by Karen Gromada
April 18, 2007

Lately, a number of celebrities have been in the news with stories of life after the birth of twins. It isn’t surprising that celebrities’ babies make the news or that those with twins attract extra attention. But in several instances the writer seemed downright in awe that the famous mother of twins was actually breastfeeding both babies. A smidgeon of awe seems appropriate since human babies generally arrive one at a time. And these celebrity mothers of multiples deserve credit for investing in breastfeeding when their budget allows for all sorts of conveniences that many view as a way of making motherhood times two easier.

In spite of hiring nannies’ helpful hands, they have not abdicated their role as “mother” to their twins. It is exciting to read that these celeb mothers understand both the importance of their own breast milk and the “specialness” of developing a breastfeeding relationship with each baby in the set. In this way, celebrity mothers reveal they are no different than the majority of mothers of multiples in our culture. Research indicates that most mothers of twins choose to breastfeed and/or provide their expressed breast milk for their babies. A survey taken by Mothers of Supertwins (MOST) showed that mothers of triplets or more also ensured that their babies got mother’s milk, even when that meant pumping their breasts for several weeks to several months.

The physical and emotional health advantages of a mother’s own milk are multiplied for twins, triplets, quadruplets, etc. Most multiples are born early and the immunological properties found only in mother’s milk, and its greater digestibility, provide unmatched protection for preemies’ immature body systems. These same factors continue to protect babies, so that older breastfed infants experience much lower rates of infectious illness—a particularly helpful advantage in a family where such illnesses are likely to spread from one baby to another!

However, preterm birth also means it may take several weeks longer for each multiple to learn to breastfeed effectively. Even when twins and triplets are only a week or two early, the ability to coordinate the sucking movements needed for breastfeeding may need more time to mature. Other mother- or babies-related issues of multiple pregnancy and birth frequently affect establishing breastfeeding with two or more babies. Some of these issues were discussed in a recent La Leche League (LLL) New Beginnings article.

So mothers of multiples may be the most deserving of an “easy” breastfeeding start, but they are the least likely to get it. Still, with patience and persistence, most multiples—no  matter how preterm—will learn to breastfeed effectively. Ultimately, mothers experience the “ah-ha”  moment when they discover that breastfeeding multiples is easier than other feeding methods, including feeding babies pumped mothers’ milk, since breastfeeding requires no preparation, special equipment, or clean up. Plus, twins or two of higher multiples may be breastfed simultaneously after at least one baby is able to breastfeed well.

Learning to breastfeed two at once saves time and reduces frustration for babies and mother when two are hungry at once. Mothers position babies in a variety of ways to accomplish simultaneous breastfeeding. Desperate Housewives star Marcia Cross reported in a People magazine article that learning to breastfeed daughters Savannah and Eden was “a huge accomplishment.” Commenting on the time savings and convenience of breastfeeding, she said, “My life is more organized for sure. But it’s not like I’m cooking! I’m breastfeeding—I feel like that’s the best cooking I could do.”

Breastfeeding definitely is the“best cooking” a mother can do for her babies, but she and the rest of her family also need to eat, wear clean clothes, etc. Although breastfeeding two at once saves time, caring for two, three, or more times the usual number of babies takes more time. Mothers of multiples need household help if they are to meet the needs of the entire family. Hiring a full-time nanny or babies’ nurse may not be an option for many families, but taking advantage of family and friends’ offers of help by suggesting specific tasks and asking for specific times when tasks could be accomplished is an option for most mothers of multiples. Also, breastfeeding multiples can save several hundred dollars a month, so some hired household help is worth the investment if it helps a mother continue to breastfeed.

Both Cross and Tammy Etheridge, mother with Melissa Etheridge of boy/girl twins Miller and Johnnie born last October, credit breastfeeding as boosting post-birth weight loss. No special diet is required to breastfeed, but a well-balanced diet helps a mother recuperate after giving birth to multiples. Producing milk for multiples burns a lot of calories, and most women find they are extra hungry and thirsty. Finding time to eat can be a problem, though. Keeping nutritious, one-handed snack bars and a sports mug filled with water or juice near one’s breastfeeding chair helps mothers of multiples get enough fluid and calories.

Feeling “left out” is rarely a problem for either parent when caring for two or more multiple babies. However, when the family includes an older child, the other parent or a close relative or friend often assumes more care of that child to ease the adjustment. Patrick Dempsey, Grey’s Anatomy‘s Dr. Derek  “McDreamy” Shepherd, has described the increased number of one-on-one father-daughter outings that have helped 5-year-old Talula with the transition to  “big sister” while Talula’s mom, his wife Jillian, is busy breastfeeding and caring for her new baby brothers.

Like Julia Roberts, many mothers continue to breastfeed following a return to outside employment after their multiples’ birth. Not all are able to contract for breastfeeding breaks as Roberts did when her boy-girl twins, Phinnaeus and Hazel, were a few weeks old. However, after dealing with early breastfeeding difficulties common with multiples, these mothers often are familiar with breast pump use.

You don’t have to be a celebrity to breastfeed multiples, although others’ interest sometimes may cause you to feel like one! For information and support when planning to (or already immersed in) breastfeeding twins, triplets, or more, see the just-released new revision of my book, Mothering Multiples: Breastfeeding and Caring for Twins or More.