Surviving the First Year with Twins: 5 Things You Need to Know

When I found out I was expecting twins - to say I was overwhelmed was an understatement! But I made it out alive - and you can too! Here are the 5 things that brought sanity:

1. Live and Die by the Schedule

I am sure you have seen my other articles about twin parents and schedules....DO IT. It may be challenging in the beginning, but it is the single best thing we did for our family. It added structure to our day and helped set us up for success as the girls grew older.

2. Fed is Best - And Feed at the Same Time

As much as I hated this slogan and I really wanted to be able to breastfeed my girls, remembering that feeding them is what is most important. Whether its formula, breastmilk, or a hybrid of the two....keep those nuggets healthy and growing.

But also, figure out how to feed them at the same time. It will save you so much time! Better yet - if feeding with a bottle - hook up your pump while you feed them. I can count how many hours I spent like the photo below - but it allowed me to also actually live my life too [hint: you can leave the house].

The Table for Two was a lifesaver for us (and worth every penny!) We also used a Twin-Z pillow for double feedings on our bed. Sit down in-between them, hook up to a hands-free breast pump and feed them their bottles while you pump. If you need to burp mid-way through the bottle, gently turn the baby over in the Table for Two so they’re on their tummy with head elevated so you can burp them, or gently maneuver them between your pump flanges to burp on your shoulder.

I did this for every feeding including in the middle of the night so that I wasn’t staying up to pump and losing out on precious sleep.

Bottle feeding the slower twin:

Pre-Breakfast Feed in the Twin-Z:

3. Get Some Fresh Air and Put Yourself Together

I can't count how many times people told me "you aren't going to shower when you have kids." Like, really? You think I am going to change poopy diapers, deal with spilled breastmilk, spit up, and just go to sleep without a shower? NO WAY!

I can tell you - I took a shower every single day as a new mom! I tried to wake up before the girls to get it done early on (and a touch of make-up because it just makes me feel a bit better)...and sometimes, I even rinsed off again before bed...depending upon the day.

I also made a conscious effort to get out of the house for at least 30 minutes. I recall reading about the benefits of vitamin D and fresh air for babies - and with the high rates of PPD, there is nothing wrong with an excuse for a stroll and some fresh air.

Solo Walk with the Twins {Girls are 3 Weeks):

Picture Outside in our Garage after teaching an online HIIT class with the girls watching {Girls are 6 months]:

Ready to Burp:

4. Get Organized and Say YES to Help

We always made sure we had enough bottles to get through a few feedings and pumps before washing things. This made me feel like I wasn't doing dishes 24/7.

Always have a diaper bag packed and ready to go. Know you are going somewhere the next day? Get everything ready the night before.

And just SAY YES to help! If you're like me, you always try to do things yourself, but when people offer, you should take them up on it! In the twin class we took, they even recommended having a list to give people so they weren't simply "watching the babies." Ask them to bring food, fold laundry, or help with other things that will help YOU!.

Putting Aunt Colleen to work multi-tasking on our way to brunch:

5. Carve Out Time for You and Your Hubby

Remember the glory days when you had date night? Just because you had twins doesn't mean those have to stop. Get creative! We always made an effort to get quality time at least once a month....whether it was for dinner out, or a "stay-at-home" date night...make sure you connect with your other half.

Picture from my office holiday party and first time leaving the girls with a babysitter [Girls were 5 weeks old]

Picture from date night on the 8-year anniversary of our first date [Girls were 4 months old]: