Calling all Mommies of Twins with with a Child Already

I am a bit freaked still that DH and I are expecting twins in the spring. I think I'd be less nervous if we didn't already have a 2 year old. So my question is, are there any support groups, forums, excellent books that I can join/read to learn how to handle twins and to help make the transition as smooth as possible for my son?? I want to start early so it is all second nature and we're prepared for their arrival. :) Any and all pointers are greatly appreciated???

Calling all Mommies of Twins with with a Child Already

My twins arrived when my DD turned two. She was always aware that I was pregnant and having twins, so it's wasn't too much of a surprise when they were born. She was very involved in everything from day 1. When I started to show, very early on in the pregnancy, we told her about the babies. Every child is different though, so he may not understand, but just try to keep him involved and talk to him a lot about the babies.

Calling all Mommies of Twins with with a Child Already

my twins arrived just before my DS 2nd birthday. I always told him I was having twins and there is a series of books on amazon about having twins - I would read him that book - it is called I'm having twins

my son had no problem with his brothers he just took it in stride - bring all devices for twins out early - let him touch them like swing and bouncer - but don't let her put dolls in them because it might become the dolls seat

my son loved to touch everything - we actually kept the bouncer in the extra crib for the first month - because the baby was safer that way

you could join either the Nassau county or Suffolk county twins club -

I actually found that it was not that hard to have twins after having one already - I knew how to schedule them and I scheduled them to work with my older. I generally had their 2nd nap at the same time as my older son by 3 months

Re: Calling all Mommies of Twins with with a Child Already

My son was older when my twins were born (5), so I don't really have too much advice. I just wanted to jump on and say I was completely freaked out and scared about having two babies at once.

It is not as bad as I thought it was going to be..not at all. There are some times everyone is needing you at once, but you just manage them one at a time, and it will work out, I promise.

You will fall so in love with them, you will forget how nervous you were.

Re: Calling all Mommies of Twins with with a Child Already

Re: Calling all Mommies of Twins with with a Child Already

My DS is 2.5 and my twins just turned 1 month old. He definitely understood that I was pregnant and that 2 babies were coming, but I don't think anything will prepare a child so young for what's about to happen. He was so excited to meet his brothers at the hospital and he loves them SO much (is always kissing them, holding them, etc.), but he has started acting out in other ways. He is talking back when he never ever did before, he's doing bizarre mischievous things that he never did before.. I think part of it is his age, but I really think a lot of it has to do with his little world being rocked. I try SO hard to get him involved and I take him out alone 1-2 mornings a week (my Mom stays with the babies) to get some 1:1 time. It seems to help, but he's still going through something. As far as caring for all 3 of them? It's honestly not as difficult as I was anticipating! Even strangers would gasp when I told them I was having twins and a toddler, but you will get into a groove. I'm 1 month in and it gets easier every day. Once we all fall into a routine, I imagine it being even better! Congratulations!!

Calling all Mommies of Twins with with a Child Already

Thank you all for your words of encouragement. It is comforting to know that all of your older children seemed to adjust smoothly to the twins. It's definitely a testament to your excellent parenting. I'm definitely going to buy that book and look into the support group.

Calling all Mommies of Twins with with a Child Already

PS....a bunch of stupid questions:
1. When twins are born are they already somewhat on a similar schedule?
2. When feeding/nursing did you nurse/feed one at a time or both at the same time?
3. Do you recommend having the babies share a bassinet or should they each sleep in their own?

Re: Calling all Mommies of Twins with with a Child Already

1. When twins are born are they already somewhat on a similar schedule?
Not really. My boys are only one month old, so not really on a schedule yet, but I try to keep the sleep/awake time the same... especially at night. Their feeding schedule varies bc I BF them on demand. They usually nurse right around the same time.

2. When feeding/nursing did you nurse/feed one at a time or both at the same time?
I do a little bit of both. I feed on demand so when they are both hungry at the same time, I tandem feed.

3. Do you recommend having the babies share a bassinet or should they each sleep in their own?
My boys are sleeping together in a pack and play right now. Once they are around 3mo, I will move them out of our bedroom and into their own cribs.

Re: Calling all Mommies of Twins with with a Child Already

1. When twins are born are they already somewhat on a similar schedule?
I don't really remember but I was told to feed them both at the same time. I brought my double pillow to the hospital and learned to tandem nurse on my 2nd or 3rd day. So then I would nurse them both at the same time. I had to supplement because they got jaundice. So for a while, I would nurse one and bottle feed other, and then switch but after a while I found it easier to bottle feed both and tandem nurse both

the key to tandem nursing with both with an older was to have the remote in the pillow, a snack for older child, and maybe a little toy or book when you sit down. After a while I got pretty good at reading and nursing. My older son would run and get more books when we needed it but also had the ability to turn a show on for him if needed

. When feeding/nursing did you nurse/feed one at a time or both at the same time?
3. Do you recommend having the babies share a bassinet or should they each sleep in their own?

we put them both in the same crib - a lot of time in the hospital I would put them in the same bassinet when they were in the room - they liked to be close to each other - in the crib there was room away from each other and they were always swaddled

but after a while they had to sleep in the sleep and play because of spit up issues so we separated them

Re: Calling all Mommies of Twins with with a Child Already

1. When twins are born are they already somewhat on a similar schedule?
I don't really remember but I was told to feed them both at the same time. I brought my double pillow to the hospital and learned to tandem nurse on my 2nd or 3rd day. So then I would nurse them both at the same time. I had to supplement because they got jaundice. So for a while, I would nurse one and bottle feed other, and then switch but after a while I found it easier to bottle feed both and tandem nurse both

the key to tandem nursing with both with an older was to have the remote in the pillow, a snack for older child, and maybe a little toy or book when you sit down. After a while I got pretty good at reading and nursing. My older son would run and get more books when we needed it but also had the ability to turn a show on for him if needed

. When feeding/nursing did you nurse/feed one at a time or both at the same time?
3. Do you recommend having the babies share a bassinet or should they each sleep in their own?

we put them both in the same crib - a lot of time in the hospital I would put them in the same bassinet when they were in the room - they liked to be close to each other - in the crib there was room away from each other and they were always swaddled

but after a while they had to sleep in the sleep and play because of spit up issues so we separated them