Oh my this is HARD

they are such restless sleepers and when they are awake they want to EAT which is not because they are hungry. I ended up stopping breastfeeding becasue I was stuck in my room 24/7 being the human pacifier (17 year old stepson lives with us so downstairs was out). I am constantly scolding my poor 4 year old son for being noisy and its not fair to him. I may lose my mind.

 

Whenever I go out people always ask me if I have other children.... I say no with a smile
I honestly take my hats off to mom with children other than the twins. You are TRULY amazing.

Even for attempting to breast feed CONGRATULATIONS!
Try to put a little soft music while you feed them..use that time to relax mentally a bit at least....

 

I don't have any advice to give, other than good luck. I will be watching this thread closely, as I will be in almost the same boat when my twin girls are born in July. My daughter will be 3 1/2. I don't know how I am going to do it, and all my family/friends keep reminding me of how difficult it is going to be. :huh:

 

I know it's hard to realize this when you have restless sleepers, but your son's noise making probably bothers you more than your babies. They are used to hearing it already. What helped us was when the twins were about four or five weeks, I started establishing a regular nap time. I would put them in their crib at a time when they normally would fall asleep anyway, and then do a load of laundry, (the washer and drier are right next to their room) to provide "white noise". They slowly started sleeping longer, and although they still have trouble staying synchronized, it's getting better. Even if one has decided to wake up early, I still have a lot more time and energy for my older DD if there is only one baby to take care of. I know you've heard this a million times, but things will get better. :hug: Our turning point was around six weeks.

 

Try some white noise to drown out the 4 YO. Works well in this house.

 

I have the opposite situation -- two nearly 4 yos, and a one newborn. Keeping them quiet is impossible, but at this age, the noise doesn'y really bother the baby. Once she's a little older, I'll start putting her in her room with a white noise machine for naps. I think expecting a 3 or 4 yo to be quiet is a tall order!

 

I know how you feel. I felt like I was constantly getting on to DS and prob still do. He will be 5 this month! It does get easier I promise. My are four months old and love it when big brother talks to them. DS is such a big help keeping them entertained for me when I need to get something done. Congrats on your babies!

 

:grouphug: Big Hugs. I have a fiver year old and the girls are now 9 months sooo I can relate a bit. When the girls were younger it was hard teaching brother to be quiet so we created a special basket of quiet type toys for Oliver to do while I feed. Such things as books, a leapster with head phones, play dough, puzzles. Quiet activities, granted he is a year older and bit more independant but, going from an only child to the bigger brother was a huge change.

I have a humidifer in the girls room to help with white noise to drown out the noisy brother. We EBF so my little man still doens't get alot of mom one on one time, but he has learned we can do things together is fun to.

It does get easier, you will eventually get more sleep and these days will pass so quickly that its hard to imagine they stay so little for only so long. Congrats on breastfeeding I can relate with the human pacifier, my girls still will not except anything but me, no paccy or bottle. They now ill do sippy cups, so yah. Anywho Best Wishes.
And Good luck

 

I have a 3 1/2 yr old i know how you feel .. its hard

 

I have a 2 year old son and 2 month old twin daughters. I keep the house noisy with music, TV or radio, fans, etc which seems to help. I also put on music when they go to bed - I use the Rockabye Baby Metallica, Led Zeppelin or Beatles. I pump breast milk (they were in the NICU as they were so early) and my noisy pump also seems to calm them - lol

If I really want some quiet from my DS I give him a craft project or put cartoons on (or sometime both) - you just do what you have to in order to get through the day.

Good Luck!! It'll get better! :grouphug:

 

That's why I had to supplement, too, because my boys stuck to the breast 24/7 and still weren't getting what they needed from me. I know it comes with guilt and pressure, but you need to do what is best for you, too, as well as the babies. Taking care of yourself has to be done to be able to care for them. It's like they say on the airplane, secure your own mask before securing others'.

I feel for you. I only had my boys to care for, as they are my first children. I know the first few weeks are the hardest, then the first few months, then... well, I'm still learning.

You'll get your groove. You really will. (((hugs)))

 

I only have the twins, but I :bow2: you momma's with more then the twins. All supermoms in my eyes. :hug: :hug:

 

Two of my four stepdaughters live with us. They are 9 and 11 and noisey! LOL Sound seems to travel in this house.

We've always made a point of NOT being quiet all the time when the babies sleep. I hoped to avoid babies that needed total quiet to sleep. And these babies can sleep anywhere and through anything! DD was sleeping when the smoke alarm went off at MIL's. It was so piercing and LOUD! DD slept through it (DS was already awake)! I was so surprised.

For nighttime, we have a floor box fan on in their room for 1.) white noise, and 2.) circulates the air (shown to lessen SIDS risk). We all sleep with fans on in our rooms.

I know you've heard it before.....but things WILL get better! You are in the thick of it right now. :hug:

 

I sympathize! My oldest was 2 years and 4 months old when the twins were born. It's rough. But then, everything those first couple months with newborns is rough, sibling or not!

One good thing about having a noisy older sibling: the babies are learning to sleep through noise. Family members have even commented on how well they sleep even when there's noise & commotion.

One difficult thing about having a noisy older sibling: They do get woken up from naps sometimes. That sucks, and I get so mad.

What works for us: I have quiet activities that I try to involve my toddler in when she's getting too noisy while they sleep. Things like drawing/painting, reading, puzzles. Giving her some individual playtime with mommy helps, too.

Hang in there, you're in the thick of it right now and it will be better in a few months!! Here's something to look forward to: the babies love their big sister so much that they find her endlessly fascinating. When I'm totally exhausted and zoning out, I can put them in swings or bouncies where they can see her play, and they have a great time watching her! She'll also dance and sing for them and make them laugh. It gives me a mental break.