Caring for twins
Caring for twins is obviously going to be hard work, and you will have many conflicting emotions about the whole process. Once your babies have arrived though, and they are not just an unthinkable dream, you will soon start to plan how to make life with twins work for everyone.
You need to have a good support network in place, especially if your partner is out working. It can be lonely at times dealing with a new baby, and with two to look after, you will have double the workload. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your family and friends. Also, joining an organisation aimed at parents of twins or multiples can help you to meet other parents in a similar situation. Sometimes there will be a twins group in your local area that you can visit.
Try not to put pressure on yourself to keep up your household, work or social life to the standard that you did before having your babies. You are allowed to make a slow return back to the world. You have a different reality now to contend with and feeling bad about not doing the vacuuming or missing a friend’s birthday, when you are up to your ears in nappies and breastfeeding marathons is pointless. These things will get easier, so for now, give yourself a break.
If you want to know whether you can breastfeed your twins, you might find the following information on breastfeeding positions helpful:
If you are feeding your twins at the same time, there are several ways that you could feed them. The first is called (rather unceremoniously) the ‘football hold’. The idea with this position is to be sitting up (in bed is fine too), with pillows supporting your back and keeping you forward.
You tuck the babies, one under each arm, with one hand supporting each head, and the babies feet extending beyond your back. You could vary this, and have one baby in the football hold, while the other is in traditional feeding position. It is also possible to have both your babies in traditional position, one lying in front of the other.
Obviously, it is worth experimenting with these positions to find what works best for you and your babies and, in the early days, enlist the help of your partner as you learn to be one-handed in your approach.
Try to get a little time out for yourself each week, even if it’s only for an hour or two. Keep the lines of communication open between yourself and your partner, and regularly discuss how you are feeling to prevent possible resentment at your workload occurring.
The UK charity organisation, TAMBA, (the Twins and Multiple Births Association) provides support for parents of twins. They run a phone line offering advice and support ‘twinline’, which can be contacted on 0800 138 0509 between the hours of 10am – 1pm or 7pm – 10pm every day of the year.
If you have further questions about how to care for twins, you could join one of our twins groups. Alternatively, you could ask a question on our chat or answers page. By going to our People section, you can see what's happening in your area. Don't forget to upload a photo of your adorable babies into our twins gallery!
Last Modified: 18/06/2007
Related Chat 2
My twin daughters will be 9 months old early Jan and I am really enjoying my time with them, just before I return to work. It is very hard in the early months and sometimes I didn't manage to get out of my nighty (breastfeeding and tiredness)! I didn't have any help and used to get very cross when my husband complained of a hard days work and being tired. Now we go anywhere, the girls eat really well and they are very interested in different environments and people. They are now laughing and playing/fighting together and I can see how great it is that Ruby has a friend and so does Ines.
I accepted that I might feel isolated and desperate sometimes but put head down and kept going. It is really worth it when you look at the crawling, laughing doodles and think 'wow, we did that!'
Very good advice although at the beginning it is easier said than done.
Not being too hard on yourself is so important. Feeling overwhelmed is natural so look at what you have acheived in any given day and when you hear your babies laugh and giggle you feel a renewed energy to keep going.
Enjoy and remember to ask for help - you are only human!
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