Q&A: Feeding Schedules
Kristi asks:
My daughter is breastfeeding twins (3 weeks old). My question is: Should she alternate which baby is nursed first each time? If she does, then the baby who nursed first last time has to wait longer for her next feeding. Or does she nurse the same one first everytime, keeping them on a schedule?
Congratulations on your new arrivals! Here are some tips for maintaining schedules while breastfeeding twins, without becoming a slave to the clock!
- Remember that babies are not born wearing watches, however you can encourage the development of a routine that fits your household rhythms (parents’ work schedules, other kids being taken to/from school, etc.). Many parents of twins find it helpful to keep their twins on a similar schedule – this may mean waking one baby to eat (especially at night) to keep their schedules on track.
- If you are feeding the babies sequentially (one right after the other), and the babies are on a similar schedule, you can try to anticipate a feeding, being responsive to the earliest feeding cues (stirring in their sleep, putting hands to mouth, licking lips, rooting, etc.) and feeding the baby who is exhibiting those signs immediately. It may be helpful to have a setup that will allow you to soothe the second baby while you are feeding the first. For example, some moms find that placing the non-nursing baby in a bouncy chair near their feet while they sit with the nursing baby enables them to interact with both babies during the feeding session. The babies can then switch places when the first baby is finished nursing.
- If your babies have developed a very precise schedule (some babies do, some don’t!), you can plan for a staggered schedule, where the babies’ activities are 15-30 minutes staggered. This works well for some moms, and not for others – it depends largely on your babies and their temperaments.
- If possible, I encourage moms of twins to experiment with tandem breastfeeding (feeding both babies at the same time). It can take some practice to develop a setup that is comfortable, but has the advantage of soothing both babies at once, enabling their schedules to align, and saving the mom from feeling that she’s prioritizing one baby over the other. Some moms find they prefer to tandem nurse all the time, some prefer to nurse individually when possible, but many like having the option of feeding together on occasion – fussy babies, one baby taking longer than usual, growth spurts, etc.
Do some experimenting. You and your babies will find your own rhythm – one that works for you!!
My twins are due in October and I want to tandem feed. That is the only way I will get anytime with my two year old. My concern is how the heck I am going to get both girls up on to the nursing pillow and latched if there is no one to hand them to me. And how can I lay down and still feed two babies?
I nurse on the couch or bed, so I put them both on either side then get the pillow ready and put one on at a time. I love the Boppy Newborn Lounger, that’s what I usually put them on before the nursing pillow.