Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Multiple births

When do you start showing with twins? What is life with twins like? Join the conversation on our Multiple Births forum.

Under 1s twin post-natal group? Should we have one? Who's in?!

999 replies

PeelingmyselfofftheCeiling · 08/03/2012 22:12

The antenatal group is nearly full, any graduates fancy joining forces to compare

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
claireinmodena · 27/06/2012 22:38

rednellie never heard of that one about flying... all I know is that you need one adult per baby.. Maybe check with airline?

Big sisters can be a real lifesaver, mine are a huge help!

mine thats cute that ours seem to be on the same routine. Don't worry about rolling over yet, all mine have been earlish (but late with speech), It'll probably happen within yhe next few weeks, and enjoy it while you can! Once they've found some sort of mobility there is no going back.

I have to agree with rednellie the "opportunity window" sounds a bit Hmm

Personally I'll wait til they are closer to 6 months (and might try BLW, still gathering info on that), I'd like them to be able to sit up firat, it just seems a more natural position to eat solids iykwim.

As for weaning them separately, not sure why it would be easier? I'd say they will probably want to have what the other's having anyway.

claireinmodena · 27/06/2012 22:39

Envy at oysters!! Love them, but havent had them in aaages!

claireinmodena · 27/06/2012 22:47

Xposts!

tigger that sounds really stressfull, glad its all worked out

ceeveebee what a horrible situation! I don't know what I would do tbh, good luck!

mines I think rows are fairly normal with babies in the house... don't feel bad, we all do it except dh who chooses to ignore me and end up rowing by myself!

Will try and go to bed in the vain hope of getting some sleep or should I say sauna? It's so b**y hot here!!

ceeveebee · 27/06/2012 22:59

Red I think it depends on the airline and how the plane is configured, some planes only have one drop down oxygen mask per row of seats so can't have two lap babies in same row, I'd check with the airline

Thanks for supportive conments all. I've asked work to consider another option and am planning a call with them on Friday. I'm going to say I'm coming back full time if we can't agree part time. I then have until mid November before I am due back so can hand my notice in nearer the time I decide I can't do full time. Problem is DH job looking a bit shaky so don't want to give up my job just yet - he could be a SAHD for a while which will be a shock to his system!!!!

DTD hasn't quite rolled yet at 7.5 months,, she's 99% there, and DTS didn't roll until 6 months. Neither can sit on their own for more than about 2 minutes.

I waited until 25 weeks before weaning, and DTD was not ready, she rejected everything for the first few weeks (she is much smaller, 2nd centile whereas he is nearly 50th). She still is very fussy, really seems to like porridge, weetabix with fruit, yogurt, scrambled eggs and anything with cheese sauce on - basically things that taste of milk! I still kept trying her or at least sitting her in her high chair so she could watch and hope she wanted to copy her brother. Problem with weaning seperately is that if you are doing traditional puréed, you'd end up having to prepare different things for each twin if they were at different stages. Of all the twin mums I know, none weaned one twin at a time.

ceeveebee · 27/06/2012 23:03

Posted halfway through as was getting long and didn't want to lose it all!!

Bathtime - I use mama and papas bath seats which are great and mean I can bath both together.

www.mamasandpapas.com/product-acqua-bath-support-pearl-whitesoft-lime/4552499/type-i/

Have just ordered this from mothercare as they're getting too big for their seats (well, DTS is anyway)
www.mothercare.com/Mothercare-Duo-Aquapod/219630,default,pd.html

ceeveebee · 27/06/2012 23:51

I still haven't been able to upload photos from my iPhone, so I have put a couple on Flickr, hope this works!

www.flickr.com/photos/80791256@N02/7457258448

www.flickr.com/photos/80791256@N02/7457167224

www.flickr.com/photos/80791256@N02/7457171370

rednellie · 28/06/2012 00:36

CUTE! Lovely pics ceeveebee. I would post a link to our flickr site but it would give WAY too much away about our life! Not sure I want you lot seeing me age 19 and what I got up too Grin

I had one those mothercare pod thingies for DD and she loved it, was great. It's probably growing mold somewhere in my Mum's garage....

claireinmodena · 28/06/2012 04:01

Gorgeous photos, ceeveebee, is it me or does your baby girl look a lot like you?

Fingers x for you on frid, hoping they agree on a good solution for you!

bigboobsatlast · 28/06/2012 09:21

Hello all. Got Twin Club (first time) this morning - which I am looking forward to but also a bit nervous..... as long as I can get us all ready in time that is - we are all washed and dressed so thats a start!

Ceeveebee - good luck with sorting something out with work. Its so important to get the balance as you want it, but employers are nt always as flexible as they should be. Businesses usually get more out of PT workers as often nearly the same amount of work is done in less days, and therefore paid less. I work 3 days a week and I swear I nearlt do the same amount of work as when I was FT - I just work a lot harder and quicker to get it all done!
And lovely photos, thank you for sharing them with us.

Re baths, I am still using a bucket for my two (Hmm), although they are getting a bit big for it now. I have two baths seats so will dust them off soon and brave bathing them with DD. At the moment the boys have baths any time of the day and not every day, so not part of a routine as yet.

Minesapint your HV is talking rubbish as far as I am concerned! Window for what?! I weaned my DD at about 4.5 months and did the traditional puree approach - worked for us. She is a fairly good eater now but quite fussy. No words of wisdom (as usual), although I do remember everything being so much easier when DD could sit and feed herself although very very messy

and why would you wean them seperately? that sounds hard work to me unless DTs really were very different, which of course they could be - I would trust your instincts on that one. you and Claire sound like sleep is going well - not Envy at all

oh and the rows / falling out / silences / moods - its all going on here!! Biggest annoyance - DH moaning about how tired he is and how much his back aches from picking up DTs. Really? Tell me more darling please, I would love to hear all about it.....Hmm

Dream, 12 weeks - wow!!! sorry that things are still not as settled as you would hope, but things are getting easier by the sounds if it. To make you feel a little better my DD has had a complete bedtime regression - taking me a good hour to get her to go to sleep... so any hope of an evening is out the window although I did still manage to neck half a glass of wine

Lemele, sorry to hear things are hard at the mo. How are you feeling now?

My two are now eight weeks and are getting more and more settled - and we have smiles!! Which is so lovely. They have also on a couple of occasions gone more than 3 hours at night between feeds.... slow progress! Still no routine here other than to bed around 9pm ish and milk in their bedroom - other than that we take each day as it comes! Oh, and we are always up by 6.30am

Right, got to try anddisguise my tired eyes before going to twin club, in the hope of looking more in control than I really am. Ha!

bigboobsatlast · 28/06/2012 09:53

oh, and by the way Dream week one of healthy eating has been a disaster. Many biscuits crisps and chocolate consumed. Can we start again on Monday please? :)

DreamingOfPeace · 28/06/2012 13:28

Feeling rubbish after an astoundingly bad night. Will they never sleep?! I'm considering formula at night again now, just when I thought I might finally have cracked ebf. I think I was actually expecting a 12 weeks miracle. I can't shake off the feeling I'm failing at something because I can't get them into a routine. Even in the day- in the morning yesterday, both woke at the same time, changed their sicky clothes, fed them, clean nappies and another feed before playgroup at 10am, pushed them to sleep in the pushchair- one slept 2 hours, one 20 minutes, and this is what always happens; one awake, one asleep... bedtime routine has now been in place 7 weeks, they still don't go down... Plus DT1, always my less refluxy/ colicky twin seems worse with his reflux?! Coming off the boob screaming, especially in the evening/ night but through the day a lot as well, very unsettled after feeds the last few days.

What was twins club like bigboobs? I'm a bit Envy . It's been a healthy eating disaster here too. I keep turning to chocolate/cakes/ biscuits as a quick fix sugary pick me up... Next Monday it is!

Hello Claire it gives me hope that yours are sleeping well as they were pretty unsettled at first, especially R wasn't he? I would have been just the same with the swimming pool incident, glad it all worked out and you had a good afternoon.

ceevee, beautiful babies! I love their swimming pic. Good luck for Friday.

DreamingOfPeace · 28/06/2012 13:35

Oh, and I've also got the wierd dark brown scaly skin around my tummy button and some of my stretch marks- it did improve with vicious scratching off with a fingernail in the shower for lack of anything exfoliating to hand...

Also, I actually watched my two this morning. Seems they watch DD more than I thought they did, and DT1 loved watching them all at dds music group this morning, and the songs. DT2 was asleep, of course, bearing in mind DT1 was awake. Hmm.

claireinmodena · 28/06/2012 14:39

dream sorry to hear no big improvement yet, but for it was very gradual and really noticed a difference around 14 weeks.

They're still very unsynchronised during the day, just like yours, they rarely sleep at the same time, but I don't mind as long as they sleep well at night!

And yes it was R who was v colicky (sp?) but I swear Infacol worked wonders with him.

I also had the weird dark skin on bb, mostly gone now but still have a faint line down my wobbly tummy.

bigboobsatlast · 28/06/2012 16:41

Oh Dream, sorry you had a rubbish night. It is so hard when the sleepless nights go on and on and on. But you know it will get better - you just need it to get better NOW!

Twins Club was good - very busy. Met some new people and there were probably about 4 other Mums with babes under 3 months. So will go again, even though such things are not really my cup of tea, it is good to get out and having two when everyone else has two is soooo much less stressful - no awkward glances when you have 2 crying babies and can only hold one - leaving one crying on the floor etc etc. DT2 loved it, smiled nearly the whole time! DT1 not so taken with it but he was tired (mine also don't sleep at the same time in the day).

I have dark brown BB and the line down my tummy still. AND Red, was it you whose under arm hair stopped growing? Same here! I kid you not. Weird hey?

Saw someone from work this afternoon and made me think about going back-and not wanting to :( I know it will be ok when the time comes but the thought of it is not a good one just yet. Note to self: buy lottery ticker Wink

rednellie · 28/06/2012 22:24

bigboobs twas I with the weird no hair growth. I was going to update anyway, but yes, small amount of growth but of very weedy thin hair that you can hardly see. Same on my legs and...elsewhere. Which is GREAT as it's finally decided to be summer and I have no time for lady maintenance so I'm wearing shorts without worrying. It could, of course, be the fact that I need to update my glasses prescription in which case I am exposing all and sundry to my horrific hairiness....

dream, I'm so sorry Sad I think fraternal twins will always just be slightly off each others schedule. My two have subtle differences which means I know DT1 will always be awake, most of the time, but go down at night whereas DT2 sleeps anywhere and everywhere, but not so much at night.

Actually we've been a bit fed up with the night wakings recently. I think DH and I have just hit a wall and they've been waking up more (WTF is that about?) and what with that and DD getting up early....well, I think the last time anyone got more than 4 hrs straight was in the dim and distant past.

We've started finishing things here - had our last dance session with our group. I was very Sad It's been such a special group and I've enjoyed being able to dance for the first time in ages...will have to set up a group back home. But it has made the move more 'real'....

Lemele · 29/06/2012 21:27

Yes re stretch marks, anyone have a sort of macabre will to show them off to people? I occasionally get the urge but so far have restrained myself! Hmm

dreaming walk and jig was all I ever used to do with DS but for some reason I've never done it with the twins. I was saying to a friend the other day that it was probably just as well or I'd never sit down! (Feel sorry for you.. lol at the jigging while mn-ing being unacceptable though, I remember it well - they seem to sense any tiny change in your movements don't they?!) Also I sympathise with the change in temperament, my DT2 was way more settled than DT1 and since his 1st jabs (I'm hoping it was just coincidence) he has been much more unsettled, as well as frequently waking up crying terribly after appearing supremely peaceful moments before.

Speaking of jabs, my twins are currently enjoying the lovely post-2nd-jab effects of very broken sleep. Just when you think you're getting somewhere...!! Very irritating. I just try and remember it could be worse but even so, it does get you down at 3am :(

I've just been to the docs coz I keep getting stomach aches and bits of bleeding here and there. I kept thinking it was prob coz of all the physial effort of running after 3 tinies plus breastfeeding, but after this long I thought I'd better make an appointment! Anyway I've got to go for an ultrasound. I'm hoping it's nothing but at the same time would like to stop feeling terrible!

Speaking of feeling terrible, my DH has gone off on a weekend away and I am all aloooone. Not looking forward to it :( Especially since the MiL is also away (DS is normally at hers Fri daytimes and we all go for lunch on Sundays, both of which make my life HUGELY easier!), plus my parents are busy too, so not much in the way of help! I'm just trying not to think about it too much and hopefully I'll survive the torture! Wink

Yes beyoglu, entertaining babies can be tedious. I maintain that that element is worse with one because as they get older they've still only got you to play with...it's nice when they learn to amuse themselves! Our routine (ish) is wake, feed, babygym for 10-30 mins depending on which baby it is (Jacob finds it very tiring), then in their bouncy chairs to either sit and look around, or sleep. Obviously if I have a moment I will cuddle them but (sad to say) they are in their chairs a LOT! I find that TV is now quite good at entertaining them (they're 3 months old) at least for a short time, and they don't get as tired as they do with the baby gym. We go to a mums group weds, a toddler group on thurs and go out for a walk every other morning which is mostly to keep DS happy (shop/park/etc) but the twins seem to like as well. By which I mean they sleep.

Ooh I actually had a proper conversation with the twin mum that sometimes comes to our toddler group (her girls are terribly clingy so she's usually off playing with them) and for the first time I can really appreciate the importance of twin connections! Grin

That sounds pretty chaotic tiggers. And nice to meet another type 1 with twins! I'm pining for the amazing sugar levels I had the the 2nd half of my pregnancy, they've gone back to being pretty hopeless now... (breastfeeding doesn't help) and it's the only thing I'm pining for from pregnancy days, I can tell you!

What on earth is the 'small window of opportunity', minesapintofwine?? That sounds like if you don't start weaning at the exact right moment then they never learn to eat solids.. ever... lol. Hmm I've only met one HV but from the sound of it they all seem to be on their own planet! I would also wean them together, unless one is dying for it and the other really hates it. Weaning is not difficult IME of one ! Hope you've made up with your DH too.

claireinmodena our DHs sound rather similar in arguing terms... in fact most of my words of frustration directed at the back of his head him are because I feel ignored in the first place! Thankfully having 3 kids in the house is doing him the world of good because he just HAS to do stuff, there isn't the option and therefore has to leave his computer for 5 mins... anyone else have this problem?!

DS is still up (8:35pm), refusing to go to bed and for once I'm not going to fight it, because he's not been falling asleep til after 9pm anyway lately so he's actually quieter being down here! (although we do have later evenings and mornings coz of DH's work hours.) Going to have another attempt in a min, although DT2 is doing his best to wake up again... Definitely some sort of regression of sleep with DS, but really I think the waking world is just too exciting now, and he knows he'd much rather be playing with his trains or reading bob the builder...

Gosh cvb just looked at your pics, you look really familiar... Oh and your little 'uns are adorable Grin I might join the healthy eating club too - much easier in warmer weather though, when I'm much more inclined to eat salads (actually the only food I can prepare myself and still feel like eating once its made, which helps!). I've been trying badly this week and although I've had a lot of choc ices, I've also had very little actual chocolate/biscuits. Now just need to have more fruit and veg... that said, i've just remembered the cakes we had...

And thanks bigboobs. I'm not feeling too bad ta, just bearing up and trying to get on with it all!

Gosh, we're all freaks with our weird brown skin aren't we?! (Glad I'm not the only one Wink )

I see that as usual, writing a reply over 5 or so hours means it's ridiculously long - sorry about that everyone!! Blush (On a plus side DS is now in bed and asleep I hope )

Lemele · 29/06/2012 22:40

P.S. I've remembered to upload a few pics of my two terrors :)

ceeveebee · 29/06/2012 22:48

Evening all

How was last night dream? any better? I am impressed that you go out to playgroups (although I know you prob don't have much choice with your older DD to think of) - when I've had bad nights I don't even get dressed the nxt day!

Well I had my chat with work and I am going back on 1 October for 3 days a week, they increased the £££ so it will be worth my while (just). So now the childcare hunt starts. And I am now petrified after tigger's tale, it sounds terrible! I think i'll get my DM and MIL to come and stay for a few days each when I first go back in case of emergencies. Only 3 months of mat leave left - where did that time go?

Mine, how many adults do you know that still survive on milk alone? So what is your hv on about?!? Anyway DTD has started eating proper non-milk food yey, I have worked out that I was trying to give her solids too soon after her milk so she wasn't hungry. Unfortunately that means I am currently feeding them every 2 hours but hopefully I can drop a bottle or two soon.

Lemele, do you know me? Where do you live?

ceeveebee · 29/06/2012 22:50

Xpost - Lemele your boys are very cute x

Lemele · 29/06/2012 23:23

Heh thanks cvb. I'm not sure if I know you or not - if so I don't know when/where from! Brain like a sieve though which doesn't help. I live near Shrewsbury but used to live in Brighton for a couple of years.. if that helps...

ceeveebee · 29/06/2012 23:35

Probably not then, i don't think I've ever been to Shrewsbury or Brighton, am from oop north but now live in sw london. You must be confusing me with a famous filmstar or someone...

rednellie · 30/06/2012 03:41

Lemele - your two are lovely. And yes, I have been tempted to show off my battered tummy. And I frigging gave in to the temptation. It was a lovely well meaning friend telling me how wonderful I looked post-birth and me going 'no I don't, no really, it's a battleground, seriously awful, no, no it is, I'm being serious, I've got two effing hernias, yes I do, I'll show you, I'll show YOU!' Cue lifting my top and my friend standing back in shock and horror only slightly exagerating unable to defend her perfectly nice compliment. Grin

I'm really tired. I know I have no right to complain with poor old dream and her sleep crapness, but these boys are going backwards rather than forwards. Last night I was just about to collapse into bed at 9.30 and they woke for a feed. Then again at 2am and DT2 refused to go down after (despite feeding them FOR AN HOUR) and then one or other was needing settling every hour till DD's wake up time at 6.15am. It's not that bad in the great scheme of things, but we're coming up to the four month mark and me and DH are really hitting a wall...

On that note - I keep wondering if we should split them up? Who has/hasn't?

Oh and was just thinking, people who are at a year or coming up to it, shall we extend this thread for anyone with little twins? What i mean is, I don't want to lose people off this thread (BB3, tiggers and ceeveebee spring to mind...and peeling in whatever reincarnation she comes back as)...What are peoples thoughts?

It's the long weekend here this weekend - Canada Day and all, so we're going to try and get out and catch some fireworks. The boys are doing so well, proper giggling going on in our house and DD is pretty hilarious so I'm quite pleased I don't have to worry about the entertaining them malarky! DD puts on a song and dance routine at the drop of hat at the mo. Our current fave is this

BB3 · 30/06/2012 07:26

Hi ladies

Sorry for the radio silence.

Ceevee - your babies are beautiful! Lemele, cannot wait to go and have a peek at yours when i'm on my computer.

Dream - would you say it's improving at all? Are you managing any sleep?
How did dh do in his exam in the end?

Red - Sad but exciting Grin for the mice getting closer!

I can't remember everything (sorry) but yes to brown cracked belly button, I think it's largely to do with it going back into place post stretching but nothing left now (apart from stretch marks Angry).

I actually lose it when dh starts complaining about being tired or can't give girls breakfast because he needs to get ready for work (as do I) and then he proceeds to sit there throughout the entire time I'm doing it! I do love him to bits but grrrrrrrr sometimes!!!

The girls are 9 months now and cruising along the sofa and wanting to 'walk' all the time which is back breaking. Edie has her top 4 teeth breaking through, Ayse's are just coming, they are both in that stage where they want to be doing more but can't - so getting very frustrated!

Ds has his op Monday and he's needing a lot of support - I don't know if it's frustration on his part or just being fed up of being watched and poked and prided by people but he's struggling a bit more. I really hope the operation makes enough of a difference.

And work is horrendous, I miss the kids and have no motivation to give everything to the new company. I can't wait for October.

All in all, little sleep, upset children and slightly miserable mummy. Confused but we'll get there. This too shall pass and all that!

Hope everyone's got lovely plans for the weekend x

BB3 · 30/06/2012 07:27

Red - how are those mice? Clearly that was supposed to be move!