What I've learned about having twins...

I loved the book "when you are expecting twins, triplets, and quads" it was a good way to make me realize how much different a twin pg can be than a singleton pg. I focused more on eatting and trying to eat more fat content, protein, etc.

I'm so glad a friend gave me book "Happiest baby on the block" worked great for the first 3 months and the book "Healthy sleep habits happy child" helped me to put my two into a great sleeping schedule. I read all these books BEFORE the babies arrived, because when they arrive you don't have the time to read anything !!!

I didn't see my babies for 12 hours after my c-section and when I did see them, they knew who I was, and loved me. Dont' feel guilty if you need to rest and they need time in NICU

i love zippered sleepers, I love my cheap single playpen (with bassinet and change area), I loved my moses basket to carry them both downstairs and during naps, I love Carter cotton outfits that the babies could sleep in and still be comfortable yet not in sleepers all the time, snap bibs (Walmart?) since velcro sticks to all the clothes in the laundry, a cheap baby bath is all you need or sink, "infant to toddler rocker"

Best advice:

baby blues happens on day 2 or 3 and you cry for no reason
you will blow up like a balloon on day 2 after giving birth so take lots of pics of you with the babies on day 1
babies "wake up" on their due date
babies increase in fussiness to a max at 6 weeks past their DUE DATE not birthdate.
it is hard to have a good sleep schedule the first 2 - 3 months... a twin mom philosophy is "whatever works".
at about 3-4 months of age babies experience the "45 minute intruder" into their naps. (give them a bath and back to bed or leave them to put themselves back to sleep)
take pictures of them with all or any equipment they might need -- so you can look back at how they advanced through NiCU.

Things I wish I would have done better:

I wish I had more early pics of me with each baby and with both babies. Moms are always taking the pics and not getting into the pictures themselves. Ask every person who comes into the room to take your picture.
I wish I had learned how to use my new video camera better.
I wish I had no family (especially my sil) here during the first 4 days, it would have been nice to have some time alone with my dh and the babies without live in visitors. Vistors for an hour or two would have been ok but not LIVE here.


I hope this advice helps someone. I hope other moms will tell their stories as well.

Heather

 

I would say ...

Enjoy every minute of your new twins I feel like it went so fast and I was doing things when I should have just been enjoying them.

Write things down on your calender when anything happens if your like me and try to fill in their baby books when you have the TIME you wont remember any dates.

Im sure theres more but Id just say Good luck and have fun with your bubs!

 

My girls aren't here yet (and hopefully will wait a while), but I've been talking to another teacher I work with. His twins turned one this year. He says the first months are survival--just like you said "whatever works." He slept in a recliner and his wife slept on the couch. They each had a baby in his infant carrier. I guess the babies refused to sleep anywhere else. Maybe it's a nice, snug feeling like the womb? My only goal for the first months is a shower a day - if at all possible. DH works from home, so it should be feasible. We shall see. Thanks for the tips!

 

Well my twins aren't here either but I've had 2 kids already, so dh and I already know...

The first 6 wks are hell and you are going to hate everyone and everything except the babies.

The first 6 months are rough, until you get into a good routine/schedule.

And then the fun begins! :wub:

 

this is the sweetest thing ever. I have 3 other kiddos that are 2 yrs apart each - they are amazing too BUT oh my goodness!!!!!! having a set of twins so doubly wonderful!! yes I agree that it is not easy - my 2 are 2 and still do not sleep through the night - but I would not trade this experience for anything!! just watching these two interact with each other is priceless. You cannot hand Ava something whether it is a baby wipe or a cookie without handing one to her "sissy" - and Addison is the same way! When Addison had tubes put in her ears - Ava cried the entire time Addison was in the OR - I am telling you this is the greatest thing EVER! I just wish time would slow down a little!!

CONGRATULATIONS to all of you expectant moms! what you are in for is just too sweet for words!

 

having twins (especially if they are your first children) is a steep learning curve - you will look back & think "man, if it'd known THAT, i would have done THIS". cut yourself lots and lots of slack. you will always do the best you can, with the info you have at the time, & that's more than good enough.

remember, the good AND the bad will pass - so enjoy as much as you can, and let go of the rest.

trust YOUR instincts - take other people's advice, read, listen to the experts & then do what you know is right for your babies & your family. you'll never regret that.

 

Great feedback- thank you!!!!

 

So, the pp put out great things. Mine are now three weeks old and if I could add something-

You spend 9 mo worried about how you are going to do this, you are basically "freaking" out. The stress builds until you have yourself convinced there is no way you will make it. I will tell you this is all wrong! Yes its hard, but it's not that bad. Infact, I think its great! You will figure it out as you go along. Just when your so tired you can't left your head up, you will look at your wonderful little babies and be filled with joy and happiness and you will find the desire to keep going. Take the time to enjoy them. Don't worry too much, this is a very short faze and in time all things end. Remember, twice the love, twice the joy!