Having a baby can be one of the most exciting, joyful and confusing times of a mother's life. All the choices, all the decisions – and all the hoping that you make the right ones. One choice that is almost always the right one is breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is not only a good means of giving your new baby a healthy start, but it also offers a time of mother-infant bonding.

This decision is one most mothers make during their pregnancies. But what happens when you learn that you are having more than one baby? More than two babies? Triplets! Can you still breastfeed? And if so, how?

According to the National Vital Statistics Report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of triplets – or more – rose more than 400 percent from 1980 to 1997. In addition, Mary Lofton, the program coordinator at La Leche League International in Chicago, Ill., says the number of women who breastfeed their babies has also risen from 25 percent in 1971 to 64 percent in 1998. "I think that the number of women breastfeeding will continue to rise as more and more women learn about breastfeeding – the ease, the accessibility and the benefits to the baby," says Lofton.

Breastfeeding one baby takes effort, time and patience. A new mother must learn how to breastfeed and how to deal with any situations that may arise. The same is true for breastfeeding triplets. Just as it takes time to learn the breastfeeding process, it also takes time to adapt to the differences, which are normal, of breastfeeding three babies. Most of the questions or concerns that mothers of triplets have regarding breastfeeding are things such as milk production, feeding patterns and planning of breastfeeding times. By addressing these issues, you will increase your confidence and ease the worry or nervousness that may accompany breastfeeding more than one baby.

Do I Have Enough Milk?
One of the most common concerns for mothers of triplets who wish to breastfeed is whether or not they will be able to produce an adequate amount of milk for the babies. For most, adequate milk production is not a problem. When breastfeeding, the demand for the mother's milk will determine how much is produced. If the babies place a higher demand by nursing more or more often, the milk production changes to that level to meet the needs of the baby. "Put simply, the supply meets the demand," says Carol Huotari, a certified lactation consultant for La Leche League International. "The breast milk will be produced as it is needed, and if it is needed for more than one baby, it will be there. As long as there is good breastfeeding management going on, and the babies are attaching properly, or the mother is pumping her breasts enough, then she can rest assured that she will be able to adequately supply enough milk for her multiples."

How Do I Feed Them?
Another common concern for breastfeeding triplets is the pattern of feeding the babies. Should the babies be fed at the same time, one on each breast (with one waiting), or should they be alternated? According to La Leche League, this depends mostly on the mother and the babies themselves. "Because the mother with triplets or multiples has so many demands on her time, she is going to be adept to finding what works for her," says Huotari. "While they are small it is a lot easier and less time consuming to nurse multiples simultaneously. As they get older and they express their individuality, they may not like that. A mother may begin breastfeeding one way, such as simultaneously, and end up doing something different. She needs to know her babies and do what works for her family."

With the assistance of a pillow that surrounds the upper body under the breasts, mothers can feed two babies at once, with one waiting in the wings. This is an excellent way to allow bonding between the mother and the babies and between the babies, too. However, as the babies grow and become more active, they may begin interacting with each other more than the mother would desire.

As an alternative, tandem nursing can be substituted as the babies grow and mature. Tandem nursing is feeding one baby directly after the other, alternating breasts with each. This method works best for triplets, as the alternating breast is allowed time to rest and offer more milk to the next baby without causing soreness of the nipple.

Setting a Schedule
Mothers of triplets must plan when to breastfeed as to ensure all her babies are getting what they need to start out healthy and happy. However, planning a feeding schedule for breastfeeding three babies can be overwhelming and tricky, but it can be done. "So much depends upon the mother's personality," says Huotari. "So many of us are so organized and will fall into a set schedule of every two or three hours. However, if you are not very well organized, you will probably get into a habit or a pattern of feeding the babies when they ask for it. The most important thing is that you have to be flexible. If it's 2 o'clock in the morning and the babies are supposed to be feeding but they are sleeping, let them sleep – it could give you an extra hour of sleep yourself. You can't be a slave to a plan."

When planning your breastfeeding pattern and schedule, try to rotate the babies so that each one gets their turn on each breast throughout the day. This is where creating a chart comes in handy. Rotating keeps the supply and demand fairly even on each breast so all three babies get their fill.

Not all breastfeeding attempts with triplets are successful. There are times when problems or complications arise that can prevent the babies from breastfeeding. However, this should not be looked at as a failure. "It's good to have a goal, and if your goal is maybe six weeks then you should strive for that goal," says Huotari. "It's a shame when people decide they don't even want to try and then they see someone else who is successful at it. If you tried and you succeeded somewhat – even if it is only for a few weeks – then you can feel that you have succeeded, period. It's very empowering to know that you tried and had even a little success than to never have tried at all."

"I had breastfed my first baby and didn't really do much to plan beforehand for breastfeeding my triplets," says Kendra Lutz, a dental hygienist and mother of four in Miamisburg, Ohio. "The biggest problem was the babies learning to suck. The doctor wanted to measure their intake. I had to pump my breasts and then divide it into the bottles to ensure they were getting enough and that they were all getting the same amount of nutrition. It was so hard to figure out whose turn it was and to make sure that they each got the same amount of milk. I tried breastfeeding them two at a time for a while, but my son would empty my one breast leaving nothing for the third baby. We kept a chart to help but it became very hard so we stopped after about six or eight weeks. It was a good experience, and I loved trying it."

Time, patience, planning and flexibility – these are the tools needed when breastfeeding triplets. Once these are mastered, a mother can sit back, relax and enjoy the new family she has created. "Breastfeeding of multiples can offer so many rewards," says Huotari. "Getting to those rewards just takes a little time but they are well worth every bit of effort invested."

Want to see more?

• Breastfeeding Twins: Educating Yourself
• Is My Baby Getting Enough Milk?
• 101 Reasons to Breastfeed Your Child
• Breastfeed.com's MomsTalk Discussion Board