My 1st day alone - another routine question

growbeangrow

My husband is going back to work tomorrow so I'll be all alone with our two week twins for the first time. For those of you who were on twin duty alone, what routine worked for you? Bonus points if you can run me through a whole day. Aside from that, any other tips?

Capri22

The mornings are my most chaotic time. Between trying to change them, feed them, wash and sterilize bottles, and try to shower, eat, have coffee- things get so chaotic. I usually am in survival mode for the first hour or so. As soon as they take their first nap ofthe day, I usually get organized then. My advice to you would be just to lower your expectations in the morning. Just try to get them fed and stabilized, the worry about you. Good luck! 

zombiemommy

My husband and I are cycle sleeping because our boys won't go down in the crib. As a result, we're often alone with both of them while the other sleeps. What helps me is to set myself up drinks, food, remotes, computer, and phone on the couch before my husband goes to bed/leaves. Also, I put one of the car seats on the floor in front of the couch. This gives me the opportunity to safely set down one of the babies without getting up if I need to. The swing is also helpful. Lastly, I use my double breastfeeding pillow to help me hold the babies. When I'm holding both boys on the couch, the breastfeeding pillow helps to support my arms and gives me a place to set them down if I need to adjust.

That being said, my husband is almost always one scream away (in bed) and vice versa while I sleep. Good luck on your own! You'll be great!

Nmschultz

I jst posted a similar question, but in reference to nighttime and feedings. Here is a typical day for me ( I also have a 14 month old, but she still goes to daycare a few days a week, so this will be in reference to days she is there). I should also note, I exclusively pump.

wake up when first baby wakes, usually between 5-6am

change, feed, burp 1st bbaby wake 2nd baby and do the ssame 

pump

wash bottles

* I repeat this feeding and pumping cycle every 2-3 hours. I have enough bottles I only need to wash them 2-3 times per day.

when babies are awake, I will lay with them on the floor, put them in a boppy, etc. the hardest part for me was slowing down and just spending time with them. I thought I would be able to get all of my housework done on days my daughter is at daycare, but that's not the case! Enjoy this time, they're only little once  

MrsLnt

We did really well with the Babywise/Baby Whisperer eat-play-sleep routine. 

My H went back to work when they were just shy of 3 weeks old and this was the daily routine:

 6am: MH did solo feeding before work, back into cribs

8am: I got up, showered, got breakfast, etc.

9:30a: First daytime "awake" feeding. After I fed them, I changed them and got them dressed and that was their "activity" for that cycle.

After they went down for their first nap of the day, around 10:30 or 11a, I'd put whatever laundry I had of theirs in the washer and go lie down and rest some.

1pm: Feeding. After this feeding, I'd run the dishwasher with the prior day's bottles up through that 1pm feeding.

4:30pm Feeding. I usually put them in swings for this nap after this feeding because it was less sleep maintenance if they were being swung. 

MH and I would eat dinner around 6, 6:30.  We'd also unload the dishwasher around this time and then make bottles for the next day. We used a formula pitcher to pre-fill bottles and have them in the fridge for the next 24h. 

7:30: Feeding and bedtime routine

11pm: Dreamfeed in the nursery, all the lights were off, sound machine on

2:30am: Feeding done by me solo, either on the floor in the nursery in boppies, or on the couch on either side of me.

Good luck! At first it's scary being on your own with two little ones but you fall into a routine and it gets easier every day.  

 

Reilly626

Oh boy I can't imagine going back to where you are at! The next 2 months will be insane but it does pass! At your point I fed every 2 hours so while they were napping I hustled- cleaned and made bottles- I had 24, baby laundry, ate, cleaned myself up and restocked changing tables. Then it's feed, burb, chair, swing, nap,,,repeat. Hire a housekeeper! It helps! And I would sleep from 5:30 to 11 pm  after my husband got home from work- then I was on call the rest. Nap when you can although I barely did.

im working a great 4 month old schedule if you want to keep it- 6 am up, change feed, burp, digestion chair for 30 minutes. Play time in gyms- kick gym awesome! Nap 8:30ish till usually 11. This is when I get all I can done. Then baths every other day. Feed them at 12 and repeat cycle. Instead of baths I do music hour and sing with them. At 4 pm repeat again. At 6 pm nap! At 8 pm wake feed final bottle and bed at 9 pm. Good luck!

ps I remember being scared at first also! 

HisGirlCridey

We were of the eat-play-sleep school of thought as well. The girls liked being in their boppies while I would read to them. When we were cleared to start, they liked their tummy time and playmats as well, which adds to the fun and wears them out