Before I had my twins, I didn’t really hear about what postpartum with twins (or multiples – although I can’t speak from experience) would be like. I hired a postpartum doula who had supported another twin mum and that gave me a bit of reassurance.

You hear all the negative comments and sometimes catch glimpses or multiple mamas out in the wild as a well meaning stranger throws a ‘double trouble’ or ‘you have your hands full’ at them.

What about those early weeks and months? Leaving the house with multiples is a logistics game in itself and so many multiple mamas stay home much longer then singleton mamas. This may sound like a positive when it comes to postpartum and in a way it is. But what’s happening behind those close doors at home? How are multiple mamas experiencing postpartum.

I thought I was as prepared as I could be—I was a postpartum doula, after all. But nothing could have fully prepared me for learning two completely different babies at the same time, the sleep deprivation like no other, and the mental load that comes with it.

I thought my first baby was all consuming, I found it near impossible to do anything. twins take that to a whole new level, you really don’t get a chance to come up for air.

If you’re expecting twins or multiples, here’s what I wish someone had told me.

1. They Are Two Different Humans (Not Two Copies of the Same Baby)

Twins, identical or not, are completely unique little humans. This actually surprised me more than it should have. I didn’t realise my boys would be so completely opposite, even though with hindsight their behavour earth side wasn’t too dissimilar to their time inside!

They will likely have different:

• Feeding styles
• Sleep patterns
• Temperaments
• Settling preferences
• Mouth sizes/ latches
• Wake windows and sleep needs

I sort of thought it would just be doubling everything—but it’s not. It’s almost three times the work because you’re learning two different babies at the same time.

I had one colicky, unsettled baby and one not-so-colicky baby. One wanted to be held all the time, one needed a bit more space. Their needs never seemed to line up perfectly, and that’s okay. It’s just a lot and it’s important to be supported while you navigate this period.

For at least the first two weeks (if not longer), your whole life is about getting to know your babies and adapting in realtime.

Be kind to yourself. This is a learning curve like no other.

2. You Will Need More Support Than You Think (And That’s Okay)

Postpartum with twins or multiples is next-level exhausting. It’s physically harder, mentally heavier, and logistically intense. Planning your postpartum is essential so you can organise your support system around you.

Even if you’re used to doing it all yourself, now is the time to let people help.

• Accept meals—let people set up a meal train (and don’t be afraid to ask for specific things).
• Hands-on help is essential – have your village take care of everything around you (washing, tidying etc.) You will find that both you and your partner nearly always ‘have your hands full’
• Let go of the guilt—you’re not failing if you need extra hands, extra food, or extra rest.

If you don’t have a strong local village, look into postpartum doulas, meal delivery services, and professional support.

Find a practitioner familiar with twins and multiples in the Village for Postpartum Directory. We have recently added a twins and multiples category for those practitioners who have worked with multiple families.

3. Your Other Children Will Need Their Own Support System

If you have older kids, they are also going through a huge transition—and they still need you.

For me, my mum was the one who stepped in for my daughter—giving her the emotional support she needed while I was in the trenches with my newborns.

If you can, organise family, friends, or a trusted caregiver to give your older child some extra attention.

• Let them help with the babies in small ways—grabbing a nappy, choosing outfits.
• Remind them they are still your baby too—even five minutes of one-on-one time can make a difference.

Giving your older child a sense of security and attention means you’ll feel less guilt when you’re deep in the newborn haze.

4. Your Physical Recovery Is Twice as Important

When you’re deep in the newborn haze, it’s easy to put yourself last—but your physical recovery matters just as much as your babies’ needs.

If you don’t plan ahead and have a support system in place, your postpartum healing won’t get the attention it needs and deserves.

• You will need extra replenishment—you grew two (or more!) babies. Your body needs deep nourishment to recover.
• You will need extra time to heal—your body stretched twice as far and worked incredibly hard.
• You will likely bleed for longer—this is normal and okay, but it’s important to rest and allow your body to recover.
• You will feel physically stretched, out of balance, and vulnerable—invest in comfortable compression wear or belly binding to support your healing body.
• Your pelvic floor needs time and support—stay horizontal as much as possible in those early weeks, and prioritise postpartum pelvic floor care.

Healing takes time. And when you have two or more babies depending on you, looking after your body is just as essential as looking after them.

5. The Sensory Overload Is Real

This was something I didn’t expect—the pure overstimulation that came with having two newborns.

Some moments, it felt like every nerve in my body was on fire:

• Both babies crying
• Sleep deprivation hitting hard
• Feeling completely touched-out but also unable to put them down

If you feel wired, overwhelmed, and on edge, it’s not just you. Twin postpartum is intense.

What helped me:

• Taking micro-moments of rest—staying in the bath for an extra 2-3 minutes once the twins were out before moving into the bedtime routine.
• Twin carries-helped me settle both babies who wanted to be held at all times.
• Accepting that sometimes one baby will cry while I tend to the other—and letting go of the guilt.

Your nervous system is carrying so much, and it’s okay to take moments for yourself when you can.

6. Lower Your Expectations & Be Kind to Yourself

You are doing more than enough.

The house will be messy. Some days, you’ll forget to do anything for yourself. There will be moments when one baby has to cry while you tend to the other, or all three of you are crying.

• Give yourself grace.
• Drop the guilt.
• The mantra ‘This too Shall Pass’

Those early weeks are intense but try and enjoy as much as you can. It’s a balancing act between desperately hoping for easier times and not wishing the time away.

Although having another child who needed me as well made it extra challenging at times, the experience and wisdom that came from my first helped me through those early months. You know that it changes, it gets easier and you will come up for air. If multiples are your first, know that it will get easier.

Twin postpartum is one of the hardest things you will ever do. But you are not alone, and you are doing an incredible job.

Preparing for Twin Postpartum

Postpartum Planning

The best thing you can do for yourself is put plan in place. You can read my journal ‘How to Plan for Postpartum’ here. I also found that the Fair Play deck are a brilliant tool to see all the household jobs that need to be done and to help delegate them. I’ve written a journal for using them as postpartum planning tool here.

Set up support before birth.

• Gather your village—personal, professional and community
• Stock your freezer—don’t leave this too late in your pregnancy as it can be hard to cook with a twin belly!
• Organise a Meal Train-set up a meal train for 6 weeks. You will need all the nourishment you can get.
• Find professionals who specialise or are familiar with twin/multiple postpartum care—Find your twin support village in the Village for Postpartum Directory.

Don’t buy two of everything.

• Start minimal—wait to meet your babies and see what actually works for them. Just get the basics.
• With Amazon Prime and Marketplace, you can get things the next day if you realise you need something. Your house will already feel full—there’s no need to add extra clutter before you know what’s useful.

If you want to breastfeed, have a plan.

• Get breastfeeding support lined up before birth.
• Learn about tandem feeding—but know that it may take time to master. Try and master each twins latch before attempting to tandem feed.
• Have a feeding plan—but be flexible. Know there are always options. Donor milk is a great addition when trying to establish a twin supply!

Some twins have very different latches and feeding abilities, so be patient with yourself and them.

Want a full checklist of what you actually need for twin postpartum?
Check out my Twin Postpartum Essentials List—included in my Postpartum Essentials Guide, which you can download here.

You’ve got this mama!

Postpartum with twins or multiples is intense, beautiful, exhausting, and unlike anything else.

Be kind to yourself, prepare where you can, and remember—you don’t have to do it alone.