We often get asked about babywearing twins. Often by stunned parents who have just found out their family is expanding by more than expected and wondering how exactly they are going to manage it all! Babywearing singletons is one way busy households function but two or three babies???

First thing to remember is multiples don’t have to do everything together or at the same time. Two adults, two babies, two carriers … works wonders. And one fussy baby can be soothed in a carrier while another is blissed out in the bassinet. One baby in a carrier, one in a single pram can be simplier than wielding a double or triple pram about in tight spaces like shopping strips, markets and events.

For many years I facilitated breastfeeding classes for parents expecting more than one baby. A comment I heard repeatedly was they had already been told that breastfeeding might be possible but they should be prepared to formula feed instead. Before their babies were even born, those in their support network of family, friends and health care providers were already attempting to let them down gently.

Yet time after time, I would hear the stories of participants overcoming challenges common to multiple births: childbirth interventions, prematurity and the practicalities of establishing breastfeeding with two or three infants. I even met a couple of families who had multiple multiple births - coming back to share their experience of breastfeeding thir second set or twins while the first set were toddlers!