Category: Ask Nurse Nancy

Here’s a question emailed to us by Elise G.:

Q: I would like to know if it is possible to breast feed two babies at the same time with your pillow? I’m pregnant with twins and I never breastfed in my life so I don’t know anything about it but I want to try it for sure..so would your pillow help me do that?

A: Thanks for inquiring about the use of the Cozy Cuddles Nursing Pillow for twins!  Yes, absolutely you can nurse both babies at once using our pillow – many, many customers have done just that!

Most mothers use the “football” or “clutch” hold to do this, and in this position you tuck one baby under each arm and the pillow supports them.  You can see this position pictured on the graphic here.

You can also feed them in three other positions – the front cross (both in the cradle hold), one in football hold and one in cradle hold, or the upright latch where the Mom uses the “laid-back” position.  In this graphic, Mom is nursing one baby in the laid-back position but both twins can be nursed at once positioning them this way.

Our pillow has been featured in twin publications and also on a TV show on twins, when 18-month-old twins were featured, still nursing with their Cozy Cuddles Nursing Pillow!!

Here you can see other uses for the Cozy Cuddles Nursing Pillow as well. They can lie on it on their back from newborn to be propped up (to see what’s going on in the room or to play with their “play gym” toys, for supervised “tummy time” once they gain neck strength, and later (around 6 months) for giving them support as they learn to sit up.  Many parents of twins use two Cozy Cuddles pillows for these purposes.

Originally posted 2016-08-04 19:25:27.

Here’s a question from Jade in Sudbury:

Q: My baby’s a month old and has been nursing well. The nipple tenderness I felt at the beginning went away – until now! I feel a shooting pain when she nurses on one side that lasts throughout the feeding, and after as well. The baby often fusses during a feeding and pulls away. I noticed that the milk seems to be curdling in her mouth – it looks like cottage cheese on her tongue! Is this normal in the heat of the summer?

A: What you’re describing, Jade, sounds like a yeast infection, commonly known as “thrush”. It’s caused by the fungus candida albicans and fortunately can be treated by a topical anti-fungal medication you can get from your doctor. (More details: www.PharmaWatchDogs.com) You’ll both need to be treated, as the infection passes between you – that is likely what is causing the white coating on her tongue and your nipple pain. It can also pass through the digestive tract and cause diaper rash, which will also need to be treated.

Nancy Lahn BScN
Developer of the Cozy Cuddles Nursing Pillow

Originally posted 2015-09-10 16:06:38.

Here’s a question from Carly in Huntsville, ON:

Q: I’m expecting my first baby soon. I’ve heard that in order to increase your milk production, you should wait at least 3 hours after you empty the breasts at a feeding to feed your baby again to allow the milk to fill up again. Is this true?

A: Good question, Carly, but this isn’t actually the case. Research shows that since milk is being produced at all times, the breast is never actually empty. In fact most babies remove an average of 75-80% of milk at a feeding, so there is always milk remaining in the breast after a feeding.

The strategy of waiting a set amount of time to nurse your baby (under the mistaken belief that the breasts need time to “refill”) will be counterproductive to your goal to increase your milk supply. This is because milk production slows down when milk accumulates in the breast. So, the best strategy is to feed your baby frequently, thus emptying the breasts as much as possible, especially in the early days. Newborns will often “cluster feed” which means that for a period of a few hours a day they will feed almost continuously, and this is very helpful in increasing your milk supply.

Nancy Lahn BScN
Deveoper of the Cozy Cuddles Nursing Pillow

Originally posted 2015-04-28 13:13:10.

Here’s a question from Debbie in Niagara Falls, ON:

Q: My baby is due soon. I’ve heard that most mothers don’t have enough milk for their babies in the first 3 days after birth. Is this true?

A: No, Debbie, that’s not true – right now, you have colostrum that will be there for your baby right after birth. Colostrum, or “first milk”, is perfect for your newborn – it is thick, yellowish in colour, and packed full of nutrition and antibodies. It is so concentrated and full of energy that your baby only needs a small amount to meet all of his or her needs. As your baby latches on frequently and receives your colostrum, your body will be stimulated to produce your mature milk, which begins to come in on the second or third day after birth.

Originally posted 2014-03-18 13:53:32.