I Am Having Twins

Congrats! I have 20 month old boy girl twins. The best advise I can give is ask for help. Do not try to do everything alone. I had a breakdown when mine were 6 months old because I tried to go back to work full time when they were 3 months old and still do all the house work, cooking, etc. I also have two older children in activities and my husband is a truck driver on the road alot. I just had to learn to ask for help. They are now alot of fun and alot less stress. If you are not going to nurse, I would recomend Sam's Club formula. It is cheap and good. Also, try to sleep as much as you can when they do. I was tired for the first 15 months. Good luck

Congrats K.,
I have 18 month old twin girls. There is so much to tell you. First I hope that you have a lot of help. It's a lot of work the first few weeks with night time feedings and all the diapers and everything. Frezzing dinners would be a good idea so when you come home you can just pop something in the oven and not have to worry about cooking. You will need more diaprs then you think! And if you are going to pump, I suggest start pumping and storing before they are due. We didn't breast feed or pump, we used formula, and that's another thing, you will need a lot of formula as well. But here's a hint. Sam's Club is a good thing to join or have a close friend that is willing to take you. They have good prices on a box of diapers as well as formula. We also learned after our twins were born that the Sam's Club formula they sell Member Market or something like that is the samething as Enfomil. It just has more or less water in it, but is way cheaper. If you even have any questions or need some advice just shoot me an email. Always willing to help out another mother of twins. I just hope you have lots of help, we really didn't and it made things a lot harder then it really had to be. Good Luck.
S.

Congratulations!

My twins will be 5 in may (boy/girl) and it has heen the craziest ride! I had complications from day one. My son wasn't getting adequate blood flow due to the placement of his placenta and at 8 weeks he was already a week behind my daughter. This, in some respects, may have been a Godsend.

I lived in a VERY remote area and was put on bedrest at 22 weeks (my son fell behind another week) and 6 weeks later, I was in the hospital - lost another week. I delivered 6 weeks early by c-section and my daughter weighed 5lbs 3oz while my son was only 2lbs 13oz. And they are both perfectly healthy.

The Godsend (sort of) was that for the first 4 weeks of their lives I had help around the clock. The nurses in the NICU were on pretty strict schedules; consequently so were my babies. By the time I got them home they wanted to eat and sleep within 1/2 hour of eachother. There were a lot of noises in the hospital so they learned to sleep through just about anything and still do! And, as soon as they were able to be removed from all the monitors, they were put in a crib together.

So, my reccomendations just pretty much reinforce what others have already said:
1. Welcome ALL the help you can get.
2. Get them on a schedule right away.
3. No "Shhh, baby's sleeping" - or you'll never get anything done.
4. Let them have as much time in one crib together that you can.
5. Don't expect them to be anything alike!
6. Enjoy every moment - it passes too quickly ... I sure miss setting them down knowing that when I come back in the room they will be in the same spot I left them!

Best of luck!

Lucky! I would love to have twins. That is great! Only have to go through one pregnancy and you get two for the price of one! I am expecting next summer too but we will see if it is twins or not.

Dear K.,

Congratulations! I love having twins. Mine are 11 months and while it has been challenging the joys and daily excitement far outweigh any negatives. My best advice for getting through the first few months is twofold.

If you intend to breastfeed (by all means do if you want to! It is very possible to breastfeed twins. We are on 11 months of breastfeeding and still going strong) buy yourself a breastfeeding pillow specifically designed for twins. I reccommend the E-Z 2 nurse breastfeeding pillow. It can be purchased at http://www.doubleblessings.com This pillow is the ONE thing that I have used the most and still continue to use. It is invaluable! It is also helpful for bottlefeeding and can be used by spouses and other care-takers to feed the babies at the same time. It is a tremendous time saver!

Also, before the babies arrive try to get yourself as organized as possible. I mean REALLY organized. Anything you can get done now will be a big help down the line. Organize your changing table so that everything you need is absolutely at hand and easy to reach even in a blind exhausted stupor at 3 am. Same with closets, drawers, etc. Put together medical files for each baby to keep all of your medical records and bills straight. This may sound preachy but honestly once the sweeties arrive it is tough to get anything done except feeding, burping, diapering...repeat. for the first few weeks. Once a routine is established things do ease up. I heartily reccommend a routine for yourself and the babies. I know that some say that regimentation is tough on an infant, so consider a "flexible regimentation" Anticipate feeding times, nap times, diapering times...etc as much as possible and when one baby wants to eat feed the other, same with sleep. Really try to get them on the same schedule as much as possible. Down the line when grandparents go home and spouses go to work, or you go to work, a schedule will really help you out.

I have to say that those are the things that have helped me the most. The pillow, and being organized. Also being calm and listening to my intuition about what is right for my babies and myself. You will find your own stride and develop what is right for you and yours. Now that my babies are 11 months they play together, nap together, eat together and altogether are thriving happy little ones. I can't believe how fast it has gone by and I actually miss the times when they were just tiny and needed little but a full tummy, a warm swaddling, and a cuddle from a loved one. Having twins is incredibly special and my life is better for it.

So, I apologize for the windy letter but as you can tell this is a subject I am passionate about. Good luck, and Congrats again!

C.

PS you may consider trying to find a chapter of MOMC (the Mothers of Multiples Club) I joined up in my hometown and it has been a wonderful place to get good advice and support from women who really know what you are going through. ~C

Congratulations! I didn't have twins but my friend did. She joined a Grand rapids club called Mother's with Multiples. They really helped her with questions she had when she was pregnant as well support after. They have play groups, meetings, and it sounded like a really neat club. Their web site is http://www.grmotc.org/ if you want to check it out.

I have a set of boy girl twins they are 4 now. In the beginning it is tough. But it gets better as they get older. Put them both on the same eating an sleeping schedule. Rest when they rest. Let them sleep together when they first come home. when you notice a difference in there sleeping habits thats when you switch them. Good Luck You will do just fine.

K., Congratulations on the upcoming birth of your twins!! Do you know the gender of the babies? I am the mother of twin girls who will be three in February. It is very exciting, but I also remember feeling very overwhelmed. (I am not saying this to discourage you but just so you know that it is completely normal to feel that way if you are). Are these your first children? The best piece of advice I can give you for the rest of your pregnancy is rest and take care of yourself as much as you can. If you have people who have offered to help you with things - take the help! The exact samething can be said for after the birth. Let people help you if they offer. I know in many other states there are groups called Mothers of Multiples. I think we may need to start one in Cheyenne because I know of at least 5 other moms who have twins.

I have six year old boy/girl twins. They are my greatest joy! The first 6 months is by far the most challenging. The first year can even be difficult as you try to figure out this new life you have created for yourself. There are things that make it easier though...My advice to you (at least for the first 6 months)would be: Take people up on their offers to help. Get sleep whenever you can even if it is 15 min in the middle of the day. Get the babies on a schedule as soon as you can and keep them on it. When one wakes up, wake the other. When one feeds, feed the other, etc. Forget about getting things done, other than taking care of your babies. Get out of the house as often as you can because you will feel very isolated and lonely if you don't. Get your husband involved from the very start: changing diapers, feeding bottles, giving baths, or just holding a baby.
I believe that twins are very special and they have a very unique bond with one another. I nurtured and encouraged this bond. We slept them in the same crib for months where they could soothe each other. Then they shared a room until they were 5 years old. They had always been in the same preschool class and currently are in the same kindergarten class. This has worked out wonderfully for them. They are the best of friends but yet have their own unique personalities and interests. They are never bored at home because they always have a playmate and really play nicely together.
You are so lucky to be expecting twins! ALthough the start will be more challenging, the rewards far outweigh the difficulties. Try and enjoy each stage, take lots of pictures of them together, and nurture that twin bond. They will have one another forever. Enjoy and good luck!

Hi K.,
First of all congrats!! Twins are double the fun and double trouble at times but this is an experience I wouldn't trade for anyhting. Hope all goes well with the pregnacy. You will get advise from everyone but the best advise I recieved was schedule, schedule and schedule. It sounds silly but it makes everything go smoothly-well as smooth as it gets with twins. If one gets up to eat feed that one and wake the other up to feed as well. Otherwise you'll be up all the time and get no sleep. My twins would have to have their diapers changed at the same time which was great. If you are having identical twins then always put one twin in the same color or clothes everytime that way you don't get them confused(more the twins dad). Be prepared for everyone to stop and want to talk with you at the stores, they will sometimes say the stupidest things and sometimes argue with you about the twins. My last piece of advise is please seperate the twins when they go to elementary school. They need their own identies and learn to work alone and not as a team. Also, check into preschools attached to school districts as sometimes their tution is free.(Millard preschools are like this).
Best wishes and enjoy your twins.

Hi K....good luck with your pregnancy!! I should be able to offer more advice soon. I'm pregnant with twins also...I'm due to have them in about 3 weeks! One place that has helped me to get a lot of good advice about my pregnancy, and hopefully answer questions once they are here, is twinstuff.com. They have a great message board with some very helpful, insightful Moms of twins!!

I am a twin, my sis and I ran my mom raged.
The best advice I have is if one wakes up at night to eat, wake the other and feed that one too.
You will have it a little easier than a mom with just one kid, in the play dept. you won't have to constantly entertain them, they can play together.
Please remember they are two diff people, and they should be treated that way. Treat them as though they are just bro's and sis's, not as "the twins"
Good luck. And try to research online about programs for multiples, you can get free diapers, formula, food ect.

Hi, No twins here personally but I have worked with several moms with twins. I have a wonderful book to suggest. The title is MOTHERING MULTIPLES. Many of the mothers I have supported have found it extremely helpful.

L.

A piece of advice given to me was to always sit down when I held one of the twins. Babies love to be walked around, but if you never let them learn what that's like and always sit down, you don't walk yourself into the floor. Good Luck!!

Hi, K..
I have 8 month old twin girls. The ride has been amazing with definite challenges at times. The two pieces of advice I can give you is 1) to accept help when it's offered and don't be afraid to ask for help, and 2) only try to do one thing each day- whether it's check your email, unload the dishwasher, fold the laundry, etc. If you think you are going to get a few things done, it can become frustrating. Plus, if you can get more than one thing done, you'll feel great! :) At least for the first 6 months. It does get easier as the twins get older. It's so amazing to watch as your twins giggle at each other at such an early age.

Are you having boys, girls, one of each?
One other tip is to get 2 Boppy pillows- it will make feeding time easier when you are by yourself.
Would be happy to answer any other questions.

R. E.

Congrats K.! I've got two month old twin boys and life is just starting to get out of survival mode. My advice for you is much like everyone else's. Get LOTS of help for the first few weeks; you need sleep. I had help, but didn't take full advantage of it and the lack of sleep made this crazy hard for me. Despite what some say about "two for the price of one" this pregnancy will require your body to need good recovery once it's through. It may feel like an easy pregnancy, but your body will still need more time to recover. So get lots of help so you can rest. Better rested=better mommy. Next, take advantage of coupons and such that baby companies will send to moms of multiples. Just do an internet search for free stuff for twins and you'll get lots of info on that. You'll hear lots about getting twins on the same schedule. It won't be easy (they are two different people), but it will be worth it. Just keep at it, my two are just beginning to be on the same schedule in the afternoons only, but it makes all the difference.
You'll get lots of comments about you and twins from family, friends, and complete strangers once your stomach gets bigger. Just remember that they're probably just ignorant of how life is being pregnant with and mothering twins. Laugh off the weird comments and brush off the stupid ones. You're a lucky gal and everything will work out fine.

I have six year old twins, a boy and a girl. What a wonderful experience! Your number one priority will be working hard to get them on the same schedule as far as eating and sleeping at night. If you work hard at this (I used Babywise) they will start sleeping through the night (10-12 hrs.!) every night and you will enjoy them so much more. Congratulations! You will love it if you can make it through the first four months! Be disciplined and wake them up to feed at the same time. If you don't have a helper to feed at night wake them up one after the other or when they are tiny they love to be "stacked", i.e., one head on the other's tummy while you feed them both. Good luck!

I'm not sure where you live but Kalamazoo has a multiples club, too. It's called the Greater Kzoo mothers of multiples. ( gkmom.org ) My b/g twins just turned one this weekend. I have made some good friends in club. They are a great resource during (and after) pregnancy. With over 70 active members there is someone who will have had similar issues that you might have. I was very fortunate to have an uncomplicated pregnancy and carried the babies for 38.5 weeks. But everyone has a different story and would be willing to share or give advice. You could even get a mother to mentor you if you so desire. Good luck, let the adventure begin.