A common cold can feel anything but common when it’s your baby. And when you have two, taking care of them can be extra challenging. Here are a few tips, just in case you need them.
- Decide whether to isolate the second child. It's not a given that this will work, as the cold virus could have been transmitted before one of the babies showed symptoms [1]. Nevertheless, some parents decide to send one of the babies with daddy to another room to be extra cautious.
- If both children have to remain in the same space, avoid giving the healthy baby toys, bottles, or blankets used by their sick sibling. The virus spreads through surfaces and close contact. Peak contagiousness occurs on the second to fourth day [1].
- Keep in mind that there is no foolproof way to prevent the spread of a cold [2]. It is better to prepare in case the second baby catches it.
- Do not try to synchronize the twins' sleep when one of them is under the weather. Usually, parents try to put them down and pick them up around the same time, but the sick baby needs a little extra attention and rest.
- If you have a helper, try putting the babies in different beds or rooms at night. That way you can nurse and comfort your fussy without waking the other one.
- Switch into survival mode. Soothing the babies, changing diapers, feeding them and yourself, following doctor’s orders, and sleeping any chance you get should be your only worries for the next few days. In all likelihood, everything will pass sooner than later!
