Newborns

• Do what is right for your family.  You will get plenty of advice from friends, family, and even strangers.  Just remember that you are the expert when it comes to your babies, and you know the best way to care for them.  Trust your own instincts.   
• Make sure that all visitors are healthy.  Be sure to have everyone wash their hands before touching or holding the babies.  If your multiples are born during the winter (i.e. cold and flu season), you might want to take additional precautions like getting a flu shot and minimizing contact with the general public.
• Sleep when your babies sleep.  This is our best advice for any new mom, but particularly for a new mom of multiples.  There is plenty to do around the house, between the laundry and dirty dishes, but you have to learn to let it go.  We encourage you to take some time for yourself and rest, without feeling guilty.  Even a fifteen minute power nap will help you to feel rejuvenated.
• Most of us would agree that getting your multiples onto a similar schedule helps tremendously.  Feed your babies together, encourage them to nap at the same time, and even change their diapers around the same time.  You will find that this gives you a much needed break to rest, return phone calls, etc.  There will be days when it is impossible to keep your babies on the same schedule, but it is just an opportunity to enjoy some special time with each baby. 
• Develop routines for daytime and bedtime.  Try to keep a similar routine from one day to the next, as most babies thrive on having a routine.  During the day, it can be as simple as always following a pattern of feeding your babies, providing a little time to play, and then encouraging a nap.  It is also fun to set up a bedtime routine each night by giving your babies a bath, providing some quiet time to cuddle, then nursing/feeding your babies before sleep.  Before long, you can add some time to read stories.  Your days will not run like clockwork, but being organized and putting together some sort of routine will help you function.      
• Keep a log for each baby to record feeding times and diaper changes.  Somewhere between the sleep deprivation and chaos of caring for two or more newborns, it becomes difficult (if not impossible!) to remember the details of feeding times and diaper changes for each baby.  You will want to keep a chart for each baby to record as much information as you can about each feeding, plus a count of the wet and dirty diapers. 
• Always have your diaper bag packed.  This is something that can be done every night so that you are prepared for the following day.  It is one less thing to worry about, as you scramble to get yourself ready and the babies fed/changed before you leave. 
• Get out of the house.  We know how hard it is to leave the house, but you can do it and you will become a pro.  Put the babies in the stroller and go for a walk, even for just fifteen minutes.  Even taking a snack and sitting outside in the sun can be good for you.  The change of scenery and fresh air will do wonders for you and your babies.    
• Accept all offers of help.  Keep your calendar next to the phone so that you can let friends and family members know when they can come to help.  There are times when you might like an extra set of hands to help you take care of your babies, like during the late afternoon when the babies are generally fussy.  There will also be times when you would prefer to do all of the baby care, and you will need help with other chores around the house or yard.  Do not be afraid to let your friends and family members know exactly what you need.  It is all about survival the first few months!

What can people do to help you?

-Bring a hot meal for dinner.
-Pick up a few items from the grocery store or pharmacy.
-Pick up a package of diapers from the store, or any other necessity for the babies!
-Run a load of laundry.
-Light cleaning around the house.
-Mow the lawn.
-Watch the babies while you take a nap, a shower or run errands.
-Assist you at the pediatrician’s office during appointments for your multiples.

• Find a nanny or mother’s helper.  Even having help for a couple of hours each day will make a huge difference.
• If you think you might be suffering from post-partum depression, talk with your doctor and ask for help with the babies.  Post-partum depression is more common in mothers of multiples due to the changes in hormones.  It is important to take good care of yourself.
• Take lots of pictures!  This time goes by so fast, and you will soon be wondering what happened to the tiny newborns you brought home from the hospital.  Also, make sure you label your pictures so that you will know who is in each one, particularly if you have identical twins.  There will come a time when you cannot remember!      

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