Weaning is Difficult: Breastfeeding Journey

Shruti Kanchan is an Electronics Engineer who also holds a Post Graduate degree in General Business Management from Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneshwar (India). She has been working in the Telecom/IT domain for the past 10 years. Before the birth of her twins, she was employed at Capgemini. Currently, she is associated with Tata Communications. She says, “It is true that only a good boss can help maintain a healthy work-life balance, and I have been fortunate to have had that experience in both companies.” Read on to learn why Shruti Kanchan believes that weaning is more challenging compared to breastfeeding her twins.

1. You read a lot during your pregnancy, making it seem like you were well-prepared to welcome the precious ones.
From the time I conceived my babies, I delved into extensive reading about pregnancy, baby care, massages, diapering, vaccinations—everything except breastfeeding. Without a doubt, I was committed to breastfeeding, assuming it would be effortless. My impression was that if I got the babies to latch, everything would fall into place. Missing the antenatal breastfeeding class (due to advised bed rest) didn’t appear significant. I held the belief that breastfeeding would simply occur without requiring extra effort. Boy, I was wrong!

My planned C-section in the 37th week, due to one of the twins being in a breech position, went smoothly. My gynaecologist did not want to take the risk. However, due to drowsiness and lingering pain, I could only manage a quick kiss for the boys. My anxiousness to feed my twins set in when I was surrounded by family and relatives. They all exclaimed that tandem feeding was impossible, and I would need to resort to powdered milk. Additionally, the common belief was that my breast milk wouldn’t be sufficient for two. The prevailing notion suggested that since the mother’s milk would be divided between them, it wouldn’t satisfy their hunger. But the rebel in me was determined to prove them wrong.

One of the twins latched on like a pro (I fondly call him a “milky monster”). The other struggled with a shallow latch and jaundice, which made him lethargic and hindered his latch. The Lactation Consultant (LC) visited the next day to help rectify the latch. We were amazed when she explained and demonstrated the feasibility of tandem feeding. She emphasized that both babies should never cry out of hunger simultaneously. The gynaecologist provided us with additional information, marking the start of our beautiful breastfeeding journey with my “milk monsters,” as I affectionately call them. Right from day one, my husband, mother-in-law (MIL), and aunt became my pillars of support, taking care of one baby while I attended to the other.

We encountered challenges such as colic, sleepless nights, and spit-ups, magnified by having twins. However, what keeps me going are the words of my LC, which continue to resonate: “Your body knows that you have twins; it will nourish and nurture them, catering to their needs. You need to trust your body.”

My doctors have been unwaveringly supportive throughout. I believe I wouldn’t have reached this point without their guidance. Dr. Neelima Bapat, my gynaecologist, is a staunch advocate of breastfeeding, conducting comprehensive antenatal classes at her maternity home. My LC, Nilima Gurav, instilled confidence in me and convinced me that breastfeeding my twins was achievable. Their pediatrician, Dr. Geetanjali Puthran, consistently expresses pride in my commitment to breastfeeding.

2. You indeed have an incredible support system through your doctors and family, which undoubtedly greatly aids your journey.
Absolutely, I consider myself blessed. I perceive breastfeeding as more than just a mother-child relationship. It’s a beautiful teamwork by the entire family that stands by the mother and child(ren). To this day, my husband, in-laws, and parents have upheld my decisions, providing unwavering support to both me and my breastfeeding goals.

I must also acknowledge my best friend, Ambika, who played a pivotal role in my breastfeeding journey. As an exclusive pumping mother to her twins, Ambika guided me through each stage from my pregnancy days onwards. She introduced me to a support group on WhatsApp, which led me to discover Breastfeeding Support for Indian Mothers (BSIM) on Meta.

My workplace supervisor has also been understanding and supportive of my pumping needs. Solo progress would have been an uphill battle. Now, at 17 months into this journey, we continue to forge ahead. The saying holds true: it takes a village to raise a child.

3. What are your thoughts on the common practice of people telling new mothers that they aren’t producing enough milk?
This notion is largely a misconception unless a diagnosed medical condition is present. Many fail to recognize that breastfeeding adheres to a simple demand-and-supply principle—a natural process. The more the baby nurses, the more the body generates milk to satisfy their requirements. A crying baby doesn’t invariably signify hunger. Numerous mothers have successfully breastfed triplets, underscoring that nursing a single child or twins should not pose insurmountable challenges. Misinformation often leads to confusion in a new mother’s mind, fueling self-doubt.

Seeking guidance from specialists or joining dedicated support groups is essential to dispel such myths. Two groups I firmly recommend are BSIM and its counterpart, Breastfeeding Support for Moms of Multiples India (BSMMI). These support groups played a pivotal role, preventing me from giving up prematurely. The members, peer counselors, moderators, and administrators provided invaluable assistance with my queries. Additional sources of knowledge for me include La Leche League International and the Kellymom website, effectively serving as a breastfeeding bible.

4. When you returned to work, how did you manage to meet your boys’ nutritional needs?
Around two months after giving birth, I initiated pumping. This was mainly because I nursed and slept with one baby while my MIL fed the other with expressed milk. This arrangement granted me much-needed rest and sleep, while allowing the babies to become accustomed to this setup.

Upon returning to work around the six-month mark, I pumped every 2-3 hours at the office. I stored the milk in Pron Go Plus cooler bags, which are typically used by diabetic patients for insulin vials. These bags are readily available on Amazon. The provided ice packs served to store the pumped milk, and there was sufficient room for the pump and its accessories. This bag proved excellent, keeping the contents cool for around 10-12 hours even in humid Mumbai weather!

My workplace transformed a meeting room into a dedicated pumping area, and I am immensely grateful for that. My supervisor was equally supportive, never raising concerns about my pumping breaks. I managed to work efficiently while pumping, utilizing a laptop setup. Flexibility to work from home further facilitated caring for my babies despite resuming work.

When at home, I continued nursing on demand from evenings to mornings and throughout weekends.

5. Although you’ve had a strong support system, you must have encountered your own challenges.
As a Type A personality, I was accustomed to a highly disciplined routine—rising at 6:00 am and retiring by 9:30 pm. However, the arrival of my babies made me feel like I’d lost control over my life. This sentiment is likely shared by many new mothers. Yet, for someone like me who thrives on order, adjusting was exceptionally difficult. I grappled with intense bouts of postpartum anxiety and depression. The twins predominantly engaged in tandem feeding during the initial days, followed by lengthy cluster feeding sessions. I recall one instance of tandem feeding for a continuous 5 hours. It felt as if every ounce of air, energy, and vitality was drawn from me. With scarce sleep and insatiable hunger and thirst, I felt drained. My frustration often vented towards my husband and family. Thankfully, they stood by me, steadfast and unwavering.

6. Many mothers are advised to start weaning as early as 3 months. Have you faced pressure in this regard?
There have indeed been moments when I contemplated giving up. It’s a complex love-hate relationship—a part of me yearns to escape. Yet, when separated from them at work, I long to return and nurse my “milk monsters.” Breastfeeding hinges on determination, primarily a mental one. Physical challenges like engorgement, sore nipples, cracked skin, sleep deprivation, and exhaustion can weigh heavily. However, the determination to persevere surpasses these obstacles.

At 17 months old, my twins and I remain resolute. Our goal is to nurse until they self-wean. For me, the idea of weaning is more difficult as compared to breastfeeding.

7. Your journey is genuinely inspirational. How do you contribute to raising awareness about breastfeeding?
I make it a point to educate everyone I encounter, referencing the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO)—especially those who are not pro breastfeeding. Upon joining BSIM, I received extensive assistance whenever I faced challenges. I felt a responsibility to give back to this wonderful community, so I began aiding mothers in their struggles, striving to make a positive impact in whatever way possible. I was elated when BSIM offered me the opportunity to become a peer counselor and later a moderator. Additionally, I serve as an admin for BSMMI.

My advice to new mothers is to trust themselves and their bodies. Self-doubt and guilt can be formidable adversaries. The notion of weaning should be placed on the backburner. Instead, set smaller goals on the path to achieving larger objectives. If your body can conceive and deliver a precious life, it won’t falter when it’s time to nurture that life.