South County Doulas

1. Yes, you can make enough milk. Because milk production works on a supply-and-demand basis, even if you have three babies nursing, your body can step up production to meet the need. You'll have to take in more calories and liquids than most breastfeeding mothers do, however. Eating full, healthy meals and snacks will be more important than ever.

2. It helps to feed them all at once. Most experts recommend simultaneous feedings, because otherwise just when you're finished with one, another will need to be fed. If you have twins, you can feed them together by holding both in the football hold position, or holding them in cradle holds with their bodies crossing each other. It's also possible to hold one baby in the cradle hold, the other in the football hold.

3. Try alternating breasts with each baby. By giving both babies the chance to use both sides, you'll make up for any difference in their demands -- for instance, if one baby is a bigger drinker than the other, alternating will keep the supply in both breasts even.

4. Supplement with formula if needed. If you have triplets or higher multiples, formula may need to enter the equation. You can breastfeed two and have the other baby bottlefed with formula at the same time; keep rotating so that all the babies get most feedings at the breast but some on the bottle.

5. Extra help is critical. You'll be tired in the weeks after delivering multiples, and the demands of caring for them will be taxing. You may want to pump breast milk so that your partner can do a nighttime feeding. It's also a good idea to line up friends or family to help with housework, meals, and baby care, or you can look into hiring help in the form of a postpartum doula, baby nurse, housecleaner, mother's helper, or any other available assistant.

____ Three or more cribs or porta-cribs: You'll probably only use one in the beginning, but you'll eventually need one for each child.

____ At least three changes of sheets per crib: You can use mattress pads, but receiving blankets work well, too.

____ At least one heavyweight and two lightweight blankets per baby.

____ A dozen pacifiers: Most parents have found that very tiny babies won't take a pacifier. Often this is because the nipple is too large and/or hard. Look for pacifiers for preterm babies -- they're smaller and softer. If you can find them, buy about 12!

____ Bottles: The number you'll need depends on how often your babies need to be fed and whether you're breastfeeding. Having a full day's supply of bottles and nipples on hand (with 3 to 6 to spare) is definitely a big help. Since some babies may be on a two-hour feeding schedule in the beginning (if they're small babies), you may require 36 bottles and nipples a day for triplets.

____ Cloth diapers: Whether you use your own cloth diapers, a diaper service, or disposable diapers, you'll definitely need some cloth diapers of your own. Cloth diapers are handy for use as burp cloths and many other applications. If you use cloth diapers, you'll need to stock up on about five dozen diapers to start.

____ Disposable diapers: If you're planning to use disposable diapers, check out different brands to find the features you like best. Talk to your local stores -- they may be willing to donate or give you a discount on large quantities of disposable diapers. Also, contact diaper companies for coupons.

____ Clothing: Many parents have found that the easiest, most comfortable item for new babies is the terry cloth snap-up sleeper. At least four sleepers per baby works best. The advantage of these sleepers is that they are perfectly acceptable for day or night. Depending on the weather, you'll also need one coat or sweater apiece.

____ Strollers: After your babies are past the newborn stage, a stroller is a must. Perego, RunAbout, and Baby Jogger offer strollers for multiples.

____ Playpens: Playpens simply don't work for triplets or more, because their play area is too small. Expandable "corrals" are more practical. These corrals can be used to safely enclose a play area that is big enough for all your babies.

____ Swings: Battery-operated or wind-up swings could prove invaluable. Many parents prefer battery-operated swings, as they're quieter and don't need winding. Since you'll use them for a relatively short time, it may be more economical to borrow one or two of them.

____ High chairs: You'll need one high chair per baby. Be sure to get high chairs with safety straps and bars between the legs to hold babies securely in place. If you're buying high chairs, check out how they latch and adjust -- cumbersome buckles and adjustments will become frustrating when you multiply the hassle times two or three. Some mothers prefer attachable chairs that secure to the table, since they take up less room.

• If you plan on bottle feeding, you need extra hands or to be very creative . . If you have no help then you can do a number of things; For instance, You can hold them both in your arms , then use a pillows to hold bottles that are in bottle propers to a comfortable height and feed them that way
• Also , If don’t have any one to help you , use as much equipment as possible to help you. For instance , for baby carriers you can use things like a large sling for two babies or one baby in a carrier and another in your arms. You can use baby swings and infant seats. A playpen can prove to be of more use for your twins than one baby. It is safe and the twins can play together for much longer together
• Do as much as possible for your babies at the same time. If you can’t do things at the same time alternate. For instance bath one , one night and the other the next night or bath them every second or third night and sponge them in between
• Newborn nursing twins can be physically challenging but can have some advantages over bottle feeding like fussing with dozens of bottles and endless amounts of formula. Try the double breasted approach as it saves time. Alternate the breast each gets at every feeding time to avoid creating favourites and to avoid mismatched breasts , should one baby turn out to be a more proficient sucker than the other one , or one baby getting less to eat if one breast turns out to be less productive provider
• Plan your twin sleep schedule properly as sleep will be scarce for the first couple of months but it will be scarcier if you allow your babies to waken at random during the night . instead when the first cries, wake the second and feed them both
• When both parents are around , divide the house hold chores - cooking, cleaning , laundry, shopping and babies . You take over one baby, your spouse the other . Be sure to alternate babies so that both children get to know both parents well and vice versa
• Keep records - make note in a permanent record book for immunizations , illnesses and so on
• When you are better rested yourself , stagger nap time - put one child down 15 minutes before the other - so that you can shower some individualized attention on the one who is awake. Even every day baby chores , can become special one-on-one time for each child
• Join a play group or mother and baby group and alternate which child you bring along each week
• Other parents of newborn twins will be your best source of advice and support ; be sure to tap them. Find a parents-of-twins support group in your neighborhood, or if one is lacking , start one. But avoid becoming too clannish, socialising with only parents of twins and having your babies participate in twin only playgroups. Though there is something indisputably about being a twin, excluding your children from relationships with single children will discourage normal social development with peers – the majority of whom will not be twins