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Breastfeeding Basics

Special Circumstances

A number of special circumstances may make it difficult for some mothers to breastfeed. However, with added patience and assistance, special arrangements can often be made by speaking to a doctor or lactation consultant. Here are some examples:

Premature/Sick Infants: If your baby is unable to breastfeed immediately after birth because of physical problems or illness, express (remove) your milk to initiate and maintain a good milk supply until your baby is able to breastfeed. (Health care professionals recommend that mothers of premature/sick infants use an electric hospital-grade double pump to express milk.) Your expressed milk can be stored and fed to your baby in the interim.
Low Weight Gain Infants: If your baby fails to put on weight at an acceptable rate, have him or her evaluated by a physician or lactation consultant. If supplemental feedings are required, special feeding products designed to supplement your baby's diet without causing nipple confusion or preference associated with bottle feeding are available.
Cleft Lip/Palate: If your baby has a cleft-palate, he or she will have difficulty sucking effectively. However, it may be possible for you to breastfeed. You will probably need to pump after each feeding to keep up your milk supply and to supplement your baby's diet. Feedings, regardless of whether they are breast or bottle, will take longer than usual; but it is important not to get discouraged. Special feeding products designed just for cleft-palate babies can help.
Twins: Your body's amazing ability to respond to the law of supply and demand will enable you to breastfeed twins successfully. You may want to breastfeed them separately, so each has private time with you, but there will also be times when it will be easier to nurse them simultaneously. Many mothers of twins report that breastfeeding is easier than bottlefeeding. Note—It is also possible to breastfeed multiples. For more information, speak to your doctor or lactation consultant.
Adopted Infants: If you are interested in the possibilities of breastfeeding your adopted baby, speak to your doctor and/or lactation consultant about special products that can help make this experience possible.

In all of these special cases, it is important to have routine checkups with your baby's doctor to ensure the infant's normal, healthy growth. It may also help to speak to a lactation consultant who is trained to handle special breastfeeding challenges.

This publication is for general informational purposes only and it is not intended to provide any reader with specific authority, advice or recommendations. Where you deem necessary, we suggest that you seek advice regarding your particular situation from the appropriate professional.