The biggest advice I can say is that throughout your pregnancy, all you ever hear about is the BIRTH! Nobody goes further into talking about what happens when you come home from the hospital. How you will feel, the issues that come up with breastfeeding, the stomach issues that develop by 2-3weeks of age, being totally sleep deprived from being up every 1-3hrs around the clock, how to get them sleeping for longer periods of time, the advantages of scheduling (a bit loose the first few weeks), advantages of hiring a postpartum doula/Newborn Specialist to help you anywhere from 3weeks-3mos. There is sooo much to learn about newborn education, how to read your baby’s cues, etc etc. Once I spoke to a group of moms to be. I told them about my services especially at night. They were shocked such a service existed and wondered Why nobody mention this to them during their entire pregnancy. I am here to help you as soon as you arrive home from the hospital. I have 14yrs experience working as a newborn specialist/postpartum doula. I have been featured on PBS television for my work with new moms and newborns.
I provide new mommy massage before bedtime, breastfeedng help, night care & have experience working with multiples. Thank you for your consideration & hope to hear from you soon. There is NO NEED to be an anxious stressed out mamma. I’m here to meet your needs.
Sorry- thought my email was going to show up with this responds. Here it is http://www.adoulaonthego.com providing newborn care/education, night care, sleep training, breastfeeding help, etc. Book in advance while pregnant. Otherwise I may already be booked if you wait till last minute. I also have a few ladies who may be able to help out.
Hi there! I’m a mom of 5-month-old twin girls. I’m happy to answer questions and give advice but there’s way too much to fit in the comments so email me! Mrspinn (at ) gmail. Congrats!
~ Rachel, Uptown Yoga Mama
Twin advice huh…
Well, here is the short version…
1) Every day is laundry day. No really. You think you were given too many burp cloths? Nah, you weren’t.
2) The My Brest Friend twin nursing pillow may actually become your best friend. I also suggest buying a second slipcover for it.
3) Velcro, however, is your enemy. It’s noisy and it ruins towels in the dryer. The Miracle Blanket swaddle doesn’t have any and works fabulously.
4) Nursing doesn’t work out for everyone, and it really isn’t easy with two babies. But it’s not all or nothing either! I nurse and pump and supplement because that’s what works for us. Pro tip: if all else fails, try nipple shields (they’re not just for inverted nips anymore!)
5) Swings. Get two of ’em. They’re the only non-essential double we absolutely needed. Essentials include cribs (eventually), high chairs (eventually) and carseats.
6) Find out if your twins are identical or fraternal because every single person you see will ask you. We’re getting DNA results back this week.
7) Other questions everyone asks: OMG are they twins?! Did you use drugs/IVF? Do twins run in your family? Do they let you sleep?
8) Answer: You won’t sleep much at all for about 6 weeks while the babies figure out day from night. Just resign yourself to that and you’ll feel a bit better. I suggest splurging on a night nanny (or night doula?) for a few weeks, a few nights a week to regain your sanity. Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, it’s also worth it. If you need a good one, I’ve got one.
9) The most important thing you can have as a twin parent is a sense of humor. The second most important thing is to be able to communicate with your spouse and let each other know when you’re at your wit’s end and that sense of humor has run out.
10) Speaking of, sometimes our babies just want “the other one.” When that happens, we switch who’s holding whom.
11) We had our girls on a very strict feeding schedule from day one. Like, in the hospital. Tell the nurses your schedule and they’ll try to stay out during nap time. Sleep is priority 1.
12) Don’t pay for a breast pump if you can get a free one. Call your insurance provider and they’ll tell you what to do. Get it a couple months before you’re due.
13) Expect the babies to go through different phases at different times. Sometimes one does something three days after the other one does. Some days one naps well and the other doesn’t. If a phase sucks remind yourself it’s just a phase.
14) Ask if companies give twin discounts. Some do.
15) Get everything in your house serviced, checked, etc. Air filters, water heaters and more are much, much easier to deal with before you have two babies in the house.
16) Amazon! Amazon Mom, Amazon Prime and most importantly, Amazon Subscribe and Save. Amazon is our best friend, after the Brest Friend of course.
Those are a start. If anyone has more specific questions (what kind of SUV do you have? What brand of diapers?), feel free to email me at mrspinn@gmail.com. Obviously I have a lot of opinions on the subject!
valerie ybarra says
The biggest advice I can say is that throughout your pregnancy, all you ever hear about is the BIRTH! Nobody goes further into talking about what happens when you come home from the hospital. How you will feel, the issues that come up with breastfeeding, the stomach issues that develop by 2-3weeks of age, being totally sleep deprived from being up every 1-3hrs around the clock, how to get them sleeping for longer periods of time, the advantages of scheduling (a bit loose the first few weeks), advantages of hiring a postpartum doula/Newborn Specialist to help you anywhere from 3weeks-3mos. There is sooo much to learn about newborn education, how to read your baby’s cues, etc etc. Once I spoke to a group of moms to be. I told them about my services especially at night. They were shocked such a service existed and wondered Why nobody mention this to them during their entire pregnancy. I am here to help you as soon as you arrive home from the hospital. I have 14yrs experience working as a newborn specialist/postpartum doula. I have been featured on PBS television for my work with new moms and newborns.
I provide new mommy massage before bedtime, breastfeedng help, night care & have experience working with multiples. Thank you for your consideration & hope to hear from you soon. There is NO NEED to be an anxious stressed out mamma. I’m here to meet your needs.
valerie ybarra says
Sorry- thought my email was going to show up with this responds. Here it is http://www.adoulaonthego.com providing newborn care/education, night care, sleep training, breastfeeding help, etc. Book in advance while pregnant. Otherwise I may already be booked if you wait till last minute. I also have a few ladies who may be able to help out.
Rachel says
Hi there! I’m a mom of 5-month-old twin girls. I’m happy to answer questions and give advice but there’s way too much to fit in the comments so email me! Mrspinn (at ) gmail. Congrats!
Cheryl Johnson says
~ Rachel, Uptown Yoga Mama
Twin advice huh…
Well, here is the short version…
1) Every day is laundry day. No really. You think you were given too many burp cloths? Nah, you weren’t.
2) The My Brest Friend twin nursing pillow may actually become your best friend. I also suggest buying a second slipcover for it.
3) Velcro, however, is your enemy. It’s noisy and it ruins towels in the dryer. The Miracle Blanket swaddle doesn’t have any and works fabulously.
4) Nursing doesn’t work out for everyone, and it really isn’t easy with two babies. But it’s not all or nothing either! I nurse and pump and supplement because that’s what works for us. Pro tip: if all else fails, try nipple shields (they’re not just for inverted nips anymore!)
5) Swings. Get two of ’em. They’re the only non-essential double we absolutely needed. Essentials include cribs (eventually), high chairs (eventually) and carseats.
6) Find out if your twins are identical or fraternal because every single person you see will ask you. We’re getting DNA results back this week.
7) Other questions everyone asks: OMG are they twins?! Did you use drugs/IVF? Do twins run in your family? Do they let you sleep?
8) Answer: You won’t sleep much at all for about 6 weeks while the babies figure out day from night. Just resign yourself to that and you’ll feel a bit better. I suggest splurging on a night nanny (or night doula?) for a few weeks, a few nights a week to regain your sanity. Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, it’s also worth it. If you need a good one, I’ve got one.
9) The most important thing you can have as a twin parent is a sense of humor. The second most important thing is to be able to communicate with your spouse and let each other know when you’re at your wit’s end and that sense of humor has run out.
10) Speaking of, sometimes our babies just want “the other one.” When that happens, we switch who’s holding whom.
11) We had our girls on a very strict feeding schedule from day one. Like, in the hospital. Tell the nurses your schedule and they’ll try to stay out during nap time. Sleep is priority 1.
12) Don’t pay for a breast pump if you can get a free one. Call your insurance provider and they’ll tell you what to do. Get it a couple months before you’re due.
13) Expect the babies to go through different phases at different times. Sometimes one does something three days after the other one does. Some days one naps well and the other doesn’t. If a phase sucks remind yourself it’s just a phase.
14) Ask if companies give twin discounts. Some do.
15) Get everything in your house serviced, checked, etc. Air filters, water heaters and more are much, much easier to deal with before you have two babies in the house.
16) Amazon! Amazon Mom, Amazon Prime and most importantly, Amazon Subscribe and Save. Amazon is our best friend, after the Brest Friend of course.
Those are a start. If anyone has more specific questions (what kind of SUV do you have? What brand of diapers?), feel free to email me at mrspinn@gmail.com. Obviously I have a lot of opinions on the subject!
Keep calm and carry those babies!