Routines and groceries!

OK, I am having the HARDEST time trying to establish a daytime routine with my little ones! I am trying to get them to nap every 2 hours at the most but it never seems to work out - one is always up at any given time which leaves me exhausted and with no me time! Are there any tricks that you used? I have their bedtime routine down pat which I feel good about but I have no idea how I even pulled that off.

My second thing is going out and about...especially grocery shopping! Is it possible? I mean, I have been out with my LO's but I always time it so that they eat and we go but are always home before they get hungry again. I am TERRIFIED of them waking up and needing to eat at the same time while in the middle of somewhere... As for grocery shopping, I haven't done it with them yet b/c I just haven't been able to figure out the logistics!

Oh and just turned 3 months!

 

It's better with 2 adults (1 to push the cart, 1 to push the babies). If you think they'll get hungry after an hour, stop for coffee or something until it's time for them to eat then feed them before you go in to the store. If it's a Super Target or Wal-Mart maybe you could feed them in the furniture section with the card next to you?

 

I've done the push-pull method with the double snap and go, the kids in the DSNG and me pulling the cart, I found it easiest to go out as early as possible so that the stores werent crowded yet. A lot of supermarkets here have a cafe with tables and chairs, but only the first time we went out, and I was still getting my bearings, did we have to stop and do a feeding, and I was nursing! after that even, if it was their usual feeding time, the movement of the stroller and the new surroundings get them busy enough till we got to the car at least!

Good luck,

and getting out makes a huge difference in at least my mental state of mind, so go for it

 

I'm 8 months in and still haven't been able to figure it out, but I remember the terror you describe when they were 3 months and I tried to get to the grocery store! I now go after they are in bed at night, and DH is home. It allows for me to really shop and even read labels (!) without the worry. At 3 months it worked best for us to go on the weekend when my DH could go and we would each wear a baby and they would usually sleep.

 

HAHAHA!! I get grandma to watch them!! :rotflmbo:

 

I've done it with the twins and a 3 year old, but I have to say it really isn't fun. LOL The twins can hold their own bottles now, but when they couldn't I would prob their bottles up in the stroller with their blanket while I finished up the shopping.

 

Groceries are probably the toughest thing to do with twins. I have done the pull the cart behind the stroller method.. this only works when it is very quiet at the grocery store. I also tended to just go often and make that our outing for the day and then I could just put groceries in the bottom of the stroller.

I would also try feeding them while you're out. If you're bottle feeding just ask for some hot water at the food court to heat up the bottle. If you're breast feeding, try to get comfortable with nursing in public. Just find an out of the way place and use a good cover up if you're not comfortable and see how it goes. The worst thing that will happen is that you have to haul two fussy kids out of a store and go home.. that's it. The best thing that will happen is that it will go smoothly and then you'll be able to get out and about without fear over messing up their eating routines! It's very liberating.

 

Put 1 carseat in the cart, wear 1 baby on you. Or wear one in the front and 1 on the back. It works if you don't care what ppl think lol. This way is actually easier than pull a cart and a double stroller.

Feed them, put in carseats, drive to stores, get whatever you need fast, check out, go home.I'm a working mom. I definitely don't have time travel around in the store. My shopping time is 45mins. So I never have to feed them at the store.

But I'd keep them as home in this winter time. Flu season, you don't know how many sick ppl are at the store.you don't want them to get sick though. Good luck!

 

A total of 2 times I was the girl I used to feel sorry for... the one that would push her kiddos in the snap and go and pull the cart behind. I didn't find that easy or productive, even with the babes sleeping the entire time. I occasionally will go to Target (just so I can get everything in one stop) and I do try to go as fast as I can. I've found that the hand baskets there fit perfectly over the handle on the double snap and go. Even better, using the basket keeps me from spending a fortune because I don't load too much in it. For my big shopping, I either find a sitter or send my DH with a very specific list of what we need.

As far as a daytime routine, I started with a feeding schedule of every 3 hours. Over time the babies got used to eating every 3 hours and we just fell into a bigger routine of feeding, playing, naptime, repeat.

Even though I breastfeed and supplement, when I do go out, I always always always have a stash of two bottles, some of those formula packets and at least one bottle of water that I take everywhere. That way I feel like I'm covered for any situation that might come up. So far it has worked.

I honestly think the key is giving things a try and seeing what works for you will give you some confidence. Good luck!

 

Routines are tough with twins!

Even now, sometimes I'm reluctant to go out in case their routine gets out. Now that mine are on 2 sleeps a day, it's slightly easier.
Starting solids was both a blessing and a curse. The window of opportunity between bfs and solids was slim, but on the other hand, I could give them a rusk or some fruit while out and about if they started whining to keep them happy until we could stop somewhere and feed properly.

I usually grocery shop when dh is home and leave the kids with him.
Sometimes though, I would take both, wear one and put the other in the shopping trolley baby seat. Often, I'llwalk and put them in the double pram and get enough just to fit in the basket underneath.

Lately I have been taking just the one twin at a time to do a big grocery shop so that they still get the social stimulation of being out and about and get some individual attention. (It's nice pretending to be a 'normal' mom. :rotflmbo: )

 

I also have an emergency stash. I keep a rubbermaid tote in the back of the SUV that has several diapers, a package of wipes, a couple burp rags, 2 blankets, 2 bottles, a bottle of water and some individual formula packets in it. Just in case anything unexpected or unfortunate ever were to happen. It's such a relief knowing that it's there.

 

I don't take the kids grocery shopping, ever. Either DH or I will go at night while they are asleep, or my mom or MIL will come watch the kids and I will go. I'm sure if I HAD to take them, I would figure something out, but I'm fortunate that I don't have to do that. The store we use is open 24 hours a day, which also helps.

 

Thanks for the tips everyone! I definitely like the idea of the emergency stash in the car! I will do that for sure! I also might try the carry one, cart one technique. I just find that there aren't any post-natal/mommy groups during the week that I can take with twins (they are all geared towards one baby) so I thought at least if I could figure out the grocery shopping it would get me out of the house. I am going very stir crazy!!!

 

Find a close library, check its story time. It has different age groups. You can take them there. Usually, it once/week and 1 hr/each time in the morning.its very good for the twins and you can hang out with other moms.good luck!