It is also true that our values and lifestyle play a part in this decision. Some bottles are better for the environment than others. For example disposable bottles offer a tremendous amount of convenience in terms of cleaning and weight in the diaper bag, yet pile up in the land fill. Some bottles have many small parts, making them difficult to clean. Thus, many twin parents start with less complicated bottles in order to save themselves some time.As you will see, bottles are not one size fits all. You must look at the options and determine which one is best for your family. In the chart below you will find a quick review of several bottles. The review will point out some of the advantages and drawback of each bottle. The goal of this review is to point out what you want to consider when choosing a bottle for the first time. Just keep in mind that your babies may love or hate the bottle you choose, and then back to the baby supplies isle you’ll go.

Phillips Advent Natural Baby Bottle

Typical Cost for 4-6 oz bottle

$8.99

Advantages

• Simple, wide design makes this bottle easy to clean and to put together • BPA Free • Nipple designed to promote a natural latch

Drawbacks • While not the most expensive bottle, it is still on the more expensive side

 

Comotomo

Typical Cost for 4-6 oz bottle

$12.99

Advantages

• Designed to mimic breastfeeding • Made of silicone, which means it’s light and free of toxic chemicals • Wide neck makes it easier to clean and to mix formula • Dual vent system designed to reduce colic, spit-up, and gas

Drawbacks

• Can be more difficult to find • Comes with a larger price tag

Dr. Brown’s

Typical Cost for 4-6 oz bottle

$4.99

Advantages

• Vent system helps reduce colic, spit-up, and gas • Vacuum feeding system mimics breastfeeding • Low cost

Drawbacks

• Several small parts making it more difficult to clean and to put together than other bottles

 

Joovy Boobs

Typical Cost for 4-6 oz bottle

$8.99

Advantages

• Clear volume lines, making it easy to see how much liquid is in the bottle • Simple design makes this bottle easy to clean and to put together

Drawbacks

• While not the most expensive bottle, it is still on the more expensive side

 

Playtex VentAire

Typical Cost for 4-6 oz bottle

$5.47

Advantages

• Vented to reduce colic • Angled to prevent ear infections • Angle also makes it more comfortable to feed babies in a semi-upright position • Low cost

Drawbacks

• Unique shape can make it awkward to travel with, as they may not easily fit into diaper bags or cup holders • The shape of the neck can make it a little more difficult to clean

Playtex Drop-ins

Typical Cost for 4-6 oz bottle

$5.49 Plus the cost of drop-ins

Advantages

• Great for traveling or on-the-go with babies • The liner mimics the breast, as it collapses during the feeding. This reduces air and can help prevent colic and spit-up • Natural latch nipple

Drawbacks

• Can’t be heated • Liners are not environmentally friendly • You must continuously buy drop-ins

Things to keep in mind when purchasing bottles for twinsQuantityBabies who are exclusively bottle fed will go through 10-12 bottles a day, so you may want to consider buying 20-24 bottles. This will allow you to get through an entire day without washing bottles, which can be tremendously helpful when you are on home alone with your twins for long periods of time. SizeNewborns only initially drink 2 ounces. They will move on to 4 ounces as they get bigger, and later on 6 and 8 ounces. So plan on buying at least two sets of bottles. You only need the 4 ounce bottles to start, but will eventually graduate to an 8 or 9 ounce bottle.Color CodingYour pediatrician may ask you to track how many ounces each baby eats at every feeding. Sounds easy enough, until things get busy with two newborns. You set two bottles down to run take something out of the oven. When you return it can be impossible to know which baby was eating out of which bottle, making it difficult to track. So we recommend buying one color bottle for baby A and buying a second color bottle for baby B. This has the obvious benefit for tracking, and also helps you ensure that the twins don’t spread germs by accidently swapping bottles.

Are you a parent of twins that plans to or is currently breastfeeding? Join our renowned Breastfeeding Twins Class online or schedule a one-on-one session with our Lactation Consultant!

Other important purchases to make feeding twins easier
Dishwasher Basket & Drying RackIn addition to grabbing 2 dozen bottles, you will want to pick up a dishwasher basket to keep all those tiny parts safe (like this Munchkin one). These are so useful, that you may find yourself packing your basket every time you go on a trip. Regardless if you wash your bottles by hand or use a dishwasher, you will also need a drying rack designed for bottles (Munchkin offers several styles of these as well). Drying racks offer a bacteria free space to air dry bottles and nipples.Twin Breastfeeding PillowA twin breasting feeding pillow supports your back and allows you to manage two babies at one time. There are several options on the market, with the most common pillows being The Twin Z($99.00) and My Breast Friend ($64.00). Two Inclined SeatsYou will need some place to set each baby down during feedings, and this is true for both bottle feedings and breast feedings. Halfway through each feeding you will need to burb each baby and you won’t want to lay them down flat to do this. So, you will want two bouncers, two Boppy pillows, or the Twin Z.
About the author
Shari Crandall is TLC’s Westchester Associate and the mother of fraternal girl/boy twins. Shari coordinated trainings, speaking engagements, and reading groups to support parents as they transitioned into the world of multiples through her local multiples club. She is passionate about helping expecting parents anticipate all the ways their lives will change once their babies arrive and how to negotiate all the decisions that parents of multiples make before, or shortly after, the babies arrive (what gear, how much gear, to breastfeed or not, if and when to go back to work, etc.). She was as stay-at-home parent until her twins were 3, when she returned to work full-time. You can contact her at shari@twinloveconcierge.com for more information on our Westchester services.