Feeding logistics

My pedi suggested that I start feeding the girls at the same time and do 3 meals a day in an effort to encourage my little one to eat more. So how do you do it? I started out with separate food for each girls and separate spoons but by the time I get to the end I've mixed everything together (fruits, veggies, cereal) and I'm feeding them with the same spoon. It just seems to take forever and they make a HUGE mess. Then I follow it up with a couple of ounces of milk for each. It seemed so much easier doing them separately. Is there a better way to do this?

 

When I was a nanny for twin boys (ironic to say the least) we always fed them at the same time. One spoon is so much easier. If we were giving more than one food we would put each type in one bowl. They would alternate spoonfuls and this actually helped them learn to take turns. I can see how the dr thinks it will encourage your little eater. It's all about getting a system down and will probably take a week or two to get working well.

 

We just started rice cereal 1 x a day and mine use the same spoon and I do make them take turns. I will give them a couple of spoonfulls then the other a couple. I have always let them share passies and bottles. I figure they are going to share toys too and put them in their mouth when they start picking up stuff.

 

I do separate spoons for my girls. I've gotten pretty good at using my left hand, although the baby on the left is always a little messier, and it takes her longer to finish. I feed them straight from the baby food jars, and cereal from little rubbermaid containers.

 

I know I'm odd, but I still do it one at a time. I put both boys in chairs, but give one puffs or something while I feed his brother then do it the other way. It was just TOOO messy to do them at the same time. And I use separate spoons/bowls/etc too. If I don't, I think my good eater would eat most of the food, so this way I know they're getting the same amount!

 

I always did one spoon, one bowl. Much easier!

 

QUOTE(becky5 @ Jan 26 2008, 06:26 PM) [snapback]591063[/snapback]
I always did one spoon, one bowl. Much easier!



I agree!

 

We just started rice cereal and we do one spoon, one bowl. I have been alternating one bite at a time, but DD gets smaller bites as her appetite (and mouth) is smaller. The only issue is that DS loves to put his hands in his mouth and when he is waiting for his next bite he does this and by the end of the feeding has cereal all over his hands and anything else that he has touched, I need bigger bibs for sure!!

 

I let them share a spoon as well. It just takes a little time to to get into the "routine," but it probably won't take long for them to get better at it. Do they get milk/formula BEFORE they eat?

 

Wow, different spoons Even now that they use thier own spoons and forks they always trade and switch

Anyways, I always did one spoon, one bowl and alternated spoonfuls. And if one seemed more enthusiastic they got more, same with now, if one wants more mac&cheese I give them more, I don't make the other twin eat more if they don't want it.

HTH

 

I also used one spoon and only did one food at a time. They took turns. If the food I was feeding them was finished, then I got out another food. It was too much work to use different spoons and plan for lots of different types of foods at each meal.

 

One bowl, one spoon. I sometimes give my little-er twin a little more on her spoon and she usually eats more than her bigger sister (bigger sister refuses quicker and then gets to sit in her chair and drink her sippy).

Oh and I just started doing three meals a day so don't be surprised if the amount they eat at each meal decreases.

 

QUOTE(becky5 @ Jan 26 2008, 06:26 PM) [snapback]591063[/snapback]
I always did one spoon, one bowl. Much easier!

Us too!

 

I always do it separate ... put one in the bouncy in front of Baby E while I feed the other, then switch them. Mine are fussy feeders (they are fussy about just about everything) so it is just easier for me to only have to deal with one at a time. I use different bowls and spoons but I feed them the same meal. I split a Stage 2 jar in half since they are relatively new at solids and also don't have big appetites. I do still tandem nurse, though most of the time I am more of a referee than anything with them poking and scratching at each other.

 

I've been feeding them together, one spoon and one divided bowl. That way I can keep track of what my little guy is eating - I never force him to finish and often end up giving his leftovers to his brother, but it's nice to know how he's doing.

When I've fed them two different things at the same time, I tend to do all of one and then the yummiest one for 'dessert'. But I'm a big fan of combinations.

 

I feed at the same time if I have to (babies are starving, we're running late, meltdown is imminent) -- but I prefer to feed them separately. DS is such a disaster when he eats, that it takes all of my concentration to get any food into his mouth at all, LOL. So, it's easier for me to leave DD playing on the floor -- she's pretty mellow about waiting, and will suck her thumb -- while I feed DS.

If I have to feed them together, though, I use two bowls and two spoons. I do this because DS makes a huge slobbery mess, and his food ends up being runny and gross after a few bites, so I don't think it's fair to feed that same stuff to DD. (I wouldn't want to eat a bunch of backwash!) Also, I like to keep track of how much they're both eating. I give four or five bites to one baby, then pick up the other bowl and give four or five bites to the other one.

Also, I usually only give two items per meal -- breakfast is typically cereal and fruit or yogurt and fruit, and I always mix them. Dinner is usually a heavier veggie by itself (sweet potatoes), or a veggie with a little cereal to thicken it (green beans, carrots), or chicken or turkey with a veggie, like peas. Anyhow, I almost never give one food first, followed by another....unless they eat every drop of what I'm offering, then I might follow it up with a few bites of applesauce or something, to be sure they're not still hungry.

 

One spoon, one bowl (or one divider plate...I have a personal issue with food touching and I don't like the boys' food to touch either...just because it creeps me out). Mouthful for Lucas and then one for Jonas then repeat...they've got this routine down!

 

I feed them at the same time. I have always done 2 spoons and 2 bowls. I can pay attention to who has how much. I use different colored bowls and spoons to help keep it straight. At first there was a lot of impatience, but it now they take turns nicely. It also helps that they now take finger foods so I can have a few pieces on the tray . Keegan also tends to get a little stopped up, so I do not give him rice cereal or bananas and he has prunes once a day. Colin is fine with everything.