Breastfeeding twins

The World Health Organization [WHO] (2013) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life in order to achieve optimal growth, development and health. Breastfeeding have numerous benefits for infants, and it is especially important in enhancing their immune system and resistance to infections (Coalition for Improving Maternal Services [CIMS], 2009). Since, infant’s own immune system is not fully developed until approximately 2 years of age; human milk provided an enriched source of white blood cells, which are transferred to the baby, helping to fight infections from bacteria, viruses and intestinal parasites (CIMS, 2009). Breastfeeding is extremely important in reducing the incidence and/or severity of ear, respiratory tract, and urinary tract infection, diarrhoea, bacterial meningitis, pneumonia, obesity and diabetes (CIMS, 2009; United Nations Children's Fund [UNICEF], 2010). In addition, it has been found to lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome [SIDS] (CIMS, 2009).

There are also a number of benefits of breastfeeding for the mother this includes, an enhanced feeling of attachment between mother and baby; as levels of oxytocin are release during breastfeeding, the hormone promotes uterine contractions, which decreases the likely hood of postpartum hemorrhage; breastfeeding lowers the risk of developing ovarian and pre-menopausal breast cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis later in life (CIMS, 2009).

It is important for mothers of multiple infants, receive effective physical and emotional support to establish successful breastfeeding relationships (Brodibb, 2012). Breastfeeding can become more increasingly complicated as they learn to manage more than one infant at a time, trying to deal with...

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...these medications can affect her orientation and the ability to organize herself, in addition she may have been had extended bed rest and/or heavy loss of blood resulting in her experience weakness (Walker, 2013). In this case, midwives need to take into account that these mothers are unable to absorb verbal teachings, remember details about each infant’s condition and keep record of her breastfeeding regime, until the effect of the medications have worn off, thus breastfeeding assessment is important at this time (Walker, 2014). Mother’s may also need an extra helping hand at this time, at this point, midwives may help position and attach the baby, and provide extra pillows to help support her back and weight of her babies during breastfeeding, also recommending parents to purchase a V-Shaped or U-shaped pillows to help with the feeding, once at home (MBF, 2011).