Twins by Numbers- Newborns

How do you burp 2 babies? Notice Charlotte's arm next to me...

# of Diapers Changed Per Day

16-20 (that's 112-140 per week and 496-620 per month baby) That's not even counting Charlotte's 5 a day!

# of Hours Spent Feeding Per Day- and night

5-7 (35-49 hours per week just feeding them is a full time job- I think I need a pay raise.)

The first two weeks it took an hour to an hour and a half to finish a "feeding" session (that's 8-12 hours a day). They were both nursing separately then they both had to have a bottle after to make sure they were getting enough (hospital's orders). Abigail especially took forever with a bottle, then 2 diaper changes each mixed in there, and then I would have to pump so I could give them a bottle next time. It.was. exhausting. I was so glad my mom and Matt were there.

Now they are both nursing at the same time and we don't have to do any supplemental bottles. Hallelujah! Some feeding sessions are only 30-40 minutes! They are both great at it. I don't know if it's just the fact that I've done it before or if they are better, but nursing is so much easier this time around. I was so proud of myself, and the twins, for learning to nurse at the same time so soon. It makes a huge difference and it's the sweetest thing.

# of Hours Spent Sleeping

Twins- most days they sleep about 18 hours a day I would guess- maybe more.

It's a lot. I'm enjoying it while it lasts.

Me- I've been getting 6-7 hours most days. Pretty good.

Broken up of course. Here's the trick- since they both had to take bottles from the beginning Matt (who is a night owl anyway) stays up and does the 10 or 11 feeding and I go to bed and get a good stretch of sleep. This works much better for us than trying to have him get up in the middle of the night. I'm so glad he's willing to do the late night feeding!

They've been really great about going back to sleep between feedings and I usually get a short nap during Charlotte's nap time as well. This means I'm getting nothing else done but at least I'm fairly well rested. When the twins stop sleeping all the time this will get harder I'm sure. I don't feel too sleep deprived yet but it gets worse the longer you get up 2-3 times at night. Ask me again in a month or two. My doctor wants me make sure they're eating every 3 hours until they hit the 7lbs mark even if it means waking them up. So be grateful all of you that have big babies and don't have to worry about this as much. By the time Abby hits 7lbs they'll be well trained to wake up every 3 hours- lucky me!

# of Time Outs for Charlotte per day

2-3 Her new phrase is "No, don't." I wonder where she's heard that? Poor kid- I feel so bad what a drastic change this has been for her. It's so hard when you're nursing all day to give them the attention and discipline that they need. I'm looking forward to getting into a better routine. This has been the hardest part. She LOVES the babies but it's still hard to learn to entertain herself for most of the day when she's not even 2 yet.

# of Kisses they get Each Day

I can't count that high... Man do I love these babies! I really am enjoying the newborn stage with these two. It's so much easier not to stress this time around- I know it doesn't last very long. They are so very tiny and so very sweet. I love to stroke their super soft skin and smell that sweet newborn smell and hold them while they sleep.

***More pictures courtesy of Cortney Talbott Photography coming soon