Intro & questions before birth

[judyblume14]

I have no experience with twins, but wanted to comment that my nipples , areolas and breast size didn't change really during pregnancy. Not til my milk came in on day 2 or 3 (this was my second baby). My supply is just fine.

Breast size/change during pregnancy is not necessarily indicative of supply.

Congratulations on you soon-to-be-here twins! Hope you have a smooth delivery

[ginabini]

Congratulations!! +1 that my breasts didn't change much until my milk came in. I would absolutely contact a lactation consultant before birth if you have questions. I can't say for certain with twins, but I really don't think you'll need to supplement (and doing so might actually hinder your milk coming in). In the beginning, babies only take in a tiny amount of colostrum until your milk comes in. If you let both babies nurse on demand, it will encourage your milk to come in to the level you need (since it is a supply and demand process). But I am by no means an expert!

[westiemom]

Hai!!!! No twins here but I'm another whose boobs didn't change much during pregnancy.

I'd definitely reach out to a LC. I had one "on hand" to reach out to after birth if I had questions and I ended up having so many questions! I called her on day 2 and she totally calmed me down and came to visit me. I totally give her all the credit for my making it 9 months!

Congrats! I'm so excited for you!

[lilyelayne]

Hi! I agree with everyone that getting in touch with a LC (preferably an IBCLC) now is a great plan.

Have you talked to your OB / the hospital about how soon you'll get to do skin to skin with the babies after birth? What their usual protocol is and if anything is different for early and/or multiples?

[kartish]

After my csection my milk came in around 4 or 5 days later. But with the colostrum V did just fine. I don't have any twin advice, but I'd reach out to your local la Leche league and see if they have someone who has experience with twins and or csections.

[Deleted]

Have you asked about breastfeeding on the MoM board? They might be a little more help in that regard. But as far as breast size, I have a slight oversupply, always have, and my boobs are still the same size as pre pregnancy. My milk came in on day 5 after my cs. We dealt with a lot of weight loss the first two days until we started supplementing. I still hate that I was essentially starving my baby for two days. It gets to me. I started pumping to get my milk to come in on day two.

[emmyg65]

Yes, reach out to an LC now! Especially with twins, you'll want some good support in your corner. C-section *may* delay your milk, but not necessarily. Every woman (and every pregnancy) is different.

[jewel441]

No experience with twins, but I had a c section at exactly 38 weeks and my milk came in in about 24 hrs, none of the nurses believed me and then would poke me and be like oh my! So it doesn't always delay things! GL mama! My nipples still look like they did before, and I have one that is pretty flat that my doc "warned" me might be an issue but we do just fine! 11 months and going strong!

That being said knowing your LC options before hand is never a bad thing. Having someone who can come out to the house is even better. And look into BF support groups a lot of places have them that are led by LCs and are free!

[Deleted]

Hola @wineandcupcakes! My breastsdidn't get any bigger this pg and similar PG and birth story too. We got to do skin to skin while in recovery and that continued while in mother /baby. We latched quite a bit and I had 2LCs come to visit me to help ASAP on latches and twin holds. I was able to get tandem nursing down (with a extra hand!) in the hospital. My milk also came in on day 3-late afternoon. We did so a small amtof formula at night to help give some extra nutrients but I requested it be after I'd nursed.

[lilyelayne]

Thinking of you @wineandcupcakes!

[seamonster]

I'd have a LC visit you after the twins are born. LLL beforehand might be good to talk to twin moms for advice on how to feed two at the same time and tips there.

My milk came in 4 days post c-section. My boobs never changed size dramatically the whole time I nursed, so that's no indication of how much milk you'll make. I did combo-feed in the beginning due to transfer issues and the LC was great with helping with both things.