Breastfeeding isn’t always the magical bonding experience that some might picture in their minds. Breastfeeding just one child can feel stressful. Breastfeeding twins can seem, well... twice as hard. Literally. Any new mom of twins is bound to have at least a few moments where the thought of tandem breastfeeding feels totally overwhelming. You might wonder if it is even possible to breastfeed twins. After all, how you supposed to nurse two babies at a time, or focus on nursing one while the other one is crying? While it’s true that breastfeeding twins might not be the easiest thing in the world, it is possible.

If you’re a new or expecting mom of multiples, and you’re hoping to breastfeed them, this breastfeeding twins guide answers the most common questions about breastfeeding multiples. As tough as it may be, it comes down to setting up a routine, and being able to go with the flow.

Breastfeeding twins “can be challenging, but it is doable.” says Dr. Jessica Madden, International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant and medical director at Aeroflow Breastpumps. If you hope to breastfeed your twins, there are a few things you can do to set yourself up for success. Madden suggests the following:

Tandem breastfeeding is a term you hear a lot when people talk about breastfeeding twins, and it simply means feeding two or more babies at the same time and if you want to breastfeed twins, you’ll need to get the hang of tandem breastfeeding. While it may feel like a juggle at first, nursing both babies at the same time helps keep their feeding schedules synced and is the most efficient way to manage the feat that is nursing two babies at once.

Before the babies are even born, you can set yourself up for tandem breastfeeding success by creating a dedicated nursing space. “Set up at least one nursing station in your home where you have what you need within arm’s reach,” O’Connor advises. This could be your bed, the couch, or a chair in their room. Whatever spot you choose, consider both your own comfort and proximity to the babies for the many newborn nighttime feedings ahead. Stock the area with:

And have a space for one baby to sit or lay down while getting into position. “Latch on one baby at a time, get that baby latched and settled, then get the second baby latched,” O’Connor says.

If you’re able to get extra assistance from a lactation consultant outside of the hospital, that’s an option you should take advantage of. “The key to tandem feeding twins is getting lactation assistance from the beginning,” Madden says. “This will help you find the best positions for feeding both babies at once, to ensure they are latching well, and that you have built up an adequate milk supply.” She recommends arranging for both in-hospital lactation help and also several weeks of in-home lactation support if you can. If possible, set this up before your babies are born or right after. “Many moms do not seek help until their babies are several weeks old, and this is sometimes too late to be able to establish a full milk supply if problems have arisen,” she says. Of course, while working with a lactation consultant in your home isn’t something everyone can do — it’s expensive, not always covered by insurance, and isn’t super accessible for all — so don’t fret if you’re not able to do that. It’s not make or break.

Nailing the art of tandem breastfeeding means figuring out which breastfeeding position works best for you and your babies. Both Madden and O’Connor recommend these four nursing positions:

A breastfeeding pillow (or two) can be incredibly helpful for anyone hoping to breastfeed their newborn and especially if you’re planning to nurse twins. Though many new moms swear by nursing pillows like the My Brest Friend and the Boppy Best Latch, Madden notes that you don’t need to invest in a specific pillow. “Some moms do best just using regular bed pillows,” she says. “I really feel that this is an individualized decision, and what works well for one mother of twins might not work for another twin mom.”

When looking for the perfect breastfeeding pillow, O’Connor says to look for one that fits your body and supports both babies. “A pillow with adjustable straps that are easy to manipulate with one hand is particularly helpful,” she notes.

There are a lot of breastfeeding pillows out there, but the below are highly rated for comfort and ease of use. The My Breast Friend and Boppy are really versatile, while the TwinZ and TwinGo are made specifically with twins in mind. Here are a few options to keep in mind:

You’ve probably heard that breastfeeding helps burn a lot of calories, since your body is making and producing milk. So, does breastfeeding twins burn more calories? “It is estimated that nursing twins burns about 1,000 calories a day,” O’Connor says. “Nursing one baby burns about 500 calories, so it stands to reason that nursing two babies doubles that.”

That said, know that it’s not the same for everyone. “I suspect that it’s probably somewhere between 500-1,000 calories per day, and may vary greatly from mother to mother,” Madden says. Remember that, when breastfeeding, it’s key to eat a lot of food and drink a ton of water to maintain your supply and keep yourself hydrated. Since cooking, refilling your water bottle constantly, and even simply feeding yourself can be difficult, leaning on your partner for support is really important. Talk to them about how they can help keep you fed and watered while you focus on breastfeeding, whether that means getting them to cook you some meals, shopping for high-calorie snacks, or even feeding you while your hands are full.

It is not uncommon for breastfeeding moms to have a “slacker boob,” AKA one breast that doesn’t produce as much milk as the other one. This can make breastfeeding twins feel especially tricky, but it’s not a deal-breaker.

“If you are nursing both babies at the same time, I recommend alternating which baby starts the feed on the ‘slacker breast’ each time,” Madden says. “If you are only feeding one baby at a time, consider pumping on the ‘slacker’ side with a hospital-grade pump, while nursing your baby on the other side.” She recommends that if you do this, you should use an actual electric pump or a hand pump.

Breastfeeding twins definitely comes with a learning curve, but that doesn’t mean it’s an impossible task. It’s absolutely doable, and once you get the hang of it, you’ll start to feel more comfortable and less overwhelmed. A lot of support is really key to making this journey work. And if you end up feeling like it’s just not for you, that’s totally okay too.

Dr. Jessica Madden, M.D., IBCLC, International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant and medical director at Aeroflow Breastpumps

Leigh Anne O’Connor, IBCLC, LCCE, International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant