The First Year with Twins 8 Months Old

Last updated on November 1st, 2023 at 08:28 am

Learn what to expect with your infant twins 8 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 8 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 seven months as a twin parent and you’re now heading into your eighth month of twin parenthood. What 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 8 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.

This first year is 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 8 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 8 Months Old

At 8 months old, your babies will be unable to control their emotions and may end up in tears of frustration or become sad when you need to leave the room. Try to remember that what they are doing is communicating with you and that’s a good sign.
Discipline at this age is not appropriate, but you can use positive reinforcement. Make lots of positive noises, use phrases like “good job!”, and be generous with hugs when they do something you approve of. But don’t make too much of a fuss if they do something you would prefer they didn’t do. Simply hold her hands, make eye contact, and say gently, “No, you shouldn’t (grab/hit/bite).” If she repeats the behavior, move her away so she senses her actions are not welcome.
Are your babies butt-shuffling instead of crawling? This is common. Every baby is different. Some crawl or shuffle before they walk, some don’t crawl until after they walk, and some don’t crawl at all. As long as your twins can get around it doesn’t matter how they do it.
Your twins may soon start to pull themselves up to standing. Make sure that there are no loose cords or other items within reach of their cribs that could be a hazard. You’ll want to start clearing the coffee table too! Read more about making your home safer here
Soon you may have success getting your twins to hold their own bottles. What a happy day that will be! Encourage them to practice and see if they’ll fall for it sooner than later.
Your twins’ speech is changing all the time and they now have a greater variety of sounds and vocalizations. They are becoming more accomplished at imitating the pitch and intonation of the speech they hear around them.
This is a good stage to begin teaching your twins about cooperation by taking turns when you play together. Encourage them to “trade” toys and emphasing that this is called “taking turns”. Just a heads up — even if you have two of every toy, your twins will still fight over the same toy sometimes! Learn more about getting twins to share here
Your babies may be taking 6-8 ounces (180-230 milliliters) of formula or breastmilk every 4 to 5 hours.
Wondering when to wean your twins from breastfeeding? This may be something your twins take the lead on and stop showing interest on their own. If you are ready to stop, take things slowly and drop one feeding at a time to make the experience easier. Read more about the end of breastfeeding here.
Wondering if you should make your own baby food? Learn how to do it here. You can start giving your twins lumpier textures and introduce some finger foods.
It’s time to bust out the karaoke machine! Singing to your twins can help speed up their speech acquisition and encourage them to develop a love of music.
Expect to go through 70 diapers per week for twins from now through their first birthday. 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. If leaks are happening just at night, switch to an overnight diaper (buy on Amazon) or add a diaper booster pad (buy on Amazon).
On average, most babies will sleep 12-14 hours out of 24 and for twice as long at night (8-10 hours) as during the day. However, if your twins are still waking to eat at night your sleep will still be interrupted.
Are you worried that you’re not getting into shape fast enough after your twins pregnancy? Please cut yourself some slack. Your body will need a full year to recover from your high risk pregnancy. There are no trophies for postpartum body bounce-back, so quit trying to keep up with the Kardashians. That doesn’t mean you can’t eat better or start to exercise. Just know that recovery takes time and you can’t hold yourself to the same standards as your friends who had just one baby at a time, let alone celebrities with a whole staff to cater to their every need (yes, even Beyonce).
If you haven’t already, look into joining a local moms of multiples club (aka twin club). Read about local twin clubs here or join our Twiniversity monthly twin club on Zoom by signing up for a Twiniversity Membership.

Want to be the first to know about giveaways, deals, and more just for twin parents? Sign up for the Twiniversity email list! Subscribe today to get emails about giveaways, events, weekly article roundups, and more! Pregnant with twins? We’ll be sending you a weekly twin pregnancy email to keep you on track with your pregnancy to-do list! Click here to learn more… and while you’re at it, check out our Complete Baby Safety Course and Twin Parent Memberships.

Common Concerns From the Moms Who Have Been There With Twins 8 Months Old

Have we overlooked any babyproofing steps?
How can I sleep train my twins in the same room at the same time?
What are the most common food allergies?
Should my twins be sleeping through the night yet?
Are my twins eating enough solids for their age?

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 8 Months Old

What’s going on with development in twins 8 months old?

One or both of your babies may begin to try to pull themselves up to standing around this time.
You might notice a bit of separation anxiety as your twins enter this next leap. It will pass before you know it. Just hang in there.
You may see your twins waving their hands hello and good-bye. They’ve learned this from mimicking you!
One or both of your twins may be showing signs of getting their first tooth. They may be fussy, drooling, and irritable as they begin teething. Check out some of our best teething tips here.
You twins are becoming more mobile than ever. Even if they aren’t crawling yet, they may be scooting, or even rolling across the floor. Have you started babyproofing? Read about Read more about keeping your twins safe here around the house here
About this time is when you will hear your twins babbling and making consonant sounds as if they’re conversing with you
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.
Your twins may be sitting up with a little help now. Don’t worry if they don’t just yet, though. The average is usually around 9 months.
Your babies may begin to hold their own bottles and pacifiers around now.
Your babies probably recognize their names by now.
Your twins will pass objects from one hand to the other.
Your twins should bear weight when brought to a standing position. You may even see them bouncing on their legs.
Your babies may be clapping now. Don’t worry if they aren’t though. This is typically a 9 month milestone but may happen earlier or later in many cases.

Inform your doctor if your child:

Shows no affection for caregivers
Doesn’t try to get things that are in reach
Doesn’t respond to sounds around him
Has difficulty getting things to his mouth
Doesn’t make vowel sounds (“ah”, “eh”, “oh”)
Doesn’t roll over in either direction
Doesn’t laugh or make squealing sound
Seems very stiff, with tight muscles
Seems very floppy, like a ragdoll

larktale caravan stoller wagon first year with twins 8 months old

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 8 Months Old

There are some challenges to look out for with twins 8 months old

Separation anxiety is a common challenge around this time. Read about how to manage twin separation anxiety here
Many parents report trouble getting their twins to nap around this time. See how some twin parents Learn how some twin parents get their twins to nap here
Night time routine is hard but very important for your sanity. Read about creating a sleep routine here
This is often around the time that your twins may begin fighting over toys and even you! Learn Learn how to encourage your twins to share from an early age here
This can be a challenges time for twin parents to create a healthy work/family balance. Read more about creating balance here

Tips From Parents of Twins 8 Months Old

Take some tips from experienced twin parents!

Set a schedule, but be adaptable.
Clean out clothes at least once a month.
Lower the crib mattress before you need to.
Get outside.
Make a house chore schedule.
Connect with your partner often.

Personal Advice from Parents of Twins 8 Months Old

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. Every phase so far has passed and this one will too. Make sure you are taking care of yourself and asking for help. And try to be in the moment and appreciate the good/positive things you have experienced with them because some of this will pass too.”
Lindsay G.

“Keep them occupied, sometimes with facing each other in their high chairs Try new foods with different textures/flavors – and make notes of who has bad reactions to which foods. It won’t always be the same for both of them. Don’t forget to snap pictures. Keep teething toys close by. Always. Be very aware of daylight savings times impact on sleep.”
Nikki B

“Make an attempt to spend one-on-one time with each of them. Buy a stock pile of Boogie Wipes. Give them time to explore by themselves. Get big brother/sister involved in helping Put tape over the speaker of musical toys. No one needs to hear Twinkle Twinkle at full blast for the 48th time. Be sure to take time for yourself. And try not to feel guilty about it.”
Sara B.

“Chill. This too shall pass. They are growing and changing and not to panic when things change. Make sure to have fun and not worry too much about their milestones. They will reach them in time. It’s important to stick to their schedule but you might have to break it every once in a while. Take videos because they are changing so fast. Plan and before for day light savings the week before!”
Katelyn O.

“I work full-time as a teacher. Prep everything for the next day the night before in order to take stress off an already stressful morning routine. Grocery pick up is worth the extra money! It saves so much time and stress. Ask for help! Admittedly, I tend to be horrible at this. I want to do it all and find myself burning out and breaking down. It’s a process I need to practice. Get to sleep early. I used to pump before bed in order to make sure I was producing enough and my boobs were empty before bed. I finally dropped that so I could get more sleep. Amazon Prime has saved my life. When I can’t get out of the house with both babies, I just order what I need and it shows up a few days later. Magic!”
Laura S.

“Go with the flow during awake periods. Stick to the nap and bedtime schedule. Snuggles are your best friend, especially since they both have their first colds this week. A mix of purées and baby led weaning is our best options for eating solids. Enlisting help with our three year old for rides to and from school is a must this week with the below zero weather and the twins being ill.”
Ashley T.

12 Ways to Capture Twin Milestones

Got twins? Us too! The Twiniversity Podcast with Natalie Diaz was created BY parents of twins FOR parents of twins, from your pregnancy days through your twin’s teenage years, this podcast covers it all. It’s all about parenting twins, offering plenty of strategies for making life better, parenting hacks, and, of course, humor. We are laughing WITH you every step of the way.

Questions You Might Have for Your Pediatrician About Your Twins 8 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.

Should my twins’ appetite change during teething?
Is it bad if my twins don’t have any teeth yet?
What is the best way to sleep train twins?
When can we give water to our twins?
How much should my twins be eating and how often?

You Might Want These Items for Your Twins 8 Months Old

Finger foods for babies (buy on Amazon)
Teething biscuits (buy on Amazon)
Nonslip baby socks (buy on Amazon)
Push toys to practice walking (buy on Amazon)
Twin Go twin baby carrier (buy on Amazon)
MAM Pacifers for 6+ months (buy on Amazon) — throw out the 0-6 month pacifiers
Expandable Play Yard (buy on Amazon)
Bath kneeler and elbow rest (buy on Amazon)
Baby bath seat (buy on Amazon)
Bath toy storage (buy on Amazon)
Bath toys (buy on Amazon)
Baby hair rinsing pitcher (buy on Amazon)
Bath spout cover (buy on Amazon)
Infrared forehead thermometer (buy on Amazon)
Toy keys (buy on Amazon)
Toy cell phone (buy on Amazon)
Baby musical toys (buy on Amazon)
Mesh chewers for soft fruits and veggies (buy on Amazon)
Baby bowls, spoons, and plates (buy on Amazon)
Childproofing items (buy on Amazon)
Dr. Brown’s Cheers 360 Trainer Cup (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)
Double stroller (check out our double stroller guide here)
Structured baby carrier (buy on Amazon)
Teethers (buy on Amazon)
White noise machine (buy on Amazon)
High chairs (buy on Amazon)
Romp & Roost LUXE Playard (learn more)
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 8 Months Old

You’re really going to want a schedule for your twins 8 months old! Be adaptable, but try to be consistent when you can.

Here is a suggested feeding and nap schedule for twins 8 months old. You can see that adding tummy time and play time before each nap is a good way to ensure they are getting it throughout the day.

7:00 – Wake up time! First feeding of the day (bottles)
8:00 – Tummy time and play
9:00 – Nap (2 hours)
11:00 – Wake up and feeding (bottles)
11:30 – Tummy time and play
12:00 – Solids
1:00 – Nap (2 hours)
3:00 – Wake up
4:00 – Feeding (bottles)
4:30 – Tummy time and play
5:00 – Solids
5:30 – Bath time
6:00 – Book time & final bottles
6:30 or 7:00 – Bedtime

Do the best you can every day to keep them on the same feeding and sleeping schedule. When 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!

Sleep Regressions: A Tired Twin Mom’s Advice

Sleep Advice From the Sleep Lady

When it comes to your twins 8 months old, 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, even with twins!

The Sleep Lady, Kim West, LCSW-C says: “Be consistent, modify when appropriate.The trick is to get your child on the right schedule. Try to stick to it pretty regularly, but know how to read her cues and modify it a little when appropriate. Some days she’ll sleep a little more, some a little less, just like you do—and you don’t even have growth spurts.”

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. If you feel something isn’t right, it probably isn’t when it comes to your twins 6 months old. When in doubt, call. That’s why the offices have an answering service and 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 8 Months Old

Need some twin parent friends? Get the support you need with a Twiniversity Membership. Benefits include a monthly twin parent club meeting on Zoom, access to a private Facebook group just for twin parents, and a video library of twin parenting lessons. Visit Twiniversity.com/membership to join today!

Don’t Forget to Do These Things With Twins 8 Months Old

You probably feel like you’re starting to fall into a bit of a routine with your twins 7 months old. 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 will surely help you out in the coming weeks. You’ve got this!

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Maybe you feel you should have a handle on this twin parenting thing by now. It’s okay if you still need help! Twins is a whole new ball game and what worked with your friends’ singletons might not work with your twins. Ask for help when you need it and accept it when offered.
Take TONS of pictures. Take pictures and videos of their first taste of solids, them interacting with each other, even at bath time with bubbles and toys! These picture will bring back fond memories for years to come.
Don’t compare. This goes for your twins and yourself. Is one twin lagging just a bit behind the other when it comes to meeting milestones? That’s okay. Are you having a hard time finding the balance between being a wife and a mother, even though your sister picked it up no problem with her baby last year? That’s okay. You and your babies are different. Let’s be honest, it always looks easier from the outside anyway.
Do one thing you enjoy. Find something you enjoy and make time for it. Is it binge-watching the latest season of your favorite show? Is it checking out a new restaurant in town? Going on an overnight trip to a spa? Maybe just sleeping for a few uninterrupted hours? Whatever it is, make time for it and do it at least once during this month.

Are You a New Twin Parent?

Check out Natalie Diaz’s book:
“What To Do When You’re Having Two
The Twin Survival Guide From Pregnancy Through the First Year”

In What to Do When You’re Having Two: The Twins Survival Guide from Pregnancy Through the First Year, national twins guru and founder of Twiniversity (and twin mom herself!) Natalie Diaz provides a no-holds-barred resource about life with twins, from pregnancy and birth all the way through your duo’s first year of life.

Accessible and informative, What to Do When You’re Having Two
is the must-have manual for all parents of twins.

Buy Now

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

Your Marriage Is a Priority

Close your eyes (well, read this first) and picture your future. Imagine yourself on a porch swing on a nice summer day with a cool glass of iced tea in your hand. Everything is calm and peaceful. Now look next to you. Is anyone sitting on that porch swing with you? I hope you are envisioning your spouse.

If you’ve been married for a while, you realize by now that marriage is work. I don’t know one couple that was just handed a perfect marriage. All of the couples I know that are still together have had to put a lot of effort into making their marriage a success. I am sad to say that I have plenty of friends who have already been married and divorced just in the time since my twins were born. When I hear about yet another divorce, I just become very thankful for my partner in crime, John.

My husband John always jokes about the fact that he never wanted to have kids and that I am the one who forced him into this whole thing. When I see him now playing with our twins, I think about how lucky he is that I coerced him into something that brings him so much joy, but I also think about how hard those early days of their lives were on our marriage. I don’t think that John ever outright resented me for talking him into having kids, but the pressure from work, pressure from me about wanting him at home more to help care for the babies, and the pressure from the twins themselves and all of their needs definitely added up.

BUY THE BOOK

From the Mom Squad: “Don’t blame each other when times get tough. Remain a team.” Megan F.