If you had a toddler when your twins were born, EBFed, & SAH with all 3.

Venus04d · August 2012

Could that title possibly have any more qualifiers in it? Lol.

My DD will not quite be two when our twin girls arrive. I hope to EBF with them as I did my DD. DD has been in day care while I've been on bed rest, but will be coming home after we get settled in with the twins, probably around 8 weeks.

My biggest fear is how will I breast feed two babies with a toddler running around the house as well? Any tips, suggestions, or advice? TIA.

E&RMommy · August 2012

Without a toddler it was really hard for me. I eventually EP'ed.

You may want to consider MDO or mommy's helper.

TeacherTiff · August 2012

My son spent a few days a week with my mom at the beginning. Once we were in a routine it got much easier. That's not to say he never watches any Mickey Mouse.

Oh and I never feed them at the same time so I always have an extra hand if necessary. GL!

cleeksock · August 2012

if your babies are 8 weeks old when your daughter is home with you full time, you should have BFing down, and they will be nursing much quicker.

You may have to rely on TV. You might let her have a special toy ony to be used when mommy's nursing. If you tandem nurse (which i highly recommend), gather some books on the couch and read to your daughter...I nurse hands free with my EZ 2 Nurse pillow.

you can do it. No matter what you have to take time out of your day to feed the babies, whether it be from a bottle or your breast. At least when you're nursing, you don't have to worry about making and cleaning bottles!

Venus04d · August 2012

Thank you for the encouragement. I just keep having this nightmare image roll through my head with both babies latched on and DD having a total meltdown vying for my attention.

leviandlandensmom · August 2012

I did all of the above plus 3 more. I had a play area I put my toddler in while I was feeding the babies, it made it a lot easier on me because I didn't have to worry about where he was. It was just a play yard with a bunch of toys in it.

Venus04d · August 2012

leviandlandensmom:
I did all of the above plus 3 more. I had a play area I put my toddler in while I was feeding the babies, it made it a lot easier on me because I didn't have to worry about where he was. It was just a play yard with a bunch of toys in it.

That's a really good idea. DD isn't usually much on being confined, but that would be perfect if she wouldn't completely lose her marbles.

jalaiaa · August 2012

I am opposite in that I have two toddlers and am nursing my LO now. I think it is good that she will be in daycare the first 8 weeks or so because by then hopefully BFing will become more routine and by the time she comes home it will be a lot easier. With my boys I do a lot of reading to them while I'm nursing. Early on I used the TV a bit because it was so much easier but now we don't have to do that anymore. I like the idea of the play yard but even if you can just confine her to the room you are nursing in and make it baby proof that will help too. You can do it!

srbmvp · August 2012

I think I fit that bill, hahahaha. My DS1 was 22 months when the twins were born. I am now staying home with all 3 and am still EBFing the twins.

I had A LOT of help in the beginning. DS1 had been in daycare, so we left him in daycare for the first 3 or 4 weeks, so that his routine wasn't too vastly changed with the arrival of two new babies....

My parents stayed with us for the first week and a half, then my MIL came out for a week after that. We then hired a nanny to help me out while DH was at work. She was supposed to work for 5 weeks until my Mom could come back, but I had some issues and fired her after 3 weeks... then I was on my own and I survived!!!

I found that once the babies got better at latching, tandem feeding was the way to go, because it cuts down on the overall time you are nursing and not able to respond to your toddler quickly. That being said, your hands are then full, so turning on a video for your toddler or getting them involved in something that will occupy them for a bit is key.

It's not easy and it's super stressful at first, but you will figure out a method that works for you. Just try to line up as much help as you can for those first few weeks while everyone is getting settled.

leviandlandensmom · August 2012

Venus04d:

leviandlandensmom:
I did all of the above plus 3 more. I had a play area I put my toddler in while I was feeding the babies, it made it a lot easier on me because I didn't have to worry about where he was. It was just a play yard with a bunch of toys in it.

That's a really good idea. DD isn't usually much on being confined, but that would be perfect if she wouldn't completely lose her marbles.

What we did was basically made a big play area out of those play gate things, that way it was a pretty large area he was able to play in. I didn't put him in a pnp or anything

Venus04d · August 2012

leviandlandensmom:
Venus04d:

leviandlandensmom:
I did all of the above plus 3 more. I had a play area I put my toddler in while I was feeding the babies, it made it a lot easier on me because I didn't have to worry about where he was. It was just a play yard with a bunch of toys in it.

That's a really good idea. DD isn't usually much on being confined, but that would be perfect if she wouldn't completely lose her marbles.

What we did was basically made a big play area out of those play gate things, that way it was a pretty large area he was able to play in. I didn't put him in a pnp or anything

We currently have a giant play house in the living room for the her. The kind that are SUPPOSED to go in the backyard. Maybe I could wrap the gates around that and just convince her that her property is fenced in and not a trap at all? ;-)

BananaPancake · August 2012

My DDs will be 5, 3.5 and 18m when the twins get here. We've never really had more than two years between babies, so what I usualyl do is make my nursing "spot" the kid spot as well. Totally kid proof, remotes nearby, snacks close at hand. I try to have one room that they can't escape where I know I can entertain them from my chair or couch.

Do NOT feel bad about using the TV to keep her in one spot. It's a very short time in the scheme of things, and she will be just fine if it comes to that!

Venus04d · August 2012

BananaPancake:
My DDs will be 5, 3.5 and 18m when the twins get here. We've never really had more than two years between babies, so what I usualyl do is make my nursing "spot" the kid spot as well. Totally kid proof, remotes nearby, snacks close at hand. I try to have one room that they can't escape where I know I can entertain them from my chair or couch.
Do NOT feel bad about using the TV to keep her in one spot. It's a very short time in the scheme of things, and she will be just fine if it comes to that!

I'm picturing Elmo or Barney on the tv, goldfish dumped out on the coffee table, and every toy she could possibly enjoy on the floor around her. I'm sure it won't be as bad as I'm picturing, I just really want this to work out for the all the girls and I.

Also, random question. When breastfeeding in front of your toddler, did it make them want to nurse again? Or if they were older and had forgotten, how did they react?

TripMomma · August 2012

I was in an opposite situation, three not quite 2 1/2 year olds and a newborn. I did BF Jericho from the start...still going strong at 19 mo, ugh LOL. The first 3 or 4 months were hard, obviously it is doable...but yeah, I felt like I had a baby latched on 24/7. He was totally on demand and would not get on any type of schedule. I felt like the triplets were not getting the attention they needed, it was rough. We did end up getting a mother's helper for a month when Jericho was 4 weeks old, I had to have an emergency appendectomy. She was super, really helped with the trio and I was able to concentrate on Jericho without guilt. Good luck!

flgator · August 2012

BananaPancake:
My DDs will be 5, 3.5 and 18m when the twins get here. We've never really had more than two years between babies, so what I usualyl do is make my nursing "spot" the kid spot as well. Totally kid proof, remotes nearby, snacks close at hand. I try to have one room that they can't escape where I know I can entertain them from my chair or couch.
Do NOT feel bad about using the TV to keep her in one spot. It's a very short time in the scheme of things, and she will be just fine if it comes to that!

Although we don't have twins yet, DS1 was 22 months old when DS2 was born. I nursed in the play room when I was alone. I tried to do books with him, but he mostly played right there or watched TV. DS1 didn't watch TV before but you do what you have to do. I was nervous about this.

No, DS1 didn't want to nurse again while seeing DS2. I tried to spend time alone with DS1 when DS2 was sleeping. Also, DH and my mom helped a lot giving DS1 attention.

tootlebug · August 2012

My son turned 3 just befor my girls were born in march. And at week and a half old our nanny started 3 days a week. (I am a sahm) if you can afford it, it has been the best money I've ever spent. She comes mon, wed and Friday. And the grandparents take my son on Tuesdays ( he loves it) and my mom comes thursdays. My girls are 5 months now and we still have this routine. The nanny has been a godsend. It has allowed me to still spend separate time with my son and the girls (and okay sometimes for myself!)

I ebf'ed for 6 weeks until we had to switch to elecare due to milk protein intolerance. It was fine with my son....even when I was by myself. He just had a snack or watched some sesame street. But he wasn't a newly two year old either : ) I would invest in some good DVDs or find some shows he loves for those first hard weeks.

angelynn8411 · August 2012

BananaPancake:
My DDs will be 5, 3.5 and 18m when the twins get here. We've never really had more than two years between babies, so what I usualyl do is make my nursing "spot" the kid spot as well. Totally kid proof, remotes nearby, snacks close at hand. I try to have one room that they can't escape where I know I can entertain them from my chair or couch.
Do NOT feel bad about using the TV to keep her in one spot. It's a very short time in the scheme of things, and she will be just fine if it comes to that!

this. I have little to no help and have EBF all my kiddos, and I have 4 kids 3 and under. it is doable.

leviandlandensmom · August 2012

Venus04d:
leviandlandensmom:
Venus04d:

leviandlandensmom:
I did all of the above plus 3 more. I had a play area I put my toddler in while I was feeding the babies, it made it a lot easier on me because I didn't have to worry about where he was. It was just a play yard with a bunch of toys in it.

That's a really good idea. DD isn't usually much on being confined, but that would be perfect if she wouldn't completely lose her marbles.

What we did was basically made a big play area out of those play gate things, that way it was a pretty large area he was able to play in. I didn't put him in a pnp or anything

We currently have a giant play house in the living room for the her. The kind that are SUPPOSED to go in the backyard. Maybe I could wrap the gates around that and just convince her that her property is fenced in and not a trap at all? ;-)

Hahaha! Sounds like a great plan!

CateElizabeth · August 2012

I had my first set of twins running around (16 months old) when my baby twins were born and I SAH with all 4 and EBFed and pumped (EBF one and EP for the other, if that makes sense). I have a nanny. I absolutely could not have done the BFing or the pumping with 2 toddlers running around the house and no help. I realize it's one more, but being honest, I would have had to FF.

kiwi443 · August 2012

If anyone offers to help with your daughter those first few weeks, take them up on it! I'd also recommend starting a box of toys/activities that your daughter has never seen before. It helps to be able to pull out something new and exciting when it's time to nurse.

My goal was to EBF but I always had to supplement. I switched to solely FF at 2 1/2 months. I hope things work out the way you want them to.

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