Getting help BEFORE the twins come

[SIZE=12pt]My DH and I have been talking a lot about getting help for me before the babies come. A little back story . . . my 2 yo has some development delays (doesn't sit, crawl, walk, etc.) so I'm worried about being able to pick him up from the floor where he's playing, playing/working with him on the floor as I get bigger. I'm already noticing that I get winded carrying him up to lay him down for a nap or to change his diaper . . .BAH![/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]I'm wondering if I should line up help now or wait a bit until I get a little/lot bigger and try to find someone then? Also if any of you experienced mommies got help postpartum, when did you start looking b/c I'm 100% certain we'll be looking for help for after the babies are born too.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]TIA[/SIZE]

 

I am only 19w pregnant and have already hired someone to start assisting me a month before the babies are due. I have two stepchildren that live with me and will definately need the help.

QUOTE(DMBMom40 @ Feb 5 2008, 12:59 PM) [snapback]606703[/snapback]
[SIZE=12pt]My DH and I have been talking a lot about getting help for me before the babies come. A little back story . . . my 2 yo has some development delays (doesn't sit, crawl, walk, etc.) so I'm worried about being able to pick him up from the floor where he's playing, playing/working with him on the floor as I get bigger. I'm already noticing that I get winded carrying him up to lay him down for a nap or to change his diaper . . .BAH![/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]I'm wondering if I should line up help now or wait a bit until I get a little/lot bigger and try to find someone then? Also if any of you experienced mommies got help postpartum, when did you start looking b/c I'm 100% certain we'll be looking for help for after the babies are born too.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]TIA[/SIZE]

 

I would start looking now. It may be hard to find someone, it can't hurt to look now. Good luck.

 

My OB highly recommended I get off my feet 4 hrs/day once I hit 28 weeks so I have help coming now- I have a 3 yr old at home who doesn;t nap and is very active. I have found that I really need the help these days (am 31 weeks) and am very grateful I have someone lined up. It may be smart to get someone ahead of time so your son can get used to them. Plus it took me close to a month to find someone.

 

I would definitely recommend it, I have a 2 yo and just this week (34 weeks) my dh decided to enlist the help of family to spend a few hours a day helping me so I could get some rest. I probably needed the help 4 or 5 weeks ago though, I've had just about every pregnancy ailment and could have really used the help with my very active toddler. It's good you're thinking about this ahead of time, especially if you'll have to hire help. GL to you!

 

its the best thing u can do! i have a sitter 2 times a week now to take my boys while i run errands,appts,housework; and we are getting a Nanny late March to take over; i know for myself how exhausted i am now at only 25 wks by end of March ill need the help! I wish all twin moms2be were assigned helped your more calm, less stressed and more catnaps's a plus

 

Like PP I will be hiring someone before the arrival of the twins (I have another interview this Saturday) my main reasoning (as my son is almost 10) is so we can get to know each other BEFORE the twins come… that way if don’t quite mesh we will have this figured out BEFORE the twins come and can remedy it…

GL

 

As a child care professional, let me tell you... I would definately start looking now. I would interview and try out different nurses or nannies. This way, you will not be pressured, and I would maybe consider someone that would be able to help now and after the twins are born. I would do some serious research, especially with a delayed child. Find someone with experience, with delayed children. I would also be sure that your child and the caregiver can get along well, so you won't be so concerned later on. There are lots of resources out there for you to find a good qualified caregiver. The best part about starting now is that you will not have to rush and can even try out different ones on a trial basis. Good luck.

 

NOW!
I had more help during the pregnancy than after - full time hosue help with cleaning and childcare for the two older kids. (I had hyperemesis BAD) and I credit keeping them in till 38 weeks to being off my feet (even though I was never on Dr. perscribed bed rest. ) Better to pay the money now and do all you can to keep them in. If they come early, you will know you did everything you could. If they don't you will never have to see them in the NICU. No money can buy that!

 

Our first sitter started when the triplets were 3 weeks old. She was a live-in college student majoring in education and early childhood. (Schools of educations at universities are a great way to find sitters!) She worked in-between classes. We also had a night sitter 2-3x a week. (also an ed student) She slept on our couch and schedule fed the babies-rotating bringing me one to nurse after being changed. We still had her when my single was born 2 1/2 years later. She was then a student teacher, but helped in the evenings and weekends. When our first set of twins was born 3 1/2 years later we didn't need as much help and our beloved sitter was long gone. (she was and is still a special ed k-2 teacher) We did have a night sitter 2-3x week-same as above. When our second set of twins arrived 2 years later we hired our Dream "Alice". Housekeeper and part-time child care. She lasted two wonderful years before moving on to full-time house cleaning. I am now (sniff, sniff) minimally (in my mind) supplied with help. College student 15 hours a week and house cleaner 1x a week. I know I am lucky to have had this, but I swear, looking back, I would beg, borrow or steal to do it all over again. I admire those who can do it on thier own, but I am not one of them. This was a really insanely long reply-sorry-I was just strolling down memory lane! GOOD LUCK WITH EVERYTHING!