How do I manage a sleep routine with twins?

A good sleeping routine is important for you and your babies. If your twins are born prematurely, they might spend time in neonatal care. The noise and frequent handling in hospital can affect their sleep routine.

Setting up good sleep patterns will help the babies’ growth and development. Massage and music can help make good sleep routines.

In the early stages, you may want to have both twins sleep in the same cot. This might have been how they slept in neonatal care. It’s a good idea to be flexible about it. For example, one baby might be comfortable in a cot and the other might prefer a bassinette.

Sleeping safely in the same cot

To keep twins safe while they sleep in the same cot:

• Place the babies’ head-to-head. Their feet will be at opposite ends of the cot. If the twins sleep side-by-side, there is a chance of one twin covering the face of the other. This can affect their breathing.
• Do not use sheets and blankets. It’s safer to use special baby sleeping bags. Another way is to swaddle the babies separately. Swaddling is when the baby is wrapped firmly. Speak to your midwife or nurse about safe swaddling.
• Move babies to their own separate cots when they start being able to move around.

Sometimes one twin settles easily but the other does not. The settled twin usually gets used to the unsettled one and won’t wake up. Sometimes both twins are unsettled when getting to sleep. Ask someone to help you at sleep time.

Always follow safe sleeping guidelines for both babies. The Australian Multiple Birth Association also has information on settling and routine. If you can get your babies into a good sleep routine, you can catch up on sleep for yourself.

How do I feed my twins?

Breast milk is the best nutrition for babies. It’s particularly important for twins. This is because twins might be born smaller or earlier than other babies. Your body can make enough breast milk to feed more than one baby.

Learning to breastfeed twins might be a challenge if you are unwell or exhausted after the birth. Newborn twins usually need small frequent feeds. This is because they can’t stay on the breast for a long time.

You can tell if you are making enough breast milk by watching your babies’ behaviour. Newborns who are getting enough milk:

• feed at least 8 times in 24-hours
• have 4 to 6 wet nappies a day
• have soft, mustard coloured poo
• take themselves off the breast when they have finished their feed
• seem content and look healthy

Do not choose one breast for each baby. Babies will grow and develop better if they feed on both breasts. Swap your babies from one breast to the other at each feed. This will help you balance your milk production, especially if one baby has a much stronger suck.

If your babies are premature or small, they might have a weak suck. This can mean they don’t get enough milk. It can cause a delay in your breast milk production.

Expressing milk and supplement feeding

Sometimes one or both of your babies will need to have extra feeds with expressed breast milk or formula. This is called ‘supplement’ feeding.

Supplement feeds might be needed if one baby is smaller than the other. Or if they are not gaining weight well. Ask how often you should supplement feed.

Check that your babies are putting on the correct weight with your doctor, lactation consultant or early childhood nurse. Talk to them if you have any concerns.

Giving your babies expressed breast milk in a bottle can be important if they need supplement feeding. There are many ways to express breast milk. It’s important that you find the one that’s right for you. Speak to a lactation consultant about the different pumps that are available and how to express milk.

You can help improve your milk flow by trying to relax and using gentle massage on your breast. Thinking about your baby while you express can help the milk flow.

Any amount of breast milk is good for your babies. Some women do not make enough milk or choose not to breastfeed. You can use mixed feeding (breastfeeding and formula) or full formula feeding.

Time management

It’s up to you if you feed your twins together or separately. For some people, it makes sense to feed twins at the same time. You might also choose to feed your babies one at a time in the early days. This can be helpful as you are learning how to breastfeed.

Feeding at the same time: When one baby wakes up for a feed, wake the other baby. This will help you to have as much time as possible between feeds to rest or sleep. You might need help at feeding time to position or support your babies.

Feeding one after the other: It can sometimes be hard to get both babies to the breast with a good attachment. You may not have someone to help you position the babies. Or one or both of your babies might be small. In these situations, you might want to feed one baby at a time. You can decide to change to feeding your twins together later, when you are ready.

How do I hold my twins when breastfeeding?

There are many ways to position twins. It depends on their age and size. There is no ‘right’ way. You can choose whichever position works best for you and your babies. Some examples are shown below.

The twin football hold involves placing one baby under each arm.

The laid-back position is where you lie back and lie both babies on your tummy.

The parallel hold can be used as your babies get older. This is where both babies lie in the same direction across your body, meeting at a right angle.

The front ‘v’ hold is where you hold your hands in your lap, and each baby leans against one arm. Your babies’ heads will be supported in the crook of your elbow.

A useful piece of equipment is a twin feeding pillow. This was developed to help twins feed together. These firm pillows create a supportive surface. They make it much easier to latch babies on to your breasts.

Your doctor, lactation consultant and early childhood nurse can give you advice about positioning, pillows and equipment to make feeding your twins easier.

Download this guide as a PDF

What is the ‘twin bond’?

Even before they are born, twins touch, hold and hug each other. The bond can be very strong. You might even feel left out. It’s important to accept this. Remember that you will always be a significant person in their lives. You will have your own special bond with each of them.

If you have other children, you might notice that their behaviour changes or gets worse for a while.

They might have tantrums or be aggressive towards the twins. They might go backwards in their own development or withdraw. It’s important you have one on one time with your other children. Try and make sure they don’t feel left out.

Twins might also feel sibling rivalry with each other. Bonding and sharing a womb as twins is one thing. It’s a whole different story to share a toy or a parent as a toddler.

How do I get out and about with my twins?

You may find it harder to get out and about with your twins. It helps to be organised by making sure the nappy bag is well stocked with nappies, wipes, formula or expressed milk and a change of clothes.

You might also need plenty of help and support from friends and family to get out. Many people are happy to help a new parent.

Is there anything I should do before my twins start preschool?

Pre-schoolers should have a health check when they are turning 4 years of age. Your local doctor (GP) can do this.

Your twins probably had the newborn hearing test, which picks up any hearing problem at an early age.

Some twins who were born early have problems with their hearing, eyesight and language . Talk to your doctor or child and family nurse if you have any concerns.

How do I prepare my twins for school?

Before your twins start preschool it's a good idea to give them some practice playing with other children. They may be used to keeping each other company. It’s very different in a classroom with other children.

A story hour or a craft session at your local library or community centre teaches them to sit quietly in a group. These activities are free. You can also join a playgroup. This can be good for babies as well as their parents or carers.

Take your twins to the local playground. This lets them have fun on different play equipment and lets them meet and play with other children. Pack their lunches and have them eat outside under a tree. This all helps them get ready for preschool.

Same or different classroom?

Many parents of twins find it difficult to decide if they should be in the same classroom. It’s a very personal decision for you, your twins and your family.

If your preschool is small, you might not have a choice. All 3-year-olds may be together in one class.

Think about whether your twins depend on each other or easily make friends with other children.

Are there any family issues like divorce that may affect their ability to cope separately? You can talk to the school and see what they think as well.

Resources and support

Support is important when you’re a parent of twins. As soon as you learn you are having twins, it's a good idea to seek support from your partner and family members.

Remember that family and friends often want to help, but don’t know exactly what you need. Don’t hesitate to suggest practical ways they can help support your growing family. You can remind them that you’re getting less sleep than usual. Tell them that you may be tired, sore, moody or emotional after birthing twins.

There are also professional organisations that have helpful advice and information.

The Australian Multiple Birth Association provides information on feeding and sleep guidelines for multiples.

The The Australian Breastfeeding Association has information on how to feed twins.