Help at home after the baby arrives?

[golux]

I guess I'm asking for a recommendation for a service rather than a product, but this still seems the best place to ask...

My dear friend B is 17 weeks pregnant with twins and I want to look into getting her some help at home for after they arrive.

She has some medical issues which, combined with the fact she's got two babies in there not one, mean that it's pretty likely she'll have the babies rather early. Her family live in a different state (we are in Sydney) and her husbands family live almost an hours drive away (and in any case may not be in the best position to help out around the hosue or with the babies) and she doesn't have an extensive network of people close by. I'm pregnant too, and due a few days after her so I'm likely to be either too big and easily tired or busy with my own new baby to give her the kind of help that I'd like.

After that extensive explanation, what I'm looking for seems to be what I've heard about on U.S. pregnancy and parenting boards as a post-birth (or post-partum) doula. Someone who will come in and might do some preperation for dinner, put the washing on/out, keep an eye on the babies while she has a shower or a nap, maybe vacuum or give the bathroom a quick clean and offer B and her husband encouragement and support - exactly what I hope my mum will do for me I guess.

Has anyone heard of that kind of service in Sydney? Maybe you have better ideas about what is going to be useful for her? I'd love to hear your stories and suggestions regarding post-partum help including referals if anyone has any!

[Lunar]

I don't know of anything to what you have described, but I'm sure she can hire a cleaning service that does all the domestic things, but as for someone to watch the babies, I don't have any suggestions there. But I'm sure someone who does will reply any moment.
Good luck.

[aardvark]

I'd just call a domestic agency. They should have someone on their books for that sort of role.

[Ky]

I have friends who saved $10 a week during pregnancy and then hired a cleaning service for the first few weeks after birth so that Mum could rest and attend to bub without worrying. I will be doing the same for my next as having two older ones in the house will be tiring.

Just ring around and then start saving/ask he family if they would like to contribute. This has to be better than recieving a million fluffy toys for bub!

[Chickadee]

The Red Cross provides carers to help out to mums of twins and multiples. They don't do cleaning (I think) but will help with the baby care. This may vary from state to state, I know it's in WA. She'll need to contact them early to book it.

She could also try contacting her local council and the hospital she is booked into.

[lucyp]

Hi there is a wonderful program called "Good Beginnings" My friend with twins had her volunteer once a week from the time they came home and the volunteer has only now ( kids are 2 years old) moved on!! I

It is a free, self referral program - but I think people expecting twins or in extenuating circumstances ( my friends DH also had left her 3 weeks before the bubs were born) are given priority. Basically you are assigned a volunteer ( who you meet etc ) and they come over to your house for a few hours a day to help you look after the kids . They generally dont clean or cook - but look after your bubs while you do those things and also help you with your new parenting skills or go to doctors appointments with you or the supermarket etc......

Give them a call - it may be just what you are looking for till you find some home/house help..

Their site is http://www.goodbeginnings.net.au/main.php

Best of luck to you and your friend!

[golux]

Thank you all so much for the suggestions!

Are there any mums of twins (or higher needs single babies) here who could comment on whether it would be better getting her help with the housework or help with the babies? It seems kinda hard to get both (but I'll DEFINITELY be looking into the red cross/good beginnings options!).

[Chickadee]

There is a forum section for parents of multiple births to help each other out with problems specific to managing twins, triplets, etc. If you post your question there you might get some more suggestions and ideas.

Here's a link: Parents of Multiple Births (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=81)

[andrewsmum]

Wow, twins!! Gee, a feat in itself!!

The Multiple Birth Association offers extensive advice and assistance for mums with twins or triplets. The website is www.amba.org.au.

I don't know if they offer these cleaning services, however, if your friend can save a few dollars now, she can have a cleaner come weekly in the early months.

i think it's sad that none of her family live close by, it would make a huge difference. That said, can she have her mother (or MIL) stay with her for the first month when the twins come home? The mother can help with the cooking, cleaning etc, until your friend has established some form of routine so she can cope on her own?

[cobysmummy]

the best gift i had was a nappy service for the first 6 weeks... it saved me on an extra load of washing a day.. plus drying and folding time... as for the cleaning and looking after bubs... everyone else has given you suggestions... which are worth a try

congrats to you and your friend... hope the pregnancy progresses well...:D