Being first-time parents raising twin babies can be daunting but Mom of twins, Anne Marshall shares some thoughts on making that important first year with your twins as enriching as possible.

For any Feeding Method You Use, Feed Them Together

I had been intending to breastfeed, but ultimately ended up bottle feeding.

When my partner first went back to work, I would feed them one at a time. One would be screaming while the other had their bottle.

It was stressful for all of us.

Then another twin mum told me how she propped hers up with cushions, so she could feed them at the same time. Perhaps if I hadn’t been so sleep deprived I could have thought of this myself? So, I put them in their car seats on the sofa and fed them together.

No waiting, no tears, genius! – the other mother, not me!

Routine, Routine, Routine

From a very early age, I decided to establish a routine for raising my twins.

They were fed at the same time, napped at the same time, played at the same time, we went for a walk after lunch at the same time which was also a nap time, and went to bed at the same time.

Funny enough, a mother of a singleton said to me that this must involve a lot of crying. Perhaps it sounded very regimented. I wasn’t a believer in crying it out, so this wasn’t the case, and if you get a feel for what your babies do naturally, getting them on a routine can happen quite cohesively and naturally.

The routine will change and adapt every couple of months as they change, but I found the structure helped me to organize myself, prevented me from getting overwhelmed in chaos, and allowed the babies to feel secure.

Don’t Worry About Quality Time When They are Infants

Obviously, it’s nice, when there are two adults around and they can have extra cuddles, or you can go a bit further afield more easily, but don’t worry that you aren’t doing swimming classes or any other class.

Of course, there are ways around these hurdles, but don’t put yourself under unnecessary pressure.

Your twins are happy just to hang out with you, walk through the park, have a dance party at home, go for coffee. They have you, and they have each other.

They don’t need to be adding to the special skills section of their C.V at 5 months old.

If Your Twins are Born Prematurely, You Might Want to Read Up on That

Mine twins were born 5 weeks early and I really didn’t know anything about it.

My best baby- mama friend had a full-term singleton, who could put his pacifier in and out of his mouth all by himself, while we were at coffee, while mine were always fast asleep in the buggy (bonus, really).

Don’t compare what a full-term baby does to a premature baby. It usually all evens out quickly, or there may be things that show up in the future. For instance, my daughter is hyper-mobile which was picked up on by a physiotherapist when she was only 6 months.

This has affected some of her fine and gross motor skills. However, we can’t say for sure this was because she was born prematurely or not.

Every Stage Moves On

Sometimes when you’re in the thick of it, especially in a first year with twins, it can feel as if this stage is how your life will always be, and that can be overwhelming.

So, remember, if your twins don’t sleep through the night yet, or you’re alone a lot and your friends don’t understand what you’re going through, or whichever stage you’re at, ‘this too shall pass’.

These stages, especially in the first year of raising twins, move past so quickly as I mentioned before in the routines section. Just when you think you can’t go on anymore, they’ll start sleeping through the night, or you’ll meet a new friend etc., or they’ll start sitting up and playing differently, and life will change all over again.

Look After Yourself

People like to say, ‘if Mums not happy, the kids won’t be happy’.

That’s a little harsh if you are feeling unhappy, so don’t be hard on yourself. But, I do believe it’s O.K. to be selfish.

Take time for yourself. Take time out.

Keep something for yourself that makes you feel good, whether that’s yoga, a trip to the cinema, painting, work, or something where you can express yourself. It’s important to keep nourishing yourself because motherhood can be overwhelming, and you really can feel that you’ve lost your self. You’re still you. Don’t worry, you haven’t lost anything, only gained.

You don’t have to be the perfect Mum either, you’re just fine as you are, and you are perfect to your babies. The first year goes so fast, it really is only 12 months of little infants before you drift on to toddler-hood.

Good luck Mama, you can do it

Anne Marshall is a mother of 4 including twins and blogs on Huff Post, Parents U.K about twins, raising multiples and more, mothers, society etc. She currently resides in Cardiff, Wales.

The post 6 Useful Tips for Raising Twins in Their First Year appeared first on TWINS Magazine.

But continuing to live my life this way began to exact a toll on my physical and emotional health.  I got pneumonia when the boys were one year old, and I had a fever that continued for more than a year.  Then I began to awaken at three o’clock every morning, unable to get back to sleep.  When the alarm went off, I would lie in bed exhausted, feeling a sense of despair and dread, wondering how I could face another day.

That dark mood began to permeate every aspect of my life.  At one point, I remember crying almost daily during my long commute to pick the boys up from daycare.  I waited, hoping to “snap out of it.”  Yet the sadness continued.

Finally, I summoned the courage to ask my doctor for a referral to a therapist.  Asking for help and admitting that I suffered from depression represented a giant step for me.  With the help of a gifted therapist and a course of antidepressant medication, I began the process of emerging from my depression.  This involved making some logistical changes in our daily routine in order to reduce stress, as well as trying to understand and change the negative “self-talk” that fueled my depression.

Our boys are now almost 6 and life seems much easier than when they were babies.  In retrospect, I can see that there were several core “myths” that contributed to my depression and robbed me of my ability to enjoy those early years with our new family.  I share these core myths along with the realities, as I now see them, with the hope that other new mothers of multiples might read them and discover ways to be gentler on their own self.

MYTH #1

You should always feel lucky and blessed to be the mother of twins.  Our culture still romanticizes motherhood, perpetuating the myth that being home with infants or young children is always joyful and easier than being out in the “real” world.  Therefore, being home with two babies as once must be “twice the joy”.  How many times have strangers stopped you on the street and confessed “I’ve always wanted to have twins.  I think it would be so much fun!”  The message I got from society was that I should feel joyous, but in those initial months at home with our babies, I felt mainly exhausted and overwhelmed.  I concluded, therefore, that I must be a bad (or at least, inadequate) mother.  I could no longer see or appreciate the creative ways I was managing to love and care for two babies at once.

REALITY

You can love your twins unconditionally and feel blessed to have two beautiful babies.  However, you do not always have to love trying to meet the physical and emotional needs of two babies simultaneously, nor always rejoice over the way your life has so drastically changed.  Caring for two babies at once is one of the hardest things you may ever do in your life.  And no one else, unless they have multiples of their own, can understand what it really feels like.  Any reasonable person would at times feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and vulnerable to depression when faced with a relentless stream of diapers, feedings, and months of sleep deprivation.  Expect to feel a wide spectrum of emotions once your twins arrive.  You are not alone in your experience: Studies have found significantly high rates of chronic exhaustion among mothers of young twins (76% versus only 8% among mothers of singletons) and rates of depression ranging from 30% to 50% (three to five times the rates among mothers of singletons).  We typically think of postpartum depression (PPD) as having its onset within three months of childbirth.  However, experts on PPD now emphasize that women are at increased risk for depression for up to three years after giving birth.

MYTH #2

Taking time for yourself is selfish and means you’re not taking care of your family.  One of the most difficult things for mothers of multiples is to take time for ourselves.  Especially when our babies are little, they have so many physical and emotional needs that require our attention.  In my case, I had a supportive and involved husband who did his best to give me some breaks.  However, the guilt and ambivalence that I experienced when I did take time away from our babies made the psychological costs of nurturing myself too high.

REALITY

“You cannot give from an empty cup.” And you can’t replenish your cup unless you take a break.  Taking some time for yourself (to simply take a walk or have coffee with a friend) is important, not only for your well-being but for your babies as well.  A recent study of mothers of very young twins found that mothers who asked for help and were less exhausted were much more sensitive and responsible for their babies’ individual needs.  Of course, the reality is that any dedicated “Mommy Time” is extremely limited and therefore, precious. Protect it fiercely and spend it only on activities that you truly enjoy or with people who delight and nurture you.

MYTH #3

Each individual decision I make about how I raise my twins is critically important to their future well-being.  Making the wrong decision could be devastating.  As mothers, we are faced with a never-ending stream of choices regarding the care of our children: Breastfeed or bottle feed?  Return to work or stay home?  The list seems endless.  Unless we are careful, we can begin to expend too much energy worrying about making the “right decision,” losing sight of the bigger picture with respect to the good jobs we do as mothers.

REALITY

The decisions you make about caring for your twins deserve careful consideration.  But it is the sum of all your decisions and the daily interactions with your children that matter the most.  Trust yourself.  No one knows your twins better than you do.  If it turns out that a decision was not the best one, in the long run, you will know that and will have even more information under your belt to draw upon the next time you’re faced with a difficult decision.

I know now that the love I have for my twins is like an iceberg.  The tiny, exposed tip of the iceberg represents the day-to-day decisions: one crib or two, same classroom or separate?  But those decisions are supported by the unseen, massive body of the iceberg, comprised of all the loving interactions, attention, and care I have given our boys.  I know that it is the powerful base of the iceberg that shapes and nurtures them in the long run.

Raising twins is a unique challenge and it is hard work.  Don’t make your job even harder by letting these or other myths about motherhood rob you of your ability to see just how creative and capable you are. While some days will feel harder than others, there should also be some days when you can find ways to nurture yourself and take pleasure in the things you do. 

If these good days begin to disappear, especially if you notice other symptoms of clinical depression such as difficulty sleeping or eating, feeling sad, worthless, or hopeless about the future, don’t hesitate to seek professional help.  Asking for support during times of stress is not a sign of weakness, but rather a testament to how much you value and treasure your children, your family, and yourself.

The post The Myths of Motherhood appeared first on TWINS Magazine.

Now, fast forward to the moment you find out you are expecting twins (or more), and that idealistic vision you had just created for you and your one baby has now suddenly changed. Now you are facing the real possibility that you may have to forget about all your home-birth plans and you may even be told you will have to have a cesarean or C-section delivery.

Having twins can definitely take its toll on your body and then add this to having a C-section surgery, and you will soon discover that it may be more challenging and take longer to recover than you initially thought! Here are some tips to help you speed up your recovery process so you can spend less time sore and tired, and more time bonding with your new twin babies:

1. Walk, walk, walk

You will be encouraged to get out of bed at least a couple of times the day after your surgery – or even on the day of surgery – to walk. Don’t try getting up by yourself. The nurse should be at your side the first few times you do get up and walk. In the meantime, get the blood going in your legs by wiggling your feet, rotating your ankles, and moving and stretching your legs.

Personally, I have had three C-section deliveries and I can remember that even walking to the bathroom seemed almost impossible at first, but moving around is important for your recovery, so you need to push through so you will be ready to take on caring for infant twins. It will also help your circulation and make it much less likely that you develop blood clots. What’s more is that it will make your bowels less sluggish, which will help you feel a whole lot more comfortable a lot sooner. For these reasons, you’ll be encouraged to walk each day. Try to take your walks a short time after you’ve taken pain medication – when you’re likely to feel more comfortable.

2. Get plenty of rest

A C-section is major surgery. Just like with any other surgery, your body needs time to heal afterward. Expect to stay in the hospital for three to four days after your delivery (longer if there are complications), and give your body up to six weeks to fully heal. This is where you need to enlist lots of family and friends to help you with chores and laundry when you and your babies come home. I am sure you have already heard people say, “Rest when your babies rest!” This is so important, especially if you are recovering from surgery. The household “to-do’s” can wait, and even taking just a few moments to rest throughout the day can be extremely helpful for you and your postpartum body.

3. Manage your pain

Ask your doctor what pain medicines you can take, especially if you’re breastfeeding. Depending on the level of your discomfort, the doctor might prescribe a pain reliever or advise you to take an over-the-counter NSAID (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). In addition to pain medicine, you can use a heating pad to relieve discomfort at the surgical site. In any case, don’t be shy about asking your nurse for more medication if you’re uncomfortable. You don’t need to suffer in silence, and the longer you wait to ask for the medication you need, the harder it will be to manage your pain.

4. Listen to your body

Be sure to take extra care getting around while you heal, so avoid going up and down the stairs as much as possible. A good idea is to keep everything you need close by, such as diaper changing supplies close to you so that you don’t have to get up too often. It’s also important not to lift anything heavier than your babies and certainly do not try to hold both of them in their car seats at one time, until you feel stronger, because you do not want to risk tearing your incision. Ask for help as much as possible and whenever you have to sneeze or cough, hold your abdomen to protect the incision site. It could take up to eight weeks for you to get back into your normal routine. Ask your doctor when it’s okay to exercise, go back to work, and drive. Also, wait to have sex or use tampons until your doctor gives you the green light.

5. Wear loose-fitting clothing and underwear

You’ll want to avoid putting too much pressure on your healing scar, so it’s best to either wear underwear a size bigger or you can buy special knickers that fit over the area to make it more comfortable while you are healing.

6. Beware of a good laugh

Laughing normally feels good, but not necessarily post a C-section. You can be more comfortable when laughing, coughing, and even pooping if you hold a pillow to your abdomen. This will help your core muscles from aching. Anything that puts pressure on the abdominal area will probably be painful at first, but you’ll feel a bit better day by day. Be sure to use your hands or a pillow to support your incision when you cough, sneeze, or laugh.

7. When to call the doctor

You’ll probably feel some soreness in the incision and you may have bleeding or discharge for up to six weeks after the C-section. That’s normal. But the following symptoms warrant a call to your doctor because they could signal an infection:

• redness, swelling, or pus oozing from the incision site
• pain around the site
• fever of more than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
• bad-smelling discharge from the vagina
• heavy vaginal bleeding
• redness or swelling in your leg
• difficulty with breathing
• chest pain
• pain in your breasts

Also call your doctor if you feel sad and your mood never seems to lift, especially if you have thoughts of hurting your babies. Finally, if you have a friend or sibling who went through a C-section, try not to compare yourself to her. Every woman’s experience with this surgery is different. Focus on your own healing right now and give your body the time it needs to get back to normal.

The post 7 Tips on Recovering from a C-Section appeared first on TWINS Magazine.

Feeding

For any feeding method you use, feed them together. I had been intending to breastfeed, but ultimately ended up bottle feeding. When my partner first went back to work, I would feed them one at a time. One would be screaming while the other had their bottle. It was stressful for all of us. Then another twin mum told me how she propped hers up with cushions so she could feed them at the same time. Perhaps if I hadn’t been so sleep deprived I could have thought of this myself? So I put them in their car seats on the sofa and fed them together. No waiting, no tears, genius! The other mother, not me!

Routines Routine, routine, routine.

From a very early age mine had a routine. They were fed at the same time, napped at the same time, played at the same time, we went for a walk after lunch at the same time which was also a nap time, and went to bed at the same time. Funny enough, a mother of a singleton said to me that this must involve a lot of crying. Perhaps it sounded very regimented. I wasn’t a believer in crying it out, so this wasn’t the case, and if you get a feel for what your babies do naturally, getting them on a routine can happen quite cohesively and naturally. The routine will change and adapt every couple of months as they change, but I found the structure helped me to organize myself, prevented me from getting overwhelmed in chaos, and allowed the babies to feel secure.

Quality time

Don’t worry about quality time when they are infants. Obviously it’s nice, when there is two adults around and they can have extra cuddles, or you can go a bit further afield more easily, but don’t worry that you aren’t doing swimming classes, or any other class. Of course there are ways around these hurdles, but don’t put yourself under unnecessary pressure. Your babies are happy just to hang out with you, walk through the park, have a dance party at home, go for coffee. They have you, and they have each other. They don’t need to be adding to the special skills section of their C.V at 5 months old.

Prematurity

If your twins are born prematurely, you might want to read up a little on that. Mine were born 5 weeks early and I really didn’t know anything about it. My best baby- mama friend had a full term singleton, who could put his pacifier in and out of his mouth all by himself, while we were at coffee, while mine were always fast asleep in the buggy (bonus, really). Don’t compare what a full term baby does to a premature baby. It usually all evens out pretty quickly, or there may be things that show up in the future. For instance, my daughter is hyper-mobile which was picked up on by a physiotherapist when she was only 6 months. This has affected some of her fine and gross motor skills. However, we can’t say for sure this was because she was born prematurely or not.

Stages

Every stage moves on. Sometimes when you’re in the thick of it, especially in a first year with twins, it can feel as if this stage is how your life will always be, and that can be overwhelming. So remember, if your twins don’t sleep through the night yet, or you’re alone a lot and your friends don’t understand what you’re going through, or whichever stage you’re at, ‘this too shall pass’. These stages, especially in the first year, move past so quickly as I mentioned before in the routines section. Just when you think you can’t go on any more, they’ll start sleeping through the night, or you’ll meet a new friend etc., or they’ll start sitting up and playing differently, and life will change all over again.

You’re just fine as you are, and you are perfect to your babies

Look After Yourself

People like to say ‘if Mums not happy, the kids won’t be happy’. That’s a little harsh if you are feeling unhappy, so don’t be hard on yourself. But, I do believe it’s O.K. to be selfish. Take time for yourself. Take time out. Keep something for yourself that makes you feel good, whether that’s yoga, a trip to the cinema, painting, work, or something where you can express yourself. It’s important to keep nourishing yourself, because motherhood can be overwhelming and you really can feel that you’ve lost your self. You’re still you. Don’t worry, you haven’t lost anything, only gained. You don’t have to be the perfect Mum either, you’re just fine as you are, and you are perfect to your babies. The first year goes so fast, it really is only 12 months of little infants before you drift on to toddler hood.

Good luck Mama, you can do it

The post Tips for Twins in their First Year appeared first on TWINS Magazine.

A study by CDC in 2015 showed that 4 out of 5 women (83.2 percent) have started out breastfeeding their infants, and almost 46.9 percent were able to continue for three months exclusively. 

During the early days after childbirth, the breasts produce colostrum – a thick and yellowish fluid that many call “liquid gold.” The colostrum is protein-rich, low-sugar, and loaded with beneficial compounds that babies need to thrive both early and later in life. Studies show that breastfed infants had reduced risks of asthma, type 2 diabetes, obesity, ear and respiratory infections, eczema, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Not only does it help infants but breastfeeding also has some notable benefits for mothers. It lowers a mother’s risk of developing hypertension, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, breast (affects 7,500 women per year), and ovarian cancer (affects around 2,000 women per year). With all of these benefits, you would think that every parent would be breastfeeding by now, but statistics show that such is not the case.

There is still a significant gap or a caveat. In a collection of statistics by Child Trends, parents who are younger, unmarried, have lower educational attainment or live in poverty report low breastfeeding rates. There is also a diversity based on other demographic factors such as ethnicity, maternal age, marital status, and maternal education play a significant role in the decision of whether or not to breastfeed.

For some women, breastfeeding is not an option. Some choose not to. Some are physically unable to produce enough milk, no matter how much effort and preparation they put into it. There are also cases when women have medical conditions when it’s best for them not to breastfeed. The decision to breastfeed or formula-feed is based on a woman’s comfort level, specific medical conditions, and lifestyle. Judgement from others shouldn’t be a factor.

Your parenting journey is as unique as you, and though challenging as it could be, it should be one that strengthens the connection between you and your baby. 

10 TIPS FOR BUILDING A STEADY MILK SUPPLY THROUGH BREASTFEEDING

Mothering twins and multiples comes with unique challenges. Breastfeeding one baby is one thing but what if you’re feeding two of three? We understand that mothers worry about producing enough breast milk, and here are a few tried and tested tips for creating more fluids and building a steady supply, fast.

1. Start immediately 

The breastfeeding journey starts right after your baby is born, so don’t wait. Your infant is used to feeding on demand through your placenta. Now that she is out of your womb, you need to establish skin-to-skin contact and develop a pattern by offering your breast so that he or she can immediately receive the immunologic advantage of your colostrum, especially crucial in this new environment where infections and diseases abound. Introducing your breast during the first hours of life also trains them to suck more vigorously, which is essential to establishing supply and demand. With this, you even start stimulating his digestion and a regular bowel movement.

2. Nurse on demand

This is where you will see the magic of the breastfeeding journey. The more your infant nurses, the more milk your breast will produce. So if you’re worried about not being able to provide enough for your twins or multiples, believe me when I say, “You can!” and that there will be enough as long as you take their cues, which boosts milk production faster than you expect.

3. Pump in between nursing periods

While this might leave you sore for the next three days to a week, it is essential to building an enormous supply that meets your baby’s needs. After every nursing session, we advise that you pump for an additional 10-20 minutes to fully empty your breasts, signaling for your body to make more milk. 

4. Eat and drink more

The saying, “You can’t give from an empty cup,” is authentic. Caring for newborns is a tedious job, which might leave you a little less concerned about your well-being, which is counterproductive when you are trying to establish a sufficient milk supply. Prioritize eating and sleeping enough because nothing can tank milk supply faster than a dehydrated or undernourished mom. It is also vital to hydrate. Carry a water bottle everywhere you go and drink at least 3 liters to sustain your needs and the babies. 

5. Supplements

Mothers breastfeed their infants because of the promise of nourishment. However, if the mother is not getting adequate nutrients, it could cause malnutrition in her babies. Mothers should have a conscious effort to have sufficient amounts of iodine, vitamin B6, B12, E, folic acid, iron, calcium, copper, magnesium, phosphorous thiamine, riboflavin, and zinc, especially those who are not reaching their 2200 daily calorie intake. Plant-based moms need to mind their serving of vitamin B12 because they are only present in animal meat fibers, and are crucial for tissue health, red blood cell production, and brain function. 

6. Munch on lactation cookies

Now, you might wonder, “how on earth can a cookie influence lactation?” I get you. I mean, it’s just a cookie, right? But with the right ingredients, they can do magic. Lactation cookies contain galactagogues (ex. turmeric, oatmeal, fennel seeds, milk thistle, etc.) or substances found in herbs and food that promote lactation. They are usually combined with some ingredients such as brewers yeast, which are rich sources of B vitamins, chromium, selenium, and protein that boost energy and the immune system. You will also see flax seeds for fiber and omega fatty acids that promote healthy digestion, heart health, and cholesterol improvement. Wheat germ for zinc helps prevent post-partum depression and boosts increased immunity.

7. Massage your breasts

A breast massage or compression therapy while nursing is a great way to push more milk out and evenly empty the breasts. 

8. Get lots of rest!

Breastfeeding or not, you need your sleep, mom! Ideally, try and get 7-8 hours per day, and add naps when you can. When you are sleep-deprived, your body releases a hormone called cortisol, the stress hormone, which may decrease milk supply. Adjusting your sleep patterns to support your twins isn’t always easy but do what you can to get some extra z’s when you can. Engage family members to help, or sleep when the twins sleep to allow your body to heal and recover.

9. Don’t play favorites

Some breasts produce more milk than the other, that’s normal, but it doesn’t mean that you’ll abandon the other just because the other performs better. Remember that our breasts react to stimuli. The more our babies nurse, the more we produce. If the boob is not producing enough, all the more you need to offer it to your infant so that it gets the stimulation, it needs to provide more. Another option is to pump on that side that’s not producing enough milk.

10. Get expert help

In conjunction with your doctor, a lactation consultant is someone you can get advice and opinions from when it comes to milk supply issues. She can point out where you’re lacking, what you can improve, what latching position is more beneficial, and what techniques you need to undertake as best practices. Supportive as he may seem, your spouse doesn’t really have the experience to provide a piece of sound advice on the matter, and we have to accept that.  

Each person’s journey in life is unique, and breastfeeding is no exception.

Choosing to breastfeed or otherwise is a personal choice. Whether your reason not to breastfeed is because of underlying medical complexities, or because it’s just not in your comfort level, whatever you choose is okay. You’re a parent who wants what’s best for your family, and breastfeeding should not be the ultimate gauge for your child’s love.

Be kind to yourself and embrace motherhood. It’s the best role there is!

The post 10 Tips to Increase Your Milk Supply When Pumping for Twins appeared first on TWINS Magazine.

Here are some suggestions to help ensure that your kids get the adequate nutrition they need to thrive, even if you can’t breastfeed or have a low milk supply. 

Get breastmilk from a donor

Milk from another mother is the next best thing to your milk. It is more suitable than any cow’s, goat’s, camel’s, or plant-based milk, even when they are highly fortified. Parents may opt for wet nursing or having their child nurse from another mother. If the idea of latching from another seems taboo to you, you may get milk from milk banks instead. Milk banks receive donations from other mothers, to support and help pre-term and ill babies. Milk banks screen donor mothers for HIV and other illnesses so that receiving mothers can rest assured that the milk isn’t compromised. The milk gathered is also pasteurized to guarantee safety and cleanliness.

Use a Supplemental Nursing System (SNS)

When you are trying to breastfeed but don’t have enough milk flowing, you can use the Supplemental Nursing System (SNS) instead. With SNS, a thin feeding tube is attached to a formula bag or a bottle, that you place next to your nipple as your baby feeds. This method is used to ensure that the baby gets the nutrients he needs and solidifies the mother-infant bond. It also helps establish proper sucking.

Pump and store

Pumping breastmilk and storing it for the baby to feed through a bottle gives flexibility for those families whose moms cannot be with their infants all the time. This is an opportunity for dads and other family members to bond with the baby and while still providing milk (although not exclusively).

Formula-feed

Formula is the most popular alternative to breastfeeding. It is a powdered and fortified version of an animal’s milk (cow, goat, carabao, camel). It mimics all the nutrition found in breast milk, save for the colostrum and antibodies, so you can rest assured that your baby is nourished. This is much easier than breastfeeding and is especially beneficial for single working moms or babies with latching issues. In choosing a formula, you have three options: organic, inorganic, and homemade. The first two are similar in nutritional density, but the organic version usually uses ingredients that are not genetically modified or are free from pesticides. On the other hand, the homemade formula is a combination of broth and milk, which are nutrient-rich, fresh, and easy to digest for the baby. These excellent sources of proteins, healthy fats, and probiotics are made using chicken broth, lactose, raw milk, coconut oil, EVOO, cod liver oil, water, cream, expeller-pressed sunflower oil, and egg yolks.

Each person’s journey in life is unique, and breastfeeding is no exception. Again, choosing to breastfeed or otherwise is a personal choice. Whether your reason not to breastfeed is because of underlying medical complexities, or because it’s just not in your comfort level, whatever you choose is okay. You’re a parent who wants what’s best for your family, and breastfeeding should not be the ultimate gauge for your child’s love.

So be kind to yourself and embrace motherhood. It is the best role there is!

The post Trouble Breastfeeding? What to do if you are struggling to breastfeed your twins appeared first on TWINS Magazine.