How T(w)o: Our Newborn Twins’ Feeding and Sleep Schedules

In this post you’ll read exactly what feeding and nap schedule worked for our newborn twins!

As a twin mom-to-be I’m sure you’ve researched plenty of different suggested schedules for your newborns — and if you’re starting here, let me suggest you do look around to have lots of options available to you to try once you have your babies! There really is no one-size-fits-all-families program because simply put, babies are not robots, lol. On top of that, what one family wants to prioritize could look different than another. I just ask you to keep all of this in mind as you continue on!

In addition, this schedule is what worked for us! We really enjoyed the time awake with the babies and REALLY enjoyed their extra long, consecutive naps. It helped me feel like I had a chance to take care of myself and the house in between taking care of them as well. Every baby is different, but we do have a lot of friends who had success with a similar schedule.

We worked with a newborn night nurse who helped us feed and care for the babies overnight (beginning around 10pm) and she provided us with a schedule that allowed for ample sleep between feedings for the babies — and us!

Below you’ll find our Newborn Twin Sleep and Feeding Schedule based on their ages:

0-2 Weeks Old

6-6:30am: 3 oz. Bottle (burp babies every 1/2 ounce)

8:30am-11/11:30am: Swaddle + Crib Nap

11/11:30am: 3 oz. Bottle (burp babies every 1/2 ounce)

1:00pm-3:30/4:00pm: Swaddle + Crib Nap

4:00pm: 2 oz. Bottle (burp babies every 1/2 ounce)

6:00pm-8:00pm: Swaddle + Crib Nap

8:00pm: 2 oz. Bottle (burp babies every 1/2 ounce)

10:00pm-12:30/1:00am: Swaddle + Crib Nap

1:00am: 2 oz. Bottle (burp babies every 1/2 ounce)

2:00am-6:00am: Swaddle + Crib Nap

Soothe with pacifier if either of them wake during naps!

2-4 Weeks Old

7:00am: 4 oz. Bottle (burp babies every 1/2 ounce)

9:00am-12:00pm: Swaddle + Crib Nap

12:00pm: 4 oz. Bottle (burp babies every 1/2 ounce)

2:00pm-5:00pm: Swaddle + Crib Nap

5:00pm: 3 oz. Bottle (burp babies every 1/2 ounce)

7:00pm-10:00pm: Swaddle + Crib Nap

10:00pm: 3 oz. Bottle (burp babies every 1/2 ounce)

12:00am-7:00am: Swaddle + Crib Nap

Soothe with pacifier if either of them wake during naps!

4-6 Weeks Old

8:30am: 5 oz. Bottle (burp babies every ounce)

10:30am-1:30pm: Swaddle + Crib Nap

1:30pm: 5 oz. Bottle (burp babies every ounce)

3:30pm-6:30pm: Swaddle + Nap

6:30pm: 4 oz. Bottle (burp babies every ounce)

8:30pm-10pm: Unswaddled Nap (hang out with lights on)

10:00pm: 4 oz. Bottle (burp babies every ounce)

12:00am: Swaddle + Sleep

Soothe with pacifier if either of them wake during naps!

6-8 Weeks Old

8:30am: 5-6 oz. Bottle (burp babies every ounce)

10:30am-1:30pm: Swaddle + Crib Nap

1:30pm: 5-6 oz. Bottle (burp babies every ounce)

3:30pm-6:30pm: Swaddle + Nap

6:30pm: 4 oz. Bottle (burp babies every ounce)

8:30pm-9:00pm: Unswaddled Nap (hang out with lights on)

9:00pm: 4 oz. Bottle (burp babies every ounce)

11:00pm: Swaddle + Sleep

Soothe with pacifier if either of them wake during naps but not overnight if possible!

8-12 Weeks Old

8:30am: 6 oz. Bottle (burp babies every ounce)

10:30am-1:30pm: Swaddle + Crib Nap

1:30pm: 6 oz. Bottle (burp babies every ounce)

3:30pm-6:30pm: Swaddle + Nap

6:30pm: 4 oz. Bottle (burp babies every ounce)

7:30pm-8:30pm: Unswaddled Nap (hang out with lights on)

8:30: 4 oz. Bottle (burp babies every ounce)

10:30pm: Swaddle + Sleep

Soothe with pacifier if either of them wake during naps but not overnight if possible!

3 Months-6 Months

8:30am: 8 oz. Bottle (burp babies every two ounces)

10:30am-1:00pm: Swaddle + Crib Nap

1:00pm: 8 oz. Bottle (burp babies every two ounces)

3:00pm-6:00pm: Swaddle + Nap

6:00pm: 8 oz. Bottle (burp babies every two ounces)

8:30pm: Swaddle + Sleep

Soothe with pacifier if either of them wake during naps but not overnight if possible!

For tips on How to Bottle Feed Newborn Twins Together, read more here!

If you’re reading any of these schedules above and wondering how you keep the newborns awake for two hours at a time, keep reading!

Here are some tips for keeping newborns alert during their feedings/wake windows:

Turn the lights on!

Always have your lights on during feedings, then turn them off during naps unless otherwise noted. This will help with their circadian rhythm as they figure out day and night!

Interesting cards, toys and sounds

Newborns are stimulated by interesting shapes and sounds, like black and white cards, ceiling fans, your face, your noises, music, play gyms, and taking tours around the house.

Gentle blowing on face

If your baby is starting to doze off before finishing their bottle, gently blowing on their face can help to softly wake them back up.

Gently scratch beneath chin/on cheek

Just like gentle blowing, you can tickle their cheeks and/or under their chins to help stimulate them and encourage feedings.

Change diaper before last ounce

Most babies do not enjoy being naked, so getting them undressed and changing their diaper will inevitably wake them back up! Do this before you finish the bottle so that you have the last ounce to soothe them with before they retire.

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I hope these twin newborn schedules help to give you some framework on how to tackle your days with your newborn twins! If you have any specific questions about feeding or sleeping schedules, you can comment below or reach out to me on Instagram, here!

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