Its been 2 months plus since Dinos' arrival and I'm learning something new everyday through them. Here's a list of what I've learnt.
1). Sleep is a luxury.
Everyone keep telling me this prior to giving birth since I'm well known for sleeping alot. But you never know till you get to experience it. Have officially took over the night duties and I kid you not. Literally have no sleep especially from 3-6am. Since I staggered the twins' feeding time. It would meant an hour of feeding and burping. That is if they wake up 1 after another. Sometimes, there is an half hour break between and I get to rest abit but not sleep. Then on bad days, in between the feeds, they demand diaper change or take longer time to fall asleep back. I try to handle all on my own since Mr Love is working while I'm on ML. If both are demanding attention then Mr Love gotta lend a helping hand.
2). Shopping is no longer for your stuff
Got a little break the other day while I went back for post natal check up and I went for a little round in the mall hoping to get a back pack for Mr Love and our yearly matching jerseys. No such luck. I got bored looking at adult stuff and end up at the kid's department buying bigger bottles for the Dinos since they are increasing the feeding amount. Then I decided I missed them and went home.
3). Amazed at your endurance level
You will endured the child bearing pain in my case the c sect pain to bring your children safely to the world. I always thought I have zero tolerance to pain and is scared stiff of child birth process. But now that I think back, its not as scary as I thought. In fact, I was up and about by 2nd day latching my Dinos despite the pain. Was carrying 1 of them home during discharge. Didn't even remember the pain when the time arises to care of them. Was off pain killer after 2weeks as I need breast feed them and didn't want extra medication in my system.
Breastfeeding is painful too especially initially. But since breast milk is the best you can give to your children, I ignored the pain and pressed on. Even when the ducts are blocked and inflamed, I latch them on religiously though my supply is not much to speak off.
4). You never knew you can love a person (or 2) so much
Sure, I love Mr Love a lot, love my mum tons but the love for my Dinos is a whole new level. On some days when I hold them or watched them sleep, the sudden gush of love just come rushing out. They look like perfect little human being to me.
I couldn't bear to see them cry, see them get poke for blood test, take injections.
Sometimes when Mr Love is coaxing them when they cry, it takes all self control not to interfere since they dun response to Papa's coaxing that well.
5). You are never that happy to see poo
Poo and urine are essential for new born. Especially for those with jaundice like our case. I was obsessed with their colour, amount and number of poo and urine they have each day. Would supervised the nappy change initially during confinement just to ensure the colour and texture is correct as per doctors' advice.
Never been so happy to see poo in my whole life.
The obsession didn't go away even after we cleared jaundice after Day 25. In fact, I started a record book just like what KKH taught us to do for the 1st 14days. I took it upon myself to continue the homework.
It's especially helpful for twins since I can keep track of their feeding time, amount and also their poo and urine history.
Sometimes, I will review the feeding amount if I noticed the feeding time lapse got nearer.
6). Boobs are magical
Yes, I find my boobs to be magical. It does wonders to calm a cranky baby down in matter of seconds be it whether there is milk or not. They take comfort in sucking their mom's nipples I think. I try not to latch them that much now since am going back to work and I don't want them to get use to latching and then give my mum trouble when I am not around. But sometimes to calm them down, I would take the easy way out and latch them on.
7). Sometimes they just want mummy
There are times when Papa just couldn't calm them down no matter how hard he tries, especially with Louis. But when I take over and start to pacify him, he would he quieten down. Not immediately but still I am able to pacify him by keep talking to him.
Papa is a bit jealous on this point since he is trying his best to pacify Louis also but to no avail. The methods we used are the same but I guess babies are able to relate to my voice more since they have been hearing it from the day they exist in this world.
8). Patience is all it takes
Our free time are all gone, in fact we time our meal, bath and toilet breaks around the Dinos' schedule. Sometimes, we are impatient to get them to sleep after a feed so that we can get a little break in between. But trust me, the more impatient you are, the more they don't cooperate with you. I have since gave up trying to find time for myself.
9). Get use to it not get out of it
A few people me how do I cope with the Dinos' night duties without help of a helper. I seriously cannot answer. I guess I just got used to it instead of wanting to get out of the night duties. Over time, it became a habit to wake up at night. Now I will wake up automatically near their next feeding time since I keep a record of the timings.
This is useful to prevent them from crying out loud for milk since I would have prepared the milk already instead of rushing to prepare it when they cry. Once they stirred, I would start preparing the milk and then carry them for diaper change before the feed.
On days when I'm too tired then I will be awake by their cries which by then I will have to move in lighting speed. Mr Love had the luxury to sleep through the feedings since he had to work. That being said, he would help out if the 2 of them wakes up at the same time which is not often. Also on Friday and Saturday near dawn feed to allow me have a longer sleeping period of 3-4 hours.
As scary as it sounds for twins night feeding duties, it is not impossible once you get the hang of it. But the price paid is you get a most of 2hrs sleep straight if you are lucky. Else 45mins is considered god send. Haha
10). Don't be shy to ask for help
This is especially essential for families with twins.
On some days, we just feel very worn out from taking care of the Dinos and would welcome any form of help.
We are on our own on weekends as my mum only help out during weekdays day time. But she does alot more than looking after the Dinos. She does the bottles washing, laundry of theirs and our clothes and even house work.
Come weekend, these tasks are past back to us on top of looking after Dinos. Being first time parents, we are naturally slower when it comes to taking care of Dinos and therefore spent more time on them. So when any of my brothers visit, it is always welcome since they can help keep an eye on Dinos while I get busy with chores.
And yes, I am not shy when it comes to asking them to help. My elder brother would help rock them to sleep and call out to me if they cry for attention. While my younger brother does alot more by helping to feed, burp the Dinos and making them sleep.
Even if they drop by for a few hours, I would be very grateful for the extra help we get.
9). Get use to it not get out of it
A few people me how do I cope with the Dinos' night duties without help of a helper. I seriously cannot answer. I guess I just got used to it instead of wanting to get out of the night duties. Over time, it became a habit to wake up at night. Now I will wake up automatically near their next feeding time since I keep a record of the timings.
This is useful to prevent them from crying out loud for milk since I would have prepared the milk already instead of rushing to prepare it when they cry. Once they stirred, I would start preparing the milk and then carry them for diaper change before the feed.
On days when I'm too tired then I will be awake by their cries which by then I will have to move in lighting speed. Mr Love had the luxury to sleep through the feedings since he had to work. That being said, he would help out if the 2 of them wakes up at the same time which is not often. Also on Friday and Saturday near dawn feed to allow me have a longer sleeping period of 3-4 hours.
As scary as it sounds for twins night feeding duties, it is not impossible once you get the hang of it. But the price paid is you get a most of 2hrs sleep straight if you are lucky. Else 45mins is considered god send. Haha
10). Don't be shy to ask for help
This is especially essential for families with twins.
On some days, we just feel very worn out from taking care of the Dinos and would welcome any form of help.
We are on our own on weekends as my mum only help out during weekdays day time. But she does alot more than looking after the Dinos. She does the bottles washing, laundry of theirs and our clothes and even house work.
Come weekend, these tasks are past back to us on top of looking after Dinos. Being first time parents, we are naturally slower when it comes to taking care of Dinos and therefore spent more time on them. So when any of my brothers visit, it is always welcome since they can help keep an eye on Dinos while I get busy with chores.
And yes, I am not shy when it comes to asking them to help. My elder brother would help rock them to sleep and call out to me if they cry for attention. While my younger brother does alot more by helping to feed, burp the Dinos and making them sleep.
Even if they drop by for a few hours, I would be very grateful for the extra help we get.
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| My Babies @ 2months |
