Karen Gromada sent me this response to the recent thread on BF multiples (MOT = mothers of twins) and OK'd my forwarding it. She's not on Lactnet but can be reached privately at [log in to unmask] She reminds us that even lactating moms should get a mammogram for suspicious lumps that don't behave like plugged ducts!  I thought I understood breastfeeding twins until I heard Karen talk about what twins/multiples are REALLY like. Be humbled, those of us who had/have one baby at a time. - Linda Smith, Dayton OH

In addition to the hundreds of MOTs I've worked with since 1977, I've also
worked with several mothers of triplets and a few mothers of quads. What I've
found is that the more multiples there are, the more important a mother seems
to consider scheduled feedings. An occasional mother has breastfed triplets
exclusively for a several months; I've known of a couple of mothers of quads
who exclusively breastfed for a bit; most who continue to breastfeed at all
complementand/or supplement part of the day or night--some very little and
some quite a lot--some only with EBM and many with ABM. (The moms who
exclusively breastfed--not breastmilk fed--had household help full to almost
full time in the early months. Yes, I know there are exceptions out there.)

It is crucial for LCs and Leaders to remember that mothers of multiples--from
twins to whatever--begin motherhood way behind. Many of these mothers
(increase number of mothers affected as number of infants increases) have had
a riskier pregnancy which affected their health, e.g. PIH, bedrest (and
tocolytics) for weeks; 60+% delivered by cesarean (10+% had one or more vag &
one or more cesarean--lucky them); 85+% delivered at or before 36 weeks
gestation; etc., etc. So they begin motherhood with different worries,
different levels of physical resistance, different levels of sleep
deprivation (which influences resistance), etc. One thing I've noticed, esp.
with mothers of supertwins, is that even minor maternal viruses--colds, mild
flu, etc.--can have a real (negative) impact on milk production.

The mechanics of breastfeeding are the same (simple) no matter how many
babies are being fed. It is the coordination of breastfeeding (and other
infant care) with more than one baby--each baby having a unique approach to
breastfeeding/the environment--and maternal biopsychosocial factors that make
breastfeeding multiples more than simply breastfeeding two or more babies.
 As a MOT I really, really HATE it when someone makes breastfeeding
multiples sound simplistic vs. breastfeeding is basically a simple process.
Please don't minimize MOMs situations!

>>One of the best places to get information on feeding triplets and quads >is
the Triplet Connection at PO Box 99571, Stockton CA  95209.  >Phone (209)
474-0885.<<

True--listed in Keys to Parenting Twins (and Mothering Multiples, I
think--just gave away my last copy, oops). 

>>They have ... a personal story of a mother who completely breastfeed >her
quints for about 5 + months (she started weaning herself off the >breast pump
at 5 months, but used frozen breastmilk for over a month >before using ABM).
<<

Hard to tell from above anecdote whether the mom of quints totally breastfed
or totally breastmilk fed (which is what I gather re: pump use). I admire the
mother either way, but it is a different psychosocial experience for mother
and babies, and I think it is vitally important that LCs and LLL leaders
understand the distinction.

BTW: Tell them to come to my session on breastfeeding multiples at the LLLI
Conference this coming summer!

Karen Kerkhoff Gromada, author Mothering Multiples (LLLI); coauthor Keys to
Parenting Twins (Barron's)
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