Getting Twin in Their Crib and Potty Training Their Older Brother

My older children were 5 and 3 when my twins were born so I know how tough it is trying to balance the needs of everyone when everyone is still needs so much.

I can't offer much help on the girls since basically it's trial and error to figure out what works but I do have a suggestion on how to get your son to act like a big boy. I use to point out all the times that my 3 yr old could do that the babies couldn't and that made her proud of herself. When I'd pour her cereal I'd made a comment like 'Boy you are so lucky because those babies can't eat cereal. They don't have any teeth. How about you?' and she'd tell me that she was a big girl and could use a spoon. I'd always take the time to point out all the ways she was bigger, stronger, and more talented than the babies.

If the twins fall right back asleep after a few minutes of nursing --Are they really hungry? Also, I'm not sure why your doctor would infer that them being heavier than average means they cry at night because they are hungry? My DD was way lighter than average so I constantly worried whether I should add in night feeding again when she starting nightwaking after 3 months of sleeping thru. My doctor didn't suggest she needed to nurse again at night. Just a thought--I'm not a doctor or anything but maybe you should get a second opinion. I would suggest choosing whatever method you feel comfortable with to get them back to sleep without nursing them and do that consistently over and over night after night. They will stop screaming to nurse for a few minutes of comfort. I'm assuming you do not wish to night-nurse anymore. Not a CIO advocate myself so I would recommend Baby Whisperer or No Cry Sleep Solution book (more breastfeeder friendly). Just remember if you give in and nurse some nights and not others you will confuse them. You are essentially a human slot machine--they don't know when they'll get the jackpot (nursing) so they'll keep screaming because you have intermittently reinforced them for doing so. Good luck! Hope you get some rest!

Focus on the twins-let them cry. Put one baby in your room-leave one in the nursery and the little 3 yr old in his room. You and hubby will have to take the family room for a couple of nights. Once everyone is sleeping through the night-and they will-then focus on 3 yr old and potty training-Dr. Phil may have some insight on this technique. Thicken the twins' meals with a little rice cereal. Give them vitamins. Offer a cup of formula-see if they will drink that and breastfeed them after their meals. Don't feed them to sleep-if they wake up, it's the only way they know how to get back to sleep. They have to learn to self soothe-that way , when they wake up at night-they can figure out how to get back to sleep. This is one of the most difficult things for parents to do-be strong-you can do it-and the results will impact everyone. Think about this-at least you're not putting them behind the wheel of an automobile for the first time-really hard and really scary.

If you are open to the idea of adding formula, you could mix it and poor it into a sippy cup. They are definitely old enough for sippy's, and there is no reason for you to introduce a bottle at this age.

Did I understand you correctly that your son is not yet 3? I know many boys are successfully potty trained by 3, but I didn't even try. I have two boys, and my now 4 1/2 year old was potty trained about 2 months shy of his 4th birthday. For me it was totally worth the wait. Yes, I had to change more diapers (not as many as you!), but I honestly hardly noticed his. I chose a week in the summer so there could be lots outside play and less messes. One day we switched to underwear and never went back. It took 3 days. If you think you could hang in there a little longer, it might be really easy.

Good luck! Twins can't be easy.

I have 15 month old twins. They are my 4th and 5th children. I have to say getting them to sleep at night has been much harder than any of the others. I finally got to the point of exhaustion where I just let them cry. It's really hard to not get up and get them, but you have to for your sanity. One of their doctors suggested giving them a sippy cup of water when they wake. That worked sometimes. It seemed that one cried more than the other. She is still waking some nights. The important thing to remember is that this won't last forever (even though it feels endless). Even if you have to feed at night, it will eventually stop. Do what you have to in order to survive!
Is your 3 year old waking? Most of the time my kids sleep through the crying (even my 13 year old). With the potty training, he will be ready eventually. It can't help that you are tired from not getting good sleep. I had a baby when my son was a little over two and a half. I decided that I wasn't going to potty train with a baby. He potty trained himself at 3. I really think it was because I put no pressure on him. I just waited until he was ready. Just keep telling that he's a big boy and not a baby. Maybe that will help.

Good luck. Remember, it's a short time in your life. It will get better. Do what you have to! It's all about survival!