Having triplets in the NICU was a breeze for me. I mean, the nursing team there did all the heavy lifting while I got to catch at least 6 hours of sleep daily. Those three girls were gulping down 10 to 15ml of milk every two hours, even at night. I would help out until around 11 pm, and then I’d retire to my hospital room and sleep like a baby. Cia, Lia, and Nia spent a whole five nights in the NICU.
On their third night there,
the NICU staff popped the question: “Are you ready to have the triplets move into your room?” Now, as their mother, you’d think I’d have a confident response, but let me tell you, I was torn. The logistics of taking care of three tiny humans worried me. I couldn’t help but wonder how I’d handle the night shift when all three decided to wake up at the same time.
So, I turned to my friend, who turned to her friend, who happened to be a veteran of raising triplets a few years back. We put our heads together and devised a plan. Luckily, my hospital room had an extra bed and a sofa bed. We decided to recruit one helper who would sleep on the extra bed. She moved in the night before the triplets were due to arrive.
At NICU, Cia, Lia, and Nia were sleeping in their diapers only as the NICU was heated. To facilitate their transition to my room, I was tasked with taking some clothes and receiving blankets to the NICU. My babies needed proper attire and swaddling, after all. They informed me that the babies would arrive around 10 am, and boy, was I nervous. I paced back and forth in the room for four hours before they finally arrived. Apparently, there were some medical checks that needed to be completed before their discharge from NICU to the general ward.
Around 2 pm,
Cia, Lia, and Nia were wheeled into my room, with three nurses each pushing a cot. They stuck around for another 30 minutes, making sure everything was in order. Before they left, they discovered that I had bought formula milk for babies aged 0-6 months. Yeah, major fail. Apparently, I should have purchased the one for pre-term babies. Oops! I sent one of my friends to the canteen to get the correct one. And thus began the grand adventure of feeding three hungry little beings.
Let’s be real,
motherhood doesn’t start during pregnancy; it starts the moment those babies are born. The day the triplets made the move from the NICU to my room was the day I fully grasped the magnitude of being a mother. And there they were, three cribs occupied by these tiny, fragile creatures. I couldn’t help but wonder if I was truly prepared for this heavy responsibility. How on earth was I going to take care of these little munchkins?
As mentioned earlier, the babies needed to be fed every hour, and they woke up at different times throughout the night. People say that mothers should sleep when the baby sleeps, but how was I supposed to sleep if each one woke up on their own schedule?
Together with the helper,
we braved the storm for four more nights, working around the clock to watch over the babies, feed them, and keep them happy. The nurses paid us a visit every two to three hours, checking their vitals. Some nights they would stroll in just as I was about to take a nap, and of course, they had to switch on the brightest light possible to check on the babies. Thanks for the wake-up call, ladies!
After several sleepless nights of being a 24/7 superhero, I knew I had to reach out for help. I recruited a freelance maternal nurse who would report to my hospital room at 7 am and leave at 7 pm. The moment she walked in, I eagerly handed her the babies, and then me and the helper would take turns catching some much-needed shut-eye. Finally, I could get a solid four hours of sleep whether day or night, and let me tell you, those hours felt like a luxury vacation in dreamland.
Now, let’s talk about the valuable lessons I learned throughout this wild journey.
First and foremost, it became abundantly clear that I did not possess superhuman abilities. I mean, juggling three little ones simultaneously? I decided that I was not gunning for a standing ovation, or a trophy for “Mom of the Year.” I got help from the onset and these helpers continue to be an important part of our lives.
I also learned that laughter truly is the best medicine. When you find yourself knee-deep in dirty diapers, spit-up, and sleep deprivation, maintaining a sense of humor becomes your secret weapon. I quickly became a master of comedic multitasking, cracking jokes while changing diapers and entertaining my little trio with silly faces and funny noises. Trust me, they’re an easy crowd to please.
Furthermore, I discovered the importance of building a support system. From the helper sleeping on the extra bed to the freelance maternal nurse swooping in to save the day, these incredible individuals became my partners in baby care. Together, we formed an unstoppable squad, ready to conquer any challenge that came our way. Who needs the Avengers when you have the Diaper Squad?
Last but not least,
I realized that there is no such thing as perfect parenting. We all make mistakes, like buying the wrong formula or worrying endlessly about every little hiccup. But you know what? It’s okay. Parenthood is an imperfect adventure. As long as you give your love and do your best, you’re doing an amazing job. So, to all the parents out there, whether you have one child, twins, or even triplets, remember to embrace the craziness with a smile. Find the humor in the chaos, gather your support team, and never forget that you are a superhero in your child’s eyes.
