You have made it through half of your twins' first year, and now you're starting to think about milestones. You might expect your twins to have reached the same developmental markers at the same time. However, all babies, including twins, develop at their own rate. Identical twins may hit some of the same milestones at the same time, but not always, especially if their weights differ. So don't worry if one child seems slightly more advanced than the other. That being said, keep an eye out for several key achievements any time now in the areas of growth, eating, sleep, motor skills and communication.
The sixth month is an exciting time because most babies are ready to begin trying solid foods. By now, babies have typically doubled their birth weight, which is one of the signs they may be ready to try solids. Don't be alarmed if your twins haven't. Since multiples are often born preterm or just smaller, they may take a bit longer to develop. Twins with different birth weights also have different development schedules, notes Anita Sethi, Ph.d. in "Parenting." The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends gradually introducing solids to babies when they are about 6 months old. Signs of readiness, detailed at the AAP's website, Children.org, include: good control of his head, opening his mouth when you offer the food and ability to move the food to the back of his throat. One twin may be ready for new tastes before the other. Consult your pediatrician before introducing solids. Breastmilk or formula should still make up your twins' main source of nutrition.
According to WebMD, most -- not all -- babies sleep roughly six to eight hours straight at this stage. If your twins share a room, their sounds and stirring may disturb each other at times throughout the night. Try to feed them on the same schedule for more consecutive hours of sleep. Also, keep in mind that babies can reach a sleep goal and then regress. Though it might seem impossible, they will eventually sleep through the night if they don't already.
Your twins' motor skills are becoming stronger. Six month-old babies wiggle, kick and reach. New accomplishments might include grabbing, rolling over and even sitting up on their own. Your twins may begin switching objects from one hand to the other or even back and forth between each other. They will learn from watching each other explore the world through movement.
By this point, you may also notice that your babies are more responsive and expressive. They recognize familiar faces and smile, laugh and babble. You will probably hear them babbling to each other. As explained by William Sears, M.D., in "Parenting," 6-month-old infants learn to alter their sounds by changing the shape of the tongue and mouth. They will start making repetitive noises and will react to your efforts at communication. Remember, no two babies develop at the exact same pace, even twins.
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