Need help finding nutritional guidelines for EBF more than 1 baby

[amyhulen]

DD will be here soon and I need to find info on nutritional guidelines for mom's nursing more than 1 baby as I plan to be a full time milk donor mom as well. I have no idea how much of anything I need and don't want to cut myself or either baby short nutritionally speaking. I tried looking on Google but what I need is nutrition info for lactation not guides on raising twins.

Is this something that a lactation specialist at the hospital can help me with? or should I ask at a LLL meeting? or is there a book that spells it out. I don't eat wheat/gluten or dairy products at all due to intolerances so that is also a big factor.

Any information would be great.

[ShwarmaQueen]

I think your nutritional needs would be the same as if you were nursing/pumping for twins. You could check over in the moms of multiple forum to see if they had any info, or, as you mentioned, check with an LC/LLL leader. I would guess you'd need probably 3000-3500 calories per day and good fats. 

Way to go on pumping for another babe! You rock!

[carrierwright]

Using guidelines on nutrition while bfing twins is probably your best bet (the closest most studies are going to get to your situation). Your local LLL may have a copy of Adventures in Tandem Nursing by Hilary Flowers and that's a great book to get your nutrition info from (just skip all the practical parts about raising two nurslings since they won't apply) The quickest online reference to check is probably this from the kellymom site. In general excl bfing moms need 300-500 extra calories per nursling over their pre pregnancy intake. During pg you are already aiming for about 300 extra calories over your pre pg goals, so that means that for two you'll be adding 300-700 more calories per day over your pg intake. That's a pretty wide range and very individual. You'll be at first eating to hunger, drinking to thirst and tracking your wt. As long as you're not losing more than a lb per week and you're comfortable with your intake your calories should be on track. I think that site breaks it down fairly well though! Good for you!

[amyhulen]

Thanks ladies,

I hadnt even thought of the nursing adventrues book. I am going to pick that up on amazon and duh! I can't believe I completely forgot about the kelleymom site. For now I am off to the multiples forum.