How to bottle feed twins safely

Bottle feeding choices that feel right for your family

Feeding your babies is a big part of early parenting and it’s also very personal. There isn’t one ‘right’ way to feed twins, triplets or more. What matters most is that you feel informed, supported and comfortable with your decisions.

Your health, family situation, support network and feelings about feeding all shape what feels manageable. These needs can change as time goes on, especially with more than one baby to care for. It’s okay to adjust your approach as life changes.

Many families use bottle feeding at some point. Some parents bottle feed only, while others use bottles alongside breastfeeding. You can use formula, expressed breast milk or a mix of the two, and you can change that balance over time. If you’d like to explore breastfeeding in more depth, you can read our breastfeeding information [breastfeeding article - LINK].

Planning safe, flexible bottle feeds with twins, triplets or more

When you’re considering bottle feeding, it helps to think about what you need day to day. For many parents of twins, triplets or more, bottles offer flexibility. Partners, family members or friends can help with feeds, which may give you more rest or time with other children.

Bottle feeding can involve formula, expressed breast milk or a combination. You might start with breastfeeding and later introduce bottles. You might know during pregnancy that bottles will be needed from the beginning, for example if you’re recovering from birth, managing a medical condition or caring for babies who have spent time in neonatal care. Clear information can make those situations feel more manageable.

Every baby feeds in their own way. Some drink quickly, others pause often. Following each baby’s pace helps feeds feel calmer and more comfortable. Holding your baby slightly upright, with their head supported and their body close to yours, usually makes swallowing easier. Tilting the bottle so the teat stays full of milk, not air, can also help them feed smoothly.

How you position your babies has a big impact on safety. Sitting them slightly upright on your lap or in your arms helps milk flow steadily and reduces the risk of it going the wrong way. Feeding babies lying flat on a bed, sofa or cushion isn’t safe, because it increases the risk of choking or aspiration pneumonia.

Feeding pillows can be helpful when they’re used carefully. Choose a twin or larger pillow designed to support babies while you still hold the bottles and stay with them throughout the feed. Self-feeding pillows, where the bottle is fixed in place for the baby, are unsafe and shouldn’t be used. Your babies need a responsive adult, not equipment, to keep feeding safe.

Different ways to share and organise bottle feeds

Sometimes both, or all, of your babies wake hungry at the same time. If you feel comfortable, one adult can feed two babies at once. You can then adapt how you share feeds with other trusted adults so everyone gets close contact and you’re not doing everything alone.

You might find it useful to:

• Sit between two older babies in infant seats, support your back and hold a bottle in each hand
• Place one baby in an infant seat while you hold the other on your lap, then swap which baby is held next time
• Use a twin or large feeding pillow beside you so both babies are supported and you can keep eye contact with each of them
• Swap which baby you feed at different times of day so everyone enjoys one-to-one time
• Encourage anyone helping to hold babies close, talk gently and notice their feeding cues
• Watch how each baby likes to be held so you can choose positions that suit them

When you’re feeding two babies at once, stay with them throughout. Check their breathing, look for signs they need a pause and allow each baby to finish at their own pace rather than trying to empty both bottles together.

Winding is another area where babies differ. Some need to be burped several times during a feed, while others are more comfortable waiting until the end. To wind your baby, hold them upright against your chest or over your shoulder and gently rub or pat their back. The NHS has helpful guidance on burping single babies, and the same principles apply when you’re winding twins, triplets or more.

Wind each baby in turn rather than trying to wind two at the same time, especially if you’re feeding on your own. It can feel slower, but it’s usually safer and more comfortable for everyone. If your babies were premature or spent time in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), you may have been shown different winding techniques and bottle feeding methods, such as paced or side feeding. Follow the advice from your medical team and give each baby your full attention during these feeds.

Building confidence and finding extra support

If you ever feel unsure about positioning, or you’re worried about choking, coughing during feeds or aspiration pneumonia, you’re not alone. These are important issues to raise. You can talk to your midwife or health visitor when they visit, or phone them between appointments. Their contact details should be in your baby’s red book.

They can watch you feed, suggest small changes to positioning and reassure you about what’s typical. They can also help you think about how to share feeds with your partner or other trusted adults, so caring for your babies feels more sustainable.

Over time you’ll get to know each baby’s feeding pattern, preferred positions and little signals that they need a break or a burp. You’ll also find ways to build in special one-to-one moments, even on busy days with two babies or more.

Twins Trust has experts on hand [LINK to feeding peer support page] if you’d like extra support with feeding. We also run a regular expert drop-in (LINK) for Premium Members and a feeding course (LINK) where members receive a discount.