alone... how do u do ir?

DandT1206 · February 2013

I have been very fortunate to have DH home for the first 5 weeks of the babies lives. But he is going back to work next Sunday, and as a nyc firefighter he sometimes works 24 hr shifts or the night shift from 6pm to 9am. How do u handle feedings/crying when you're alone for extended periods of time? Our babies are waking every 34 hrs to eat formula and we are still trying to keep them on the same schedule by waking one to eat if the other wakes first. Any advice would be appreciated. We are going to do a trial run this week while he's still home. TIA!

karo112 · February 2013

I had to keep them on a strict schedule. It was really the only way for me, by myself, to get through it. I was not an EBF, so that did make it a bit easier. I would use two boppies, and feed them at the same time....Can you get a family member to come help you once a day? or maybe a friend? I even know people who hired someone to come just for an hour or so...

Brummy14 · February 2013

I try to anticipate wake times ... they're up every 4 hrs or so, so I get up after 3.5 hrs, gamble on who will wake first, and feed her while I pump. I have one who is a screamer, so I usually do her first, and then put her downstairs in the swing while I feed dd2. DD1 usually cries quite a bit, but I've found she usually needs to, anyway, in order to burn off some energy to fall back asleep. I usef to feel like the worst mom in the workd allowing that, but now i think she NEEDS it, actually. It doesn't always work, and sometimes is a cluster, but we do what we can...and whatever you do, just know you're doing the best that you can. These little guys are TOUGH to care for solo!!

tombomb84 · February 2013

I use the podee bottles when I need to tandem feed which for me is only at night because DD has to eat more frequently due to size. I give one baby the podee and hold the other to feed them and switch at the next feeding. Those bottles are a lifesaver for me!

Reilly626 · February 2013

It's hard but you can do it- I did it when my husband went back to work. When he was home I slept and he was on duty.

AmyJoy728 · February 2013

I was alone after 2 wks while dh worked full time and went to law school at night. I premade formula in a pitcher, so once they woke up I would microwave 2 cups of water while I changed baby 1. Then put the refrigerated btl in the cups and brought them to wherever I was going to feed. Then changed baby 2 and put #2 in a boppy and then grabbed #1 and burp clothes. Put #1 on my lap, shook the btl to even the temperatures and then fed, burp, fed, burp.

elizabeth0705 · February 2013

Staying on a schedule is good, as is doing a trial run before your DH goes back to work. If you can't tandem bottle feed, it may help to stagger the feedings just a bit (I do BFing and bottle feeding, but same idea, since I feed them individually). I find that feedings go best if I let the second twin finish his/her nap while I am feeding the first twin.

Also, I would recommend having a lot of gear and interactive toys, especially if you live in a two-floor house or apartment. We ended up borrowing a third rock 'n' play, and we bought a second changing pad, a second swing, a second activity mat, and extra Lamaze toys. That way, I can keep one twin entertained while the other is eating, and I also don't have to lug lots of stuff with me up and down the stairs.

turtle_1278 · February 2013

I agree, a strict schedule is a must! My husband travels, A LOT, so I have been doing most of it alone. We were lucky the first 10 months to be near family and my mom would come over and help, especially with our older son. I used 2 boppy pillows for feedings and rotated them between swings and bouncers and playmats and eventually the playmat and the jumperoo. Our family room was ground zero in terms of baby stuff. We spent all our time in there except for naps.

You can do it! Our closest family is now 6 hours away and while it still is not easy, I have done 6 days in a row by myself when DH was at a conference!

DandT1206 · February 2013

thanks ladies!

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