How to Deal with Fussy Twin Babies

No matter what the reason for high need behavior is, you still have to cope with any fussy baby. The following ideas may help you and your babies survive fussy times.

1. Hold and cuddle your babies. Skin contact often calms a fussy baby. Try kangaroo care for awhile. Take off your shirt and the babies' shirts, and put one or both of them directly against your chest. You then can place a shirt or a sheet over all of you. Offer to breastfeed. Although cuddling or breastfeeding may not always relieve the babies' discomfort, your actions are at least letting them know you are there for them and you care.

2. Dance with a baby. Think waltz. Soft classical or new age music usually is the most soothing.

3. Place a fussing twin in a baby carrier or sling. Buy or borrow carriers that may be worn front or back so you'll have more options. It is usually easier to carry a baby in front when meeting only that baby's needs. Although it may help to carry a baby on your back when another twin needs cuddling or a breastfeeding at the same time, you at least will have a free arm to hold a twin when one is in a front carrier. A sling is worn to the side of one hip, which allows you to carry one baby in the sling and hold or feed another on the opposite side. Some mothers have carriers and bodies that allow them to carry one in the front and one in back, or both in front, or crisscross slings to carry a baby on each hip.

4. When both twins are distressed at once, head for a rocking chair. Keep one on every level of your home, and store a folding lawn rocker in the car. Rhythmic rocking generally calms a fussy mother as well as her fussy babies.

5. Go for a walk with the babies. You can wear a fussy baby in a carrier or sling while outside. Dress everyone appropriately and enjoy the fresh air whenever possible. Drive to an enclosed mall and then walk the halls during inclement weather. Keep a book, paperwork, sewing, etc. in the car, because the movement of the car may rock the babies to sleep as you drive. If so and when weather allows, you may as well stay in the car and let the babies snooze while you take advantage of the peace and quiet.

6. Perform colic massage on any high need twin during diaper changes. However, massage may help more if performed at times other than during a baby's actual crying bouts. A massage usually takes about five minutes, but feel free to enjoy this one-on-one contact for longer periods if another baby isn't calling you.

7. Carrying both crying twin is dangerous because you have no way to break a fall, so you or the babies could easily be injured if you slip or trip. Carrying two while walking up or down stairs is particularly hazardous. Avoid such situations as much as possible. However, if there are times when you find you must carry two babies, below are some important reminders:

a. Walk slowly.

b. Be constantly alert for objects on the floor or spots in carpet or flooring that could cause you to trip. Sit or put a baby down as soon as possible.

c. Never let others hold two babies at once. You've probably noticed that your babies practically mold to your body. Because each is often in your arms, you are adapting constantly to minute changes in their weights and each baby's ability to balance her body. Unless another person, for example, your husband, is helping you with the babies daily, it is extremely dangerous to allow anyone else to carry two babies at once.

8. Bathe in a tub with one baby at a time. The warm water usually relaxes everyone. Do not step in or out of a tub with a baby in your arms because of the potential for slipping. Instead, have someone give a baby to you after you are sitting. Once seated, mothers can reach for a baby who was lying on a towel on the floor or in an infant seat next to the tub.

9. A few babies can become over-stimulated with constant handling and their business continues until they are put down. This baby's crying literally winds down once she is put down. If you put a baby down and crying persists with no noticeable winding down within several minutes, it is unlikely that the baby's crying is a result of handling. In fact, the baby may be in need of your arms again.