Mom's or Mom's to be of Twins with Older Children

cbaummer2be

Hi Ladies,

 

I am new to the multiples world. I found out this week that I am expecting twins. I kind of had a feeling since twins run in the family and I am 35. This pregnancy thus far has been a lot more challenging then my first two singleton pregnancies but that's another story.

My question if for mom's who have 3 or more children. I have a 3 year old and an almost 2 year old. Is there any advice that you have for me once these babies arrive? What tricks have you learned to make life easier. Any advice to help my older two with the adjustment. How did you stay sane?

Thanks. 

Purple_Butterflies

I don't have any advise for you as my DS is 18 but I just wanted to say...Congrats and welcome!!

Temp159135562506975

welcome and congrats!

Griffin was 2y2mo when the twins were born.  There really isn't much specific to having twins that is different than having one baby with an older sibling- and you have already gone through that.

Just make sure the other kids get tons of attention... try to keep their routine the same (we kept Griffin in daycare during my maternity leave - that helped a LOT... if your kids are not in daycare/preschool, perhaps you can get them into a program a couple days a week?... and I'd start while pg so it's not a big change when the babies are born)

and when you are out and about people will come up and talk about the twins all the time- just make sure you mention "and here is big brother/sister!", etc... most people do it- but some don't- so i make sure to say it myself.

sfshawna

Congrats!! There are actually a handful of women on this board with two toddlers and then twins. It is definitely challenging but you will get through it! Now that my twins are almost 15 months old, it is so rewarding to see all four girls playing so nicely and genuinely loving each other. My oldest had just turned 3 and my second was 20 months when the twins were born, and these things helped me: --a very helpful husband!! As soon as he's home from work, he takes over at least two kids, and has been doing baths for all four and bedtime for the older two for a while. --A system for getting out of the house. It will save your sanity to be able to go out and do things with all four, rven if just for a quick trip to the park. I have the kolcraft contours double(I happened to have it already from when my #2 was born) and I used it like a double snap n go for the first several months. But, it also comes with regular stroller seats which I always had stashed in my car. In the event that one of the older kids wanted to ride in the stroller I would always have the option of giving them a seat, keeping one twin in her car seat in the stroller and then bjorning the other twin. I still keep my ergo in the bottom of my stroller for the same reason. I never want my older kids to feel displaced by the twins or jealous. --take help! You may want to get help while you're still pregnant in the way of a mothers helper or family over during the day to get your kids out while you rest. I totally underestimated how different a twin pregnancy was from a singleton pregnancy and tried to do too much. I ended up on modified bedrest between 31 and 34 weeks for a shortened cervix. You'll survive! Oh, and I'm still nursing my twins, something I wasn't sure I'd be able to do at all when I found out I was having twins. I wasn't sure I could fit it in around everything else I need to do fir my other kids. But, it's worked out, thanks to learning to tandem feed from day one in the hospital. I can't think of anything else right now but good luck to you!! --

jayandjuliecruz

I have 2 toddlers (ages 4 and 3), and then my twins.  I think what i find the most challenging is trying to tend to the older kids needs while the twins are crying or need me too.  i also don't have as much time to play with the older kids so they tend to get bored easily, which in turn makes them act up.  I have learned that we all have to be patient.  Right now we are pumping and bottle feeding the milk to the babies.  Luckily my supply has been awesome and we have not had to use formula.  However, my nipples are awful right now.  My advice is to try to tandem feed from the beginning.  I thought it would be easier to wait until they were a month old.. which they are now, and now they have a hard time latching on at all.  Try not to give them a bottle if you can help it.  Anyway, i am still in the very early stages of all of this so i can give you better advice in a few months most likely!

carolinababy313

I'm sorry I can't give you any advice, other than I am pretty scared myself. I am 34 and pregnant with twin boys (19 weeks) and have a 16 month old boy. I am looking into a mom's morning out program this fall for my oldest- but then am concerned about sending  him since he could pick something up--bring  it  home to them...etc etc etc.

 I guess I am just going to try to stick to my routine with him as much as possible. Where we live we don't have any family either- so not sure how we'll swing it. Somehow, we will manage though. I hope.