OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT breastfeeding multiples complete feeding. However, 1 of your babies Triplets and quadruplets may awaken more consistently and feed If you feed triplets and quadruplets in more eagerly from the breast than the sequence, keep in mind the differences other(s). If you must wake the sleepy baby between foremilk and hindmilk that were every 3 hours for feedings, try to get the discussed earlier. Infants who feed first will more eager feeder on the same schedule. usually receive more milk, but it will be a That way you can feed both of them at the lower-fat, lower-calorie milk. Infants who same time. The baby who feeds eagerly may feed afterward usually receive less milk, but start and maintain the milk flow for the it will be much higher in calories. Typically, sibling who feeds less strongly and parents of triplets who exclusively effectively. breastfeed manage by feeding 2 babies at ALTERNATING BREASTS once, then feed the third infant at both breasts. For quadruplets, mothers feed 2 Once all of your babies are home with you, AMONG BABIES babies at a time. It is very important that COMBINING BREASTFEEDINGS AND you are likely to have several breastfeeding Twins triplets and quadruplets who breastfeed BOTTLE FEEDINGS questions: how frequently should I feed my The main reason for alternating breasts exclusively alternate between being first and It is usually convenient for parents of twins to babies? Should I alternate breasts? How do I between twins is to balance the milk volume second feeders, so that each baby receives a breastfeed exclusively once they are able to combine breastfeedings with bottle feedings that each breast produces. This is especially mixture of foremilk and hindmilk each day. feed both babies at a time. But mothers with of expressed milk or formula? How will I important when the 2 babies have different “more babies than breasts” often choose to know my babies are taking enough milk from sucking styles. One who feeds vigorously will combine some breastfeedings with bottle the breast? These questions are answered on stimulate more milk volume than will a feedings, especially in the beginning if they the next few pages. You may also want to sleepy, less effective feeder. If you alternate If you feed triplets and have premature babies who take a longer time discuss them with your babies’ health care breasts, the sleepier baby will benefit from quadruplets in sequence, to feed—and who may be unable to breastfeed professional or a breastfeeding specialist. the extra milk that the more vigorous baby keep in mind the simultaneously. In many instances, these creates, and both breasts will remain differences between women have enough milk for their babies but FREQUENCY OF FEEDINGS approximately the same. foremilk and hindmilk need extra help in giving the feedings. Although healthy full-term multiples should feed on demand (8 to 12 times a day), For twins, you can alternate breasts during a The decision to combine breastfeeding and premature multiples may not “demand” feeding, for each feeding, or from day to day. bottle feeding is based on many things, on a regular basis until they are close to Some parents report that each twin has a including personal breastfeeding goals and their expected birth date. Until that time, “favorite” breast and prefers it for all the amount of caregiving help that be certain that each baby feeds at least 8 feedings. Once both babies empty the breast is available. times a day and has no more than one effectively, you do not need to alternate Your babies may have individual preferences 5-hour-sleep stretch a day. breasts and babies. One mother’s small that help you decide how to feed them. One While it is possible to feed 2 infants at the premature twins preferred the same breast, mother said that 3 of her quadruplets same time, it is more difficult with so, for the first week or so at home, she fed adapted easily to a combination of breast and premature babies until they are able to both of them from her right breast and used bottle, but the fourth baby refused bottles “demand” and stay awake long enough for a the pump on her left breast. Soon the babies and would feed only at the breast. were feeding from both breasts. 62 63