¡Yo lo hice y tú también puedes! Una historia de lactancia materna

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septiembre 21, 2022 MUJERES
“Yup there are two in there.” That’s what I heard during my ultrasound — the tech verified what was the most shocking news I’d ever received. This was right after he began asking “So who has twins in the family?” Worry mixed with extreme joy and of course the nausea from having double the morning sickness, swept over my body like a tidal wave. The first question I had was how will I juggle two babies? I had nursed my three-year-old son for 18 months so naturally I planned to breastfeed my second baby… but two babies? Could my body even hold two babies, let alone make enough milk for them?
At first I doubted that I would have enough milk when breastfeeding my first child, but I did succeed. I planned to let my twins take the lead and follow what nature intended. Of course it was not only my milk supply I had to worry about but feeding times, dirty diapers, and trying to master the holding positions for twins. I had to make sure I could feed them at the same time, so not to completely feel like a 24-hour human bottle! I knew it was a long journey, but one I was more than willing to take!
Those first few days went by in a blur with me in “robot” mode. I knew that the first days are important to feed often so my twin boy and girl, Nick and Gaby, nursed a lot. At times I’d forget who ate last, whose diaper needed to be changed and what side they last ate from. To help my milk supply, I made sure to have lots of skin-to-skin contact, and feed at their every hunger cue.
I fed them on demand — not on any type of schedule. It was important they ate as long as needed and as often as possible. After the first few days I felt my body, my twins and I were all getting in sync; it was as if Mother Nature took over. Feeding time became a group bonding session between the three of us. I did get worried when my babies were about 6 weeks old. They nursed almost every hour, and I thought I didn’t have enough milk! But then I remembered that was the age for a growth spurt and the babies were just putting in an “order” for my body to make more milk.
There were always hectic days but as time went by I felt confident feeding my twins. I had to take into account babies with two unique personalities and breastfeeding preferences, who nursed for different amounts of time, and who favored one breast. In the end this did benefit me because they both established a good supply of milk on each separate breast.
Once I saw them gaining weight well and meeting their milestones, I knew I had made the best choice to nurse my babies. It’s normal to have some doubts about breastfeeding; many of the women I counsel in WIC are also unsure. But trust me, if I can nurse two babies, you can breastfeed just one! Just follow the tips from your breastfeeding counselor and read the ideas below to increase your milk supply. Yes, You Can — Breastfeed! Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, Christina Sanchez, CMA
Star Ten Easy Steps to Boost Milk Supply
  • Make sure baby is latched correctly; you should be “tummy-to-tummy”
  • Find the position that is most comfortable for you
  • Bring baby to your breast, not your breast to your baby
  • Don’t keep baby on a feeding schedule; feed on demand at every hunger cue. Usually 8-12 times a day
  • Avoid pacifiers and bottles in the first 6 weeks
  • Have help the first two weeks to bring baby to you and put him to sleep and help around the house so you can rest
  • Pump often if you are away from your baby
  • Have some skin-to-skin contact daily — this is something dad can do too!
  • Do not use formula supplements in the first 6 weeks while establishing milk supply
  • Empty the breast at every feeding