7 week milestones

This last week has been filled with milestones - for me. Frank went back to work full-time. My mom went back to the OC. And I was faced with a new schedule of doing the day time on my own. I was mostly concerned about how long I would spend feeding them. Up until this point, we had them scheduled 30 minutes apart so that one would get changed, fed, and burped before we started the other one. When I thought about doing that alone throughout the day, and needing to take care of other parts of my life, I was overwhelmed.

I posted a note on the San Francisco Parents of Multiples forums to find out what other mother's did to feed in addition to understanding how they got through the day alone. I received a few responses from supportive mothers who suggested I start tandem feeding, meaning feeding both of them at the same time. This would require me to prop the bottles, which is frowned upon in the single baby world. However, when faced with a day with twins, the other mothers and some books, just say "go for it." One woman went so far as to send me photos of how she propped her kids up on the couch or in their vibrating chairs and fed them. That gave me the confidence that I could do it, too. I wasn't so sure about tandem breastfeeding, but some women just make it happen. In either case, I just wanted to be sure that the doctor was ok with it, too.

So, during the appointment last week, I asked the doctor and she said, "go for it." I started that afternoon. My mom sat there while I set both babies up on their boppy's, had some rolled up blankets nearby for bottle propping while I burped one at a time, and then I just watched them enjoy their meals. It was an odd sensation to not hold them while they ate, but they didn't seem to mind.

Day 1 of tandem feeding - July 1st.

7 weeks old and we made it through the week tandem feeding!

Now, over a week into it, I get the bottles warmed before I know that they are going to be awake. One is usually awake first, so I will change that one and put them on the boppy. They are propped with the bottle and I'm off to get the other one started with changing. Once I put that one down with a propped bottle, I start burping the first one. Then, I put that one down, adjust the bottles for both of them, and prepare to burp the second one. It continues like that until they are both fed. At that point, I switch between holding them on my shoulder and putting one in my lap. That way, they both get the warmth from my body. I can usually rub both backs at the same time, so they know that I'm there. It works out pretty well.

Vikki, our night doula, was also thrilled at the prospect of the tandem feeding. Given her experience with twins, she was familiar with tandem feeding. She also mentioned that the babes would start to naturally go four hours between feedings at night. And...voila...that started happening, too. It's starting to become a little more consistent. During the day, they eat about every 2.5 to 3 hours. If one is eating, then we wake the other to eat. Same goes for naps, if one goes down, they are both going down. We are working on their sleep and feed training now.

I've also had a full day on my own. I decided that my only goals for the entire day was to just focus on the babes. I managed to get a few other things done for myself in the morning, but that was just bonus. I  just wanted to see what it felt like to be completely on my own. I chose to walk in the afternoon instead of taking a nap. There was no dinner made, but thankfully we had some left overs. By the time that Frank walked through the door and said, "I'll take over," I thanked him and jumped in the shower before he even had time to change his shirt. I napped for 20 minutes, ate dinner, and was back in bed by 9:15. Phew! There is something to be said for having help.

On that note, let me know when you'll be coming to town.

xoxo