Anyone had twins to advise me of any tips?

[Jenniferb21]

Hello I’ve just found out I’m expecting twins at my 12 week scan. Looking for any advice but have wondered:

• I have a reasonably stressful job in a managerial position. When should I go on maternity leave if I’m expected to have the babies around week 36?
  

• do you need 2 of everything. What can you get away with having 1 of?
  

• breastfeeeding Advice/ tips for two newborns.
  

Thanks all x

[Gunpowder]

Ooh congratulations Jennifer! Was it a shock? I’m 34 weeks with my DCDA twins at the mo so this is really more of a placemark for me than to give advice to you.

The only thing I can advise on is mat leave which I would take earlier than you think/you would for a singleton. I’ve found the last two or three weeks exhausting (mostly looking after DC rather than working) whereas with my single pregnancies I had energy right up until the last couple of weeks. Not saying it will necessarily be the same for you but I am finding twin pregnancy hard going now.

[Herschellmum]

Congratulations! My twins are nearly 6, so feels like a lifetime ago.

When to go on maternity? Really there isn’t right answer. Every pregnancy is different, mine had a few complications, twins born at 37 weeks, I was really uncomfortable for the last 6 weeks or so.

Two of everything? Well, the reality is amazon prime delivers anything you need next day if you need something quickly. Obviously you will need two car seats and things like that. Mine slept together for the first few weeks, they slept better together, but they outgrew the Moses market together fast and I used a travel cot down stairs and cot upstairs.

I’m useless as at breastfeeding, I just keep going as long as I can but never last out more than 6 weeks so hopefully someone experienced will be along.

[girlwhowearsglasses]

Congrats! Mine are nine now.

Imagine being an old lady- that’s what being pregnant with twins past 32 weeks feels like.
I didn’t drive after 34 weeks (I had a singleton before and felt fine the whole time).

I remember going into Mamas and Papas at 27 weeks and sobbing because nothing fitted - the assistants thought I was about to pop and why on earth would I want to buy more maternity clothes- they did take pity once I explained...

Seriously though - don’t leave work any later than 32 weeks. Also try to keep a wide area of ‘due date’ in your head for sanity - ‘when are you due’ should answer, oh anywhere between about 43 weeks and 40 weeks’ - or you will run out of steam - pacing is all.

If it’s any consolation the last bits of pregnancy are much worse than two newborns - they do tend to sleep a lot the first few days..

[girlwhowearsglasses]

Ooh yes maintain a ‘just in time’ delicery ethos, online is the way.

You dint need two cots - one is fine for quite a while. Ditto changing bags


I found putting babie in a vest with two popper and then leggings was by far the quickest way to change them - baby grows usually have seven poppers up the legs and that means 14 poppers to do every change - go for easy life

Also. Research ‘good enough parenting’ - seriously, being good enough is great.

[Bez9087]

Just wanted to say congrats on twins. I’m 17+2 with dcda twins at the min just found out they are girls 🎀 I was told easier to keep them together for sleeps etc it settles them more. I’m getting two sets of steriliser and bottles but because I am only intending to bf the first few days to give them the colostrum i don’t want to put pressure on myself to breast feed to a certain point so if I last longer than a few days great if I don’t then I know they have had the colostrum.
I read they tend to come anytime from 34 weeks and only a small percentage last till 37-40 weeks although how true this is I don’t know.
Good luck. I found the multiple birth forum handy for reading tips and tricks

[Landy10]

Congratulations! Twins are hard work but lovely!
I went on Mat leave at 32 weeks, really needed to. Babies born 37&4.
We have 2 cots but they were in one cot together till 5 months (at the start in Cocoonababy in the cot). Had 2 bassinets for pram, 2 bouncy chairs, 2 car seats, 2 Bath seats. We only have one of most toys.

Breastfeeding is seriously hard, seriously! I did it for 5 months and then gave up because I was so exhausted from one of my babies terrible sleeping and them starting to roll away/want me to interact more in the day. If you are serious about breastfeeding get a hospital grade pump (you can rent them). I think I just about wore mine out! I also found setting myself goals with it helped - so at first it was I’ll do this till 6 weeks, then 12 weeks etc. In all honesty when I think back now I wonder why I put myself through all that difficulty and I’ve had 2 GPs ask why I did bother!

Good luck!

[Jenniferb21]

Thank you so much lovely ladies. I’ve told work today after reading these posts and having a chat with DH that I’ll be going on leave at 30 weeks I’d much rather be rested and look after myself.

Your tips have been so helpful thank you xxxxxxxxx