[LibraryMom]

Does anyone have some practical tips about caring for twins alone? My husband is going back to work and I'm in a panic about being alone. I have been breastfeeding them at the same time, but always with help getting them on and off. Also, can they be picked up at the same time? How do you comfort two crying babies at the same time?

[twinzplus3]

Welcome! I see you've posted in the other thread so I'm going to answer you there. But the short answer to your question is you don't--you get help.

[QueenAngie]

Wishing you all the best!

I never had twins, but would think that help would be necessary
with two little ones.

Can a relative, friend, neighbor, somebody from church help you?

[Samual]

My husband fostered twin boys with work, from the age of two weeks to four months. Sometimes I would do it on my own, sometimes he would be on his own. How we looked after them and looked after our own single babies has been no different, you just do everything in two's. They were always fed at the same time, by one person, nursing cushions are good to put on your lap, so once you are holding both of them, you can rest on the cushion while you reposition the other. They were identical, so we had to write their initial on the bottom of their left foot in marker pen.
You can pick them up at the same time, we used to, you just need to learn how to do it while someone else is there, once you get it though, it's quite easy, you just have to be confident that you aren't going to let one of their heads drop or anything.

[twinzplus3]

I too recommend help. I had a mother's helper who then turned into a regular babysitter--invaluable.

I also would not suggest bfing at the same time at this point but one right after the other. I wouldn't attempt it until they can hold their heads up and you are more comfortable doing it. It's more than a little tricky.

[1stTimeMomOf2]

I have cared for my twins by myself since 2 weeks after they came home (they were 10 weeks hold at that time). My husband had to go back to work and I learned how to do it on my own. My mother would come and help every once in a while, as did my mother in law but there was and still is a lot of time that I have to do it alone. It's difficult but if you get adjusted to it and get the babies adjusted to it then it works out. I take them out to run errands, I play with them, feed them, change diapers, give baths and everything. The only thing that doesn't get much attention is housework, which is reserved until my husband gets home and can tend to the children or help me with the work.
I agree with Val about not nursing them at the same time. I found that when my children came home they had a hard time nursing so I had to have one on one attention with them, but even if they didn't have a difficult time I still would've done it that way because you get to bond with them individually. My children have learned patience (kind of) and even though I'm bottle feeding them, they are usually easily entertained by a toy or something until it's their turn.
It's possible, but it would be a ton easier if you could get help. Just recognize when you are getting overwhelmed and need a break, if you can't get a full time helper maybe just an on call babysitter when you need to get out for the day would be good.