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They will likely spread their feedings out more by that age. So they would go more like every 3 hours hopefully. Plus at six months they may start solids. And hopefully start taking one longer nap during the day.

6am feed at home
9am bottle
Noon bottle
3pm bottle
5pm or later feeding at home.

At that age my baby was eating every 3.5 hours or so, with three naps. We did bottles when waking up from a nap, not to get him to sleep for a nap, bc I hated it when he'd fall asleep mid-bottle (or mid-nursing).

With solids, it depends on how your babies take to them. My baby LOVES solids and he quickly wanted more, and stayed fuller longer. This helped space out his bottle feedings to 4 hours by about 7.5 months.

Not a twin mom, but a mom with a boob loving child. She eats every 1-2 hours when we are together and only every 3-4 while I'm at work. I pump 3x a day at work and get 15oz, she will only drink 8-12 while away from me. I wouldn't worry too much, I'm sure by 5.5 months and being away from you they will space it out!

Also holy amazing on you for EBF twins!!

@catomd00: this made me feel good to read, too!

@meadow: oh I hear you!!! I was home on fall break last week and I admit, I nursed to sleep for about 50% of naps! I'm not as worried about habit forming now at 9m. It wouldn't be an issue if LO took the whole bottle and then slept well for a good chunk of time... but he doesn't he dozes off mid bottle and then wakes up cranky 30 min later, hungry! And, even if you don't pump enough, every drop counts and EBF twins this long is AMAZING to me. Kudos to you!

I've only got one, but my husband was a twin! His mom nursed them (but she wasn't working then) except one formulat bottle per day for his brother. I always thought it was weird that only one brother needed an extra formula bottle, but that's what their pediatrician told them.

I agree that they will probably go longer between bottles at daycare, at that age. Mine was doing 3 bottles at daycare, at that age.

Pumping once during the work day and once after isn't ideal, but you can make it work. If you could throw in another pumping session, even just in the very beginning, that might help. You could also consider adding in a pumping session before you go to bed (I do this every night). But, even if you don't make enough to completely fill their bottles, you can always supplement with formula and they'll still be getting most of the benefits of breastmilk, since that will be most of their diet.

I am a teacher and I exclusively nursed my twins. I went back to work when they were 4 months old, and pumping suuuuuuuucked. They were drinking five ounce bottles about every three-four hours at that point (I think? It's been a while.)

My schedule:
7am: nurse
8:15: pump at work
10:15: pump at work
12:00: pump at work
2:15: pump at work
4:00: pump while driving to get them
6:00: nurse
8:00: nurse
10:00: pump
3:00am: nurse one and pump at the same time (DH took the other one to give a bottle to).

Could you pump at 7:10? After daycare drop-off, before students arrive? Does class start at 7:30 or is is homeroom / breakfast / bellwork that another person could cover for you?

I nursed LO usually 3AM & 5:30AM, and then pumped at 7:30 before kids in the classroom at 7:50. Even though I nursed so recently before it, I still got a ton of milk - 10oz usually. That's why I'm wondering if you could fit in a pump session in the morning.

I also asked to be released from all duty and my principal obliged. However, my duty wasn't that vital and we had more than enough coverage. I asked for it just for two months to make it until summer break .

@meadow: I understand. We did breakfast in the classroom / homeroom time from 7:50-8:15 so I used that time to help students and get myself ready. Pumping as a teacher is hard!! Where do you plan to do it? I have a "back room" attached to my classroom, and that's where I did it. I just recently moved a desk in there so I can eat my lunch or grade while pumping, and that's a huge help.

@meadow: I hear you! It's so hard! It sounds a bit bad but I care way less about my teacher work now. Like, I still want to do right by my students and help them the best I can, but when I get home, it's baby time! I don't dwell on it and I don't work at home on weekdays, whereas I used to do 2-3 extra hours a weekday before. See if you can move a desk in the pumping closet.