How Does Newborn Feeding Schedule Work?

Congratulations on your twins!

As for my experiences with my two children, I nursed both of them so they ate QUITE OFTEN, however, I have heard formula fed babies go longer in between feedings. They will definitely eat less during the night when they begin cereals, etc., because they will have some bulk in their tummies especially if given right before bedtime.

If I remember correctly, I believe mine started eating less often during the night at about 2 or 3 months old. I ended up being one of those mommies who let them sleep in bed with me; that definitely helps them sleep throughout the night.

I think that twins who were probably born early will take longer for them to sleep through the night. I have always heard once they hit around 10-12 pounds they will start sleeping through the night. This was true with both by kids. My daughter now 2 1/2 started sleeping through the night right before she was 3 months old and 11 pounds. My son started sleeping through the night at 6 weeks and 9 1/2 pounds. All babies are so different so there is really not certain time frame. I know you have your hands full, but just hand in there it will happen soon.

I don't know a THING about twins, but I am a mom of 2 boys. With my first one, I was scared as hell when I brought him home. I was breast feeding and I had NO idea if he was getting enough. So, I started pumping it so I could see how much... I was exhausted. Too tired to sleep even. However, I saw the light when I read baby wise. I will swear by that book. The book basically says don't go by the baby's schedule, let them go by yours and eventually yall will be in sync. You probably don't have time to sit and read a whole book, but basically what I did is feed him, put him down and let him sleep- no rocking or anything, just turned on classical music. Then when he woke, I feed him. We did his schdule for a few weeks, then I started to wing him off to sleep a little longer each time. Say would wake every 3 hours, so the next week I wouldn't go into his room until the 4th hour. He would cry, but I had the video monitor, so I could watch him and know he was okay. Typically he would cry for 15 min. then go back to sleep and wake up an hour later, I would go in and feed him then. Then the next week I would wait for the 5th hour and do the same thing. Then the next week, I would wait for the 6th hour and so on. By 2 mo. my first son was sleeping through the night. My second son started sleeping through the nigh around the same time. I have 2 easy going, fast growing beautiful boys!
As far as cereal in the bottle, I was told not to and didn't. I have friends that have and their babies are cranky- but I'm not a dr. and don't know if it is from the cereal in the bottle. My dr. told me to put a spoonfull of cereal on a spoon and put it in their mouth, then stick the bottle in fast so they would swallow it and not spit it out. He said that way helps with digestion and gets them to sleep longer :)

when my daughter came home from the NICU, they stressed an every 3 hour feeding schedule morning/noon/night. My pediatrician (after not liking my first one) said if they are sleeping at night, let them go longer, 4 -4 1/2 hours at night. My daughter was a grazer kind of eater until we figured out the best bottles and formula for her. Right around Thanksgiving when my daughter was 4 months old (2 months adjested) she started taking just one bottle during the night. Then at Christmas time 5 months old (3 months adjusted) she started sleeping through the night. She still does MOST of the time! The best advice my doc told me was besides establishing a bedtime routine, always give her a bottle right before your bed time. Meaning if you want to go to bed at 10:00 give them a bottle at 10. Slowly my daughter started establishing her own bedtime schedule, and she now goes to bed at 8 and sleeps until about 7. This is really good for a 6 month old, but it works for us! Also, having noise in their rooms (music or white noise of some kind) seems to help also. I am all about the pacifiers also if it helps them sleep. My girl doesn't like to take one anymore. She has never looked at them the same since we kept trying to give her one before she had some surgery (during her 12 hour fast or whatever it is before they put her under for the surgery)

Hi Y.,

I am the mommy of 2 year old b/b twins so I know how crazy you're feeling with those little joys right now! LOL Anyway, mine were formula fed so when I brought them home from the hospital, I maintained the same 3 hour schedule the nurses had so wisely put them on. By nine weeks which I'm thinking is where your's are, my boys were around 3 - 4 oz and I had moved them up to closer to four hours. Both of mine slept through the night at 13 weekks and required no more night time feedings. I would strongly encourage you to keep the babies in their own beds for all sleeping times (naps and night) so they will feel the most comfortable sleeping in their own space. If you do it from the beginning and keep a good routine, when they get around that 11-12 lb weight, they should be very close to sleeping alone through the night. Best wishes, please let me know if I can offer you any support or encouragement, two at a time plus your other one has got to make for one busy life. At least my oldest was seven when mine were born, she was an awesome help! LOL

Mine is about 10 days old and it seems I'm nursing nonstop. I don't even know why I bother to wear anything but a robe! She nurses anywhere from every hour, to every 2-3 hrs at night. I don't know how many ounces it is...my guess is about 2 or 3? If I put her to sleep in the swing or bassinet, she'll sleep shorter periods. If I ler her sleep right next to me,she will go at least 3 hrs of full sleep.
My son started sleeping through the night around 6 months. Once he started eating cereals and I established a regular routine, he started sleeping from 8pm til 7 am. I had to do the cry it out methid for about 2 nights, however...but now he is the best sleeper ever. I hope my newborn will follow in his footsteps. :)

Wow! You have your hands full!

I guess most babies start eating less often at night anytime between 3 and 6 months. For sure, when they start having foods and cereals, they wake less often.

I'd say that newborns (0-3 months) generally eat around 2-4 ounces every 3 hours or so. It's really hard to say though because all babies are different. Mine nursed at that age so I couldn't tell you how much they got other than, about a boob full! jk.

Things that helped my kids sleep were: 1. me next to them 2. my shirt in the bed with them (when daddy demanded they sleep in their own beds!) 3. a predictable routine (bath, massage, nurse, night-night) then (bath, brush teeth, story, night night).

Hope this helps!