Breastfeeding Twins Series

Planning and Prioritizing

By Melissa Clark Vickers

Now, go back and look at the items you gave a number 1 to. Imagine doing those while caring for not one, but two babies. See how many of those items suddenly become 2s, 3s, or even 4s, 5s and 6s!

Next, take a red pen and dramatically cross off every number 6 on that list. Keep in mind that you are not necessarily crossing them off forever, but just for those early weeks and months while those babies are small and have such a great need for Mama. See how many of those 5s could be 4s or 6s.

Look at your list of 3s. Which ones of those are most important to you? Which ones have the greatest potential for making you feel like you still matter? For now, cross the others off the list.

Look at your 2s and 4s. For each of those items, think about someone who might be more than willing to help you out. Generally, friends and relatives are happy to help you in any way they can once those babies arrive. Often, however, their idea of how to help means taking care of the babies while you do other stuff. If you can give them a concrete list of items that they could do for you, that will help. If a friend or relative can come to stay with you for a week or two, this is especially helpful.

Hopefully, your list of items that YOU are responsible for has shrunk considerably. The major items on this list need to be taking care of your babies – and yourself. And, breastfeeding can be the easiest way to take care of both those priorities. You can lay in bed and nurse your babies, sleep when you can and hopefully be pampered by those around you!

Want to see more?

• Breastfeeding Twins: Planning and Prioritizing
• Breastfeeding Twins: Support and Flexibility
• Breastfeeding Twins: Keeping Track of Who, What and When
• Breastfeeding Twins: Sleep and Supplements
• Talk about it!