Feeding twins on a schedule

When it comes to feeding twins, if you don’t have a schedule, you don’t have  a life. The golden rule is when one wakes up to eat, both must wake  to eat. It may be difficult to wake your precious one up but you have to know that there is not enough hours in the day to feed one baby after the other daily. Try to get babies on the same feeding and napping schedule.They will eventually learn to adapt.

Once the babies are awake, feed them at the same time with burps in between and a good burp at the end. It is great if  you have a helping hand to feed one baby while you feed the other. However, when breastfeeding twins, you will need to learn how to breastfeed both babies simultaneously.

The best way to feed twins simultaneously is by using a large twin feeding pillow. This works for both breastfeeding and bottle-feeding.  This U-shaped pillow fits around the waist and opens at the back. Most types have a safety belt to latch it in place so that the pillow remains snug to your body. Each twin gets his own side  and feeds in the football hold position. You may need help positioning  the twins on the pillow in the beginning but with time you will learn how to do it yourself.

If you had a cesarean, you may need to wait a week or two to use this pillow because its front edge crosses your healing belly. In the meantime , you can use a bed pillow at each side to nurse your baby in the double football hold. Another way you can breastfeed twins is holding one in the traditional cradle hold and the other in the football hold.

You need to position yourself properly when feeding ( both breastfeeding and double feeding). This will prevent backache as a result of poor posture.

Feeding and burping twins may take some time. After feeding , keep babies upright to help them digest their milk. This will also be a good time to interact and play with your baby. Bouncy chairs can be helpful to keep one baby upright while you burp or cuddle with the other twin. It is important to safely buckle the baby in the bouncy chair.