Newborn Twins

Newborn Twins What's your Best Twin Tip? How did you cope! Share your Twin Tips here!

** Routine * Sleep * Relax **

Congratulations! Your newborn twins have come into the world, or maybe you have just found out you are expecting twins ‘Now what do I do, how will I cope?’ is maybe questions you are asking yourself.

Of course the first step is to become acquainted with your new baby twins, twenty toes and twenty fingers, check. Two tiny people are now in your care, the feeling is incredible and overwhelming all wrapped up with love for these two little bundles. Now your twin journey begins...

My Best Survival Tips for Newborn Twins

Taking care of a newborn let alone two newborns is a scary thought; here my best tips on how to cope with your newborn twins:

Support is a must with Newborn Twins

How to cope with baby twins can be a scary thought, especially if you have premature twins which is common with multiples.

When my girls arrived I felt extremely tired and lost, having lots of support from family and friends really helped me get through the first couple of months.

There is also the possibility of hiring help even for just a couple of days a week, like a nanny or someone to help with household chores.

If it’s possible maybe your partner could take some time off to help you out for a couple of weeks. It was great when my partner took two weeks off work after our twins were born. This is also great bonding time for daddy and twins.

Routine is Essential

Routine routine routine, is the vital ingredient for happy twins and happy parents. You will be surprised how organised you will become, even the most unorganised people (like myself) will become highly efficient and prepared.

To start with newborns need to be feed about every 3 hours and will usually sleep a lot, giving you time to rest and recover. To help your newborn twins feel secure just start by doing everything the same for example (in routine) a cuddle, change diaper, feed, burp then back to bed.

Remember it will take a few weeks before your two babies realise what the routine is, and it will also change as they grow needing less feeds and less sleep. Generally this will be around 3 months.

**Read more here about newborn baby care from bathing to jaundice and umbilical cord to diapers and more.**

Sleeping Newborn Twins

• Putting your twins to sleep at the same time is important for healthy sleep habits and allows time for you to relax.
• Having a bedtime routine like having a bath and a bedtime story will help your babies understand the cues to go to sleep.
• Swaddling – wrapping your twins will help calm them as it mimics being in the womb.
• Newborn twins love to be close to each other, after all they are use to one another being around. Sleeping your twins together can be of great comfort. I had separate cribs for our twin girls but I would sleep them together if they were unsettled, it worked wonders.
• Allowing your two to fall asleep on their own is vital for good sleep habits now and later.
• Sleep (or rest) when they sleep, don’t worry about the house work you need all your energy to care for your baby twins.

**Something to note is identical twins will have similar sleep habits and temperaments whereas fraternal twins could be quite different, making it more of a challenge to sleep your newborn twins at the same time.**

Be Prepared

Have everything set up and ready to go in their nursery and loads of diapers and wipes at hand before your lovelies arrive. Once your twins arrive home have diapers, wipes and extra clothes all throughout the house and even in the car. You will have everything at arm’s length when you need it.

Support Group

Talking to other mothers and parents of twins can be a great resource, find a twin group in your neighbourhood. Joining a playgroup not specific to twins is also great for your two as they mingle with single babies and children helping them socially.

Home Life

• When cooking a meal cook enough for two dinners and pop one in the freezer. You will have back up dinners ready to heat and eat on those chaotic days.
• Relax and enjoy, the tiredness will pass and it will get easier, try to focus on that when you’re having a bad day.
• Before the arrival of your twins have the cupboards stocked up and even prepare some meals for the freezer.
• Grocery Shopping – Shopping with your twins can be very difficult. The best way to do the weekly shop is to get someone to look after your baby twins (straight after a feed so they have a nicely full tummy). If relevant/able you could even do it at night when your partner is home.
• If you have other children get them involved with caring for the twins. This helps bonding between your children and time to talk with them, maybe you could read a book when reading to your twins.

For further advice to help guide your newborns to good sleep, see the newborn sleep problems section at Baby-Sleep-Advice.com

Are you a first time mom?
Feeling overwhelmed with how to care for a newborn, let alone two of them?
Check out this site for great tips and advice on newborn baby care

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