Breastfeeding Multiples: It Can Be Done

The recognition of the benefits of breastfeeding and the perils of formula feeding makes it incumbent upon the nursing profession to become knowledgeable in the realm of evidence-based care for all breastfeeding women. This is even more apparent with the rise in the number of multiple births and the potential subsequent sequelae that frequently arises from multiple gestations, that is, preterm births. Breastfeeding organizations such as La Leche League promote and support breastfeeding for women with multiple births. The aim of this article is to address those issues that hinder a mother's desire to breastfeed her twins, triplets, or even quadruplets. The numerous benefits of breastfeeding are elucidated together with guidelines for the health care professional to use in assisting the breastfeeding mother.