The first few weeks at home with your newborn twins
The early days with newborn twins is an incredible whirlwind. There is a sense of relief that they are here, but also a sense of overwhelm trying to work through this next chapter and ensuring you have everything to help you feel supported as much as possible.
Here’s what can help in those first few weeks:
Build your village early
I cannot emphasize this enough. If you’re a first time mum or already have one (or more) at home, having support in any form can ease the emotional and physical toll in those first few weeks.
Partner or co-parent
Family and close friends
Postpartum doula or nanny (even for a few hours)
Local support networks like the Australian Multiple Birth Association (AMBA)
Join a mums group (or create your own)
It’s not about being a mum group type, being around other twin mums or mums with newborns helps reduce that feeling of isolation and allows you to see that you’re not in this alone.
Local Facebook and Instagram mum groups in your area
Local community groups that facilitate baby friendly meet up times
If you have the benefit of having a midwife or child health nurse visit, asking them for access into mum groups from your hospital
Join networks like the Australian Multiple Birth Association (AMBA) for events and a Facebook Community
Apps like Peanut and Social Mama
Prioritise the 6-week check-up
This isn’t just about your physical recovery. It’s a mental health check-in as well. Be honest with your GP or midwife — anxiety, rage, depletion or feeling flat can be early signs to get extra support. It’s also important to note that everyone at some point of their postpartum journey will need extra support. Having and raising twins is a monumental feat and there is no reward for powering through it. Extra support can mean a whole spectrum of things including meal prep, babysitting, errands, as well as mental health support. Your GP, OB or midwife can give you information on ways to seek help, organisations that are dedicated to this space as well as local referrals for physios and psychologists.
Surrender to the season
Remember, this is a special time but it can also be overwhelming. You don’t and shouldn’t have to do it on your own and there are an array of resources to help
