Now, more than ever, you need to establish a support network. Check out any twin clubs in your area -- these can be wonderful places to meet other mothers who are facing the same challenges you are. Attend La Leche League meetings in your area -- often you can find other nursing mothers of twins who are more than happy to share tips for managing the day-to-day realities of breastfeeding twins. Take advantage of online discussion groups here at Twinstuff -- if you should be confined to bedrest for the last weeks of your pregnancy, talking with other moms online can become a real lifeline for you.

Flexibility

This is the biggest key to success as far as breastfeeding twins -- and twin management in general. No doubt you'll read some great ideas about how to manage breastfeeding that when you actually put them to the test they simply won't work for you. Remember, breastfeeding is an art, and what works for one mom and baby (babies!) may not work for every mom and baby. Your babies may very well have totally different temperaments and scheduling needs, and you'll soon learn how to incorporate these differences in your plans. Take each day as it comes!

The Nitty Gritty of Breastfeeding Twins

But HOW do you go about breastfeeding twins? You may be saying to yourself (and the rest of the world!),"I only have two hands!" The biggest question is whether to nurse your babies simultaneously or separately. It's a good idea to learn how to do both, so that way you can be more flexible and take things as they come. Either way works, and depends largely on how well your individual babies latch on and nurse, and how much in sync their internal schedules are.

One at a Time

To begin with, this may be the easiest way to handle breastfeeding, especially if you have never breastfed before. Breastfeeding one at a time allows you to take special care in positioning, and gives you one-on-one time with each baby. It is not unusual for moms of twins to feel more strongly about one baby or the other, and by nursing each baby separately, you make it easier to bond with both babies. Your newborn will be a rookie at breastfeeding and may need extra help -- and both hands -- to properly latch on and nurse well. He'll learn quickly, though!

The biggest disadvantage of the one-at-a-time method is that Baby #2 may not be patiently waiting while you breastfeed Baby #1! And, this requires a double commitment of time. So learning how to breastfeed both babies at once is a useful skill.

Two at Once

For many moms of twins, this is the most practical solution, if for no other reason than the time- saving factor. It requires learning the logistics of how to arrange the babies at the breast. It helps to keep in mind that twins are used to being together and in tight places, so "overlapping" babies in various arrangements may seem quite natural to them! You may find that using a specially designed nursing pillow to support the weight of the babies and bring them up to breast level makes life easier for everybody. Because you will spend so much time with at least one baby at the breast, it is important to pay close attention to positioning so your nipples won't get sore. Some common two-at-once positions include:

• Double Football. This position is especially suited to the nursing pillows. Each baby lies tucked under an arm, with heads to the front and such that they can reach the nipple without turning. With a nursing pillow, you may be able to do this one "hands-free" once they latch on.

• Double Cradle. In this position, each baby is held in a classic nursing position, with head in the crook of your elbow and feet in your lap. One baby's feet will lie on the other's feet or abdomen.

• Parallel. In this position, the babies are pointing in the same direction, such that one baby's head rests on the other's abdomen. For example, Baby A lies in a cradle position at the right breast, with head in the crook of your arm and feet pointing toward your midline. Baby B is tucked under your left arm either in a football hold, or else held such that his head is in your left hand and his bottom is tucked under your left elbow.