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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I will be going back to work soon and have agreed to do a nanny share with another family that also has an infant (the kids will be 3 months and 5 months at the time).  I feel like I have my hands full with one and was wondering how nannies manage to feed and care for two very young kids that both need a lot of attention.  Can you talk about the mechanics of handling two kids?  Is it better to try for naps at the same time, or staggered naps so one can be fed while the other sleeps, etc?[/quote]
OP, a professional nanny has skills to put the kids on the same schedule and minimize the chaos.  It works best if the kids are close in age so their needs are similar.

We had a shared nanny four years ago when my son was an infant.  It worked out great.  I had a key to the house and could come at will.  I never encountered any screaming or chaos; in fact, the nanny probably seemed more composed with two of them than I was with just one.  You'll need a double stroller, though!

Infants don't play with each other, obviously, but they do watch each other and serve as additional distraction/entertainment for each other. They can share toys. They can share the nanny's attention when she reads or sings.  She can play with both at the same time; I've watched it done enough times.

One final thought is that you should know babies act different with different caregivers so chances are, if your nanny is professional, your baby will follow her lead easily and cheerfully.  My DS, for instance, required prolonged nursing sessions from me to nap, but for the nanny, he just lay down and went to sleep!

Short version: pick an experienced nanny and relax.[/quote]

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