Breastfeeding Practices in the Twin Town of India — A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

The global rise in twinning rates poses health challenges due to increased risks for infants and mothers. Despite the benefits, breastfeeding rates among multiples are low, with exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) particularly scarce compared to singletons. Our study focuses on the mothers of twins in a unique population in Kodinhi village, Kerala, India, known for its high twinning rates, which aims to contribute to existing knowledge of breastfeeding practices and perspectives in a high twinning environment and offer valuable insights to promote optimal breastfeeding among mothers of twins. A retrospective cross-sectional survey was adopted. Seventy-five mothers with twins under 3 years of age from Kodinhi and neighboring areas were interviewed face to face using structured validated tools. Data collection focused on quantitative data supplemented by narrative descriptions. Most women delivered preterm (57.3%), operative delivery (58.7%), and had a late initiation of breastfeeding (32.9% within 24 hours). Colostrum feed was common (86.7%). The EBF rate was 4%, with 47.9% initiating nonexclusive breastfeeding before 3 months, and most of the twins (46.6%) were breastfed for 1−2 years. Fatigue (69.9%) and low milk supply (38.7%) were chief concerns. While 16.4% of mothers opted for a tandem breastfeeding technique, many preferred consecutive feeding as tandem was challenging. Mothers in Kodinhi demonstrated commendable efforts in breastfeeding twins; despite the low rate of EBF, breastfeeding extended to 1−2 years. Evidence-based interventions and personalized support, primarily focusing on maternal perspectives of milk insufficiency, fatigue and breastfeeding techniques, are crucial for sustaining optimal breastfeeding practices among mothers of twins.