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If you're getting ready to welcome your twins, congratulations! You're likely making lists of everything you need to stock up on before your bundles of joy arrive.
(Fun fact, we've already done this for you, and once you've sorted out what you need, you can decide what you want to buy new and used by checking out this article, here).
So, you're making your list. Way to go, you're on it…which is smart because chances are good your twins will arrive before their due date.
You might already know that you'll need different bottles with varying capacities as your babies grow because they'll require increasingly more ounces for their feeds as they flourish and pack on the pounds.
Most people start out with a handful of four- or five-ounce bottles and eventually graduate to an array of nine-ounce bottles.
But did you also know that you'll need different tips for your bottles? When your newborn twins first arrive on the scene, they'll need a slow-flow tip to help ensure their feed doesn't come too quickly, so they don't splutter or choke on the liquid.
As your babies get bigger, you'll need different bottle tips to adjust the flow of milk or formula for your little ones, so you know they are comfortable while they're feeding.
As your babies get bigger, you'll need different bottle tips to adjust the flow of milk or formula for your little ones, so you know they are comfortable while they're feeding.
But how many different tips are there? And how many do you need per baby? And when do you switch them to a faster flow tip?
Wonder no more.
Whether you're going with Philips Avent, Medela, Dr. Brown's, Evenflo, Tommee Tippee, or another brand of baby bottle for mealtimes, we're here with the top tips for bottle tips when feeding your twins.
What are the different sizes?
Bottle tips (or teats) vary in size. They generally range from size zero up through size four.
Size zero is the slowest flow tip and can be used from the get-go and if / when you're switching from breastfeeding to bottle-feeding. These tips are generally used for premature babies when they are first learning how to feed.
Size one is the next-slowest flow tip and is generally used for newborn babies and breast-fed babies of any age.
Philips AVENT Anti-Colic Baby Bottle Flow 1 Nipple (Four-Pack)
This is a four-pack of the Philips AVENT Anti-Colic Baby Bottle Flow 1 Nipple. It is one of the slowest flow tips and is generally used for newborn babies and breast-fed babies of any age.
The size two tip is still considered a slow flow tip. It is extra soft and is used for newborns and young babies from one month of age and older.
Philips AVENT Anti-Colic Baby Bottle Flow 2 Nipple (Four-Pack)
This is a four-pack of the Philips AVENT Anti-Colic Baby Bottle Flow 2 Nipple. It is a slow flow tip that is extra soft and used for newborns and young babies from one month of age and older.
Size three is a medium-flow tip that is still extra soft. It's recommended for babies who are at least three months old.
Size four is a fast-flow tip that is generally more sturdy (read: bite-resistant to incoming little, but SHARP, chompers) and is used for babies who are six months or older.
Usually, the tips are labeled with the size number, but you can also check the size with a quick glance at the top of the tip because it will have as many holes as the size number is (size one has one hole in the top, size two has two holes, etc.)
What are the different shapes?
Tips come in various shapes, from dome-shaped, to flat, to wide.
Flat or wide nipple teats are supposed to more closely resemble a mother's breast, but from what I've read, there's not really any definitive proof that this is the case.
When in doubt, ask fellow parents what shape they opted for with their babies, and be prepared that your twins may not like the same tips.
Pick a shape and see what your babies like and respond to for feeding time. Some babies will feed with any shape; others can be quite particular with what tip they're using.
What are the different materials?
Bottle tips can be made of latex or silicone.
Latex ones are soft and flexible, but don't last as long as silicone tips (silicone tips also hold their shape better than latex ones do).
Some people tend to shy away from latex tips because babies can have sensitivities to latex, which can potentially lead to an allergy. You'll want to consider silicone tips if latex allergies run in your family.
How many tips do I need for my newborn twins?
With bottle tips, keep in mind that you'll be switching the flow rate on the teat every few weeks in the beginning, and then every few months after that as they continue to grow.
And beware, bottle companies can make it difficult to buy only what you want (i.e., the separate tips on their own without having to buy a whole new bottle or bottle set, or just the collar to swap in the new tip…you usually have to buy the entire set).
All of this is to say that you don't want to stock up on an excessive number of bottles with a size one tip when you'll only be using them for a short time.
At the beginning, newborn babies feed fairly frequently because their stomachs are so small. They take in very small portions of milk (one ounce or less per feed), and over time, as they get bigger, their tummies can handle bigger feeds.
We really liked these bottles in the early days with our newborn twins. They were a great size and were easy to handle.
Medela Slow Flow Spare Nipples with Wide Base, 3 Pack
This is a three-pack of Medela's Slow Flow Spare Nipples with Wide Base. It is the slowest flow tip and can be used from the get-go with premature babies who are first learning how to feed.
By the time your twins are two weeks old, they need at least two to two-and-a-half ounces of milk or formula per pound of weight in a 24-hour period. So, if your baby weighs 10 pounds, for example, they should be taking in 20 to 25 ounces of milk or formula in a one-day timeframe.
In the first month with your twins, your babies will be feeding on the steady…every two to three hours, which adds up to feeds anywhere from 8 to 12 times every day—per baby.
Once they reach two to four months of age, the frequency drops slightly, with each baby feeding anywhere from six to eight times in a day (every three to four hours).
The number of tips you'll need for your twins will depend on how often you're planning on bottle-feeding them. If you're doing a mix of breastfeeding and bottle-feeding, you'll need fewer bottles and tips.
If you're exclusively bottle-feeding your babies formula or expressed breast milk, then you'll need more bottles and tips in your arsenal. In this case, you may want to plan for three or four sets of bottles and tips, etc., per baby, so that you have ample time in between feeds, diaper changes, and your own personal speed-napping, to sterilize everything before you run out of equipment.
When is it time to switch to a higher-flow tip?
There's no set age for this to happen. Every baby is different, and your own twins (even if they're identical) may be ready for different tip flow rates at different times.
It's important to pay attention and follow each of your individual baby's feeding cues. They will give you signs of when they're ready to move up to the next teat flow size.
It's important to pay attention and follow each of your individual baby's feeding cues.
During a feed, your baby should be able to get enough milk without having to work too hard (i.e., they shouldn't look like they're sucking too hard).
If you notice your babies are getting frustrated or are taking much longer to feed than they normally do (a feeding session shouldn't take more than 20-30 minutes), the flow may be too slow and they may be working too hard.
In this scenario, they're actually burning calories they need for growth as a result, and that's a lose-lose situation. If you see these signs, you'll want to move up to the next flow rate.
Philips AVENT Anti-Colic Baby Bottle Flow 4 Nipple (Four-Pack)
This is a four-pack of the Philips AVENT Anti-Colic Baby Bottle Flow 4 Nipple. It is a fast-flow tip that is sturdy and is used for babies who are six months or older.
On the other end of the spectrum, if your baby is choking, spluttering, spitting up their feed, or letting go of the nipple, that means the flow rate is too fast and is causing these issues during feeds.
In this case, you should try going back to the previous flow rate to see if that helps mealtimes go more smoothly.
Philips AVENT Anti-Colic Baby Bottle Flow 3 Nipple (Four-Pack)
This is a four-pack of the Philips AVENT Anti-Colic Baby Bottle Flow 3 Nipple. It is a medium-flow tip that is recommended for babies who are at least three months old.
When your babies are on the same flow tip, it can be easy to mix-up whose bottle is whose (check out these tips for preventing bottle mix-ups with your twins).
When should I replace the tips?
If the bottle tips start to wear out or get bite-marks from being used as teethers by your little ones during feeds, it's time to consider replacing the tips. Worn out teats can become choking hazards for your babies.
This is why you need to double-down on the amount of tips you're getting when you have twins.
This is why you need to double-down on the amount of tips you're getting when you have twins.
The teats are working double duty, in a way, because you're using them twice as often. There are two mouths to feed, after all, so they wear out much more quickly.
Sterilizing bottle tips and other parts
Harmful bacteria can grow in any milk or leftover liquid sitting in a bottle or tip. This bacteria can be really dangerous for babies, so it's really important to properly sterilize all bottles, tips, and extra parts (the collars (which screw on to the bottle to hold the nipple in place) or any anti-colic inserts / flow pacers) after every use until your twins are one year old.
Once your twins are one year old, you won't have to worry about bottles—or bottle tips—anymore. Your dynamic duo will then switch from bottle feeding to drinking from a sippy cup, which helps prevent tooth decay.
Until then, before sterilization, all bottle parts must be washed first (in the dishwasher or by hand using a dedicated bottle brush that is only used for that task).
Feel the flow
Your babies will start out with a slow flow rate for their feeds when they're newborns who are learning how to feed. As they get the hang of how to drink their milk or formula, and as their tummies grow, they will be able to take in an increasing amount of ounces.
You will need an arsenal of different bottle tips with varying flow rates as your babies continue to grow, and you'll need to follow your individual twin's cues in order to know when it's time to adjust the flow of milk or formula to ensure they're comfortable while they're feeding.
Before you know it, a year will have flown by, and your babies will be ready to ditch their bottles and take on the challenge of the milestone ahead.
What was the biggest issue you ran into with feeding your twins in the early days? Was it obvious when you had to switch to a faster flow rate? How did you deal with progressing to the next stage? Let us know in the Comments section below.
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