The First Year with Twins 5 Months Old

Last updated on January 6th, 2023 at 08:06 pm

Learn what to expect with your infant twins 5 months old, including tips, tricks, and advice from real twin parents who have been there.

All content on this website, including medical opinion and any other health-related information, is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation. Use of this site and the information contained herein does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.

Your Twins 5 Months Old

Welcome back returning twin parents! Hello and welcome to the new twin parents who are just finding us today!

You made it through your first four months as a twin parent and you’re now well into your fifth month of twin parenthood. This is a huge accomplishment. Little known secret: we knew you could do it!

Now what? Well, this is a good place to start. We have plenty of information and resources to help you navigate twin parenting with your twins 5 months old.

Our twin parenting tips come from our very own experienced twin parents from around the world! These parents have all been there, done that, and are ready to share their tips and tricks with you.

These first months are full of excitement, questions, and even some anxiety. Not to worry, we’ve got your back. We’ve laid out all our best tips, tricks, and advice for twins 5 months old.

Got preemies? Make sure to consider your premature twins’ corrected age when reviewing whether or not they are meeting their milestones at appropriate times. In the vast majority of cases, preemies catch up by school-age and go on to succeed at the same level as their peers. Read more about your preemies hitting developmental milestones here

What to Expect with Twins 5 Months Old

By around 5 months old, babies are getting better at playing on their own. While you may be wowed at the new skills your twins have learned to master, they will probably be frustrated at what they can’t yet do.
Your twins will soon start to roll — often at speed — right across the room! When you see them starting to roll, begin the transition out of a swaddle and into a sleep sack (wearable blanket). Try the Love to Dream Transition Bag for when they start to roll (buy on Amazon)
We highly recommend that you get babyproofing finished ASAP. You’ll want to baby proof every room in your house but each room will need a different variety of babyproofing tools. If you’re not a handy person you may want to hire a professional babyproofer to come in and set you up. Read more about making your home safer here
Diaper changes will start to get more challenging as your twins get more wiggly! Keep a small toy and a board book at the changing station to give to your baby to keep them distracted while you do the diaper change.
What you do will fascinate your twins and they will start to mimic you. They want to be like you! Toy keys, mixing bowls and spoons, toy cell phones, and baby musical instruments will entertain them for hours.
Are you exhausted from trying to keep both twins happy 24/7? This is totally normal. You are trying your best to make everyone happy but when you have twins (or more) someone will (almost) always be crying. Quick reminder: If they’re crying, they’re breathing! They will be OK if you can’t get to them immediately. It actually will teach them at an early age that sometimes they have to wait. Use a pacifier, toy, or other safe method to help soothe the other twin while you take care of the one who needs you the most at the moment. But just know that you are not alone! This is one of the top complaints of twin parents.
Try not to compare your twins to each other, even if they are identical. It’s common for one twin to leap ahead a little on the development front. They may even take turns. It’s very likely that they will motivate each other to hit milestones sooner than they would if they were born a singleton. Monkey see, monkey do! Learn more about trying NOT to compare twins here
Your twins may start teething soon. This will cause sleep disruption so try to prepare. Read more about tips for teething here
Keep your babies on a blanket or play mat on the floor as much as possible during the day. Put toys and baby mirrors around them to encourage them to reach out and begin to move.
Your twins will by now be putting their fingers into their mouths and trying to grasp objects and bring them to their mouths. Be extra careful about what you leave out within the twins’ reach. Anything that can fit through a toilet paper roll can get lodged in your baby’s throat.
Expect to go through 70-100 diapers per week for twins through 30 weeks old (roughly 7 months). Here’s where you can stock up: buy on Amazon. If your diapers are leaking on a regular basis, that’s the sign that you need to move up a size.
You’re probably still doing 6 feedings a day (every 4 hours). Make sure you’re feeding your babies at the same time and putting them down to sleep at the same time to keep them together on a schedule. Learn more about bottle-feeding here
Babies are eating typically 4 – 6 oz at each feed for twins 5 months old, but if your babies are preemies they may be eating less. Ask your pediatrician what is the appropriate amount for your babies based on their weights.
By now, your twins will be sleeping about 15 hours every day. About 10 of those will be at night and the other 5 hours will be broken into 3 naps during the day. See our feeding and napping schedule below for a sample schedule.
Are your twins starting to wake each other up during naps? If this becomes a real problem and no one is napping, and you have the additional space, you may want to move one twin into another bedroom in a travel crib for naps.
Now is a good time to start a bedtime routine. A bath, a book, a feeding, a lullaby, and down to sleep is a great routine. This pattern will cue your babies to learn that “bedtime” is starting. Do the same thing every night and they’ll start to catch on to your cues. Learn more about bedtime routines here
Your twins may be ready for sleeping training/coaching. Deciding on the right time to sleep train is a very personal decision that you need to make WITH your partner. But your twins might not be ready to sleep through the night yet and that’s totally normal. Many parents have success with sleep training around 5-6 months old. Read more about sleep training here
If you haven’t already, look into joining a local moms of multiples club (aka twin club). Learn about local twin clubs here

Common concerns from the moms who have been there with twins 5 months old

Are they too young to move to their own room?
Can I sleep train my twins at the same time?
What are the best baby foods to start with?
What can I do to split my time more fairly between my twins?
How can we smooth the transition as I go back to work?

The Twins Tale Podcast by Twiniversity is an intimate look into the lives of twin parents and their twins at all ages and stages, from birth through college. We interview twin parents in the trenches and ask all the burning questions you want to know about raising twins: schedules that work, feeding your twins, getting out of the house, finding sanity, and so much more. Subscribe for FREE today!

Milestones & developmental leaps parents have noticed with twins 5 months old

What’s going on with development in twins 5 months old?

During this month you will probably see your twins begin to not only notice each other, but babble to one another regularly.
One or both of your twins may be showing signs of teething soon. They may be fussy, drooling, and irritable as they begin to cut their first teeth.
You might see your twins reaching for one another intentionally as their interactions increase.
Once that first tooth breaks through it’s time to start brushing. Start slow with a child-sized toothbrush (buy on Amazon). You may opt to use a smear of fluoride-free toothpaste (buy on Amazon) about the size of a grain of rice.
Most twins are rolling from front to back or back to front around this time. When you notice they are starting to roll you should transition them out of the swaddle and into a sleep sack (this one is great for transitioning)
What if your baby rolls on to her stomach in her sleep? Should you turn her back over? If she can roll back over by herself then there’s no need, but if she can’t then you should turn her on to her back. Learn more about safer sleep here
Many doctors now advise waiting until 5 or 6 months old to start introducing solids to ensure your baby’s gut is ready to process solid foods. Some babies don’t yet have the oral motor skills to swallow solids and it may take them a while to get the hang of it, so don’t stress. Once your twins are ready, this will open up a whole new world for your daily routine. But remember — the main source of food should still be breastmilk or formula until their first birthday. Read more about starting solids here
Your twins may finally be sleeping for longer stretches. Now may be the time to start looking into sleep training or sleep coaching if you haven’t already. Learn more about sleep training here
Your babies may begin to hold their own bottles at this time. If they don’t do this yet, that’s totally normal! Encourage them to try holding their own bottles when they are interested.
Your twins will start to practice reaching and grasping. Surround your twins with lightweight toys that fit in one hand. Make sure to keep hazards out of reach, such as strings, cords, small items they can choke on, hot drinks/food, etc. Read more about childproofing here
Play clapping games! Your twins will not be able to clap their own hands together until 7-9 months, but you can sing a song and clap their hands together to the music. “Patty Cake” and “If You’re Happy and You Know It” are great for clapping games.
This is often about the time your twin notice their feet. You may see them grabbing at them often as they examine these “new” playthings!
Your twins curiosity has them demanding to sit up and look around more often this week. They may even attempt to sit up on their own, although they don’t have the ability to do it on their own just yet.
You should see your twins smiling spontaneously, especially at people.
Your twins will be following objects that move from side to side in front of them.
This is the time when your babies are usually pushing up onto their elbows during tummy time, if they haven’t already.

Inform your doctor if your child:

Doesn’t watch things as they move
Doesn’t smile at people
Can’t hold her head steady
Has trouble moving one or both eyes in all directions
Doesn’t push down with legs when feet are placed on a hard surface

larktale caravan stroller wagon first year with twins 5 months

We love the Larktale Caravan stroller/wagon for twins! It’s got plenty of room, it’s easy to push and pull, and it keeps your kiddos safe while still being able to enjoy the view. The easy maneuverability puts even more activities in play such as sporting events, outdoor festivals, camping, and the beach. And when your twins are tuckered out, only the caravan™ offers unique patent-pending reclining seats. You can also flip one seat forward into a flat base position to haul even more essentials on your outing or let your little ones stretch their legs. Use the coupon code TWIN20 for 20% off your order. Click here to buy

Challenges you might experience with twins 5 months old

There are some challenges to look out for with twins 5 months old

Some babies seem to dislike solids. Learn how to transition your twins to solids here and check out this post on baby led weaning
Sleep regression. See how to get more sleep with twins here
Teething symptoms may make life difficult for the whole house this week. Learn about relief for your teething twins here
Creating a good night time routine with your twins. Read more about creating a sleep routine here
You may start to notice your friends/family aren’t coming around as much. As time goes by you may find people assuming you don’t need help anymore with twins 5 months old. Speak up if this is not the case! Singleton parents have most likely gotten their bearings by now, but with twins this can take more time and support. Don’t be afraid to ask friends and family for help when you need it.
You may start to notice a change in your friendships, especially with those who don’t have kids and/or twins. Read about changing friendships and how to make new friends here.
Did you know that many of the symptoms of teething are the same as a cold? Teething can bring on a low-grade fever, coughing, ear pain, diarrhea, irritability and more. Learn the symptoms of teething Learn more about the symptoms of teething here.

The First Year with Twins 5 Months Old — 5 month old twins

Tips from Parents of Twins 5 Months Old

Take some tips from experienced twin parents!

Allow them plenty of play time each day.
Sleep train your twins if you can to get more rest at night.
Take fussy babies for a walk to get some fresh air and change their scenery.
Be flexible with your schedule.
Try to keep them awake for at least 2 hours at a time during the day.
Write down milestones so you don’t forget.

Personal Advice from Parents of Twins 5 Months Old

“Don’t push it. Let them develop at their own paces. Schedule time for yourself. Plan ahead. Get out of the house and be adventurous with the twins. Experiment with food, but keep it fun and positive. For this and every stage, find something to enjoy.” Claire N.

“Don’t compare, they’re two different babies doing things at their pace. If they’re waking each other, separate them – boy twin has learned to self soothe now. Everything goes in their mouth now so keep areas where they play clear of anything you don’t want slobbered on. Buy a lot of bibs, the level of dribble means they go through at least 2 a day. Start trying to bring in routine if you haven’t yet. We’ve only managed bed time so far but it’s at 7 pm every day now.” Caitlin P.

“Patience. Keep your schedule. This week I’ve really noticed they crave a schedule. Have bibs on hand. They are drooling a lot and rolling a lot. That combination has them covered in drool. Start to breakout the teething rings. The girls really love chewing on something that they can easily grasp. They want to be entertained! We bought toys that are easy to hold, make noise and grab their attention.” Sara S.

“Have the next size up diapers ready before you need them. Have a special place to put baby food covered bibs. Use water wipes for easy cleanup after solids. Keep an extra shirt for mom in car for when spit up strikes. Put out a new blanket each day for tummy time to reduce vacuum sessions.” Ashley H.

“Be patient with them. Soak in the wake time moments. I think I get so consumed in watching the clock that I don’t fully enjoy them when they are awake. Take/make time for your spouse/other children. Ask for and accept help from others. Go out more by yourself to gain confidence.” Catherine L.

https://www.twiniversity.com/2018/04/12-ways-to-capture-twin-milestones/

Twiniversity podcast — Subscribe to our FREE Twiniversity Podcast!

Questions you might have for your pediatrician about your twins 5 months old

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends babies get doctor checkups at birth, 3 to 5 days after birth and then at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 24 months. Reminder that twins = two co-pays for each doctor’s visit.

What can I use on their sensitive skin for and drool rash?
How can I tell if my babies are ready for solids?
It it time for sleep training yet?
What is the best way to sleep train twins?
What is the best way to relieve teething symptoms?
What can we do to help with constipation?

You might want these items for your twins 5 months old

Toy keys (buy on Amazon)
Toy cell phone (buy on Amazon)
Baby musical toys (buy on Amazon)
Baby bowls, spoons, and plates (buy on Amazon)
Trainer cups (buy on Amazon)
MAM Learn to Brush Set (get two — buy on Amazon)
Tom’s of Maine Fluoride-Free Strawberry Toothpaste (buy on Amazon)
Fisher-Price Jumperoo (buy on Amazon)
Summer Infant Pop N’ Jump portable activity center (buy on Amazon)
Evenflo Exersaucer 3-in-1 (buy on Amazon)
Evenflo Doorway Jumper (buy on Amazon)
Fisher-Price Kick and Play Piano Gym (buy on Amazon)
Munchkin Mozart Music Cube (buy on Amazon)
Soft sensory books (buy on Amazon)
Baby monitors (buy on Amazon)
Double stroller (check out our double stroller guide here)
Aquaphor healing ointment (buy on Amazon)
Structured baby carrier (buy on Amazon)
Teethers (buy on Amazon)
White noise machine (buy on Amazon)
Tummy time mat (buy on Amazon)
Baby Brezza Formula Pro Advanced (buy on Amazon)
High chairs (buy on Amazon)
Sit-Me-Up Floor Seat (buy on Amazon)
Romp & Roost LUXE Playard (learn more)
Love to Dream Transition Bag for when they start to roll (buy on Amazon)
NoseFrida the “Snotsucker” (buy on Amazon)
Baby toys like the Whoozit (buy on Amazon), the Winkle (buy on Amazon), Take Along Tunes (buy on Amazon), and a floor mirror (buy on Amazon)
For more recommended baby products, click here

You might want these items for yourself

Twins monthly milestone baby blanket (buy on Amazon)
Milestone baby photo cards (buy on Amazon)
Self-care items such as makeup, hair products, new clothes, or anything to make you feel human again

Feeding and nap schedule for twins 5 months old

A schedule with twins 5 months old is key! Let’s just say that the importance of scheduling and organization when you are outnumbered by twins simply cannot be overstated now that the twins are more alert and demanding of your time and attention.

Here is a suggested feeding and nap schedule for twins 5 months old. You can see that adding tummy time and play time before each nap is a good way to ensure they are getting enough of it throughout the day.

7 am feed
8 am tummy time and play
9 am nap
10 am wake and play
11 pm feed
12 pm tummy time and play
1 pm nap
2 pm wake and play
3 pm feed
4 pm tummy time and play
5 pm nap
6 pm wake, bath, and book
7 pm feed and down for the night
11 pm feed and back to bed
3 am feed and back to bed
When your doc gives you the OK to stop waking them up at night, feed both babies when the first baby wakes and cries to eat and get them back to sleep ASAP.
If your doctor gives you the OK to start solids, try this once or twice a day during the “tummy time and play” part of the day.

You may find that one of your babies is a great napper or eater and the other… not so much. Just do the best you can every day to keep them on the same feeding and sleeping schedule and if you get off track try again for the next feeding or nap.

Do everything in your power to feed your twins together to make sure you get breaks. If they are on opposite feeding schedules, you will never get a break — and you deserve one!

https://www.twiniversity.com/2020/01/sleep-regressions-a-tired-twin-moms-advice/

Sleep advice from The Sleep Lady

If you’re beginning to feel like your twins 5 months old may never get the hang of consistently sleeping through the night and napping reliably, you aren’t alone. You may feel like they will ALWAYS need you to be within arms reach in order to fall asleep and stay asleep. We can assure you that eventually things really DO get better in the sleep department. Even with twins!

The Sleep Lady, Kim West, LCSW-C says: “While their abilities to communicate and calm themselves are immature they often end up in tears. It’s even more common in children who are very tired from a lack of adequate sleep! What does your child do when you say no ice cream before dinner? Or when you pick them up from playing to change their diaper? For some children the bath brings them to tears or cutting their fingernails makes them wail. There are lots of reasons children cry. What’s important is how we respond to their crying. We can choose to stay by their side offering them physical and verbal reassurance — offering a little bit less each night as they begin to master the skill of putting themselves to sleep independently. We can offer gentle sleep coaching.”

See more of what The Sleep Lady Recommends about your newborn twins’ sleep here.

When to call the doctor

It’s better to overreact 100% of the time than to underreact once.
Natalie Diaz, Twiniversity Founder and Mom of Twins

When it comes to calling your doctor or seeking medical advice, you have to learn to trust yourself. No one knows your babies like you do and if you feel something isn’t right, it probably isn’t when it comes to your twins 5 months old. When in doubt, call. That’s why the offices have an answering service and have staff on call at night or on the weekends.

That being said, there are a few guidelines to follow. There are a few circumstances under which you should call your doctor and get medical advice, or even call 911. When you call you should have a pen and paper handy and be prepared to give the following information over the phone:

Immunization records
Any medications, dosages, and times last taken (even over the counter drugs)
Medical history
Your baby’s temperature
Mention that the baby is a twin, in case of a contagious illness

Any time you see the following symptoms with your twins you should contact your pediatrician immediately.

Blood in vomit
Blood in stool
Seizure
Suspected poisoning
Bleeding you cannot stop
Unable to move
Limpness
A rectal temperature of 100.4 or above
Sleeps more than usual or will not wake up
Yellow skin or eyes

Call your doctor as soon as possible if one or both of your twins experiences any of the following.

Refusal to eat for multiple feedings in a row
Diarrhea or vomiting
A cold that will not resolve itself or gets worse
Unexplained rash
Signs of dehydration (no tears, no wet diapers, sunken eyes, sunken soft spot)
Ear drainage
Will not stop crying

When to call 911

Please note that when you call 911, you and your baby will be taken to the nearest emergency room. This may or may not be located at your preferred hospital.

Your baby is turning blue or taking more than 60 breaths per minute
Your baby has a seizure which lasts more than 3 minutes or you cannot reach their doctor by phone immediately
Suffers from convulsions, unconsciousness, or irregular breathing following a fall or from bleeding
You think your baby may have a skull, neck, back, or pelvic fracture (DON’T move your baby)
Your baby suffers from a compound fracture where bone is sticking out from the skin (cover it with a clean cloth and do not touch it)
Your baby has bleeding you cannot stop after applying pressure for 10 minutes

Again, learn to trust your gut. When in doubt, call and see what your doctor thinks. Believe it or not, they’re happy to help.

What you should read for twins 5 months old

Twiniversity membership — Check out our Twiniversity Memberships today!

We know that twin parenting can be very isolating and overwhelming. No one else will truly GET YOU like other parents of twins. That’s why we launched Twiniversity Memberships as a way to offer our twin parents more ways to connect with other twin parents (virtually) and gain more parenting education. Highlights of these memberships include monthly Twiniversity twin club meetings hosted on Zoom, a private Facebook group just for twin parents to ask questions, and a learner library with exclusive videos of Nat’s tips and tricks for twin parenting. Click here for all the details on what the memberships include!

Don’t forget to do these things with twins 5 months old

You probably feel like you’re starting to get your bearings with your twins 5 months old. At the very least, you are probably beginning to settle into chaos as your normal. The good news is that it will continue to get better as time goes on! We have put together a few things to remember that might help you out a bit.

Take notes. You will never be able to remember who got which tooth first and later is a relative term. Track it when you can and compile it all in a book later. This goes for keeping track of questions, concerns, and even medications for your kids doctor, too!
Teamwork makes the dream work! Burn out happens faster than you might think with twins! When it becomes too much, lean on your partner, a family member, or friend and tag them in for a bit. If you have support, let them support you.
Find one the you can do that does NOT revolve around being a twin mom. Read, paint, run, go on a date, get your hair done. Whatever you do, make it something that makes you feel like a person and not just a mom.
Be in the moment. This is a hard one when juggling your twins 5 months. Take a few moments each day to really be present with your little ones. These sweet babies will only be small for so long. Take it from twin moms who have been there, one day (sooner than you think) you will long for these days! Revel in each snuggle and laugh while you can.

An excerpt from Twiniversity founder Natalie Diaz’s book, “What To Do When You’re Having Two“

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Making Your Twins’ Schedule Work for You

As time goes by and the twins are doing well on their schedule and sleeping through the night, you will be able to go off schedule from time to time, and will find ways to build flexibility into your routine. Stick to a schedule religiously while you are in the heat of sleep training, but then take each day as it comes and use the schedule as more of a guide. If it’s a brutal winter and you can’t get outside each day, it will be fine. If you must take the twins out during their nap time because of a special occasion, it’s okay. Never forget that this schedule was designed to help you, so if it begins to feel like a prison, you need to adjust it until it better suits your life.

Don’t ever forget to make room in your schedule for all of the things that you need to get done in a day, too. Believe it or not, in the beginning, you will actually have to plan on when you are going to take a shower and when you are going to go to the bathroom! For a while, you won’t be able to live spontaneously and still get anything done, so you need to schedule in your personal life, too. This goes for spending time with your friends, having a cup of coffee, reading a book, and believe it or not, having sex with your husband.