scheduling and routines for twin babies

by Shawna
(Illinois)

I am a single mother of 5 month old boy/girl twins and routines have been my best friend. Of course, infants under three months should be fed on demand, but always feed both infants within the same period of time. They will learn quickly. One twin may not eat the same amount as the other, but keep it up and in no time, they will begin acclimate.

During the first few months, their little bellies couldn't hold very much, so I would feed them at 10pm, then we would all go to bed (their crib is in my bedroom), one baby would wake around 2, I would feed both babies simultaneously with a LOW light level and no talking (smiling is fine though), back to bed until 6 or 7. As the babies grew, they were able to eat more and now I feed them at 9, lay them in bed while they are awake (this is important for later down the road), turn on their mobile and they sleep until 5 or 5:30 am. We do this EVERY night without incidence. I have even gotten the grandparents on board, so when they are there, the schedule stays intact.

Twins, and all children for that matter, LOVE routines. It makes them feel secure in their surroundings. Occasionally, one baby may awaken in the night, but is usually soothed back to sleep with a pacifier. Keep in mind I formula feed and use pacifiers, which is not possible for most BF babies.