Double the blessings, double the love: Our Twins Journey and NICU

by Wendy Waring-Rix

We have twins who were born at 34 weeks and 5 days. They spent 13 days in the NICU and those were the longest and most emotional 13 days of my life. Nothing quite prepares you for that moment when your babies are whisked away to intensive care. It was scary, overwhelming, and not at all how I imagined their first days would be. But if you're reading this while expecting twins, or you're already in the thick of it, I want to share a few things I’ve learnt that might make the journey a little smoother.

Preparing Yourself for the NICU (Just in Case)

While every twin pregnancy is different, many of us end up spending some time in the NICU. It’s okay to hope for the best but also prepare for that possibility.

Here’s what helped me:

1.      Ask questions early. Talk to your gynaecologist, midwife or consultant about what the NICU might look like.

2.      Visit the unit, if possible. Some hospitals offer a tour beforehand, which can ease the shock if your babies do go there.

3.      Pack for the unexpected. Have clothes for yourself, some toiletries, snacks, and chargers, you might be at the hospital longer than expected.

4.      Look after your heart. The NICU is a rollercoaster. Some days are wonderful, others are very hard. Take things one day at a time.

Balancing Life with Twins

Once we were finally home, I quickly realized I couldn’t do it all. Having twins is double the joy, but also double the nappies, feeds, and sleepless nights.

Accept help, even when you feel like you should be managing on your own. I learnt early on to let go of that guilt. Friends want to help. Family members want to help. Let them help with laundry, bring food, hold a baby while you shower. Let your partner take charge. My husband often stepped in as the “second mom,” and that made all the difference.

The Power of Routine

In the chaos of twin life, a routine gave us structure and sanity. It doesn’t have to be rigid, but getting the babies into a loose schedule early on helped everyone sleep better (including me!). We started with feeding both at the same time and putting them down together. Consistency really is key.

Some little tips:

·         Wake one if the other is hungry, feeding them together saves time.

·         Use a log (on paper or your phone) to track feeds and naps,

your tired brain will thank you.

·         Be flexible but try to stick to similar times each day.

Breastfeeding Twins (No Pressure!)

Let’s talk honestly about breastfeeding. It’s wonderful… and it can also be really hard. The pressure to exclusively breastfeed two babies is a lot. I felt it too. If it works for you, that’s brilliant. If not, that’s also okay.

Tandem feeding (feeding both babies at once) is a game-changer once you get the hang of it. It takes practice and a good cushion setup. Football hold on both sides worked best for me.  I also invested in a proper breastfeeding pillow back then which I had to have made but can easily be found online these days.  Also accept the fact you might have supplement with formula and that it is totally fine.  Like I said before, let each day take care of itself and don’t be hard on yourself if you struggle. I always say breastfeeding felt like the most unnatural natural thing I ever did.  As soon as you get used to your babies and they get used to you, and you have a good routine, it will be easier and easier.

Here are a few quick tips:

·         Get support, a lactation consultant can be incredibly helpful.

·         Try tandem feeding once both babies latch well individually.

·         Mix feeding (breast and bottle) is not failing – it’s surviving!

Don’t Forget Yourself

It’s easy to put yourself last when you’ve got two tiny humans relying on you. But self-care isn’t selfish, it’s essential. A hot cup of tea, a walk round the block, five minutes of peace while someone else holds the babies, it all adds up.

I won’t pretend it’s easy. But I will say this: it gets better. It gets easier. One day you’ll look back and realize just how far you’ve come. 

Raising twins is honestly the most fulfilling and rewarding thing I have ever done.

And if no one’s told you lately, you’re doing a brilliant job! Hang in there mama!