Parents of Twins?

[ORMom2Four]

Our girls are 11 weeks old today and I'm LOVIN' having two at once! Am I nuts? Is this a honeymoon period that is going to end?

 

[aprilvaca04]

Not a parent of twins but I am an Auntie of twins. They are grown now but my sister always said she loved having twins and getting all the "phases" done at one time. Plus she said they always entertained themselves without the constant need to have a friend over. They really do have quite a bond still to this day. I have 2 wonderful daughters (singles) who I wouldn't trade for the world but I must say, some days I was envious of the whole twin thing.

 

[mjkacmom]

Well, the thing about twins is that they get harder once they get mobile. Actually, things got harder for me when they were getting 3 feedings of solids a day (1 spoon, 1 jar, btw), when I could no longer put them in infant carriers, and had to run back and forth to the van, and when they started moving.

However, once they turned 3 or so, I didn't know how I did it with one. They really are built in playmates (although I do have a friend who's twin boys hate each other, but they're bipolar). You will be amazed at how much you can get done around the house!

 

[ORMom2Four]

Well, the thing about twins is that they get harder once they get mobile. Actually, things got harder for me when they were getting 3 feedings of solids a day (1 spoon, 1 jar, btw), when I could no longer put them in infant carriers, and had to run back and forth to the van, and when they started moving.

However, once they turned 3 or so, I didn't know how I did it with one. They really are built in playmates (although I do have a friend who's twin boys hate each other, but they're bipolar). You will be amazed at how much you can get done around the house!

That's what I was thinking, that it will be harder when they can run in different directions I'm very happy that they will have each other as they grow up. My sister & I are 12 months apart and are the best of friends!

Any gadgets or baby/toddler gear that was helpful or not so helpful? We love the podee hands free bottles! They are sleeping in a bedside co-sleeper, that helped a lot with night feedings (didn't even have to get out of bed!). Dh and I like to wear the babies so we are using Bjorns and hope to get some Ergo's if we can find them cheap enough (for when they get bigger). I'm not liking the Graco double stroller we bought. It's way too long.

I think I might be sad to get all of the phases done at once Time passes so quick when they are little, seems like you blink and they are suddenly graduating high school (guess that's why I started again, lol).

 

[mtemm]

congrats!!!! and for you it may not end!

my twins are 6 now and the first 2 years were hard, no doubt about it. the first 6 months were really hard because I had milk supply issues and had to supplement and pump and nurse for each and every feeding and was exhausted and emotional about it all (at 6 months I finally called it a day with trying to get my supply up and finally admitted it wasn't going to happen this time around). that was also when one finally started sleeping thru the night (my daughter didn't till she was 12 months...ack!)

we started solids at around 7 months and honestly I didn't have a problem with that at all. them being mobile wasn't a problem, I just made sure i was well baby proofed

for me it got easier when they could walk to/from places a bit. 3 was the magic age when things got GREAT, and they've been pretty wonderful ever since.

I'd say in my book if you are loving these first few months, you just might be one of the lucky ones.

eta, we had a combi twin savvy and I loooooved it! so much! It did not hold infant carriers so I just got used to putting the babies in that, or in the bjorns when dh or a friend was along, from the get go. or carrying them. my biceps got to be so strong! lol

 

[loriace]

Congrats - they are beautiful!

I thought the first 6 months were pretty easy, best advice I got was to get them on the same schedule right away. They started walking at 10 months (within 2 days of each other) and that's when things got a little tricky, but not too bad. I can't believe my girls will be 13 next month and they are still wonderful kids. Twins are great, enjoy!

 

[wenrob]

I'm finding four years old a challenge, lol but wouldn't change it for anything.

Wanted to throw a stroller suggestion out to you. Douple Snap and Go. LOVED it. I could just pop their carriers right on there and not worry about waking them up. It's pretty light weight and easy to use. You'll have to get something else once they're out of infant seats but it way worth it to me. We've worn a Combi Side by Side out, lol. Again, light weight fits through doors easier then some side by sides. Not fancy but it got used to it's full potential.

I didn't breast feed but I found a Boppy great for propping little ones if I had to feed them at the same time. Oh and Bumbo seats! (Do you see a theme here? Something to keep them contained, lol!)

 

[golfgal]

I found it easier when they were mobile because they could get around without me. Our house had a nice set up for babies so that made it easier. I remember carrying them both to the car at the same time so no running back and forth. Our doctor had us start them on solids at 4 months-which at the time was the "time" to start them (4-6 months old). They were totally self feeding by 8 months: lmao:.

It has been really fun watching them grow up and interact. They are very close. I am concerned about them going off to college because they don't like being apart for long. DD is sleeping over at a friend's house tonight and when she gets home tomorrow they will spend a good hour just being with each other catching up. They don't even realize they do it.

I think the "worst" part has been going shopping or paying for their activities since there are 2 of them

The hardest part was the first 3 weeks and trying to get them on the same schedule and them just learning how to nurse.

 

[TwingleMum]

I had a dry erase board that saved my life and helped me keep track of input & output during the first few months . I also really like the double snap & go very easy to use in the first months. Our twins are 6 yrs old and we always make sure that they are not referred to as the twins. They are their own people and should be treated that way. Its amazing how different they are and yet how in sink they are to each others feelings.

 

[golfgal]

I'm finding four years old a challenge, lol but wouldn't change it for anything.

Wanted to throw a stroller suggestion out to you. Douple Snap and Go. LOVED it. I could just pop their carriers right on there and not worry about waking them up. It's pretty light weight and easy to use. You'll have to get something else once they're out of infant seats but it way worth it to me. We've worn a Combi Side by Side out, lol. Again, light weight fits through doors easier then some side by sides. Not fancy but it got used to it's full potential.

I didn't breast feed but I found a Boppy great for propping little ones if I had to feed them at the same time. Oh and Bumbo seats! (Do you see a theme here? Something to keep them contained, lol!)

The individual travel systems had just come out when our twins were born. I would have LOVED a double one. We had a front/back double stroller and if I reclined the front seat I could put their car seats in there but it wasn't all that secure so I didn't do it unless we were only going to the mall or somewhere easy.

 

[Twins]

I'm the mom of 9 year old boy/girl twins (and a 16 year old son too). I find that there are challenges at every stage, but nothing that was/is too overwhelming. Once they are in school, it can be a challenge to come up with two different ideas for the same school project, but since they have very different personalities we have always managed.

Enjoy every minute of your little ones.

 

[wenrob]

I had a dry erase board that saved my life and helped me keep track of input & output during the first few months . I also really like the double snap & go very easy to use in the first months. Our twins are 6 yrs old and we always make sure that they are not referred to as the twins. They are their own people and should be treated that way. Its amazing how different they are and yet how in sink they are to each others feelings.

Me too! It makes me insane when people refer to them as "the twins."

 

[Glynis]

Another twin mom checking in! I loved having twins from the first. There were times when it was overwhelming, but for the most part, I loved it all! My twins (girls) just turned 8, and they are still a joy for me!

People have a hard time realizing that they are twins, because they are so different. I have a little princess, and a little tomboy. They enjoy doing different things, and they have different strengths and weaknesses. The thing that tickles me the most is that they are so attached to each other. They love being together! I love that!

Enjoy your twins! They are beautiful!!! Each day is an adventure and you really are in for the ride of your life!

 

[golfgal]

I had a dry erase board that saved my life and helped me keep track of input & output during the first few months . I also really like the double snap & go very easy to use in the first months. Our twins are 6 yrs old and we always make sure that they are not referred to as the twins. They are their own people and should be treated that way. Its amazing how different they are and yet how in sink they are to each others feelings.

Keep in mind that a big part of THEIR identity is that they ARE twins. In talking with older twins they could never figure out why people were so adamant about not calling them twins--they ARE twins. Our twins are 15 and they love that they are twins and being called "the twins" has special meaning for them. We certainly call them by their names most of the time but they still get referred to as "the twins" quite often. It is a special bond that a single child can never really understand.

 

[PatsGirl]

Awww, I always wanted twins but that decade has now passed Maybe one of my kids will have them

 

[Twins]

We also don't refer to our twins as "the twins." They know they are twins. They explain to people that they are twins. All the kids in their grade know they are twins. We don't make a big deal about it. They don't have a special bond. They are just brother and sister.

BUT, every family is different. They need to find what works best for them. I'm sure that a lot of parents of twins would be aghast that I insist that my twins be placed together in the same classroom. It's what works best for our family. As I said, we all must find what works best for our families, our twins, and their singleton siblings.

 

[mom2rb]

I love having twins, but the first six months were hard. I am glad you are enjoying it. The Podee bottles were a life saver for me. My boys are almost twelve now.

 

[Micca]

Our twin DDs are now 27 years old They are our only children and we loved raising them. I will say that things got easier when they began to walk/talk and feed themselves, but they were always so cute they were irresistible.

 

[mjkacmom]

I have to also second the double snap and go - awesome! I actually gave it away to a stranger I met in the park who had a monster of a double travel system. I also loved my twin combi for the van, and my double jogger for walks (I also had a monster peg perego triple given to me used, but I had a 22 month old when they were born). You will be amazed at how soon babies can eat finger foods!

 

[goodeats]

This is good to hear. DH has started talk about trying for our next baby, and the only thing that gives me pause is that it might be twins. I don't know if I could handle 3 under 2!