[.ca] Mother Multiples: Breastfeeding & Caring for Twins or More! (ISBN 0976896931)

A must read for mothers of twins or multiples:
Buy this book today if you are serious about breastfeeding. Other books are either vague or offer only a short paragraph on breastfeeding. The book is so well written and easy to read. I just finished reading it and made sure to highlight important tips before my twins arrive in Feb. In addition, there are several other chapters besides breastfeeding that are a must read (i.e. labor, caring for newborns, twin or multiple toddlers). I won't even let anyone borrow this book as I refer to it so often!!

great!:
I just got a copy of "Mothering Multiples: Breastfeeding and Caring for Twins or More" by Karen Kerkhoff Gomada published by La Leche League International. I haven't finished it yet, but I'd highly recommend it so far. While, it has a short section on pregnancy, it, as the title suggests, focuses more on after labor, so you might want another Twin pregnancy book as well. The great thing about this book for me was, as an "older" first time mom, I had already formed pretty strong ideas about the way I would have and take care of my baby if I ever got around to having one. My first reaction to twins was joy and excitement, then the worry set in. Would I be able to take care of two infants in the way I planned? (attachment parenting) The first evening this book was in my hands I was immediately calmed and reassured, now I can get back to that excitement!

The best way to prepare for your twins!:
I'm not a big fan of La Leche League (the publisher), but breastfeeding my twins has been a wonderful experience for me and I couldn't have done it without this book. The number one thing I took from it was that I needed to be prepared and learn all I could BEFORE the babies got here. Because of this book, I contacted my local lactation counselor and rented a breast pump a week before my boys arrived. Within 12 hours of delivery (by c-section), I was pumping in-between feedings. Before we left the hospital, I had tried tandem nursing a few times. Now my boys are 10 months old and are nursing champs. The first three months were the hardest, but this book was such a valuable resource and encouraged me to keep at it. I'm SO glad I did.

Do you REALLY know what it takes to breastfeed twins?:
This book gives the straight facts about welcoming twins into your life - pregnancy to post-partum - but being a second-time mom, I didn't need a lot of info in this book. I was more interested in a motivation to breastfeed my twins and some sort of testimonial that it has been done before and is sooo possible no matter how crazy the looks on people's faces are! I read this book when I was expecting (be sure that you will NOT have the time to do so when the babies come home!!) and I remember going back during my breastfeeding attempts - nowhere did it say that this process took a huge amount of time and energy! It concentrates so much on the techniques, the benefits, etc... that the reality of having two babies on you most of the day (remember, Mom has to drink, eat, sleep & shower, too!) and the possibility that you it may just drive you insane is not mentioned directly. Many times I was discouraged - pressured - to supplement (by this book and other breastfeeding consultants) but my health was suffering. This book had no "exit door" for me, so I put it away, and saved my sanity! p.s. I supplemented (Doctor's orders) 1/3 of the day's feeds, and weaned to the bottle <:( at 5 months. My big bambinis are now 7 months old and starting solids :P ciao ciao

Awesome resource!:
Great book, I highly recommend reading it BEFORE the babies arrive, since you will not have time after! I breastfed for 3 weeks before switching to mainly pumping with breastfeeding when I was able to, since it is SO time consuming with twins. Good luck to everyone with breastfeeding, it is quite the experience, and my twins are only 5 weeks old!