Organized twin moms

I am definitely not an organized person, but someone suggested making a spreadsheet to keep track of feedings, diaper changes, etc for the first few weeks with the twins. does anyone have one already created that works for them? if so, could I copy it? Haven't given birth yet, just trying to get organized before the big day. Ty!

 

I made all types of spreadsheets, but in the end I used a yellow pad with lines drawn to make sections. I mainly kept track of feedings and diapers in the hospital and then for the first week until their ped told me I was crazy. I was a freak about it. It helped me feel in control at a time when I was completely lost.

 

My hospital l/c gave me sheets similar to the one I attached. I modified it so I wouldn't have to rely on my memory for anything. 1a-5a was usually a blur when I tried to recall who did what. I used an excel spreadsheet I labeled each row 1 hour from 12a - 11p. Then across the top I labeled the columns Feeding, Diaper and Pumped. I bf, pumped and ff. For BF under feeding I put L(eft) or R(ight) and the amount of time they nursed next to the hour and wrote in the minutes (12:30, etc..). If I gave a bottle, under feeding I wrote how many oz they drank next to the hour and wrote in the minutes (12:30, etc..). Same for diaper I wrote if it was wet or dirty and the time I changed it. Under Pumped I wrote in the time and how much from each side. I left 3 columns blank for notes. Both came home on caffeine and M on Zantac. I started out writing it out in the notes section then after a while I started using symbols to note that I gave them medication. Then I started writing the symbol prior to giving it to them and checking it off after as I was having a hard time remembering to actually give the meds unless I saw the reminder. I used the sheets until the babies got into a somewhat predictable routine. PM and I'll email it to you.

Good luck. You'll do fine.
Christy

 

I just used a spiral notebook & made a line down the middle of each page with a big 'S' at the top of one column & a big 'C' at the top of the other (sydney & chloe ) w/ the date
I noted what time they ate, how many ounces or ml. they ate & if there was poop/pee ~ I was SO proud of my notebook & proudly brought all my 'info' to my Pediatrian appt & he could have cared less!!!!
It realllly helped me to see how much they were eating though & understand feeding patterns & potty patterns. I think I did it for over 3 months???!!!! It gave me something to focus on & be organized with in my newly unorganized world

 

QUOTE(tamaras @ Aug 10 2008, 06:13 PM) [snapback]923278[/snapback]
I just used a spiral notebook & made a line down the middle of each page with a big 'S' at the top of one column & a big 'C' at the top of the other (sydney & chloe ) w/ the date
I noted what time they ate, how many ounces or ml. they ate & if there was poop/pee ~ I was SO proud of my notebook & proudly brought all my 'info' to my Pediatrian appt & he could have cared less!!!!
It realllly helped me to see how much they were eating though & understand feeding patterns & potty patterns. I think I did it for over 3 months???!!!! It gave me something to focus on & be organized with in my newly unorganized world


I did the exact same thing....it is easy with a spiral notebook. I did take mine to the ped too because they always asked in the beginning how many ounces they were taking (which is hard to tell with BF'ing??) and how many wet dipes they were having and I could never remember unless i had my notebook

 

Thanks so much ladies! I loved all your suggestions.

 

I did the spiral notebook too. It helped so much! I couldn't remember what I had done five minutes prior during the first few weeks. We also used it to keep track of medicines. (Mine were on vitamin drops and Prevacid, and we often gave gas drops.)

As they got older, I used a spiral notebook to keep track of naps so I could notice patterns and attempt to anticipate when they'd be sleepy.

 

I too just used a notebook with a line down the middle. It was really helpful especially in those first few months when I was exhausted.

 

I did the spiral notebook too - At 8.5 months, we still do it - because one of mine is a horrible eater and it helps me see her trend - also you can keep track of solids in there too in case of allergic reaction to anything!

 

We used this:

http://www.justmultiples.com/twin-schedule-3mos.html

And actually still do! You can buy this on TS too.

Cary

 

I did not keep track at all......I am usually a very organized person, but I did not document any of the diaper changes, feedings, sleep, etc, I did not see the need.


I breastfed on demand (tandem), changed when needed, and they slept when they wanted........mine are frats and did/do everything within 20 minutes of each other....still at 2 1/2 years old, they wake up, eat, pee and poop within 20 minutes of each other!

 

I made one up based on some I found online. PM me your email address and I can send it along to you. It's in Word format.

 

I did it for the first 8 months. I'm totally NOT an organized person but I felt like I somehow needed to keep track of who ate what and who had poopy diapers. Most of the time I couldn't remember when was the last time I had a shower so I felt I really needed something in writing to keep track of the kiddos. I had a spreadsheet that I got from the hospital and I just kept making copies of it, I don't have it on my computer to share but there are a ton of them out there that I'm sure you could find with google.

 

QUOTE(caryanne07 @ Aug 11 2008, 08:28 PM) [snapback]924910[/snapback]
We used this:

http://www.justmultiples.com/twin-schedule-3mos.html


I bought two of these and thought they were helpful. I just keep it on the table in a common area so anyone could document easily.

 

We had a couple versions through the years (yes years!) and because we had nannies and au pairs all along, we used them and found it very helpful as a communication tool. If you PM me your email address I'll find them and send them to you.

 

At first we had one, because we need to feed them every 3 hrs... they were tiny! And the doctors wanted to make sure they were eating and getting dirty diapers. But after the 1month we stop... we were toooooo tire to bother + you get on a schedule and build your own routine.

 

I used a spiral steno pad - it even aready has the line drawn down the page so all you have to do is put the child's name at the top and log in your info. Super simple and cheap too!!

 

I'm a total control freak. In the beginning we started this and I'm embarrassed to admit, 15 months later, still doing it out of habit. Oh, and it's nice if a sitter comes, or a mommy-moment hits and I seriously can't remember when we all ate last or what day it is. Anyway, I have a dry erase board on the fridge and divide it in 2 sections and log naps and food now. However, when they were newborns I had a spreadsheet and printed it out....daily. I filed it in the baby books! I didn't save it though, Sorry!!!

 

I am incredibly organized but found I didn't need to write stuff down.

We were on a schedule from day one feeding and my girls always went to the bathroom MORE then enough times that I didn't need to track that!

 

QUOTE(monodigirls @ Aug 10 2008, 12:55 PM) [snapback]923064[/snapback]
I am definitely not an organized person, but someone suggested making a spreadsheet to keep track of feedings, diaper changes, etc for the first few weeks with the twins. does anyone have one already created that works for them? if so, could I copy it? Haven't given birth yet, just trying to get organized before the big day. Ty!


The hospital gave us forms that we kept up for the first couple weeks regarding diaper changes, feedings, etc. Then they fell off and I haven't kept track since! They will get you started keeping track in the hospital, and I found it easiest just to continue with their method.

 

I had a notebook for feedings and changes but it was mostly just for the first month and for DH. Soon I did away with the sheets. I fed the girls on demand, not stuck to a schedule. My ped was happy to hear that, said that schedules are a guide but not the end all.