Let Mommy Sleep

“Crying it out Causes Brain Damage?” – Parental Urban Legend or Scientific Fact?

As any parent will tell you, a typical newborn/infant is awake and in need of care for several hours every night for at least 3-5 months.  In the past, most parents had extended family members to help with this 24 hour schedule, and mothers were able to remain in the birthing center or hospital to recuperate. Today however, family members are geographically spread out or cannot leave work themselves, and most mothers are not given the chance to properly heal before being sent back home (and back to work!). In order to get the vital sleep needed to care for their family and function at work outside the home, some new parents choose to employ postpartum help such as baby nurses, newborn caregivers or postpartum doulas.

When you see those 2 heartbeats on the sonogram, first embrace the joy and adventure of twins. Then, prepare, prepare, prepare. Arranging for a baby nurse, having all the gear ready before you need it and gaining a working knowledge of infant health issues before you're in a red alert situation will only make life easier for your family when those little bundles arrive.

Arrange for Proper Rest in the First Weeks Home from the Hospital- Conventional wisdom teaches new mothers to "sleep when the baby sleeps." For twin moms and dads, particularly those with other children, this is just not an option. Enlist friends, family members and neighbors to care for the twins for even a few hours per day, so you can rest.