Having twins can be an exciting time for parents, but it also means double the work! One of the most common questions expecting parents of twins have is how many bottles they will need. The quick answer is that with twins, you will likely need at least 12 bottles to start. However, the exact number of bottles needed depends on several factors.
How Often Will You Bottle Feed?
One of the biggest considerations is how often you plan to bottle feed the babies. If you plan to exclusively formula feed, you will need more bottles than if you plan to mix feed (both breastmilk and formula). Here is a breakdown:
- Exclusive formula feeding – You may need up to 12 bottles to start, and even more as the babies grow
- Mix feeding – You can likely get away with 6-8 bottles initially
- Exclusive breastfeeding – You may only need 4-5 bottles for occasional pumping or supplementing
For exclusive formula feeding, plan for each baby to eat 6-8 feedings per day. With twins, it’s helpful to have multiple bottles prepped and ready to go to keep up with their demands. Having at least 12 bottles allows you to rotate them – some clean, some in use, and some ready to be filled.
What Size Bottles Will You Need?
In addition to the number of bottles, the size is also important. Here are some guidelines on bottle sizes:
- Newborn bottles – 2-4oz capacity
- Infant bottles – 4-8oz capacity
- Toddler bottles – 8-10oz capacity
For newborns, you’ll want to have some smaller 2-4oz bottles on hand for their frequent, smaller feedings. As they grow over the first year, you can transition to larger bottles. To be prepared, have a range of small and larger bottle sizes.
Will You Use Specialty Bottles?
Some parents also like to have specialty bottles on hand in addition to standard bottles, such as:
- Wide-neck bottles – Easier to clean and add formula powder
- Angle-neck bottles – Help reduce ear infections
- Colic-reducing bottles – Designed to limit air intake and reduce gas
- Slow-flow nipples – For babies learning to pace feedings
Having a few of these specialty bottles can make bottle feeding twins a bit easier. Just don’t go overboard buying too many until you know what works for your babies.
Will You Use Bottle Warmers?
Using bottle warmers can speed up warming bottles and formula safely. However, they may require additional bottles. Here are some tips if using bottle warmers:
- Have dedicated “warming bottles” – These stay in the warmers so you always have a warmed bottle ready
- Have extra bottles on hand – Allow for bottles warming while others are in use
- Get dual bottle warmers – They can warm multiple bottles at once for twins
Depending on your bottle warming setup, you may need up to 4 extra bottles if using warmers regularly.
Do You Have Help Feeding?
Having an extra caregiver or two available to help feed the twins can save your sanity! But it also means having extra bottles prepped and on hand for whoever is doing the feeding. If you’ll have frequent help from a spouse, grandparent, or other family members, keep extras available so you don’t have to stop and wash bottles as often.
Cleaning and Organizing All Those Bottles
Finally, be prepared for washing and organizing all those extra bottles! A good dishwasher and bottle brush are essential. Consider getting multiple drying racks or a large bottle organizer to help keep everything straight. Having a system will save you time and frustration when dealing with double the bottles.
Bottle Recommendations for Twins
Based on the above factors, here are some bottle recommendations specifically for parents of twins:
| Bottle Type | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Standard 4oz bottles | 6-8 bottles |
| Standard 8oz bottles | 6-8 bottles |
| Wide-neck bottles | 2-3 bottles |
| Specialty bottles (colic, angle, etc.) | 2-3 bottles of each type |
| Extra warming bottles | 4 bottles |
| Total Bottles for Twins | 24-30 bottles |
Having at least 24 bottles on hand gives you flexibility to prep multiple feedings at once and accommodate different feeding situations. Stock up on extras of your preferred bottles once you figure out what works best!
Other Bottle Feeding Gear for Twins
In addition to bottles, stock up on these other bottle feeding supplies:
- Bottle brushes – Have at least 6 to rotate for cleanings
- Drying racks – Invest in a large dishwasher-safe rack that can hold 20+ bottles
- Bottle warmer – Get a dual warmer to heat multiple bottles at once
- Formula dispenser – Takes the hassle out of measuring powder
- Burp cloths – Stock up on at least 24 cloth diapers or burp cloths
- Bottle cleaning bins – Use 2 bins for clean versus used bottles
Having duplicate gear will help you stay on top of the added bottle workload with twins. And don’t forget extras of supplies like formula, bottle liners, nipples, caps, etc.
Sample Twin Feeding Schedule
To get an idea of how many bottles you may go through in a day with newborn twins, here is a sample schedule:
| Time | Twin 1 | Twin 2 |
|---|---|---|
| 7 AM | 4oz bottle | 4oz bottle |
| 9 AM | 4oz bottle | 4oz bottle |
| 11 AM | 4oz bottle | 4oz bottle |
| 1 PM | 4oz bottle | 4oz bottle |
| 3 PM | 4oz bottle | 4oz bottle |
| 5 PM | 4oz bottle | 4oz bottle |
| 7 PM | 4oz bottle | 4oz bottle |
| 9 PM | 4oz bottle | 4oz bottle |
| 11 PM | 4oz bottle | 4oz bottle |
| Total | 8 bottles | 8 bottles |
In this schedule, you’d be using 16 bottles per day for feedings. This shows why having a sizable bottle stash is crucial when bottle feeding twins!
Stock Up on Bottles in Your Registry
Expecting twins? One of the best places to stock up on bottles is your baby registry. Here are some tips for adding bottles to your registry:
- Register for multiple sets of the same bottle – This ensures you have enough as back-ups
- Add small and larger size bottles – Get a range for growing babies
- Include specialty bottles – Have a few on hand to try
- Register for extra nipples, caps, liners – These get worn out and are good to have on reserve
- Add bottle cleaning gear – Brushes, drying racks, dishwasher baskets, etc.
- Ask for bottle gift sets – Convenient bundles with everything you need
Don’t be shy about adding plenty of bottles to your registry! Let friends and family pitch in so you have a good starter bottle stash ready for your twins.
Be Flexible and Adjust as Needed
When preparing bottles for newborn twins, start with the recommendations here but be flexible. If you find you need more or less bottles as you establish a feeding routine, make adjustments. Don’t be afraid to buy extras as needed. Having plenty of bottles makes feedings go much smoother with twins!
Conclusion
Bottle feeding twins means having twice as many bottles prepped and ready at all times. For twins, aim to have around 24 standard bottles initially, with extras of any specialty bottles you plan to use. Make sure to register for multiples of the bottles you like to stock up. Having a generous bottle stash makes juggling twin feedings much less stressful!