Does it really help to get them on a feeding schedule?!?

ChicagoKari

Warning...may be a stupid question, but I'm totally sleep deprived so my logic isn't chiming in too well 

Our LOs are 4 weeks old now and to be honest, they're doing great.  We've been trying to keep them together on a feeding schedule -- not specific times, just that they're both eating at the same time.  That works great when DH or someone else is here with me to feed them at the same time.  But frankly, I'm getting overwhelmed when I'm alone and trying to care for them by myself and because we have them eating at the same time, there always seems to be one who is screaming in the background while the first one is eating. 

Even though we would be eating round the clock with a lot less downtime in between, is it easier to stagger their feedings so one of them isn't so stressed out while the other is eating?  What worked for you guys?

RobynK

It was easier for me to feed them at the same time.  I propped them in a boppy or bouncy with one on each side and held bottles.

Are you BF or using bottles?

pea-kay

i fed mine one after the other when they were that young. but whatever works for you, honestly!

ChicagoKari

We're bottle feeding (really wish my milk had come in so we could BF )I'll give that another shot, although the last couple of times I've tried that, one of them pulls my attention away so I have to pull the bottle out of the other one's mouth to tend to whatever is going on (spitting up, falling asleep, etc.). 

kimarino13

I feed mine one after another.  They never eat well when I feed them at the same time.  One is always crying or dripping formula everywhere and then when I am burping one the other gets pissed.  Ugh.  Hate that.  I try to feed them 15-30 minutes apart.

preheatedoven

kimarino13:

I feed mine one after another.  They never eat well when I feed them at the same time.  One is always crying or dripping formula everywhere and then when I am burping one the other gets pissed.  Ugh.  Hate that.  I try to feed them 15-30 minutes apart.

ditto this.

At night we have also stopped waking the sleeping baby and just feed the baby who wants to eat. We've noticed that they are both sleeping in longer spurts now. 

Shaina

In my opinion... YES!!!  BUT, you have to find what works best for all of you.  We fed our girls every 3, then 4 hours and tried to do it at the same time or one right after the other (I had one fast eater so always fed her first) and was usually done with it in under an hour.  This way, we had a nice break in between  (we did EASY--Eat, Activity, Sleep, You) and worked great for us all.  I remember those days WELL and it wasn't too long ago for me.  ;-)

thiswillbe

I am right there with you!! It works well to feed them at the same time or immediately following each other when I have help here, but that means that when I'm on my own (at night if we're doing "shifts" or during the day if I don't have help), I'm sunk. Our situation is a bit complicated by the fact that they both have reflux and have to be held completely upright for 45 minutes or so after they each eat. I think I'm going to try staggered feedings and see if it helps the stress level some. GL with whatever you decide to do, and please let us know how it goes-- I need all the tips I can get!

thiswillbe

Oh, and we bottle-feed (formula and whatever milk I've been able to pump), and I like feeding them one-on-one because it gives me quiet time with each of them separately. I tried propping them up and doing two bottles at once, and it just felt kinda weird. (Plus I don't think it'd work well in the long run given their reflux issues.)

britbswoo

Ours our still in the hospital so I honestly can't say what 'we' do,but in the NICU the babies schedule is the same they just start one let him finish and move down the line. 

We HOPE HOPE HOPE to keep them on the same system.  The nurses do tell you though you have to do what works for you.

Luvie13

YES!!

Im alone during the day as well.  if youre bottle feeding try propping each baby in a boppy and feeding them at the same time.  works wonders and saves lots of time!

gl