The First Year with Twins Week 9

Last updated on February 28th, 2024 at 08:54 pm

Learn what to expect with your infant twins week 9, 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 Week 9

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 2 months as a twin parent and you’re now into your third 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 week 9.

Our twin parenting tips come from our very own experienced twin parents from around the world! These first months can be full of excitement, questions, and anxiety. Not to worry, we’ve got your back. We’ve laid out all our best tips, tricks, and advice for twins week 9.

If you haven’t already, now might be a good time to learn about our membership program. Connect with another twin parent who has been where you are and can offer support and advice specific to twin parenting at this stage!

The First Year with Twins Week 9 — 9 week old twins

If you’ve felt like every day seems like the movie Groundhog Day and you’ve been worried that it will never get better — guess what! Right about now you may notice that it starts getting better! Longer stretches between feedings will be a game-changer and your babies will soon interact more with you. Savor every single milestone, no matter how small, and write them down or you will forget them. Sending yourself quick emails is an easy, low-stress way to record everything. Qeepsake and Tinybeans are great apps for recording and sharing milestones.

What to Expect with Twins Week 9

If you haven’t already started, now is the time to start baby proofing! Once your twins start crawling you will thank us! 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 more safe here.
You’ll start noticing your babies going through fewer diapers. But you’ll still be buying a LOT of diapers. Expect to go through 100-125 diapers per week for twins through Week 16. Here’s where you can stock up: buy on Amazon.
You’ll be doing 6-8 feedings a day (every 3 – 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. Babies are eating typically 4-6 oz at each feed in week 9, 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. Learn more about bottle-feeding here
You can expect your twins to gain around 6-8 oz each week now. They need sleep in order to grow. Research shows that 80% of growth hormones are secreted during slumber.
Start practicing good hygiene with the twinnies to prevent illness, but don’t go overboard with the anti-bacterial wipes. Some contact with germs in important for your twins. Baby’s immune system will not be given the opportunity to develop properly without having things to fight. Aim to keep things “clean” rather than “sterile”. This will ensure your home is safe from harmful germs yet suitable to allow their immune systems to develop properly.
Your twins are fascinated by everything that’s going on around them, and attracting their attention while feeding and changing may be difficult. If feedings are taking too long, move to a quiet room with fewer distractions.
If one or both twins are suffering from diarrhea or being fussy at feedings, it’s possible they have an allergy to their formula or to something you’re eating (if you’re breastfeeding). Talk to your doctor about this. They may be able to prescribe a special formula (which may be covered by insurance.)
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 babies should be placed to sleep on their backs on a firm, flat surface with only a tightly-fitted crib sheet. No blanket, no toys, no bumpers, no flat sheets. You baby should wear a swaddle blanket or wearable blanket for warmth and comfort. Do not sleep your babies on an inclined surface (learn why here). Following these recommendations will greatly reduce the risk of SIDS and accidental suffocation. Learn more about SIDS here
Dress your twins in a swaddle blanket for sleep, which will keep them warm and safe in the crib while providing the comfort and security of the swaddle. Once they start rolling you’ll transition to sleep sacks. Learn more about swaddling here
Practice tummy time during the daylight hours. Your goal is to get to 60 minutes of tummy time a day by 3 months old. Break this down into a few times a day after feedings. Read more about tummy time here
Keep your babies on a blanket or play mat on the floor as much as possible during the day. Bouncy chairs are great but if they are overused it can cause your baby to have flat spots on their head. Try to limit using baby containers (bouncy chairs, swings, etc.) for no more than 30 minutes at a time. Learn more about Container Baby Syndrome here
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.
If you haven’t already tried pacifiers and your twins are screaming their heads off, now is a great time to start! Pacifiers are a lifesaver for parents of twins because we can’t keep everyone happy all the time. Someone will always have to wait and a pacifier can help keep your waiting baby calm. Read about pacifiers here
Have you started leaving the house at least once a day with your twins? If not, make it a goal for this week. You don’t have to go far — around the block is enough. This will do wonders for your mental state! Learn about getting out of the house with twins here
Are you going back to work soon? If you need to hire a nanny, we recommend giving yourself 2 months lead time. Read about doing a nanny search here
At this point, if you’re feeling anxious or depressed on a daily basis, you may be suffering from postpartum depression or anxiety. These conditions are more common with moms of twins and you have nothing to be ashamed of. Take it from us — we have been there!! Call you doctor or therapist and make an appointment to be seen. There are psychologists that specialize in postpartum mood disorders — call your medical insurance and ask for a list of providers in your network.
You are likely feeling exhausted, downtrodden, and like your body has taken a beating. This is very common with new twin moms. Try to be realistic about getting back to your “pre-babies body”. We recommend taking things slow and giving your body a full year to find it’s new “normal”. That doesn’t mean you can’t eat healthy and exercise (once you have your doctor’s blessing). But if you’re having a hard time finding the motivation to do so, it’s because you JUST HAD TWINS. Give yourself an extra helping of grace and be patient. You will get there. Just not as quickly as your friends who had one baby at a time. BE KIND TO YOURSELF.
If you feel like your pelvic floor is “falling out” give your doctor a call. This isn’t very common but you may be suffering from uterine prolapse. Read about uterine prolapse here
If you feel like you still look pregnant, it could be diastasis recti, which is common with twin pregnancies. Read about diastasis recti here
If you haven’t already, look into joining a local moms of multiples club (aka twin club). Read about local twin clubs here

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 Week 9

Should I go back to work or stay at home?
What can I do to manage the needs of my older kids?
When should I worry about my twins head shape?
Are both of my babies meeting milestones at the rate they should?
How will we manage the cost of raising 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 Week 9

What’s going on with development in twins week 9?

Your babies might be pushing up on their arms and turning their heads from side to side during tummy time.
Your twins may be able to sleep for longer stretches at night. You could be getting up to 6 hours of consecutive sleep a night! Check with your pediatrician to see if you need to stick to a strict feeding schedule overnight or if you can wait until one baby wakes up to start the next feeding.
You may see your twins bringing their hands and feet to their mouth often. They are just realizing they can do this, so they may be practicing this new trick often!
You babies may begin to interact with their toys more this week. They are finally noticing them and their curiosity is running wild.
You may notice your twins mouthing as if they are speaking when you are speaking to them. They are trying to mimic your movements to practice.
Your babies may start to mimic your facial expressions.
Your twins are now able to focus at distances up to 23 1/2 inches away.
Your twins may feel objects in their hands without always grabbing them.
You may see (and hear) your twins attempting to mimic sounds you are making at them, as if they are practicing communication skills.
Your twins curiosity has them demanding to sit up and look around more often this week.

Challenges You Might Experience With Twins Week 9

There are some challenges to look out for with twins week 9

Your twins are awake and alert more often and need to be entertained more than in previous weeks. See how you can stimulate your twins here
Your twins are more easily distracted during feeding.
Around this time, your baby will be getting their 2 month vaccines and may be fussy following them. Learn how you can soothe your fussy babies here
Picking up the twins is becoming more difficult when you are alone with them.

Quick Tips from Parents of Twins Week 9

Take some tips from experienced twin parents!

Soak up all the baby snuggles before they’re gone
Bathe babies at night to help relax them at bedtime
Self-care is important – Read about the warning signs that you’re not taking care of yourself
Track feedings and diaper changes to help you stay on a schedule. Click here for a printable twins daily log.

Personal Advice from Parents of Twins Week 9

“Having bottles semi prepared was very helpful. We use a pitcher to have formula on hand for the day. Have safe places for them to be (swing, bouncer, pack n play, etc.) for when you need to leave the room… we all have to use the bathroom eventually. Always start the day at the same time- our twin b is more alert and stays awake longer than twin a which makes keeping them on the same schedule very hard, but I always start the day with a feeding at 7am, and knowing we’ll start each day on the same schedule brings me some sanity. Use the twin z pillow to prop them up. We use the twin z breast feeding pillow as a sort of lounger for them and they love it.”
Amanda R.

“Don’t forget about yourself. Accept help while you go take a bath, go for a walk, a run, whatever you enjoy. It’s okay to step away from the babies and catch up with yourself.”
Bianca S.

“Carry babies. Seek help. Be okay with not answering cries right away. Be on a routine by now. Increase playtime as they are getting older.”
Andrea A.

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 Week 9

Click here for a printable list of doctor questions for twins week 9 and 10

What can I do for my twins’ reflux?
How often should the babies have a bowel movement?
When should we worry about the babies head shape?
When can we skip or stretch out the night feeds?

You Might Want These Items for Your Twins Week 9

Baby monitors (buy on Amazon)
Aquaphor healing ointment (buy on Amazon)
Structured baby carrier (buy on Amazon)
White noise machine (buy on Amazon)
Tummy time mat (buy on Amazon)
Baby Brezza Formula Pro Advanced (buy on Amazon)
For gas: gripe water (buy on Amazon) or gas drops (buy on Amazon)
Crib Mobile (buy on Amazon)
Sit-Me-Up Floor Seat (buy on Amazon)
Love to Dream SwaddleUP (buy on Amazon)
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

Belly oil for pregnancy and postpartum (buy on Amazon)
Shadow boxes for hospital keepsakes (buy on Amazon)
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

Daily Schedule Sample for Twins Week 9

A schedule with twins week 9 is key! Schedules keep you organized and the importance of organization when you are outnumbered by twins simply cannot be overstated now that the twins are becoming more alert and demanding of your time and attention.

If your doctor has approved for you to switch to an every 4 hour schedule (only 6 feedings per day), here is what that will look like:

12 am feed
4 am feed
8 am feed
12 pm feed
4 pm feed
8 pm feed

At some point you’ll be able to stop feeding on a schedule overnight and just feed your babies together when one of them wakes up. This will allow you to get MUCH more sleep. Ask your doctor when you can start doing this! Even if the answer is no for now, hang in there. It will happen and when it does it will be glorious!

The key to twins is sticking to a schedule, while realizing that things will come up to change the schedule. Take it all one feeding at a time. If one twin wakes up to eat, wake the other and feed them together.

Always keep the twins feeding 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

Infants are notorious for interrupted sleep. Come to think of it, why do people say they slept like a baby? That sounds dreadful to me!

If you feel like your twins may never get the hang of sleeping through the night and napping, you aren’t alone. There are some things you can do to help get some shut eye for you and your twins, and ensure some good sleep patterns for you all to enjoy for years to come.

The Sleep Lady, Kim West, LCSW-C says: “It is amazing how different twins really are! Make sure to remember that although they are twins, they each have their own personality, and likely some very different sleep styles. I have often found that when it comes to twins, there is one that loves to sleep and one that just has a more difficult time settling in to sleep. Perhaps this one is more sensitive and alert.”

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. When in doubt, call. The thing is, a good pediatrician will NEVER make you feel stupid for being concerned about your twins well-being. Remember that and hire and fire accordingly.

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. That’s what they’re there for.

What You Should Read for Twins Week 9

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 Week 9

You might feel like you’re starting to get your bearings with twins week 9 and 10. It’s getting a little better each week with regards to sleep and routine, and will continue to. We promise! We have put together a short list of a few things to remember that might help you out a bit.

Take pictures and keep a memory book/box! These moments are passing so quickly and you are so busy and tired that you really need to keep a record of these moments to prove to yourself that they really did happen!
Keep your own mental and physical health in check! It’s more important than most new parents realize to eat well, keep hydrated and sleep when you can. It’s also a good idea to make sure you have a few minutes to read, watch a favorite show, paint your nails, or chat with a friend. Don’t forget date night. Nothing fancy required. No shame in our Netflix game here!
Keep in close communication with your pediatrician. Keep a running list of questions or concerns so you don’t forget to bring it up at the next appointment. If the staff at the office makes you feel guilty about this, it’s time to find a new provider.
Teamwork makes the dream work! Learn to depend on others to help you when you need to through this time. Burn out is real and it happens faster than you might think with twins!

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“

Pacifiers 101

While singleton parents can often take pacifiers or leave them, many parents of multiples find that pacifiers are a must have in their newborns’ lives. A pacifier is a great tool to help soothe one child while you tend to the other, and can save your sanity when your twins cry “in stereo.” Here are a few additional reasons that parents of twins often can’t live without pacifiers.

They soothe a fussy baby, or two, or three, or four.
They help your babies fall asleep. (The sucking motion is very soothing to newborns/infants.)
The provide a distraction while you tend to your other kiddos.
Pacifiers might reduce the risk of SIDS.
Pacifiers are disposable. You can give the pacifiers to the “Pacifier Fairy” but thumb sucking is MUCH harder to stop.

BUY THE BOOK