First three days home with the twins....and questions..

janabelle3 · December 2010

When you first brought home your babies, what was your schedule like? Of course, these are our first children and my hubby and I are both admittedly filled a bit of anxiety that we are doing things right so far. I know it's basically change diapers, feed, sleep... But do they get any play/awake time during the first few weeks? We basically change diapers, feed, and let them sleep, etc.. It's been overwhelming a tad since we got home with the new responsibilities, just have to be honest here, we have all been here. We luckily have had family over since we came home from the hospital on saturday-so we can get a little relief which is nice. Curious to hear how your first week went in terms of routine, and your emotions......... Thanks everyone!!

txdaisygal · December 2010

Yep! That's pretty much it. When they did have awake time, we would usually just hold them and talk to them and let them grip our fingers. The only "play" time they had would be on the activity mat sometimes, and they usually ended up falling asleep on it. Starting around 3 weeks we did tummy time in the morning and afternoon for however long they would tolerate it.

MADforever2009 · December 2010

I just want to say welcome home. I don't feel like I can give much advice cause it's still pretty much eat and sleep. And lots of poop of course. It's been pretty tough but all the ladies have been a huge help. Congrats again!!!!

OrangeSmoke · December 2010

Those first days were a blur!

Basically it's holding them when they are awake and letting them sleep when they get tired. No schedule, just letting them dictate!

janabelle3 · December 2010

MADforever2009:
I just want to say welcome home. I don't feel like I can give much advice cause it's still pretty much eat and sleep. And lots of poop of course. It's been pretty tough but all the ladies have been a huge help. Congrats again!!!!

Thanks so much.. Yeah basically eat,sleep, poop. a little opening of eyes awake time which is so precious. It sure is tough..and challenging. And amazing I keep thinking of what I read in this book during my pregnancy- that each day will get better and the hard times "will' pass... but to enjoy these times too. Congrats to you too!

janabelle3 · December 2010

OrangeSmoke:

Those first days were a blur!

Basically it's holding them when they are awake and letting them sleep when they get tired. No schedule, just letting them dictate!

Yep! That just about does it.. it's just so comforting to hear that other parents are sharing the same thing and this is what we are supposed to be doing. We are trying to keep them on a 3 hour feeding schedule per the advice given at the hospital so we'll see how that goes. So far, it IS a blur-haha!

regenab · December 2010

Those first 3 weeks or so, they pretty much just slept and eat. Right around their due date is when they started having more awake time. It was like one day they just suddenly woke up. Right now just focus on the basics and then when they do finally hit that wake up time you will be in a whole new situation. The one thing I did do when they were this young was made sure when we brought them down in the morning (we had 2 floors) I opened all the windows shades and turned on the tv and put it on music channel, so there would be noise, to help them set their internal clocks, learning the difference between night and day. I think this really helped because I never had to really deal with my babies being up all night long at say six weeks old and sleeping all day because they had their days and nights confused.

Once they do start to have more awake time during the day, it is still early for a schedule, but never too early to start good routines and habits. Just remember once they are awake more during the day to have them back down for nap no longer than 2 hours after they wake. Babies become too overtired if they are awake more than 2 hours at a time. My girls could barely get to 90 min. of awake time and we needed to put them down for a nap because they would become fussy. So we were on a 90 min. awake routine during the day for about the first 3 months.

Since they are sleeping so much right now, be sure to get your rest and eat and drink so you can recover from the delivery, you will need all your strength back when they wake up in a week or 2. And if you haven't read any books on sleep, this might be a good time to do that. I suggest Happiest Baby on the Block and Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child. These were life savers for me.

#1_BadgeBunny · December 2010

regenab:

Those first 3 weeks or so, they pretty much just slept and eat. Right around their due date is when they started having more awake time. It was like one day they just suddenly woke up. Right now just focus on the basics and then when they do finally hit that wake up time you will be in a whole new situation. The one thing I did do when they were this young was made sure when we brought them down in the morning (we had 2 floors) I opened all the windows shades and turned on the tv and put it on music channel, so there would be noise, to help them set their internal clocks, learning the difference between night and day. I think this really helped because I never had to really deal with my babies being up all night long at say six weeks old and sleeping all day because they had their days and nights confused.

Once they do start to have more awake time during the day, it is still early for a schedule, but never too early to start good routines and habits. Just remember once they are awake more during the day to have them back down for nap no longer than 2 hours after they wake. Babies become too overtired if they are awake more than 2 hours at a time. My girls could barely get to 90 min. of awake time and we needed to put them down for a nap because they would become fussy. So we were on a 90 min. awake routine during the day for about the first 3 months.

Since they are sleeping so much right now, be sure to get your rest and eat and drink so you can recover from the delivery, you will need all your strength back when they wake up in a week or 2. And if you haven't read any books on sleep, this might be a good time to do that. I suggest Happiest Baby on the Block and Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child. These were life savers for me.

I agree with the bolded above and well most of everything else she said. but this was going to be my tips. Especially the letting them know when its day and night!

Good luck and welcome home. Trust me that anxiety goes away. I was literally terrified of my LOs when they 1st came home. Now i just worry who will jump off of what and who id going to beat the other with what toy hahaha! It goes by fast enjoy this sleepy time!!!!!!!!

janabelle3 · December 2010

regenab:

Those first 3 weeks or so, they pretty much just slept and eat. Right around their due date is when they started having more awake time. It was like one day they just suddenly woke up. Right now just focus on the basics and then when they do finally hit that wake up time you will be in a whole new situation. The one thing I did do when they were this young was made sure when we brought them down in the morning (we had 2 floors) I opened all the windows shades and turned on the tv and put it on music channel, so there would be noise, to help them set their internal clocks, learning the difference between night and day. I think this really helped because I never had to really deal with my babies being up all night long at say six weeks old and sleeping all day because they had their days and nights confused.

Once they do start to have more awake time during the day, it is still early for a schedule, but never too early to start good routines and habits. Just remember once they are awake more during the day to have them back down for nap no longer than 2 hours after they wake. Babies become too overtired if they are awake more than 2 hours at a time. My girls could barely get to 90 min. of awake time and we needed to put them down for a nap because they would become fussy. So we were on a 90 min. awake routine during the day for about the first 3 months.

Since they are sleeping so much right now, be sure to get your rest and eat and drink so you can recover from the delivery, you will need all your strength back when they wake up in a week or 2. And if you haven't read any books on sleep, this might be a good time to do that. I suggest Happiest Baby on the Block and Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child. These were life savers for me.

Thanks for your advice!! We just finished reading Healthy Sleep Habits book and we just rewatched Happiest Baby on the Block yesterday actually. I have to say- the "shushing" really does work a lot of the time- but moreso with just one of our twins. The whole "waking " up part that will take place in a couple weeks scares me. Oh boy....and I thought I was tired now- ha ha!!

janabelle3 · December 2010

#1_BadgeBunny:
regenab:

Those first 3 weeks or so, they pretty much just slept and eat. Right around their due date is when they started having more awake time. It was like one day they just suddenly woke up. Right now just focus on the basics and then when they do finally hit that wake up time you will be in a whole new situation. The one thing I did do when they were this young was made sure when we brought them down in the morning (we had 2 floors) I opened all the windows shades and turned on the tv and put it on music channel, so there would be noise, to help them set their internal clocks, learning the difference between night and day. I think this really helped because I never had to really deal with my babies being up all night long at say six weeks old and sleeping all day because they had their days and nights confused.

Once they do start to have more awake time during the day, it is still early for a schedule, but never too early to start good routines and habits. Just remember once they are awake more during the day to have them back down for nap no longer than 2 hours after they wake. Babies become too overtired if they are awake more than 2 hours at a time. My girls could barely get to 90 min. of awake time and we needed to put them down for a nap because they would become fussy. So we were on a 90 min. awake routine during the day for about the first 3 months.

Since they are sleeping so much right now, be sure to get your rest and eat and drink so you can recover from the delivery, you will need all your strength back when they wake up in a week or 2. And if you haven't read any books on sleep, this might be a good time to do that. I suggest Happiest Baby on the Block and Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child. These were life savers for me.

I agree with the bolded above and well most of everything else she said. but this was going to be my tips. Especially the letting them know when its day and night!

Good luck and welcome home. Trust me that anxiety goes away. I was literally terrified of my LOs when they 1st came home. Now i just worry who will jump off of what and who id going to beat the other with what toy hahaha! It goes by fast enjoy this sleepy time!!!!!!!!

Thanks so much !! So the anxiety should go away?? Boy do I have it big time right now, while my husband is calm, cool, and collected. He keeps asking me if I'm okay , and like something is wrong with me because I'm emotional and have anxiety. Well it's not easy going through a rough c-section experience and recovery and getting thrown into the world of two babies and a tiring schedule. I feel exactly what you said... terrified! Of course I love them dearly, they are the cutest little things ever, but I am terrified.

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