A team of doctors from AIIMS Bhopal and AIIMS Bhubaneswar conducted research in Kodinhi village, Kerala, known for its high rate of twin births. This village, with around 400 pairs of twins, has intrigued scientists globally due to its exceptional twin birth prevalence. Twins born here face challenges like prematurity, low birth weight, and higher infection risks.
The study revealed that exclusive breastfeeding for twins is crucial for their health, but only 4% of mothers managed to do so for six months. Many mothers faced difficulties due to fatigue, fear of low milk supply, and managing two babies simultaneously. Despite the challenges, some mothers continued breastfeeding for one to two years, adopting simultaneous feeding methods.
Dr. Geeta Bhardwaj stressed the importance of providing better breastfeeding support to mothers of twins based on experiences from high-twinning areas like Kodinhi. Dr. Madhabananda Kar of AIIMS Bhopal highlighted the dedication of mothers of twins and the need for health workers to offer empathetic support and practical guidance.
