ta·boo: Proscribed by society as improper or unacceptable. (aka bottle feeding your baby)

You have to be made of steel to breastfeed twins, but you also have to be made of steel to put up with the discrimination that comes with bottle feeding your babies.

I never knew about the war on bottle feeding before I became a mother three years ago. I wanted to breastfeed my babies, but then when my circumstances moved me to bottle feed my twins, I learned of the existence of breastfeeding “advocates.” Now don’t get me wrong. I support breast feeding, but I also support a mother’s choice.

Bottle feeding mothers should not be made to feel like failures when they’re not; that they are not enough of a mom when they are; that they didn’t try their best when they did; and that they don’t care enough when they do. This can be demoralizing to a new mother who is already quite possibly feeling guilt or a sense of failure, and possibly even struggling with post-partum depression.

The mothers who are able to breastfeed their multiples are blessed. Most moms do wish they could successfully breastfeed their babies. Statistics from the CDC show that (in the US) 76.9% of mothers attempt to breastfeed their babies, but only 36% are still exclusively breast feeding at three months of age.

The reasons for bottle feeding versus breast feeding can be numerous. Sometimes babies have milk intolerance. Other times, a mother needs to be on medications that would be dangerous if passed on to her babies. A mother may have had a breast reduction that inhibits the ability to breast feed, or she may have a difficult time with milk supply for a number of other reasons. Some babies have such a difficult time latching on that it leads to painful and bleeding nipples. Others have suffered through the barbaric discomfort of being milked by a machine because their babies are in the NICU. Many mothers have to return to work and let their child be fed by a caregiver; sometimes with previously pumped milk, and others with formula. Other mothers face post-partum depression, and that can lead to or be caused by many of these or other birthing issues. The last thing that mother needs to hear is the narrow opinion of someone who hasn’t walked in her shoes.

Once you get past the degrading remarks from strangers and friends who are exclusively partial to breast feeding, you have to realize that you are doing what is best for your family…

… To read the rest of this article and learn more about how we as parents can all support each other instead of being at war with each other on an issue that shouldn’t be an issue at all, turn to page 20-21 of the Summer 2013 issue of Multiplicity Magazine.

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Tags: Multiplicity, Magazine for parents of Multiples, Magazine for parents of twins, Twins, Multiples, Triplets, Nursing, Breastfeeding, Breast Feeding, Bottle Feeding, Bottle, Formula Feeding, Formula Fed, Feeding Babies, Feeding your baby, Feeding Twins, Bottle Feeding Twins, Bottle Feeding Multiples, Bottle Feeding Triplets, Breastfeeding Multiples, Breastfeeding Twins, Breastfeeding triplets,

iTwinsDay: Twin Z Pillow

We know how difficult it is. Breastfeeding one baby can be a hassle, but two at once? Are you the goddess of balance? We’re impressed with you, and so is mom Michelle, who started making her Twin Z Pillows once her twins were born. “I began to realize just how hard it was to feed two babies at once. I had a twin breastfeeding pillow but it was not conforming to my body or the babies bodies. I set it aside and tried my best to get bed pillows propped up. I just couldn’t get my new little angels positioned properly to breastfeed. I also had the worst neck and back pain from leaning over.”

She couldn’t find anything that would solve her problems on the market, so she decided to take matters into her own hands. She didn’t want it to be two separate things — so many doubles around the house already! — and wanted there to be substance to it, as well as be comfortable for both herself and the twins. Thus, the Twin Z Pillow was born! It’s a four-in-one twin feeding and positioning pillow that can be used for breastfeeding, bottle feeding, tummy time and support. It has a unique back support that is excellent for breastfeeding moms and it cuts feeding time in half! The Twin Z Pillow is made in the USA with 100% baby safe materials. It’s hypoallergenic, foam and lead free and has no chemicals added, and comes with super soft removable and washable covers.

So, you know, it’s perfect for all of you breastfeeding parents out there. Know where you can get them? Well, besides the website, you can enter to win one today! Fill out the form below for your chance!

[gravityform id=”90″ name=”Need a Twin Z Pillow?”]

Tags: Twins, breastfeeding, breastfeeding pillow, pillow, nursing, nursing pillow, twin nursing pillow, nursing twins, nursing multiples, multiples nursing pillow, multiples, boppy, Twin Z pillow, TwinZ pillow, TwinZ, Twin Z, baby items for twins

Baby Basics- Breastfeeding Twins

mom using an EZ-2 nurse twin breastfeeding pillow

Are you intimidated by the thought of breastfeeding twins? You’re not alone. But it is possible to successfully  breastfeed your twins. If you are worried that you will not be able to produce enough milk, remember that it is supply and demand. Keep your body healthy, hydrated and rested, and the rest will come. Here are just a few basic things to keep in mind for breastfeeding your twins.

Get support: Ask to talk to the hospital’s lactation consultant, soon after the delivery of your twins. She will be able to offer tips on how to position your babies; how to get a good latch; how to increase your milk supply; and to be your cheerleader. Don’t be afraid to talk to her often to get continued support. We have many moms right here in the Twiniversity community willing to offer support, as well. You can ask for support from other moms of multiples on the forums, (did you know that we even have moms of triplets, who breastfed their babies?), or e-mail our team and we will put you in touch with a multiple mom, who successfully breastfed to help cheer you on. (I just love how willing all the moms in our community are to help!)

Breastfeeding Twins

Breastfeeding, one of the most natural things a woman can do can also be one of the most difficult.  What about when you have two babies to feed? Twiniversity asked it’s members about their experiences.  We received responses from MoMs that chose not to breast feed, MoMs who pumped for their preemies or difficult to latch babies and MoMs who breastfed successfully for more than a year.

If you are planning to breastfeed, start with a plan but stay flexible because the babies may have a different plan!  Here are some tips from Twiniversity members: