It's Multiples Awareness Week! Here are some great breastfeeding resources if you're expecting Twins, Triplets or More
Posted by Corryn Barakat on Mar 12, 2015
March 8th to 15th is Multiple Birth Awareness Week. I thought it would be a great opportunity to put together some of the great resources available for new mums if you're expecting multiples, and some places to start for you for support and for breastfeeding tips and resources. If you know of other places or resources that we should add to the list, please get in touch and let me know!
The Australian Multiple Birth Association has a list of fabulous events held around the country for you to go along to and connect with other parents of multiples. If you know that you're expecting twins, triplets or more it is so important for you to meet other parents who have been there before to form a support network and to get great tips and advice. Once you have your babies it can be life saving for your sanity to connect with other parents who also have multiples.
Breastfeeding Multiples
There are many wonderful resources out there for Mums expecting twins or more, and if you're planning on breastfeeding it is a great idea to tap into a support network who can help you establish and maintain a positive breastfeeding relationship. It is absolutely possible to exclusively breastfeed twins and even triplets, however we recommend that you find a good International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, that you trust, before you even give birth to help you prepare for your arrivals. Some of these suggestions may include:
- preparing for a stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or Special Care Nursery as your babies may arrive early
- having lots of skin to skin, or kangaroo care, with your babies whenever possible after birth,
- nursing (if possible) or pumping in the first hour after birth and pumping regularly if your babies are in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or Special Care Nursery to help establish a good supply.
Some Great Resources to check out!
Preparing for and Breastfeeding Twins - A great article written by our resident Lactation Consultant, Katie James. Katie covers off on a range of topics such as milk supply, milk quantities and even feeding from both breasts!
La Leche League - the International La Leche League have a great range of breastfeeding and parenting related articles for mothers of twins or more. This page contains a list of articles, and FAQs that are very detailed and helpful!
The Milk Meg - Breastfeeding triplets - The Milk Meg is our favourite Sunshine Coast IBCLC, and also has some great breastfeeding articles, particularly on breastfeeding triplets!
Karen Kerkhoff Gromada - Mothering Multiples - this is a wonderful gentle parenting style site written by an IBCLC who herself is mother to twins with some great tips particularly relevant to breastfeeding multiples. Her Facebook Page is also great!
Breastfeeding Twins - another great site written by an IBCLC in the US, with some great guest blogs from Mums of Multiples, who share their experiences.
Australian Breastfeeding Association - have some information on their website, as well as a more detailed brochure available for purchase on breastfeeding twins, triplets or more.
And Some Wonderful Facebook Groups To Join!
The Australian Multiple Birth Association Page
Breastfeeding Twins or More (Australian)
What other resources can you share for Mums of Multiples?
