared for the fact that it takes a while to figure out how to arrange yourself and all your gear. Tandem feeding is an obtainable goal, but it does involve some trial and error at the beginning. Figuring out how exactly to set up your “nest” (as I called it) so that it works for you takes a little time, but once you’ve got it and the babies are latching well, you’re good to go!