Formula feeding twins...

Snugly Ael · December 2013

My b/g twins are 4 months old. They were born full term at 38w2d. They're currently formula fed every 2-3 hours. Majority of the times it is every 2-2 and a half hours. They take anywhere from 1-4oz. My question to all you mommies who formula feed/fed their twins is how much milk do/did your twins take at the age of 4 months. After how many hours gap were they fed?

Another concern is both my babies spit up a lot at times. My ped asked to mix some rice cereal in their formula, but that seems to make the formula thicker and they have a hard time sucking the milk. She said to mix 2tbsp of rice cereal to 4oz of milk. Later she said I can put in lesser amount too. I wanted to know if mixing rice cereal in their formula would really help in reducing spit ups and would it keep their tummy filled for long time?

Please help as I'm always with them and my entire day just goes in feeding them. I hardly get time to eat or sleep. In the mornings and afternoons there are times when they both feel hungry at the same time and sometimes at separate timings. I'm just trying to figure out a way.... Thank you so much.

KimCousino · December 2013

My b/g twins are 3 months. DS is eating 6-8 oz of formula about 4-6 hours. DD is eating 5-6 oz every 4-6 hours.

DS was spitting up and my ped prescribed liquid Zantac to give him twice a day.

Good luck!

jennifire7 · December 2013

We started adding rice cereal to their bottles at 4 months also (recommended from their pediatrician and GI) for acid reflux issues. We had to change out the nipples on their bottles to variable flow. I'm not sure it drastically helped with the spitting up or sleep, but we did it until 9 months old. We also used the same formula that your doctor recommended.

Twinsmakefour · December 2013

My twins will be 4 months on 12/27. They eat 6 oz every 3 hrs and sleep all night. I feed the gentleease which is partially broken down. It has helped with the spitting up

Snugly Ael · December 2013

Now I'm wondering why my twins take so less formula. I know that gentleease is less filling as it's gentle on babies tummy, and that's why babies take more of it - My pediatrician told me. KimCousino and jennifire7 what formula do you both feed your twins? I use Costco's local brand - Kirkland.

eandk18 · December 2013

My girls take 6-6.5 ozs of Sam's club brand gentleease every 3-4 hours and they sleep 11-12 hours a night. One of my dds has reflux and we were told to start rice cereal (spoon feeding) and solids. my pedi thinks this will help with the reflux otherwise she will prescribe prilosec.

Snugly Ael · December 2013

How old are they eandk18?

eandk18 · December 2013

They just turned 4 months old

eandk18 · December 2013

We have not tried solids yet, will be starting this weekend...my pedi said to give that a week and see what happens.

ktjruss03 · December 2013

My boys will be 5 months on the 24th but they are on Similac Sensitive and take 6 oz about every 2.5-3 hours. They generally eat 5-6X during the day and sleep 11-12 hours at night. My smaller twin has surpassed his brother by about 2 pounds even though they eat the same amount, but the smaller one spits up a lot more. We tried Zantac but he would just spit it out every time so we stopped. Also, my boys were born at 36 weeks and we still haven't started solid foods. I tried one time and they had zero interest in it nor would they really swallow it. I am not in any hurry this time to start solids, there is still plenty of time :-)

pizzo84 · December 2013

I remember being shocked when comparing feed amounts to other babies when my girls were little. Feeds were always hard for us and when my girls were 4 months old 4 oz would have been a great achievement! As long as pedi is happy with how they grow, don't worry too much about the amount.

The rice cereal might make a big difference for you in terms of keeping them full. An "antacid" or other medication won't relieve the spitting up, but it decreases the feeling of acidity and discomfort from the reflux (and this discomfort can cause some babies to have an aversion to feeding). To decrease the spitting up it's commonly recommended to keep your LOs upright for 30 min post feed (I know this can be to do alone... maybe try a boppy?)

Best of luck to you! The solids stage is coming soon, and that could be a game changer!

katiebenes · December 2013

my boys are almost 4 months. they go 4-6 hours between feedings now and eat anywhere from 3-7 oz. We do mix in a touch of rice cereal and it REALLY helped John out. try a larger nipple if they can't suck it through.

KimCousino · December 2013

I use Meijers brand of Similac. I put the Zantac in with a mixed bottle ( not sure if that's how you're supposed to do it) and it has definitely helped.

Wishing35 · December 2013

My girls are 4 months as well. They eat about every 3.5-4 hours 7-8 ounces. They only take 4 bottles a day usually and are sleeping through now. Occasionally they will be hungry for an extra bottle. My girls are happy spitters and spit up quite a bit, especially their morning bottle!

jennifire7 · December 2013

We use Target's brand Similac Regular (blue label)

Lgrelli · December 2013

My b/g twins are not here yet (Jan 10), but I was thinking of doing generic brand formula too. With my son I only used Similac, but comparing the prices I seems like a no brainer…. Seems like lots of you mommies are using the generic version. Makes me feel good!

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