Breastfeeding Twins: Tips, Positions & Supply

Breastfeeding twins is an incredible journey. But there’s no sugar-coating it, it can feel overwhelming. Two hungry babies, double the latches, keeping milk supply up, and finding a comfortable feeding position—it’s honestly a full-time job if you think about it.

With the right strategies, support, and practice, you can absolutely make breastfeeding with twins work for you. Speaking of support, twin breastfeeding experts do exist. And having ties with them can save you countless hiccups in the long run. Take this for example: at Gold Coast Doulas, our team of postpartum doulas and lactation consultants are bursting at the seams with valuable information on how to breastfeed twins.

Luckily, we have some of these hands-on tips from founder Kristin Revere, and her intuitive team of postpartum doulas and lactation consultants. Kristin is a doula expert herself, and co-author of the award-winning parenting book Supported: Your Guide to Birth and Baby. If you’re a twin parent, this advice is too valuable to ignore—keep scrolling for it all.

Tips for Breastfeeding Twins

We know what you’re thinking. “Breastfeeding twins? How does that even work?” It might seem complicated at first, but a few practical strategies can make all the difference. Know this: it’s 100% possible to have a successful twin breastfeeding journey. It all starts with a few tips from experienced moms and professionals.

• Set up a cozy spot *before* nursing. Getting up isn’t easy once you’re settled and latched with two babies. Get your water jug, snacks, and phone ready in a comfy space before sitting down and breastfeeding.
• Invest in a twin nursing pillow. These super helpful pillows are specifically designed to support two babies at once while feeding. They’ll help keep your twins in a comfy nursing position while giving your arms a much-needed break. Brands like Twin Z and My Brest Friend are popular options.
• Try individual nursing first. Tandem nursing is a skill that takes time and practice. If it’s tricky at first, shift your focus to helping each baby learn to latch individually before trying to nurse them together. Then, once your breastfeeding skills level up, try tandem feeding again and it should feel smoother.
• Don’t wait until they’re starving. Hungry, fussy babies are more challenging to settle and latch—especially two hangry babies. Keep an eye on the clock and aim to start nursing before they get too hungry.
• Portable floor bouncers are your friend. You’ll need a safe place to set one twin down while latching the other. A lightweight, easily movable bouncer is a lifesaver for this. Just bring it with you to your nursing space and set twin #2 in it until you’re ready to pop them on.
• Experiment with positions. There’s no single “right” way to nurse twins. Every twin and parent is different. Try new positions until you find what works best for you and your babies. Pssst: see below for some common twin breastfeeding positions.

Best Positions for Breastfeeding Twins

Figuring out the most comfortable twin nursing position is night and day. Once you’ve found your favorite, your entire breastfeeding journey becomes a bit more relaxed. According to experienced postpartum doulas and location consultants, here are some great options to try and exactly how to do them.

The double football hold

This is the perfect starting position to try with newborns. Just tuck each baby’s body under your armpits like you’re running with a football. Their heads should be in your palm, facing up, with their legs sticking out behind you—then latch! This position gives you great control over wobbly newborn heads.

The double cradle hold

This one takes some practice, but works great once you master it. Basically, you cradle both babies, one in each arm. Once latched, your twins will end up creating a “V” shape across your torso with their legs touching.

The baby stack

Stacking can be an epic breastfeeding position for smaller, younger twins. One twin will be in a typical horizontal cradle position, while the other rests their head on top of the first twin’s legs at the other breast. Essentially, they are lying sideways in the same way across your torso—just stacked on each other.

The recline

Want more of a break? (Um, is that even a question?) Lean back in a reclining chair and let your babies lie on your body vertically while they nurse. This is a super useful, hands-free position once your babies can latch well.

Producing Enough Milk for Twins

Take a deep breath—your body is designed to meet the demand of two babies. And the best way to support this natural function? Staying on top of your nutrition, hydration, and feeding routine.

Experts agree you need an extra 500 calories per baby, per day while breastfeeding. That’s a whopping 1,000 extra calories for twin moms! To help, we suggest focusing on nutrient-dense foods like beef, avocados, eggs, berries, nuts, bone broth, and leafy greens. Oh, and don’t forget about drinking water. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breastmilk is made up of 80% water. That’s a lot. This means you need extra fluids now too. Moms with twins should aim for at least 12 cups of water daily. To make it easier, always keep an extra-large water bottle nearby and sip throughout the day.

It’s also very important to nurse or pump often and consistently. Aim for breastfeeding or pumping every 2 to 3 hours to keep your supply up. This is especially important in those early weeks after birth to help tell your body how much breastmilk you need to produce for your two hungry babies.

Finding Support for Breastfeeding Twins

Breastfeeding twins isn’t something you have to (or should) do alone. You want to feel confident and empowered. And the right support team can do just that and more. Lactation consultants and skilled postpartum doulas with experience with multiples can provide literal hands-on guidance.

Our team at Gold Coast Doulas helps support twin parents with common challenges like feeding positions, latching, and locking down a routine with your babies. If you’re in the West Michigan area, our team is right here to help however you need. If you’re not local, we also offer an online self-paced breastfeeding class with a live virtual Q&A session to ask any questions.Learning to breastfeed twins is a journey that takes a lot of practice and patience. Don’t worry though, you’ll find your rhythm in time, just like many twin moms have before you. You’re not alone—your village is here!

Kristin Revere, MM, CED, NCS, is a certified birth and postpartum doula and the founder of Gold Coast Doulas in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is also the co-host of Ask the Doulas Podcast and co-author of Supported: Your Guide to Birth and Baby.