Welcoming a new baby into your family comes with its own set of challenges and joys—but welcoming two? Life with twin newborns can feel like an entirely different world. Double the feedings, double the diaper changes, and double the cuddles. While twins bring so much love and excitement, caring for two newborns at once can also be exhausting and overwhelming. The good news? You don’t have to navigate this season alone. Postpartum doula support for twins is one of the best ways to ease your transition, offering hands-on help, expert guidance, and much-needed rest. Whether you’ve heard of a night nanny, night nurse, or postpartum doula, these professionals are true lifesavers during those early weeks.
Whether you’re expecting twins or recently brought your babies home, here’s what to expect—and how postpartum doula support for twins can make all the difference.
The Reality of Life with Twin Newborns
Before your twins arrive, you might hear a lot of jokes about “never sleeping again” or needing “an extra set of hands.” While those comments might be lighthearted, they aren’t entirely wrong. Caring for two babies at once comes with unique demands, and it’s helpful to prepare yourself mentally and physically for the realities ahead.
Here are a few things you can expect during the newborn stage with twins:
1. Frequent Feeding Schedules
Whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or a combination of both, feeding two newborns is no small task. Tandem feeding (feeding both babies at the same time) can be a game-changer, but it takes practice. Many twin parents find themselves feeding around the clock, and coordinating those feeds can feel like a full-time job. Having the guidance of a night nurse or postpartum doula can make these long nights much smoother.
2. Double the Diaper Changes
Newborns go through a lot of diapers—now multiply that by two. Having a well-stocked changing station (or two) and systems in place can help make diaper changes more manageable. This is where postpartum doula support for twins can shine, helping you create efficient routines and even tackling some of the diaper changes for you.
3. Sleepless Nights
All newborns wake frequently in the night, but with twins, you’re often managing two different sleep needs at once. This is one of the main reasons families of multiples often look for a night nanny or night nurse. Overnight postpartum doulas can handle the feeds and soothing, allowing parents to get much-needed rest.
4. Physical and Emotional Recovery
For birthing parents, recovering from pregnancy and delivery (whether vaginal or cesarean) is a big task on its own. Adding the physical demands of caring for twins means you’ll need extra support to protect your healing time and mental health. This is exactly where postpartum doula support for twins makes a world of difference.
How a Postpartum Doula Can Support Families with Twins
Postpartum doulas provide hands-on, practical, and emotional support after birth—and they are especially valuable for families with multiples. Here’s how they can help:
1. Feeding Support
Tandem feeding, bottle prep, paced bottle feeding, and tracking each baby’s intake can be overwhelming. A postpartum doula helps you establish a feeding routine that works for your family, offers guidance on positioning, and ensures you feel supported with whatever feeding method you choose. Many families find that having a night nurse or night nanny makes nighttime feeds far less stressful.
2. Rest and Recovery
Sleep deprivation hits hard with twins. Doulas can step in to care for the babies while you nap, shower, or simply take a breather. Overnight support from a night nanny or night nurse is a game-changer for parents who desperately need a full stretch of sleep.
3. Practical Household Help
Need laundry folded? Bottles washed? Snacks prepped? Your doula can take on light household tasks so you can focus on resting and bonding with your babies. This is a huge part of postpartum doula support for twins, helping you stay organized and on top of your day-to-day needs.
4. Emotional Support
Having twins can be isolating and emotionally draining. Your postpartum doula is a compassionate, non-judgmental presence who listens, encourages, and helps you feel grounded through the ups and downs.
5. Creating Sustainable Systems
From helping you set up efficient changing stations to figuring out how to babywear two infants, doulas are problem-solvers who work alongside you to create rhythms and routines that make daily life smoother. Postpartum doula support for twins is all about setting you up for long-term success, even after your doula’s time with you ends.
You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
Raising twins is incredible, but it’s also incredibly hard. The early weeks are full of adjustment and learning as you get to know your babies and find your rhythm. With the support of a postpartum doula, night nanny, or night nurse, you don’t have to figure it out all on your own.
If you’re preparing for twins or already deep in the newborn stage, consider reaching out to our postpartum doulas at Doulas of Utah, all of whom are very experienced with multiples. Postpartum doula support for twins can ease the transition and help you truly enjoy this special (and busy!) season.
