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Because I have worked with several couples in the throes of new parenthood with multiples, I feel compelled to reach out and share some tips for surviving life with more than one newborn. Caring for one baby at a time sometimes takes what feels like superhuman powers, but caring for two is another ball game entirely. Here are some key points to making a smooth transition: 1) Hire a postpartum doula, or a nanny, or a grandmother, someone who can be there for hours on end helping you care for your babies AND helping you care for you. 2) Make and freeze meals (as many as your freezer will hold) ahead of time, or, sign up for a meal delivery program for the first six months. 3) Consider where/how you purchase your groceries. Does your local grocery store offer delivery if you order online? Do they offer drive up? Do you have someone who will do the snack/meal planning, shopping and putting away for you? Someone who KNOWS your nutritional needs and desires? 4) You will lose a bit of control around how your house is kept up for a bit. You may consider hiring a cleaning company or organizing person to step in and offer that support. Grandma doesn’t always put things where you want them. You’ll have to let go of that a bit and be grateful the job is done. 5) If you have a four legged friends who love exercise and attention, you might want to check with your neighbor kids to set up a dog walking routine ahead of time. 6) Think up some nutritious and easy to prepare snacks and set up nursing stations in the areas of your home you spend the most time…is it in the living room, the den, the basement? You may want to set up a few of those spaces with a blanket, extra pillow, burp cloths, water and a basket of snacks. 7) Again, have a support team in wait to physically help you feed the babies for the first few weeks. So many couples go this solo and I get the call somewhere between 4-5 weeks postnatally for help so these people can SLEEP! 8) Set up two diaper changing stations…one in the nursery and one in the living room/where you spend the most time. Stock this station with extra onesies, receiving blankets, diapers, wipes, creams, and sleepers. I have found using a changing station with shelves that hold baskets is most handy. It’s super easy to keep organized and I found that over time, I didn’t even fold the onesies, but just plopped the clean ones into the onesie basket because we went through the supplies in those stations so quickly. 9) Be sure to preschedule bodywork or chiropractic appointments for yourself and the babies. You will have a stiff and sore neck and back from hunching over and nursing in odd positions, and you will need a time of respite…believe me, a shower taken alone is sometimes all one can ask for, but it’s amazing how quickly some bodywork or an adjustment can boost your energy and immune system. 10) Appreciate your partner or spouse and the work they are doing. You will both be crazy, wonder when you last saw each other, were intimate with each other or held a conversation without discussing the color or consistency of someone’s diaper contents. These are but a few of the many pointers you may receive from someone offering postpartum support to parents with or without multiples. Having multiples is that much more exhausting and requires that many more hands on deck. By plugging in a few of these tips, you will be on your way to a more sane ride in the newborn multiple lane! Submit your articles to WWW.MYHEALTHYBEGINNING.COM
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