Breastfeeding is nourishment for the child's body, but it is also nourishment for their emotional-
affective sphere. In particular, in situations of twin births, pregnancies with another child, or the
birth of a new baby in the family, the psycho-affective benefit of breastfeeding is even more
evident.
Considering the practical management, however, breastfeeding with multiple young
children can be experienced with great difficulty by the parents. Think of managing the care of
twins or children with a small age gap and the related emotional difficulties. In these situations,
parents overwhelmed by difficulty might consider breastfeeding as an 'obstacle,' instead of seeing it
as an ally to face the changes in family dynamics.
Breastfeeding twins, during pregnancy, and tandem nursing are the least frequent and socially
encouraged types of breastfeeding. It is therefore interesting to investigate the management of these
cases and understand what support an operator can provide in supporting the choice of
breastfeeding with twins, during a new pregnancy, and in caring for an infant along with a slightly
older child.
Chiara Fongaro
Infermiera e consulente New born and Child Family Care
Vicenza
Monika Stablum
Infermiera pediatrica
Terapeuta pre e post natale
Vice Presidente AICIP
Bolzano