"How do you feed three screaming newborns at the same time?"
If you're a parent of twins or triplets, you've probably been asked this question—or asked it yourself during those bleary-eyed middle-of-the-night feeds. The truth? There's no perfect answer, but there are tips that make the impossible feel less painful.
We spoke to triplet parents who've been in the trenches—juggling multiple hungry infants, sleep deprivation, and the sheer logistics of keeping everyone fed. Their stories prove that with creativity and teamwork, you can survive (and even thrive) during those chaotic early months.
Feeding Pillows & Safe Bottle-Propping: The Multi-Tasking Miracle
When you're outnumbered, specialized equipment becomes your best ally:
Hospital-recommended feeding pillows: Andrea Ong's husband used pillows as taught by the Swiss hospital where she gave birth at to handle all three babies solo during night shifts. "You can walk away—but you shouldn't," she warns. "Always watch for choking hazards throughout the entire feeding session!"
DIY pillow to feeding station hacks: Singaporean triplet mum Kai Pei started with travel pillows, then created a "janky but genius" seated setup that kept the triplets upright when feeding. “Okay, it looked a little odd,” she laughs. “But look—just three happy, fed babies at once.”
For Dr Claire Low, these MilkyMate pillows allowed safe bottle-propping during outnumbered solo feeding sessions. "I could adjust all three while staying beside them. Not perfect, but neither is parenting triplets!"
Always supervise, but don't shy away from tools that give you an extra "hand."
Disclaimer: Prop feeding is NOT recommended by the AAP & NHS. In fact, shortly after I purchased these amazing pillows I saw that NHS issued an urgent safety alert and recalled the pillows. But truth be told we simply do not have enough hands nor people to attend to us 1-1, 24/7. The children are supervised ALL the time when prop feeding and it has been a lifesaver.
The Breastfeeding Balancing Act
Jing turned to tandem feeding with her Twin Feeding Pillow by My Brest Friend – boosted with extra cushions for support. “This saved my sanity and my back!” she says. She’d use the pillow to nurse two babies in a double football hold while her husband fed the last baby with a bottle.
Organization Is Survival: The Logbook Lifesaver
With three infants to keep track of, Andrea’s family relied on a detailed logbook to stay organized. This simple but crucial tool prevented mix-ups—like double-feeding one baby while another missed a meal. ‘It kept us all on the same page, literally,’ she laughs.
Similarly, Jing found that a simple pen-and-paper notebook worked best for her family. Having a physical log made it easy for visiting family and friends (especially elderly parents) to jump in and help with feedings without needing to navigate any apps.
Phase-Based Strategies
As babies grow, so should your approach:
Newborn days: Jing's family syringe-fed as advised by the nurses before getting discharged on Day 5 postpartum with all three babies. It was exhausting but precise and necessary at that time as they were so tiny.
Transition period: Jing switched to using bottles when the triplets could handle it. The babies were also propped up on angled feeding cushions which reduced spit-ups.
Older infants: Kaipei used upright positions to reduce choking risks.
The Power of Team Work
Jing was thankful to find a routine that preserved her sanity and sleep as they did not have engage a domestic helper:
10:30 PM Feed: Jing's father came over nightly to handle one baby while she latched the other two. This gave her husband a crucial rest window from 9:30 PM to 2 AM.
2 AM Feed: To maximize rest during those exhausting middle of the night hours, Jing opted to pump for just 15 minutes (maintaining her milk supply) while her husband handled bottle-feeding all three babies. This was especially helpful since her triplets tended to nurse slowly at the breast - giving her precious extra sleep during her most sleep-deprived hours.
5 AM Feed: The couple tackled this together as their morning "wake-up" routine before starting the day.
You’ll Find Your Rhythm
There’s no single “right” way—only what works for your family.
These parents prove that adaptability beats perfection, whether through clever hacks, teamwork, or simply taking it one feed at a time.
If you’re lucky enough to have support, lean on family and friends—whether for an extra set of hands, a meal, or just a listening ear. (Though we know not everyone has that privilege, and if that’s you, we see you.)
To every exhausted parent in the thick of it: You’re doing better than you think. And yes—it does get easier.
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What’s your survival tip? Drop us a message on our contact page—your story might help another sleep-deprived parent!
Important Note: While this article shares real parents’ experiences, please consult your pediatrician before trying bottle propping especially if you have concerns. The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) generally discourages propping bottles due to risks of choking, ear infections, or tooth decay. However, we recognize that parents of multiples often face impossible situations—always supervise closely if you use this method, and never leave babies unattended. Safety first, but sanity matters too.
