Get Some Sleep with Newborn Twins

This will eliminate the tortuous game of tag that twins like to play with their parents. One baby awakens in hunger and by the time that you feed, change and put him back down, the other baby wakes up ready to be fed and changed. This agonizing cycle will continue all day and all night in the beginning if you do not break it early and feed them both at the SAME time. Trust me on this one, you will get more sleep and more time for other things (other children, laundry) in the long run.

This will not be easy in the beginning. You will have to work hard at it and be persistent. However, this process, through repetition, will teach the babies how to get on the same feeding, changing (not all of the time but the majority of the time) and sleeping schedule. The twins will begin to know what to expect at certain times each day making the day and night itself less stressful on everyone. Once the twins are on the same schedule you will feel much better emotionally and physically. You will have a sense of control over your day that will improve your sense of well being and the entire dynamics of the household.

Persistance Required

Before you start thinking that this will be simple to do, let me stop and say, it is not. It is hard work and requires persistence on your part. I found that my twins, Henry and Michael would each take turns waking up first. Their rhythms did not exhibit any consistency. Henry would wake up first for his feedings one day and then the next day Michael would be the first to wake up for a feeding. It was out of control! My husband John and I felt like one of the twins was being fed or changed at every minute of each day. However, after struggling for several weeks and remaining persistent with ourselves, they both fell into the same schedule successfully. We felt so much happier too -- just ask our family and friends!

Also keep in mind in the beginning, the twins may hate to sleep in their cribs and prefer something else such as their bouncy seats, car seats, or your chest. If this is the case then let them sleep where it is safe and most comfortable for them but still wake them both up at the same time to be fed and changed.

The twins may not go back to sleep easily in the beginning requiring you to rock them to sleep or walk the halls endlessly during the day and/or night. Do whatever works the first few months but continue to feed and change them both at the same time and be sure that their days and nights are not confused.

Get Help

You may have to move the crib or bassinet into the bedroom for awhile -- do it if it makes things easier on you. I encourage you to find some reliable outside help for the first several months. Those extra set of hands will be needed to help you get on the right track and to allow you to get some rest. Whatever it is, do it if it will make things easier.