I have a whole new respect for mothers now that I am a new mother myself! The boys are 7 weeks old today, and doing very well. But, these have been the hardest 7 weeks of my life! The biggest challenge for me is definitely the lack of a good chunk of sleep. I am probably getting at least 5-6 hours a day (I think..) but I haven't gotten more than about 2 hours at a time (usually closer to 1) since the boys have been born. It is the most frustrating to me in the middle of the night after I've nursed the boys until they fall asleep (sometimes up to an hour), changed their diaper, and burped them.. and they are still fussy. (This happened several times last night.. I am exhausted. I'm not sure if they are getting sick, going through a growth spurt or just being fussy). It made me think.. I hope I am strong enough for raising these twins!!
Now it's 2:15pm and the boys are both sleeping (simultaneously) for the first time today. They have really kept me busy! I have heard the first 3 months is the hardest. Is this true? I know there are many, many more challenges to come in this journey of motherhood, but does getting sleep make everything seem easier? And does anyone have any tips for getting them to sleep longer at night.. or is that something I just need to wait for?
So.. we have had a challenging past few days, but they are both sleeping now. Sleeping babies are good. Here's to more of that :)
4 weeks ago
5 comments:
First of all, let me say that, yes...you are strong enough for this! God made you for this. It is a high calling, but he will equip you and give you the strength you need to take care of your sweet boys.
I cannot imagine having to go through the newborn period with 2 babies! It's hard enough with 1! The first night that you get about 4 hours of straight sleep you are going to feel like a new woman! Trust me...it will come soon. You are right. Not getting enough sleep does put a little bit of a damper on the excitement of having a new baby (or 2!), and no one can really prepare you for what it feels like to be so sleep deprived. Everyone told you it would come, but you just can't imagine it until you're going through it.
As for their fussiness...it is normal for them to start acting more opinionated around 6 weeks or so. From everything that I've heard and read, this can last for several months. If they are worse in the evening they may be colicky. But, on the brighter side, they will probably start sleeping longer at night soon, too, hopefully giving you the rest you need to be able to withstand their crankiness ;) And, yes. They might be going through a growth spurt if they are wanting to eat a lot more. That's good though because the bigger they get, the longer they should sleep!
As for getting them to sleep longer at night...are you letting them cry for a few minutes before you jump out of bed to feed them? They might go back to sleep if you give them 5 minutes or so. It seems like an eternity, but it's worth a shot.
You are doing a great job, Krystal! Don't feel like you are the first to be exasperated. You are not alone! Just remember that everything is a phase...it won't last forever.
Thanks for the thoughts & tips Tricia. The boys have been doing better the last 2 nights & slept better after feeds. They have been congested so I don't know if that may have caused extra fussiness, It is worse in the evening so maybe a little colic too, lol. I do let them cry for a few minutes before I feed them at night, but so far they haven't calmed down without nursing. So I am waiting until they get a litte bigger :)
Just like the first commenter said, you will start to feel like a new person when you're getting bigger chunks of consecutive sleep. 5-6 hours of sleep doesn't really count for much when it's all broken up throughout the night.
Yes, the first 3 months is the hardest...you're still adjusting, they're adjusting and everything is still so new.
Your most recent post said they're going about 5 hours now between feeding at night, which is wonderful. Is your husband able to do the 12:45 am feeding, while you sleep and then you get up for the 4:00 am feeding? My hubby and I would either switch off or we'd both get up with one baby at the same time and it made the feedings go so much faster that way, unless you're simultaneiously nursing.
And I know everyone says to try to catch up on sleep when they're napping during the day but I could never seem to do that....I was always afraid they'd wake up right as I was dozing off, making me even more cranky! But I would use that time to just turn everything off and enjoy the silence. Just sitting on the sofa with a magazine and a cup of tea was enough to rejuvenate me for the next go-round!
Being a mom of twins (newborn twins, at that) is challenging but you're doing well!
Gods speak through your kindness never feel tired is impossable so meds is always needed .use wisely be blessed.abuse get tested more.but control is very essental to life so be you keep learning and never stop loving those who in need.Finding the answer seems difficult only if your ready to give up.
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