Breastfeeding Twins: Essential Tips for New Moms

Finding out you’re having twins comes with double the excitement—and double the questions, especially when it comes to feeding. One of the first things many twin moms wonder is, “Can I really breastfeed both babies?” The answer is a big yes! Nursing twins is absolutely possible, and with a little planning, patience, and support, you can find a rhythm that works beautifully for you and your babies.

Let’s talk through the basics, tips, and evidence-based guidance—including how feeding might differ for babies born early or with special growth needs—to help make nursing twins not just doable, but deeply rewarding.

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Can You Make Enough Milk for Two?

Yes, you can! Milk production is based on supply and demand, so as long as both babies are nursing regularly and effectively, your body will adjust to make enough milk for both. In fact, moms of twins often make twice the milk once feeding is well established.

That said, many twin babies are born before 37 weeks, and some may be small or large for their gestational age, which can influence how they feed at first. Being informed can make all the difference.

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Feeding Twins: What to Know

It’s common for twins to be born before 37 weeks (preterm), and one or both may be:

• SGA (Small for Gestational Age): Birth weight below the 10th percentile.
• LGA (Large for Gestational Age): Birth weight above the 90th percentile.

These babies may need more time and support to establish effective feeding.

If Your Twins Are Born Before 37 Weeks

According to the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, late preterm babies (34–36 6/7 weeks) are at higher risk for feeding difficulties due to immaturity. They may:

• Tire easily during nursing and fall asleep before getting enough milk
• Struggle with latch or milk transfer due to weaker muscle tone
• Have unstable blood sugars that require frequent, reliable feeding

In the early days, you may need to nurse more frequently, use expressed breast milk, or even supplement temporarily with fortified breast milk or donor milk—especially if your baby’s weight gain is slow or nursing is not yet efficient.

Weight gain of less than 20 grams per day (about 0.7 oz) may indicate low intake and should be monitored with the help of your provider or lactation consultant.

Regular weight checks, observing suck/swallow patterns, and sometimes even pre- and post-feeding weights can help ensure babies are getting enough milk. The good news? These feeding challenges are often temporary, and with the right support, most preterm twins transition beautifully to full direct nursing.

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How Much Milk Do Newborn Twins Need?

In those first few weeks, it’s hard to know exactly how much your babies are getting—especially if they’re nursing directly. Here’s a general idea of what to expect per baby:

• Day 1: 5–7 ml per feeding (about a teaspoon!)
• Day 2–3: 10–15 ml per feeding
• Day 3–5: 15–30 ml per feeding
• End of Week 1: 1–2 oz (30–60 ml) per feeding
• By Week 2–3: 2–3 oz (60–90 ml) every 2–3 hours

If your twins are preterm or small, they may need to nurse more often or receive smaller, more frequent volumes. Always follow your pediatrician or lactation consultant’s guidance based on your babies’ needs.

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How Much Should You Be Producing as a Twin Mom?

Here’s what milk production typically looks like when you’re feeding two:

• Colostrum (Days 1–3): About ½–1 oz total per day
• Transitional Milk (Days 3–5): Milk volume increases to 1.5–2.5 oz per feeding
• End of Week 1: 16–24 oz total per day
• Weeks 2–3: 24–32+ oz per day
• Established Supply (by Week 4–6): Many moms of twins produce 35–50+ oz daily

Nursing or pumping at least 8–12 times per 24 hours, especially in the first 2 weeks, helps build this supply. If one or both babies are having trouble latching or transferring milk, pumping can protect your supply while you continue working on direct feeding.

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Getting Started: The Early Days

The early days are all about practice and patience. For many twin parents, this includes:

• Skin-to-skin contact to encourage rooting and feeding cues
• Pumping within the first 1–6 hours after birth if nursing isn’t immediately possible
• Frequent nursing or pumping, including overnight
• Individual feeding plans if one baby is more preterm or sleepy than the other

Even if one baby is ready to nurse and the other isn’t, it’s okay to start one at a time. You’ll build your confidence and help each baby learn at their own pace.

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Tandem Nursing: When You’re Ready

Once you’re comfortable and your babies are nursing effectively, you may want to try tandem nursing. It saves time and can help coordinate feeding schedules.

Twin Nursing Positions to Try:

• Double football hold: Great for control and head support
• Laid-back position: Helpful for small or preterm babies—gravity assists with positioning and latch
• Cradle + football combo: Great if one baby has a more stable latch than the other

Using a twin nursing pillow can help with support and comfort during these sessions.

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Tips for Nursing Twins

• Alternate breasts between babies to maintain balanced supply
• Stay hydrated and well-fed—nursing two is a big calorie burn!
• Create a nursing-friendly space with pillows, snacks, and water
• Keep extra burp cloths and a pump nearby, especially in the early weeks
• Accept help—whether it’s burping, diapering, or holding one baby while you nurse the other

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Supplementing or Pumping: What’s Normal?

Sometimes, twins—especially those born early—need extra calories in the form of expressed milk or supplementation. This might include:

• Pumped milk if nursing isn’t efficient yet
• Fortified breast milk for extra growth support
• Formula as a temporary or ongoing supplement

Work with your provider to find what works best—and remember, any amount of nursing and breast milk is valuable.

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Making Nursing Work for You and Your Twins

Nursing twins can feel like a lot at first—especially if they arrive early or need a little extra help—but with support and flexibility, you can absolutely do this. Whether you’re nursing one at a time, tandem feeding, pumping, or doing a bit of everything, you’re feeding your babies with love and intention.

Take it one feed at a time. Celebrate progress. And know that your efforts—whether measured in drops or ounces—are worth everything.