Breastfeeding Multiple Infants

Overview

You may choose to breastfeed. This can be more challenging with multiple babies. But support and guidance can help you be successful. Talk to your doctor, your midwife, or a lactation consultant if you need help. Support can also come from a trusted friend or family member or another person with expertise in breastfeeding multiple-birth babies.

Special techniques often are recommended for multiples. For example:

• Feed the babies one at a time until they learn to latch on to the breast.
• When you're comfortable feeding one baby at a time, you may try to feed two at the same time. The cradle hold and the football hold may be helpful. (You may also choose to feed the babies one at a time.)
• After your milk supply is established, it may help to pump your breast milk. Then others can help you feed the babies.

Breastfeeding can help you bond with your babies. Multiples often are born prematurely, so the protective antibodies in breast milk are especially important for them. And breastfeeding has benefits for you too. It may lower your risk for diabetes or certain cancers later in life.