Oh, man - that brings tears to my eyes, Lindsey! I am SO glad - beyond words!
One suggestion, not having twins but having a crazy life full of kids - a schedule board. Something maybe in dry erase where you can mark off meds or feedings or whatever needs to be done and everyone can pitch in? Watching shows with multiples, I think that's the best idea - just general organization.
Command central is something we always set up when a new baby is coming home - in the primary nursing spot I have:
a spot for water
burp cloths (lots of prefolds)
boppy
diapers
wipes
diaper rash ointment
umbilical care stuff
nursing pads
receiving blankets
extra outfits
pacifiers (if you use them)
I usually keep it all in a basket or in the pack and play. We never use the bassinet feature and mine was half bassinet, half changing table. So I'd set it up in the living room, next to the couch or chair where I'd nurse the baby, and in the bassinet side I'd stock it with all of those things. That way, if I was stuck with a new baby - I didn't have to carry the baby AND those things back to the room. I imagine with two it's particularly important because both hands will be full
I also set up a diapering station on my dresser (which is next to the bed). It has a basket with diapers, wipes, extra nursing bra, extra shirt for me, nursing pads, outfits, and a wipe-off type changing pad. Blowouts were frequent for tiny babies in my house and having low lighting helped them get acclimated to sleeping at night and being awake during the day. Otherwise, the lights are on, there's a ton of activity trying to change outfits and diapers, and they are awake and ready to play at 3AM
OH OH OH - setting up a snack station helps, too. We used a low kitchen drawer where the kids had access to things like fruit leather, cereal bars, etc. It never failed that as soon as I sat down with the baby to nurse, someone needed something. And, on the heels of that - somewhere safe to put the babies down while you're tending to an older sibling. I always seemed to have kids who needed butts wiped when there was a new baby
So, I would set up a safe zone where the little ones couldn't get to the baby and I could go tend to whomever needed help. I also discovered that the bath tubs with the little sling are a great spot to put a newborn while YOU use the bathroom (assuming it's not too close)
I've also locked my bedroom door, put the baby in the bassinet, and then used my master bath which is inside my bedroom. But, we didn't always have that setup
me
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