Caring for one baby isn’t easy, but caring for two babies is without doubt more difficult. After all, you don’t get the peace and quiet during nap time because you probably have a wide awake baby still demanding your attention. And you can’t always respond to your baby’s cries right away because you might be busy caring for your other baby. You’re outnumbered and it’s exhausting. As a twin mama, however, you’ll also know how amazing it is to care for twins. Here are five practical tips for caring for twins:
- Bath time
Now that your babies are old enough to sit up by themselves, twin bath time can become a whole lot more enjoyable. Long gone are the days of trying to bathe one baby at a time whilst still entertaining the other baby. Now you can stick both babies happily in the bath where they can splash, giggle and play to their hearts’ content. Remember, you don’t need to bathe your babies every day. Just do it when you can, there’s no need to incorporate it as part of your nightly bedtime routine if you find bath time to be a little stressful still.
- Sling cuddles
You really have to be a parent to twins to understand just how hard it is to have two clingy babies suffering from separation anxiety. Most singleton parents will end up in tears by the end of the day, and it is twice as bad for twin mamas. One thing you might find helpful is investing in a sling. This will allow you to carry the cling baby in the wrap so she’s content and still leaves your arms free to care for your other baby. Once you’re feeling confident, you might even progress to a tandem carry and have both babies in the wrap at once (twin mama level: expert).
- Keep them in the same room
As your babies are approaching six months, you may be thinking about moving them into their own bedrooms. Your babies were snuggled up tightly together in the womb and have spent most of their lives together, so you may want to let them share a room in your house. The babies will find the company reassuring in the night and you might even find you get a little bit more sleep thanks to the new setup.
- Make temporary adjustments
Caring for twins is really difficult now, but it will get easier. One day, you will feel well rested, drink hot drinks and enjoy your sanity again. It may not feel that way now, but it will happen. In the meantime, make adjustments to your life. If your partner can alter his working hours so he’s around at bedtime to help out, do it. If you can get a cleaner to help out around the home and take the pressure off you and your partner, do it. Think about what small changes you could make to make your life easier today.
- Remember, it will pass
Looking after twin babies is hard. So hard. But they will grow up and sooner than you think. This high demand baby phase won’t last forever. On the hardest days, try to remember that this will all be over soon. That you’re doing an amazing job. And that nobody expects you, or any other mama, to be perfect. All you can do is your best. Your babies love you and that’s all that matters.
Are you a twin mama? Do you have any sanity saving tips to share?
Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.
