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Bath time with toddler and baby twins - mission impossible?

7 replies

MrsIcarus · 23/02/2012 19:10

We have a DS (aged 3) and DTDs (6 weeks). I'm breastfeeding the twins in tandem using a feeding cushion, so need to be on my bed or the sofa to have room.

Could any of you who breastfed twins with a toddler bouncing around explain how you managed the bath/story/bed routine pls? My attempt this evening ended with all four of us in tears.

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faeriefruitcake · 23/02/2012 22:27

My oldest is 18months older than my twins. To begin with we would bathed her separetly. Then husband and I would bathe twins together but one at a time. One in water, whilst he stripped other then swapped over.

Once they could sit up we put them all in together but both of us would be helping. They still go in together for time being as they are 4 and 3.

Bed time routine was that toddler carried on with routine we already had, roughly 7pm, story and bed. Now it's all three go up together, brush teeth, story then bed.

It will get better Brew

londonmum123 · 23/02/2012 23:34

Oh gosh, I remember those days. It really does get easier (twins are now 10 months).

There's 20 months between DD1 and the twins so not sure if my "routine" would work for your 3 year old.

My bedtime routine started around 4pm when I would breastfeed the twins. Mid feed, around 4:30, I would get DD1's dinner. She would eat it IN FRONT OF THE TV (what a bad mother I am) whilst I finished feeding the twins. The babies would then have a quick nap from 5 and I'd wake them at 5:30 to give them a bath.

I would get DD1s milk, towels, grobags and all the bed stuff ready before plonking them all in the bath together (I had two of those generic plastic moulded seats for the babies). I would then prepare myself for three screaming children and get whoever was crying loudest out first, dry them and dress them. Repeat for the next two. By this point I would be losing the will to live. I would take us all into my bedroom (it's now 6pm-ish) and stick the TV on again and give DD1 an array of books to look at. I'd feed the babies whilst trying to avoid being bitten by DD1 (who was going through a biting stage).

If the babies fed well, I would put them down in their cot (sharing at that stage) and take DD1 to bed and read her a story. If they hadn't fed well, I'd prop them up on my bed and read DD1 and excelerated story then get her off to bed quickly so I could continue feeding the babies. DD1 would always be in bed by 7 (for my sanity).

As I write this it's all come flooding back so you have my sympathy. You'll work out what works for you, please try not to be too hard on yourself. They don't need to be bathed every night, they don't all need to be bathed together - you could bath the babies in the morning/after your other child is in bed. I found my DD1 was most accommodating when I got her involved - washing their hair etc.

It really does get easier - bathtimes are a joy now. Be kind to yourself and give yourself a pat on the back for even attempting bath/bedtime in your own.

MrsIcarus · 24/02/2012 08:02

Thank you both for your replies - it's very helpful. And reassuring to hear that it gets easier!

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mummypigof3 · 24/02/2012 08:47

Mrs Icarus you are doing better than me. My DD is 2yr and DTs 6 weeks I've just about given up BFing - well done you for managing that and a toddler. I'm flipping out as will be flying solo when DP back to work so watching thread with interest. Great tips.
Good luck with it all, I know how bloody hard it is x

MrsIcarus · 24/02/2012 10:16

Thank you - and good luck to you too. Having a two year old must be harder than a three year old!

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DreamingOfPeace · 24/02/2012 22:25

Oh god, I'm nervous... Dd is 17 months and my twins are arriving in 5 weeks 5 days if not sooner.... Sounds so hard. I agree, attempting to bath them all together should be highly commended. Well done everyone for keeping going!!

benjalamummy · 25/02/2012 12:40

FWIW I think you are all bloody amazing.

I have twins with no other kids and I remember the early days trying to get them bathed/fed/bed while my dh was at work, and some nights when we'd all be crying. It felt really, really hard at the time, and that's with just the two.

You lot are my definition of SuperMum :)

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