The First Year with Twins 6 Months Old

Last updated on May 20th, 2024 at 02:11 pm

Learn what to expect with your infant twins 6 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 6 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 five months as a twin parent and you’re now heading into your sixth 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 6 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 6 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. Learn more about twin milestones here

What to Expect with Twins 6 Months Old

• 6 months is a huge milestone! You’re halfway to their first birthday! This is the month where a lot of things happen. You can start introducing solid foods and a sippy cup, they’ll start sitting up on their own any day now, and there’s a good chance they’ll be able to sleep 12 hours through the night soon, if they aren’t already.
• If the baby bathtub you’ve been using in the sink is starting to be too small, it may be time to transition into the tub. A bath seat (buy on Amazon) may help if your twins are sitting up at this point, however there may not be room for two of these at once. Make sure to never leave your twins alone during a bath. Since bathing twins can take more time, some twin parents prefer a bath kneeler and elbow rest (buy on Amazon)
• Your twins may start to play side by side soon. This is called “parallel play” and is very common for babies at this age. You may start to see them interacting and noticing each other. It will be a while before they start to really play together, but when that day comes it will be glorious!
• Start introducing your twins to books if you haven’t already. Creating a daily bedtime routine including “book time” will set your kids up for a love of books for a lifetime ahead.
• Your twins may love to bounce when held upright, which strengthens their leg muscles in preparation for crawling and walking.
• You’re probably doing 5 to 6 feedings of breastmilk or formula a day (every 4 – 5 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 may be taking up to 8 ounces every 4 to 5 hours at each feed for twins 6 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.
• When your twins start moving around in their crib you know it’s time to move the crib mattress to the bottom position.
• Now is a good time to start introducing solid foods. Aim for once a day to start and eventually you’ll get to 2-3 times a day in the next few months. The majority of their nutrition will still come from breastmilk or formula. Make sure to introduce one food at a time and wait 3-4 days before introducing the next food so you’ll know immediately if there’s a food allergy. Parents typically choose between two approaches: purees or baby led weaning. Talk to your doctor about this at their 6 month checkup.
• But what foods should you avoid for your babies? According to the Mayo Clinic:
  • Postponing the introduction of highly allergenic foods, such as peanuts, eggs and fish, hasn’t been shown to prevent eczema, asthma, allergic rhinitis and food allergy. In fact, early introduction of certain foods, such as peanuts and eggs, might decrease the risk of allergy to that food. Still, especially if any close relatives have a food allergy, give your child his or her first taste of a highly allergenic food at home — rather than at a restaurant — with an oral antihistamine available. If there’s no reaction, the food can be introduced in gradually increasing amounts.”
  • Don’t offer cow’s milk or honey before age 1. Cow’s milk doesn’t meet an infant’s nutritional needs — it isn’t a good source of iron — and can increase the risk of iron deficiency. Honey might contain spores that can cause a serious illness known as infant botulism.
  • Don’t offer foods that can cause your baby to choke. As your baby progresses in eating solid foods, don’t offer hot dogs, chunks of meat or cheese, grapes, raw vegetables, or fruit chunks, unless they’re cut up into small pieces. Also, don’t offer hard foods, such as seeds, nuts, popcorn and hard candy that can’t be changed to make them safe options. Other high-risk foods include peanut butter and marshmallows. To introduce nuts and prevent choking, spread peanut butter in a thin layer or puree peanut butter or peanuts with fruits or vegetables.
• If your family has a history of food allergies you may want to look into a daily supplement that gently introduces your babies to peanut, egg, and milk, the three most common childhood food allergens. Ask your doctor for details.
• You can introduce a trainer cup to your twins. Practice with water at meals to help them get the hang of using their new cups. Start with a cup that has handles like this one on Amazon.
• 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
• 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! Read more about trying NOT to compare twins here
• 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.
• 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.
• If you haven’t already, look into joining a local moms of multiples club (aka twin club). Read about local twin clubs here

Common Concerns From the Moms Who Have Been There With Twins 6 Months Old

• How do we deal with daycare germs and keep our twins from getting sick?
• How do I know if my twins are ready to sleep train?
• Where do we start with solids?
• What can I do to split my time more fairly between my twins?
• What can we do to cut our budget to afford our twins?

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 6 Months Old

What’s going on with development in twins 6 months old?

• Your twins might be sitting up with just a little help from you now.
• 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 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.
• 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
• Most doctors now advise starting solids at 6 months old 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. 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
• 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. Encourage them to try holding their own bottles when they are interested.
• Your twins may be getting themselves into the crawl position as they try to figure out how to move on their own. Now is the time to childproof! Read more about childproofing here
• 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.

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

While most babies begin teething around six months, that first tooth can appear anytime between three and 14 months. Teething babies often want to chomp on things, so the pressure of an emerging tooth beneath the gums can be relieved by counter pressure. When the tooth moves through the bone and gum, it tends to come in stages, with more activity at night than during the day, so a baby may be more irritable in the evening. Chilled teething rings and a clean finger rubbed gently along the gums can provide some soothing relief.

Parents can find relief for their little one’s painful gums and irritability with a plant-based homeopathic medicine like Colic plus Soothing Drops. This teething medicine made by Culturelle also helps with minor digestive upsets sometimes associated with teething.* Colic plus Soothing Drops does not contain benzocaine, and it will not numb your baby’s gag reflex or interfere with nursing. The pre-measured liquid dose is simply squeezed into the baby’s mouth so there is no need to rub on gums.

*Claims based on traditional homeopathic practice, not accepted medical evidence. Not FDA evaluated.

Challenges You Might Experience With Twins 6 Months Old

There are some challenges to look out for with twins 6 months old

• You might find your babies have a hard time starting solids. Learn how to transition to solids with your twins here and learn more about baby led weaning here
• Sleep regressions are common. Learn more about sleep regressions Learn more about sleep regressions here
• Many parents report trouble getting their twins to nap around this time. Read how some twin parents get their twins to nap here
• Creating a good night time routine with your twins. Read more about creating a sleep routine here
• You might be craving some adult interaction around this time as you are falling into a bit of a routine. This is a great time to connect with local moms, especially other twin moms for your own sanity. Read more about joining a twin mom club here
• 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 here 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 here.

Tips from Parents of Twins 6 Months Old

Take some tips from experienced twin parents!

1. Put wet a washcloth in the freezer for teething relief.
2. Babyproof before you need to.
3. Get your twins on a nap schedule.
4. The more tummy time, the better.
5. Be flexible but consistent with your schedule.
6. Get outside with your twins when you can.

Personal Advice from Parents of Twins 6 Months Old

“Stick to a routine at nighttime. My kids have been going to bed by 7:30 since we brought them home at 2 weeks old from the NICU. They don’t cry before bedtime. That’s a huge win! Increase in food (we feed formula and increased from 5 to 6 ounces) during the day so you can start weaning the feedings at night. My twins are just starting to interact with each other so I’m trying to keep them together as often as I can. (Tummy time, activity centers, reading, etc. ) Establish a routine for yourself and your significant other. Twins consume your entire day unless you block time for yourself (even a bath) or to go on a walk together.”

Olya V.

“Remember that your babies are individuals and will hit milestones at different times. On that note… don’t get too hung up on the milestones. Especially if you have preemies. They will get there in their own time. Always think 2-3 hours ahead when planning activities. Getting out of the house with infant twins IS possible. Just over-prepare. Don’t forget to think outside of the box. What works for one family does not always work for another.”

Abby G.

“Babies like to be held very close when rocking to sleep. A Boppy pillow can be used to assist with learning to sit up. Including babies in the bottle making process calms them down while they’re waiting. Put a scarf on a ceiling fan over your bed and babies will be entertained for hours. Babies love to have dance parties”

Ana S.

“Enjoy their smiles. Fight the battle for good naps: for your sake as much as theirs. Start baby proofing as much as possible so you’re not caught off guard when they start to move! Sometimes they just want snuggles with their mama. Enjoy those moments. Time to move that crib mattress down!”

Laura S.

“Enjoy this week! It’s one of the best ages when they’re so cute and cuddly, but aren’t moving yet! Take lots of pictures and videos of them together and individually (while they’re still sitting still and not moving). Use the straps on the diaper changing pad so they don’t roll off the table. Start experimenting with their high chairs at the dinner table, but only if they can hold their head up all the way (my twin A can but B can’t and that’s okay).”

Cassie M.

“Try everything you can to keep them on the same schedule. Start sleep training early. It is different with two babies and you need to sleep to stay energized and rejuvenated. Ask for help from your partner. Don’t assume everyone knows what you need. Your train of thought and multi tasking skills are way different than those around you at this point. Get a huge play yard that they can both crawl and play in together. Put your hair up and get down there and play with them. It helps to wear them out.”

Elyse K.

12 Ways to Capture Twin Milestones

Questions You Might Have for Your Pediatrician About Your Twins 6 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.

Printable List of Doctor Questions for Twins 6 Months Old

• Are my twins old enough for a flu shot?
• Is it best to make our own baby food?
• What is the best way to sleep train twins?
• When can we give water to our twins?
• When should we start practicing with a Sippy cup?
• Can we cut out the night feed yet?

You Might Want These Items for Your Twins 6 Months Old

• 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)
• 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)
• 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)
• 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 6 Months Old

A schedule with twins 6 months old is key! Now that your twins are becoming more demanding of your time and attention, scheduling and organization is more important than ever!

Here is a suggested feeding and nap schedule for twins 6 months old. You can see that adding tummy time and playtime 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
• 12:30 pm solids
• 1 pm nap
• 2 pm wake and play
• 3 pm feed
• 4 pm tummy time and play
• 4:30 pm solids
• 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.

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

Sleep Regressions: A Tired Twin Mom’s Advice

Sleep Advice From the Sleep Lady

If you’re beginning to feel like your twins 6 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: “In order to make sure that your child is getting the most out of their daytime sleep, you need to understand your child’s minimum nap requirements. For the first six months, it’s important to just follow your baby’s sleep cues and help them get as much sleep as they need. Beyond six months, you can begin to follow a flexible schedule for their meals and naps, which can be accomplished with gentle nap training.”

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

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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.

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 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 6 Months Old

3 Things You Can Do Today to Help Your Marriage

Gentle Reminder: You’re Not Relaxing, You’re Recovering

What’s The Biggest Challenge About Having Twins?

Don’t Forget to Do These Things With Twins 6 Months Old

You probably feel like you’re starting to fall into a bit of a routine with your twins 6 months old. At the very least, you’re 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 will surely help you out in the coming weeks.

• Keep a master list. This is a great way to track schedules, important numbers and dates. It can be used as a guide for baby sitters, as well as for you when your having a “mom-brain” moment.
• Time goes faster than you think! Before you know it, your little babies will be off to kindergarten. Hold onto that thought as they are crying in the middle of the night. Try to soak up the fact that they just want to be with you,even though you just want some peace.
• Snap a video or photo of your twins trying foods. Make sure you have a camera or your smartphone handy when you give your twinnies their first taste of solids. Their faces will be priceless and you will get a kick out of seeing them for years to come!
• Don’t forget your marriage. The past 6 months have likely been a blur. This is a great time to reconnect with your partner. Get a sitter, get dressed up, and go out for the night. Even just an hour for a quiet coffee break will do wonders for your marriage right now!
• Celebrate your twins half-birthday! This celebration is as much for you as your babies. And who is turning down an excuse for cake?!

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

Write it Down

Whether or not you two got along before you had twins, lists are now going to be your best friend.  Make a list of everything that you need to do – for the children, yourself, and for your spouse. At the end of the day, review what you’re done.  This is a great way to stay organized and to feel like you actually accomplished something.  If you’re having trouble remembering where your list is, buy a magnetic pad and put it on the refrigerator and you won’t waste any time searching or compiling multiple lists!

Do It Now

Remember that saying, “Don’t put off for tomorrow what you can  do today”?  Well, let’s take it one step further and say, “Don’t put off for tomorrow morning what you can do tonight.”  After the twins are in bed is a great time to pack your diaper bag, wash bottles, and prepare new ones for the next day.  Get as much of tomorrow’s work done today as possible.

BUY THE BOOK

Photos of Twins 6 Months Old

First Year with Twins – 7 Months

Return to the First Year with Twins Home

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Sources

• Dr. Ilona Bendefy, Baby: Day by Day
• Dr. Frans X. Plooij and Dr. Hetty van de Rijt, The Wonder Weeks
• Marple, Kate, and Dawn Rosenberg. “When to Call 911: How to Tell If Your Baby Needs Emergency Care.” BabyCenter
• “Newborn Baby: When to Call the Doctor.” Cleveland Clinic
• “Physical Appearance and Growth: 4 to 7 Months.” HealthyChildren.org
• “How Often and How Much Should Your Baby Eat?” HealthyChildren.org
• “How Much and How Often to Feed Infant Formula?” CDC.org
• “6-Month-Old-Babys-Development” Whattoexpect.com