Virtual Lactation Care for Twins
As an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) specializing in twins & multiples, a large part of my private practice involves seeing twin families virtually through Telehealth virtual sessions. My patients don’t usually have access to a local IBCLC specializing in multiples, and they truly thrive when supported through their feeding journey by someone well-versed in all things twins and triplets. Since COVID forced most of us to practice virtually, many LC’s like myself with a niche specialty have worked hard to perfect Telehealth lactation care and have continued to focus on working with families this way. To give you are few examples of how virtual lactation care looks, here are just a few ways that I typically assist my patients over Telehealth:
1. Improving Positioning and Latch: Through a unique approach enabling me to assess positioning and latch virtually, I can help a mother of twins find comfortable and effective positioning for both babies to breastfeed either tandem or individually. I can evaluate how effectively a baby is transferring milk, recommend adjustments to help improve latch, and even walk parents through an oral restriction screening (tongue tie, lip tie, etc) to assess if referrals for treatment are needed.
2. Increasing Milk Supply: Mothers of twins need to produce more milk to meet the demands of feeding two babies. Through the years I have guided hundreds of twin & triplet mothers through establishing a robust supply with a step-by-step, streamlined process. I work with many patients who were given the wrong advice or inadequate recommendations to start with, and quickly found themselves not making enough milk to feed their twins. I can provide tailored strategies on how to increase your milk supply through techniques such as breast massage, pumping, and herbal supplements. Your goals are my priority – I will never push an agenda that doesn’t align with exactly what you would like to work towards, or one that wouldn’t be realistic for your family.
3. Establishing Feeding Schedules: As most twin families know very well, establishing a schedule with two newborns is essential for everyone’s sanity. I can help create a schedule that will meet your babies’ feeding needs & optimize your supply - but most importantly, that reduces the stress and anxiety most of us twin parents face. I will help you identify your twins’ hunger cues, what their needs are for milk intake, how to know they are getting enough via breast/chest or bottle and help get them feeding on the same schedule.
4. Support and encouragement: Breastfeeding twins can be challenging in a way few people really understand. As the mother of two sets of twins, I know that all too well. There is something that just feels different when support is provided by a person who has been in your shoes. The recommendations and strategies I provide come from a place of true understanding when it comes to the demands of newborn twin parenthood. My patients know they can come to me not just for lactation information, but also for emotional support and encouragement during any difficulties they may encounter.
If you are expecting twins and want help preparing to breastfeed, this is an excellent time to establish care and secure priority postpartum scheduling. If you are postpartum and have questions or concerns about feeding your twins, please reach out asap. You deserve to have a lactation consultant who truly understands all areas of breastfeeding twins both personally AND professionally. Click on the link below to check your insurance coverage for virtual sessions!
