First Month Survival Plan

#1, Perspective. “It could be worse,” I would tell myself, especially as I thought of my friend with triplets. At least I have two arms, one for each baby, and I can hold both of them at the same time.

#2, Gratitude. An attitude of gratitude went such a long way. I was thankful for every little thing, because in the beginning I needed help with everything!

1st month: (written before the babies were born, and distributed to my helpers (my husband and my aunt)

Feed babies together at the same schedule (on demand until we can get them on a schedule). Will need help in burping.

When we change one baby’s diaper change the other, so we don’t forget to do it later.

If you use the last of something (diaper, wipes, etc.) restock immediately. We don’t want to be caught off guard when there is a blow out and nothing to clean it up with.

We will have diaper changing stations in the Family Room in a basket by couch and then up in the nursery. Very helpful to not have to climb the stairs for every diaper change. Put a basket a diapers and wipes any where you may need them.

We will also keep track of each baby on a clip board, when I devise a chart. Each baby will have it’s own color (blue or green) OR his own half of a log on the page. We will track wet diapers (to make sure the babies are eating enough, soiled diapers, any illness symptoms, milestones (cord coming off, smiling, etc).

2nd month:

We will stick to a schedule and keep the babies on it as much as possible. We will plan on a 3 hour feeding schedule. In order to help them sleep through the night by two months we need to keep to the schedule.

FEED: 3 hour schedule. 3 am, 6 am, 9 am, 12 am, 3 pm, 6 pm, 9 pm, 12 pm. The schedule is 3 hours from the start of the last feeding.

DIAPER: Change diapers after the feeding.

WAKETIME: Play, sing, take a walk, give a bath, etc

NAP TIME: Use the 5 S’s (see below), and help them calm down, but put them down awake so they learn to fall asleep on their own. Wake them up when it is time for the next feeding, no sleeping in. We need them to get used to the schedule. It is key to our sanity as care takers. Also to get the babies used to daytime, noise is allowed while they are napping, and we can leave the blinds open so they have the light.

FEED: We need to wake them up for feeding. Here are some suggestions. Pick him up and pat his back, shange his diaper, strip off his clothes, rub under his chin, or tickle his toes. If that doesn’t work he is in a deep sleep. Wait 15 minutes to give him time to cycle out of to light sleep and try some of the same techniques again.

To enhance nighttime sleep. Establish a nightly transition time. Make sure they are well burped, have new diapers and are very comfortable. Keep only a nightlight on, and keep the house quiet. During nighttime feedings, there is no talking or singing and the lights will be kept low. (Newborn stomachs only hold enough to satisfy for 3 or 4 hours). Keep nighttime very boring.