Feeding time tips from infant to toddler

Here are some helpful hints to make feeding time easier and more enjoyable:

- When one baby wakes for a feeding, wake the other baby when you are ready to feed, that both can be satisfied at the same time. The sooner you can establish a feeding schedule, the better for both you and your babies since regular feeding schedules have been found to dictate regular sleep cycles.

- Usually a diaper change before you start feeding is enough, unless they become wet or have a bowel movement.

- Take time to properly burp them before putting them back to bed. Burping for an older infant can be induced by placing him on his stomach and allowing him to move around and kick.

- Take time to cuddle while feeding so that the parent-child bond can develop naturally.

- Nightfeedings are easier if both parents are able to each feed one baby. Or it is helpful if Dad can alternate the night feedings, so that mom can get a stretch of unterrupted sleep. You may want to split the night feeding (i.e. before 5 a.m. Mom feeds, after 5 a.m. Dad feeds before going to work.)

- When babies are old enough to hold their own bottle, avoid giving bottles to babies in bed. It encourages their dependance on a bottle to go to sleep, choking could occur, and the unswallowed milk promotes tooth decay and ear infections when baby is sleeping.

::: Tips specific to bottlefeeding:

- One baby can be held on your lap with the other lies beside you on the couch. Be sure to elevate the head. You can also use infant seats when possible and set both babies on the floor to feed.

- If each baby is using a different formula, use different colored bottles, rings, or rubber bands around the bottle.

::: Tips specific to breastfeeding:

If you are considering breastfeeding your new infants, and many mothers of multiples have ben able to do so, contact us at info@tacomamultiples.org to talk with a mentor MOM (Mother of Multiple) who has nursed her twins or triplets. Some definite advantages include:
- You save money (no formula to prepare and store.) - Mother's milk is better for the babies, easier to digest, and always the right temperature.
- No heating bottles in the middle of the night.
- When babies are small they can be fed at the same time.

::: When nursing remember to:

- Eat at least three balanced meals a day and drink a lot of liquids including milk.

- Foods to avoid -- alcohol, caffeine, spicy dishes, chocolate, or anything that might upset the babies' digestions. Also avoid drugs and cigarettes.

- Have a nursing MOM visit and/or talk with you during the first week. Many hospitals also provide Lactation Consultants who can work one-on-one with you and your babies.

- Get lots of rest. Relax and enjoy.

- Don't give up. Start slowly and build up the time they are on the breast. It's not untypical for the babies to take awhile to learn how to nurse well.

- Condition your nipples. Get immediate treatment for a cracked nipple.

- Use a breast pump between feedings to set aside milk for supplemental feedings. (If premature babies are confined to the NICU, you will be able to talk milk to them daily by expressing the milk with a breast pump.) This milk can also be frozen.

- Remember, babies get most of their milk during the first five minutes of feeding and you should limit their feeding to 20 minutes each. Anything beyond 20 minutes, the baby begins to use you as a pacifier. If you let them feed too long, they become slow at their feeding and then be more demanding of your time.

::: Tips for when your babies start eating solids:

- Homemade baby food can be less expensive and better for the babies. Simply put prepared meats, fruits, and vegetables through a blender or baby grinder. You can freeze in ice cube trays and store in plastic bags for later use.

- If using commercially prepared baby food, they can be fed directly from the jar at room temperature. Be sure to discard any left over food to avoid bacterial growth.

- Place both babies in infant seats and feed simultanously using the same dish and spoon.

::: Tips for when your little ones begin to feed themselves:

- Place a plastic sheet or newspaper under their high chair or on nice days, take the highchairs outside.

- Use suction soap holders under the bowls on the highchairs to prevent the dishes from sliding around.

 

Other helpful Web sites on this subject:
- Breastfeeding More than One
- BabyCenter - Breastfeeding Multiples
- Breastfeeding Multiples
- Twinslist on Nursing Multiples
- Twinslist on Bottlefeeding Multiples
- Twinslist on Getting your Multiples on a Schedule
- Personal Stories