New Mom Overwhelmed

Hello,
I am a new Mom to sweet twin baby boys that are now three weeks old. I absolutely love them but never could have imagined what a challenge caring for them both would be. I would say one of my biggest challenges is how to care for them at night. I am basically by myself at night as my husband has to get up early for work. How do you care for two babies when they both need you? If I do feed them seperately then it seems like I am just finishing them both up and its time to feed them again. (I am bottle feeding.) Plus, I'm exhausted and still trying to recover from my own surgery (c-section). Earlier this week my own bleeding got much heavier and I knew I was doing too much but what do you do??

I would love to hear tips/advice on what worked for you during the day and night.

1). How did you survive those nighttime feedings? Did you do things differently during the day with regards to feedings?

2.) Where did your babies sleep during the day? Did you always put them back in their crib or did you use a bouncy chair or pack n play?

3). Are there any pieces of baby equipment that you just couldn't live without?

4.) Did you keep a schedule for feedings, diapers, etc? It seems like I am losing track of when they last ate, who had a dirty diaper, etc.

Thanks so much!!

 

1). How did you survive those nighttime feedings? Did you do things differently during the day with regards to feedings?
I feed them both at the same time in their boppies - burp one at a time and give one a pacifier when I'm w/ the other.

2.) Where did your babies sleep during the day? Did you always put them back in their crib or did you use a bouncy chair or pack n play?
I've always put them in their crib -so they know where sleep time is

3). Are there any pieces of baby equipment that you just couldn't live without?
My play mat now. At 3 weeks - the bouncy seats.

4.) Did you keep a schedule for feedings, diapers, etc? It seems like I am losing track of when they last ate, who had a dirty diaper, etc.
I follow the Babywise schedule - loosely - eat, play, sleep and change diapers at feedings unless poopy.

 

Congrats on your baby boys! I can't really give much advice since my twins were in the NICU for several weeks and by the time they came home they were eating every 3-4 hours and on a pretty good schedule. When I do feed them at night and I don't have any help I feed one, then the other, then I use my breast pump. I'm usually up 1 1/2 hour every feeding. I feed the one that seems to be the most hungry and try to give the other a pacifier. I always feed them both. Probably when they have a little more head/neck control I'll try feeding them at the same time by propping them up. During the day I keep them in my living room which is a central location, either in their pack n play or in their bouncers. As far as schedules, the most valuable equipment I have is the Itzbeen timer
http://www.itzbeen.com/

A friend let me borrow it and at first I thought she was nuts but it's been a life saver. It's a timer that lets you know how long it's been since your last feedings, diaper changes or whatever you want it to remind you to do.

Good luck, I'm sure things will get easier.

 

1). How did you survive those nighttime feedings? Did you do things differently during the day with regards to feedings?

**it's all a blur, but I seem to recall I would go to sleep around 7 or 7:30pm. My husband would do his best to handle 7-12 midnight and I handled everything after that. I was bfing (mostly pumping) but they were both on one or two formula bottles a day. We would have the water measured out and then add the powder so it was room temp. Mine were never on the same schedule, but they were both usually pretty good about going back to sleep after a feeding.

2.) Where did your babies sleep during the day? Did you always put them back in their crib or did you use a bouncy chair or pack n play?
Ugh, they slept wherever they woudl sleep. Usually a bouncy seat or their car seats in the beginning.

3). Are there any pieces of baby equipment that you just couldn't live without?
Their swings, bouncy seat (Papasan Chair) and later on their boppies. I couldn't really use the boppies until they were a little older.

4.) Did you keep a schedule for feedings, diapers, etc? It seems like I am losing track of when they last ate, who had a dirty diaper, etc.
We never had a schedule, but we did try to write down feedings and how much. And later on, what time we put them to bed. I gave up the diaper inflow/outflow after Jake came home. It seemed like they were both having enough wet diapers. Plus we saw the pedi so much in that first month.

It's tough....but it will get better. and know that what works for others may not work for you. If you are formula feeding, I would premake the bottles. Now our kids take the milk cold which makes life much easier.

Miriam
Thanks so much!!
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QUOTE(akameme @ Sep 3 2007, 10:23 PM) [snapback]391287[/snapback]
1). How did you survive those nighttime feedings? Did you do things differently during the day with regards to feedings?

I would go to bed as sooon as my older children did - around 8-9pm - and sleep with the door closed until my DH went to bed - This was my saving grace to get some uninterrupted sleep - plus, I slept much more sound knowing my DH had them and I was not responsible for them

2.) Where did your babies sleep during the day? Did you always put them back in their crib or did you use a bouncy chair or pack n play?
Primarily, VIBRATING bouncy chairs - I have 2 on each level of my house and VIBRATING bassinet!! They loved the vibrating motion. We should invent vibrating cribs and make a fortune!!!

3). Are there any pieces of baby equipment that you just couldn't live without?
see above
4.) Did you keep a schedule for feedings, diapers, etc? It seems like I am losing track of when they last ate, who had a dirty diaper, etc.
We wrote everything on the fridge so whomever was doing the feeding would remember or the next person knew what was going on - it is hard to remember for two babies esp. in those first fe w hazy weeks of sleep deprivation!!! We wold keep track of feedings - how much - and wet/poppy diapers.

Whatever works for you - do it!!! Don't be afraid to ask for help from anyone who offers!!! You will get through it!!!! Good Luck!!!

 

QUOTE(happyfor2 @ Sep 3 2007, 03:57 PM) [snapback]391274[/snapback]
1). How did you survive those nighttime feedings? Did you do things differently during the day with regards to feedings?

2.) Where did your babies sleep during the day? Did you always put them back in their crib or did you use a bouncy chair or pack n play?

3). Are there any pieces of baby equipment that you just couldn't live without?

4.) Did you keep a schedule for feedings, diapers, etc? It seems like I am losing track of when they last ate, who had a dirty diaper, etc.

1. I slept when they slept. I didn't do anything I absolutely didn't have to do. I used the Crockpot, paper plates and bowls, and Take out religiously. I did all that so when the nighttime rolled around I had a little rest under my belt. I did try to feed them one after the other during the first 2 months so, that really helped to maximize my sleeping time.

2. Sean slept in a bouncy seat and James in a swing for the first couple of months, then they were in their co-sleeper, now PnP's. We never did buy these poor kids cribs! :icon_eek:

3. Swings, bouncies, baby bathtub, & sling.

4. We didn't have a set schedule until they were 5 months, but I did write stuff down on a sheet of legal paper (any paper will do) I'd keep track of wet diapers, poopy diapers and meds for each kid. Sean on the left, James on the right.

Hang in there mama!!!!! This is the hardest phase with twins... you can do it! It will get easier everyday, I promise!

 

QUOTE
1). How did you survive those nighttime feedings? Did you do things differently during the day with regards to feedings?

2.) Where did your babies sleep during the day? Did you always put them back in their crib or did you use a bouncy chair or pack n play?

3). Are there any pieces of baby equipment that you just couldn't live without?

4.) Did you keep a schedule for feedings, diapers, etc? It seems like I am losing track of when they last ate, who had a dirty diaper, etc.


1. I did the best I could to sleep when they were asleep. I woke the other when one woke to get the most amount of sleep I could out of them together. I too was alone at night and this was the best way I found to deal with it. I worked religiously to get my guys on the same schedule during the day too and by 4 months they were on the same schedule of feeding, a great schedule by 6 months.

2. Mine slept in bouncies, swings and car seats during the day and mostly car seats at night in their crib til 4 months. Then we swaddled them at night in their own crib when they started moving around.

3. Bouncies, SWINGS!, Jumperoo, mobiles for cribs, white noise maker, Wiggles DVDs, ear plugs!

4. We used a white board to keep track of the schedule. We had a 1.5 hours awake schedule which eventually moved to 2 etc etc. I didn't keep track of diapers, just food and sleep.

YOU CAN DO THIS! The first three months are a total blur, and you are in the thick of it now. You can definitely get through this and things do start to seem better at 3-4 months! Get your DH to give you some special time to yourself this weekend- you deserve it! :hug99:

 

Congrats on your baby boys!!

1). How did you survive those nighttime feedings? Did you do things differently during the day with regards to feedings?
First of all, I pumped (now formula) and bottle fed, so I got up with one baby during the night and my husband got up with the other. They each woke up about 2 times per night. My husband didn't take any time off of work, but I maintained that my job at home with the two little ones and recovering from surgery was going to be just as challenging as him having to work...that meant that we both took responsibility during the night-time. I know that's not everybody's opinion, but it was mine! And, I know it's harder to share the responsibility if you're breastfeeding. I think it's tough no matter what and it's a bit of a blurr now, but we got through it!!

2.) Where did your babies sleep during the day? Did you always put them back in their crib or did you use a bouncy chair or pack n play?

We pretty much let them sleep anywhere for naps...swing, bouncy, pack-n-play. The girls have reflux so they wouldn't even sleep flat on their backs for the first few months, until we got that under control. They sleep in their cribs at night.

3). Are there any pieces of baby equipment that you just couldn't live without?

We love the swing!! It calms them really well. Also, after they got a little bigger I would feed both girls during the day in the bouncies at the same time...that was a lifesaver!

4.) Did you keep a schedule for feedings, diapers, etc? It seems like I am losing track of when they last ate, who had a dirty diaper, etc.

Yes, we fed them every 3-4 hours "on demand." Now, it's every 3 hours. I definitely kept track of bottles, diapers, naps, medicine dosages/times etc on a piece of paper until they got a little older and we developed a better (more predictable) routine. I couldn't remember anything "to save my life" during the first 3-4 months...my mind was so scattered (and being exhausted doesn't help). Now, I actually remember why I walked in a room and for what reason HA!

 

Hang in there new mom. It is very overwhelming and such a shock to the system, but you CAN do this.

I would love to hear tips/advice on what worked for you during the day and night.

1). How did you survive those nighttime feedings? Did you do things differently during the day with regards to feedings?

As a PP our boys were in the NICU for a couple of weeks so when they came home at 35 weeks they were on a 3 hour feed schedule that did go as low at 2.5 hours. We did wake one if they were still sleeping when the other woke. When my husband was home we would feed simultaneously. When he was not it just depended on how i felt. I would either tandem feed in the bouncys or just feed one and then the other. IT IS A BLUR!!!!!!!!!!

2.) Where did your babies sleep during the day? Did you always put them back in their crib or did you use a bouncy chair or pack n play?

Day-Pack and play in the kitchen swaddled together or in their swings. At night anywhere that worked. At first I was really nervous that if they didnt sleep in their crib they wouldnt get used to it. But they slept best on our chests since we had to keep them upright for at least 30-45 minutes after they ate due to reflux we could just go back to sleep. So we slept upright with them for a couple of weeks until they dropped a feed and then they slept in their crib.

3). Are there any pieces of baby equipment that you just couldn't live without?

Pack and play, 2 swings, exersaucer

4.) Did you keep a schedule for feedings, diapers, etc? It seems like I am losing track of when they last ate, who had a dirty diaper, etc.

Yes, we kept a spiral bound notebook of feedings, diapers, and meds. The front half of the book for one and the back half for the other. We also had/have a dry erase board for feeding times back in the early months and a schedule to follow now as well as the menu for the day.

Good luck. You will get through this. It is hard without sleep. But sleep during the day when they sleep.

Rachel

 

1). How did you survive those nighttime feedings? Did you do things differently during the day with regards to feedings?

Even though my husband had to get up for work in the morning we did the night feedings together. Unless your husband is a surgeon, a bus driver, a pilot or some other critical profession where him being tired means life or death, then I think you both need to be up. For us, it was better to have 2 people up for 1/2 an hour at a time than one person up for an hour or more. Night feedings become less frequent and then disappear after a while - it's not forever (just feels that way). I also used to ask my mum to stay over a night or two a week and then do one of the feedings with Mike or I during the night so one or the other of us could get a long stretch of sleep. We were doing feedings at about 11, 2, and 5 during the "night" so it was great to be able to skip one.

Night feedings were totally different than day feedings for us. They were all business. Lights off (just a little night light), diaper change BEFORE bottle (during the day we did opposite but at night we let them go right to sleep after a bottle) and then eventually no diaper changes at night (unless soaked or soiled), no singing, no baby talk - just diaper, bottle, re-swaddle, bed. When one baby woke we unswaddled the second baby so he would wake and then we fed them both (better than getting up 6 separate times).

2.) Where did your babies sleep during the day? Did you always put them back in their crib or did you use a bouncy chair or pack n play?

During the day I had them in the pack and play on the main floor with all of the lights on for the first several weeks to help them learn the difference between night and day. Around 9 weeks I started doing naps in their crib in their room because I was confident they knew night was for sleep and day was for play and naps.

3). Are there any pieces of baby equipment that you just couldn't live without?

My Moby Wrap. It's the only place colicky Evan would settle during the afternoon/evening.

4.) Did you keep a schedule for feedings, diapers, etc? It seems like I am losing track of when they last ate, who had a dirty diaper, etc.

I did write down feedings for the first while because I was so sleep deprived I kept getting mixed up. Having them on the same schedule helps to reduce errors. Once I was confident they were healthy I didn't count diapers.

Good luck, sweetie. Sounds like you're doing an amazing job already - it gets easier, believe me.

 

I just read your post to my husband and exclaimed how HAPPY I am that we made it out of the first three months in tact!! There honestly is not much on the positive side (for me at least) about the first 6 or 7 weeks. I had my B/G twins at the end of May, and honestly all of June and most of July is a COMPLETE blur. I couldn't pick out one day from the next!! Then finally around 8 weeks things got MUCH better!! Hang in there!!

I would love to hear tips/advice on what worked for you during the day and night.
For us in the early days the one lifesaver was that they were fed at the same time - every 3 hours. When there was two of us there, each would feed one. When it was only me, I'd do whatever worked - sometimes bouncies, sometimes boppies....you may need to experiment what works for you and your babies. At this young age you can't control if they are going to sleep at the same time, but with some regularity you can control when they eat. It will definitely give you some sense of control and sanity!

1). How did you survive those nighttime feedings? Did you do things differently during the day with regards to feedings?
I am blessed with a devoted husband who did as much or more than I did in those first few months. We shared nightime feedings. In those very early weeks, when one would wake up to eat, we would wake the other one and feed them both at the same time. Another thing that we had to do in the early days was change them in the middle of a feed. This served several purposes: If they were falling asleep, it would wake them to finish their bottle; In those first few weeks they often had a BM while feeding, so we weren't changing diapers twice; AND if they were falling asleep at the end of a feed, we didn't have to change them and wake them up, we'd just plop them back in their crib!

2.) Where did your babies sleep during the day? Did you always put them back in their crib or did you use a bouncy chair or pack n play?
At around 3 weeks, I would let them sleep anywhere they would!! Usually in bouncies, but a lot of times on a person or in a sling. UGH, at that age, mine hated their swings, and putting them in there would only result in swinging screaming babies. It wasn't until around 8 or 9 weeks that swings finally did the trick in this area. Now they are a lifesaver when a nap in the crib is cut short and they are unable to self soothe themselves back to sleep.

3). Are there any pieces of baby equipment that you just couldn't live without?
Miracle blankets for swaddling and slings to calm a fussy baby. The sling saved me many times when I needed to get one to sleep, and the other needed to be held. I tried a "traditional" sling that my friend gave me, but ended up loving the Infantino SlingRider that's available at WalMart and Target. We have two, and they were great when we had to be out and about with the twins (stores, picnics etc).

4.) Did you keep a schedule for feedings, diapers, etc? It seems like I am losing track of when they last ate, who had a dirty diaper, etc.
We started out doing this, and honestly it was MORE stressful for me trying to keep track of everything. Since we were feeding them at the same time throughout the day/night, I knew they were both fed/changed every 3 hours, give or take 15 minutes. Once I threw out the schedules (after about a week), I felt a huge sense of relief and freedom (a small victory in my mind in those early "Groundhog Day" days!)

Keep up the good work - it WILL get better and easier soon!!! Suzi

 

You've gotten some great advise, so at this point I'll just say CONGRATULATIONS!! on your baby boys.
Hang in there; those first few weeks are tough, but it will get easier and easier. Don't have too many expectations or put too many demands on yourself. Enjoy your new babies and ask whatever questions you need.
Glad to have you on TS!

 

They do make a crib that has vibration. I have the Simplicity Aspen 4-in-1 crib and it comes with a mobile that has a vibration button on it and it actually does make the crib vibrate. Can't wait to see how well the twinnies will like it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

First of all :hug99: you are doing a great job!! I can't believe I am actually at a point of being able to say "it get's better". I wish there was one magic thing I could say that would make it easier but it is just hard. These are the things that once I got the hang of them it made things a lot easier. To feed them at the same time I would lay them on pillows on either side of me and feed them at the same time once they got enough in them to calm them down and make them a little drowsy I could pick one up and burp him then lay him down and burp the other and then keep feeding them. I gave them mylicon drops in their bottles to help with gas and I would change them after they ate because they pretty much pooped every time I fed them. It is very hard to establish any kind of sleeping routine at that age so just let them sleep when and wherever they will sleep. Mine slept in their baby papisan chairs and in their swings for about 2 months. I could not have lived without those big Graco swings or as I call them "The Magic Chairs". They recline so even if it looks big they should be fine, mine loved them but it took a couple tries and then that's the only place they would sleep. Mine are just now starting to sleep in their cribs. Once they start really noticing things get a battery operated mobile for the crib, mine would lay in there sometimes for a half hour 45 minutes and stare at it. Just hang in there, it seems like just when you can't take anymore things get a little better.

The one thing I would do differently looking back is just to have slept when they slept and screw the housework, this is such a short period of time that they are like this and it will save your sanity. I used to think "why bother trying to sleep for an hour" but an hour nap can do wonders sometimes. If DH isn't able to help with the babies because of work then get his help with the housework and when people ask if you need anything say YES! I need my dishes done really bad or the laundry. Hang in there sweetie it will get better.

 

congratulations on your baby boys. You are doing a wonderful job. 3 weeks is a really hard age and you will get past it. My girls are at 3 months and we are turning the corner to being good babies. Cherish the moments and try not to let them go by in a blur. Don't worry about your house or anything else just take care of your babies. The only thing I can say that will help is make sure and feed them together. It is a tremendous life saver at night when you are doing it by yourself. I always propped mine up on a bed pillow. I never worried to much about schedules because we do everything together eat, change diapers and now trying to get them to sleep at the same time during the day. Good luck and just worry about your babies and try not to stress about everything.

Missy

 

QUOTE(Ericka B @ Sep 4 2007, 09:00 AM) [snapback]391955[/snapback]
First of all :hug99: you are doing a great job!! I can't believe I am actually at a point of being able to say "it get's better". I wish there was one magic thing I could say that would make it easier but it is just hard. These are the things that once I got the hang of them it made things a lot easier. To feed them at the same time I would lay them on pillows on either side of me and feed them at the same time once they got enough in them to calm them down and make them a little drowsy I could pick one up and burp him then lay him down and burp the other and then keep feeding them. I gave them mylicon drops in their bottles to help with gas and I would change them after they ate because they pretty much pooped every time I fed them. It is very hard to establish any kind of sleeping routine at that age so just let them sleep when and wherever they will sleep. Mine slept in their baby papisan chairs and in their swings for about 2 months. I could not have lived without those big Graco swings or as I call them "The Magic Chairs". They recline so even if it looks big they should be fine, mine loved them but it took a couple tries and then that's the only place they would sleep. Mine are just now starting to sleep in their cribs. Once they start really noticing things get a battery operated mobile for the crib, mine would lay in there sometimes for a half hour 45 minutes and stare at it. Just hang in there, it seems like just when you can't take anymore things get a little better.

The one thing I would do differently looking back is just to have slept when they slept and screw the housework, this is such a short period of time that they are like this and it will save your sanity. I used to think "why bother trying to sleep for an hour" but an hour nap can do wonders sometimes. If DH isn't able to help with the babies because of work then get his help with the housework and when people ask if you need anything say YES! I need my dishes done really bad or the laundry. Hang in there sweetie it will get better.


It's great to see that it does actually get better!

 

First of all congratulations on your boys!!! I've answered your questions below in bold.

I would love to hear tips/advice on what worked for you during the day and night.

1). How did you survive those nighttime feedings? Did you do things differently during the day with regards to feedings?
At night, I would go to bed after their 8 pm bottle and then DH would do the 11 pm on his own so I got to sleep until 2 am. I usually did the 2 am and 5 am on my own because DH had to go to work during the day (but sometimes he'd get up and help). When I did the 2 and 5 on my own I just fed one and then the other. Thankfully my girls are great eaters and it didn't take long for them to eat a bottle, burp, get swaddled and go back to bed. I usually fed Ana first and then propped her with pillows because she is my spitter (worse reflux than her sister). This way she was upright while I fed Meara and then I swaddled them both and put them both back to bed.

For the first 8 weeks we were on a 3 hour feeding schedule day and night. From 8 to 16 weeks they were on a 4 hour feeding schedule round the clock. And since about 4 months old they are on a 4 hour schedule from 8 am until midnight. They sleep thru from 12 am to 7 am.

2.) Where did your babies sleep during the day? Did you always put them back in their crib or did you use a bouncy chair or pack n play?

Wherever they wanted!!! Seriously! I sometimes put them back in the pnp, but if they fell asleep on the bed or in a boppy on the couch, or in a bouncy, or in their swing I left them there!

3). Are there any pieces of baby equipment that you just couldn't live without?

Boppies! And a pnp with the bassinet. When they got older they started to enjoy their swings. And around 2 months old they loved to lay under their activity center.

4.) Did you keep a schedule for feedings, diapers, etc? It seems like I am losing track of when they last ate, who had a dirty diaper, etc.

Yes for schedules. They came home from the NICU on a 3 hour feeding schedule and I stuck to that. I also always changed their diapers before their bottles (because they used to fall asleep at the end of the bottle!).

One thing that helped in those early sleep-deprived days of 'wait a second, did ana or meara poop today?!', was having a printed schedule. I made one in excel and printed it out for each girl. It had boxes to fill in with the time and you could check off when they were changed (and what was in the diaper), meds given, amount they drank, etc. Also it was handy when people came to visit/help because they knew what to do for each and if I napped, I could wake up and see what happened while I was asleep.

Hope this helps and congratulations again! -Leighann

 

Congrats on your new boys! I answered below also:

1). How did you survive those nighttime feedings? Did you do things differently during the day with regards to feedings?
Once my hubby went back to work, I did the feedings alone. For a while I did one after the other. Whoever woke up first got changed first, then their bottle. Then they hung out in their boppy while I did baby two. If they woke up together, I fought one off with the pacifier while feeding the other. And that got really old really quick, so I taught myself how to feed at the same time with one in my lap and one in the boppy. That was a HUGE timesaver. During the day I followed the same thing. My babies did eat about 3.5-4 hours apart. But when I was feeding them one after the other it did seem like as soon as I was done, it started all over again!

2.) Where did your babies sleep during the day? Did you always put them back in their crib or did you use a bouncy chair or pack n play?
That early on, in the boppies. Then after a few months it switched to the swings.

3). Are there any pieces of baby equipment that you just couldn't live without?
Boppies. For me, they lived in them in the beginning. We fed them in them, they slept in them, they just hung out in them. And I never got one. I didn't register for one. And once we brought them home, a co-worker of my DH's gave us one (hand me down) and I was like "I need another one of these!" so then I bought one. As they got older, I NEEDED those 2 swings. They were worth every penny!

4.) Did you keep a schedule for feedings, diapers, etc? It seems like I am losing track of when they last ate, who had a dirty diaper, etc.
We did. In the hospital they had a spreadsheet for each child with the time they ate, how much, and whether they peed, pooped, etc. When we came home we made our own version and used that, because they were on such different poop schedules that Hailey would go like every day and Jake would go like 5 days between, so I needed something to keep track. I couldn't remember what happened at the last feeding when the next one started!

The beginning is a blur! Know that it will get better! hang in there, and do whatever works for you! Even if it's not the "right" thing. Yeah, maybe you don't want your babies to sleep anywhere but the crib, but worry about that in a few months ... right now, do what you have to do to get yourself some sleep!

 

QUOTE(CHJH @ Sep 3 2007, 09:13 PM) [snapback]391521[/snapback]
1). How did you survive those nighttime feedings? Did you do things differently during the day with regards to feedings?

Even though my husband had to get up for work in the morning we did the night feedings together. Unless your husband is a surgeon, a bus driver, a pilot or some other critical profession where him being tired means life or death, then I think you both need to be up. For us, it was better to have 2 people up for 1/2 an hour at a time than one person up for an hour or more. Night feedings become less frequent and then disappear after a while - it's not forever (just feels that way).

Night feedings were totally different than day feedings for us. They were all business. Lights off (just a little night light), diaper change BEFORE bottle (during the day we did opposite but at night we let them go right to sleep after a bottle) and then eventually no diaper changes at night (unless soaked or soiled), no singing, no baby talk - just diaper, bottle, re-swaddle, bed. When one baby woke we unswaddled the second baby so he would wake and then we fed them both (better than getting up 6 separate times).

2.) Where did your babies sleep during the day? Did you always put them back in their crib or did you use a bouncy chair or pack n play?

During the day I had them in the pack and play on the main floor with all of the lights on for the first several weeks to help them learn the difference between night and day. Around 9 weeks I started doing naps in their crib in their room because I was confident they knew night was for sleep and day was for play and naps.

4.) Did you keep a schedule for feedings, diapers, etc? It seems like I am losing track of when they last ate, who had a dirty diaper, etc.

I did write down feedings for the first while because I was so sleep deprived I kept getting mixed up. Having them on the same schedule helps to reduce errors. Once I was confident they were healthy I didn't count diapers.

Good luck, sweetie. Sounds like you're doing an amazing job already - it gets easier, believe me.


I feel like she is me writing the response...

It does get easier once they start to sleep better. It is such a blur!

I would insist that your DH help you, they are his babies too and besides your 'job' is much more challenging I'm sure (unless he's got a very important job)

My DH didn't have a choice, as I would wake him and ask him "who he wanted to feed?" (made him feel like he was in charge a little) He doesn't get up any more, but we have very few latenight feeds now.

You will survive, and good for you for finding TS; I didn't until mine were about 4 months, It would have been so nice to have been able to ask people in the same situation.

I used the 3-n-1 swings from Graco where the seat detaches from the swing to feed them in together during the day and have always had them on the same schedule (still do) it just agve me a little time for myself (burping was not fun but we survived)...

I could NOT have survived without the 'Summer' color, video monitor; as it allows you to check on them in their cribs without having to get up 100 times, I still LOVE it (so does the DH).

I use the boppies/highchairs now that they can hold their heads up to do feeds.

Good Luck, you are stronger than you think, and it is only temporary (it pays off later when you get your first smile or laugh)!