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Newborn Twins Schedule: Setting Up Your Babies for Success

13d ago 11:59

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It can be a challenge to get your newborn twins on the same schedule, but it is worth it.

Having two newborns simultaneously can feel overwhelming, but establishing a predictable schedule is your secret weapon for maintaining sanity and helping your twin babies thrive. Think of your twins as having a completely blank calendar when they arrive and it’s up to you to fill it with the structure they need for healthy development.

Creating and sticking to a consistent schedule for sleep, feeding, and play will not only benefit your twins’ development but also give you and your partner precious opportunities to rest, recharge, and tackle household tasks. The effort you invest in establishing these routines now will pay huge dividends as your twins grow.

We tried to keep our twin girls on the same schedule as much as possible. We found that helped create a more predictable routine in our home. Here are some things to consider when managing your newborn twins’ schedule:

Choosing the Right Twin Newborn Schedule for Your Family

Consider Your Support System

The type of schedule that works best for your twins depends largely on your family’s unique situation:

If you have helpers (partner, family, or hired help):

Synchronized schedule works best: have both twins eat, sleep, and play at the same times
This allows adults to rest together during sleep periods
Enables tag-team parenting during awake times
Makes household management more efficient

If you’re flying solo during certain hours and synchronized doesn’t work:

Staggered schedule might be your lifesaver, offset twins’ schedules by 1-2 hours
Prevents the chaos of two hungry, crying babies simultaneously
Allows you to give individual attention to each baby
Gives you brief breaks between feeding and care sessions

Tim Murray, father of identical twin girls who were six weeks old when he shared his story on the Dad’s Guide to Twins Podcast, explained their feeding strategy. During the day when both parents were present, they found it easiest to feed the twins at the same time, with one parent taking each baby. At night, they intentionally staggered their feedings to manage the workload and prevent both babies from being “apoplectic”. He also mentioned trying to keep their daughter at home on a three-hour feeding schedule (12, 3, 6, and 9) similar to the twin that was still in the NICU.

Example Twin Newborn Daily Schedule

It’s important to understand that your newborn twins’ schedule is not a strict, by-the-clock routine. In the first few weeks and months of life, your twins’ day is primarily dictated by their basic needs: eating, sleeping, and a little bit of “awake time” for interaction and diaper changes. Their sleep-wake cycle isn’t fully developed yet, so they won’t distinguish between day and night right away.

The following is not a strict schedule, but a general example of a 24-hour pattern you can expect with newborns, based on the principle of “eat, activity, sleep.” This is a helpful framework to follow, but be prepared for flexibility and to respond to your twins’ cues.

Morning:

7:00 AM: Wake up and feed.
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM: “Play” time (or, more accurately, quiet awake time). This can include a diaper change, a little tummy time, cuddling, or simply talking to your baby.
8:30 AM: Sleep.

Midday:

10:30 AM: Wake up and feed.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Awake time, including a diaper change and gentle interaction.
12:00 PM: Sleep.

Afternoon:

2:00 PM: Wake up and feed.
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM: Awake time, diaper change, and more interaction.
3:30 PM: Sleep.

Evening (Cluster Feeding & Winding Down):

5:30 PM: Wake up and feed.
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Awake time. This might be a good time for a warm bath, baby massage, or quiet cuddle time to prepare for the night.
7:00 PM: Sleep.
9:00 PM: Wake up and feed (often a “cluster feed” where they feed more frequently).
9:30 PM – 10:00 PM: Diaper change and a final check-in.
10:00 PM: Bedtime.

Overnight:

1:00 AM: Wake up and feed.
1:30 AM: Diaper change, if needed. Keep lights low and interaction minimal to teach the difference between day and night.
1:45 AM: Back to sleep.
4:00 AM: Wake up and feed.
4:30 AM: Diaper change, minimal interaction.
4:45 AM: Back to sleep.

The Art of Consistency and Flexibility

Staying Consistent

Once you’ve chosen your approach, commitment is key. This means:

If both twins are on synchronized feeding schedules but only one wakes up hungry, you’ll need to gently wake the other twin for feeding
Following through even when you’re tired (and you will be tired)
Trusting the process: your twins will eventually adapt to your lead

When to Be Flexible

Remember, you’re working with tiny humans, not robots. Be prepared to adjust when:

Your twins show signs they’re ready for longer stretches between feedings
Growth spurts temporarily disrupt established patterns
Sleep needs change as they develop (this will happen frequently in the first year)
One twin consistently struggles with the current schedule

Kyle Mongold, father of two sets of twins, provided a detailed schedule for his four-week-old boy/girl twins. He stated, “The babies are eating every three hours. I think we’re on the midnight, 3:00, 6:00, 9:00 feeding schedule.” He described getting up at 6:00 AM to feed, then showering, and spending time with his older boys before work. He would return home at noon to feed a baby, then again at 6:00 PM. The older boys would go to bed around 7:00-7:30 PM, and he would feed the babies again at 9:00 PM and midnight.

What to Expect: The Reality Check

The First Year Timeline

Weeks 0-12: Expect chaos with frequent feedings every 2-3 hours around the clock

Months 3-6: Gradual establishment of more predictable patterns

Months 6-12: Longer sleep stretches and more structured daytime routines

Twin-Specific Challenges

Double the night wakings: Even with good schedules, expect interrupted sleep
Feeding logistics: Whether bottle or breastfeeding, feeding two babies requires planning
Individual differences: Your twins may have different temperaments and needs despite being born together

Chris Titus, father of boy/girl twins, mentioned that his eleven weeks old twins’ sleep was not as consistent as he would have liked, but was improving. He noted they were entering a phase beyond just “sleep, eat, go to the bathroom”. For daytime feedings, he and his wife fed them at the same time, with one parent taking each twin. At night, they would stagger their feedings to avoid having both babies crying simultaneously.

Tips for Newborn Schedule Success

Getting Started

Start early: Begin establishing routines in the first few weeks
Track patterns: Use apps or simple logs to identify natural rhythms
Communicate with your partner: Make sure you’re both following the same plan
Be patient: It takes 4-6 weeks for routines to really take hold

Making It Work

Prepare supplies in advance: Have bottles, diapers, and burp cloths staged and ready
Create a calm environment: Dim lights for nighttime feedings, bright lights for daytime
Stay flexible during growth spurts: Temporary disruptions are normal and expected

Newborn Twins Schedules and You

Yes, having newborn twins is hectic! It is probably more intense than anything you’ve experienced before. The first year will test your limits, but remember that establishing good schedules early is an investment in your family’s future happiness and well-being.

You don’t need to be perfect, and you don’t need to follow anyone else’s exact formula. Pay attention to your twins’ cues, trust your instincts, and adjust as needed. With some planning, consistency, and a healthy dose of patience, you’ll develop a rhythm that works for your unique family.

Remember: every twin dad has felt overwhelmed at the beginning. You’re not alone in this, and it does get easier as you and your babies find your groove together.

Picture by Len Currie

The post Newborn Twins Schedule: Setting Up Your Babies for Success appeared first on Dad's Guide to Twins.

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Newborn Twins Schedule: Setting Up Your Babies for Success

Dad's Guide to Twins

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published 13d ago

MP3•Episode home

It can be a challenge to get your newborn twins on the same schedule, but it is worth it.