Problems with positioning breastfeeding twins

QUESTION: My wife is breast feeding and doing an incredible job nursing our twins. These are our first babies and they have no problems with the feedings at all. We introduced the bottle this past weekend and they both took to it right away. The question we have relates to positioning while feeding. My wife has developed a very stiff and sore neck due to constantly watching the babies to make sure they are latched on well. She uses a twin feeding pillow and feeds both babies at the same time. She sits upright on the couch or in our bed with the babies on the pillow in her lap. She tries not to look down the entire time, but spends most of the time with her head down. Is there another position she should use or a different technique she can try to make sure the babies are latched on properly? She has reached the point where she can hardly turn her head! Can you help?

Thank You in advance!

Dave,

First, I must congratulate both you and your wife on the birth of your twins and your dedication to breastfeeding. It really sounds like you are a very supportive father and this is wonderful because this is what your wife needs during this time. Make sure that she eats well so that she can keep up her energy with the babies. Continue to provide her with support while she concentrates on feeding your babies. Soon they will develop their own little "schedules" and may not want to continue nursing together or they may choose to continue to do so or they may not want to nurse together all of the time.

One of my concerns with your question is that of positioning and your introduction to a bottle. Breastfeeding is very different to bottle-feeding and it is possible that they become nipple confused with the introduction of a bottle. My recommendation is not to do so until your wife feels she is comfortable enough to lay back and enjoy the feedings. Since you mention that she spend most of her time with her head down, I am assuming she may not feel like they are properly latched-on and if this is so, I do not recommend bottles at this time.

There are many positions that your wife can try and your imagination is the key to what will work for all of you! Remember that the twins are used to being on top of each other so that if you want to try one on each side with one bottom on top of the other one it may be easier to look at the latch. Look for lips flanched open like a fish and listen for swallowing (look for wiggling of the ears). One of the things that you can do to help her is for you to in charged of looking out for the things I mentioned above while your wife simply relaxes. This will give her peace of mind and encouragement! You may also try to see if you can see the tongue cupping the breast (you may have to stick your pinky just at the edge of the mouth to bring down the lower lip). Another position that many mothers of twins find useful is to sit indian style and placing the babies on each leg.

Dave, I also suggest lots of pillows for your wife. The most comfortable that she is the easier breastfeeding will be for her and the more enjoyable. Once she gets the babies latched on, have her sit back and relax. Keep in mind that the more your wife nurses, the more milk. Breastfeeding works on the basis of supply and demand. Try the book "Mothering Multiples" by Karen Kerkhoff Gromada available through La Leche League.

Yvonne C. Bannister, B Sc, CBC, LLLL, IBCLC

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