Breastfeeding twins help

Hi all,

I'm not due til March, but was wondering if anyone knows of a good resource for obtaining support and education on breastfeeding twins? I want to go into this somewhat prepared, and was wondering if there are any classes out there?

I have contacted the ABA, but haven't had a reply, and the AMBA is still on holidays!

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Julesy

[Barb Glare]

Hi,

It's a tricky time of the year for volunteer groups.
You could do no better than to take one of aBA's Breastfeeding Classes. There should be info on the website (follow the link in my signature)
Also, ABA have a great booklet "Breastfeeding Twins" available for just $5 from Mothers Direct (ABA's online store) Plus some books on parenting twins/multiples generally.
Many ABa counsellors have breastfed twins themselves - it's good to have that personal knowledge.
Twins - how special!
Barb

[ktgirl]

Hi Julesy. I am going to give birth at the Mater Mothers in Brisbane and along with their normal antenatal classes they also do a workshop for multiples and included in this is a section on breastfeeding twins. Perhaps you could see if your hospital would do something similar? It is not just focused on breast feeding alone but I figure the more info I can get about having multiples the better.

Take care with your pregnancy. Belly rubs to you

[odette]

was going to say the same thing- some hospitals have ante natal programs specifically for twin mums. Also you local AMBA club can be a great support and they often run their own ante natal programs as well. They also offer coffee mornings and other get togethers with those 'in the know'.
AMBA have an org website that offer info, a club finder with phone and contact details as well as other bits and pieces. Well worth checking out!!
Good luck and if there are any other questions, just holla!!
ODETTE

[Baby~amore`]

I heard the Royal hospital for Women in Sydney run twin antenatal groups as do Westmead. I agree with the recommendation to join - or ring your local AMBA group. They should have a expectant parent and a Breastfeeding contact. I am our group's BF contact.

I can send you the AMBA website details for more twin BF advice. I have exclusively BF my twin sons for over 18 months - though for J I expressed/pumped for for 5 months till he one day started nursing of his own accord.Initially he didn't learn to Bf because he was a month early and got a preference for a teat instead.

I have not had to use formula at all but some mums do a combination of both. Some express too so someone can help with bottle feeding EBM.

I also saw a lactation consultant before their birth - briefly and after a different one. I highly recommend it.

I joined ABA and got some support too but not directly related to BFing twins.

I tandem feed and feed as a single too -depends on what help I had or who was awake.

I wish you the best of luck - it has the best thing I ever did -though my husband has been my biggest support and I had my mum with me for about 3 weeks when we came home at 19 days old so I could concentrate on establishing breastfeeding -she helped with everything else and let me get lots of rest too.

My advice is if you at all able to have this type of support - grab it with both hands.

[hannahfroodoo]

I am delivering at Mater Mother's in Brisbane too and have signed up for their multiples antenatal class in the hopes that I"ll get some good b/feeding tips there (Kate - I'm going in April - maybe I'll see you there?!)

Another great resource is the AMBA website - they have a community forum where you can ask heaps of other twin mums for some tips if things get hairy.

[craigandsam]

I'm due in April, but things are moving a bit fast so my ob has said they'll try hard to keep them in utero until mid march, but my hospital (private) has said they will provide a lactation consultant for me. Maybe yours will too????