Breastfeeding Twins: Sleep, eat, sleep, repeat...

Tuesday, 27 August 2019

When I decided to share an image of my sleep deprived-self breastfeeding my newborn twins, I would have never have imagined the flood of encouragement I’d get.

 

So much: “I FEEL YOU”, “Oh, I remember those days”, “How did you do it?”.  My responses, “Ugh, thank you!”, “I know! <3”, and “I have no idea.”

 

As I mentioned in my very vulnerable post, “I was giving my all…” My husband captured an image of me sleeping, working, healing, resting, giving. I never knew he snapped this picture of me breastfeeding our newborn twins until a few months ago when we were looking through pictures of the their birth on his phone. (The twins are 3 now.) It struck me how exquisitely the image captured this season in our lives. I felt my heart bursting with love for my two healthy babies. I felt the exhaustion in my bones. I felt my body aching to heal from my vaginal and cesarean “double-birth” as I was in the fresh postpartum stage. I felt the fatigue and hunger that is part of making milk, breastfeeding two growing babies. I felt depleted and fulfilled at the same time. ‘Tis motherhood.

 

I could have looked at this pic and thought - Oh no, I’ll never share that. It feels so unflattering. I’m wearing my husband’s shirt because that (and maternity clothes) was the only thing that fit. I mean, this pic was not fitting the bill to grace any magazine cover! But, I saw so much more that needed to be shared.  And, I was damn PROUD of our journey and how far we’ve come!

 

After, @womenirl shared the post, then @scarymommy I was in awe at the responses received. What I heard loud and clear was that mama's are ah-mazing at supporting each other and lifting each other up. I also knew that this vulnerable message was important to keep sharing. 

 

Whether you're a twin mom or not, I hope this message reminds you just how incredible you are as you give so much of yourself to your babies. Breast or bottle, I know you do what is best for your baby and your family. Motherhood is a tough gig and what we need, more than anything, is support and encouragment.

 

Copied below is what I shared in my original post that went viral, translated to Spanish, French, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian... Reaching mamas across the globe. Grateful beyond words.

 

"Sharing this unfiltered image of me ✨giving my all✨ My hubby snapped this pic as I fell asleep sitting up, breastfeeding our two-week-old twins. Exhausted doesn’t fully describe this experience as I was healing from 2 types of births (Baby A vaginal, Baby B cesarean) and my body is working non-freaking-stop to make all the milk for these boys.

This is the least flattering/aesthetically pleasing image I could share of me bfing my twins but, man, it makes me proud as I look back at how hard my body was working. Sneaking in a nap while the boys ate because, holy crap, I could have fallen asleep anywhere during that first year of their lives.

Our bfing journey lasted 28 months. I amazed myself. Each day/week/month/year that ticked away was mind boggling to me. We were figuring this thing out. Together. It was not easy and required so much sacrifice, but I was 1,000% committed to this part of my journey and thankfully we made progress together.

I enjoyed so many beautiful moments with my boys nursing side-by-side. The first time twins hold hands while bfing is heart-bursting ? Those moments of connection, warm snuggles, love given and received got me through."

 

If you aren't following my journey on social media head to my Instagram or Facebook pages here!

 

Here's to always lifting each other up!

Amy

Connect with Amy

Connect with Amy

Sign Up to be a Part of My Community!

Sign Up to be a Part of My Community!