Toddler Twins always ill

[rugrats]

Hi
I'm new to this and have read the messages, wish I'd discovered before!!

I am a single mum to 21 month old twin girls and they are a real joy but hard work on my own!! I have been a single mum since they were about five months old and I have to say sadly, I really don't remember the 1st year of their lives!!

My latest problem with the girls (I have never seen them as twins as they are so different!) is one that I wondered anyone else out ther had? They have spent the entire winter ill: from continuous colds, conjunctivitis, sick bugs (which they give to me, I've had three this year already) virus's. It has been never ending. For my sanity they are at nursery 3 afternoons a week, could it be there that they are catching all these infections? Because they haven'y had a clear week without illness they haven't even had their MMR.

I'm willing spring to come on because I'm sure it's central heating that can't be doing any good but when will it end??
Help!

oh rugrats - I so understand where you are coming from - hop over to the "d'you ever wonder how life got like this" thread on the multiple births section - I have just posted another note about my DTs being ill CONSTANTLY!!!

Well I'm not a single mum, I'm a SAHM and don't really remember the 1st year of my dts lives!!! I wouldn't worry about that, I applaud you for handling this on your own because I don't know if I could have coped! The first year is so knackering physically and mentally.

My dts are now 4, they do catch infections from nursery, my two have been at their school nursery since last january. When they first started it felt like they were never there, they caught everything including chicken pox which lasted their Easter holidays! But this year has been much better, their immunity builds up the best way possible.

But like you I do long for the sick season to be over. Because as you know with twins any illness bounces from one to the other and back again! It seems to be me catching all the illnesses this year.

Hiya,

My dts are now 3 and although they still get ill occasionally, it is SO much easier now. I reckon the worst thing about the first 2 years with twins is the illnesses. Your girls probably are catching lots from nursery but they will have amazing immunity soon .

I am sure you already do it, but make sure you wash their hands and faces VERY thoroughly when they come home, you might even want to change their clothes (can viruses live on clothes???). Wash your hands all the time too, as often as you remember.

When mine are ill with a cold I always prop up their cots/beds and put a humidifier on in the room (or bowl of hot water) as the central heating is so drying.

Once the central heating is off and the sun starts to come out a bit more you should get some kind of break from all of this.

You have my sympathy and as far as I am concerned a single mother of toddler twins deserves a medal and a large cheque!! I find mine hard work and I am not a single mum. Good luck and it sounds like you are doing a great job already.

I also have twins girls, 26months, and they have been constantly ill too (well it seems that way) but they are just building their immune system so hopefully next winter will be a little easier

Hiya all, I too have twin girls, 29 months of age. They are in full time nursery and have had every bug under the sun! With the exception of chickenpox, which I am dreading!

As much as I try to protect them, it is an impossible task! You can only do your best but the worry kills me!

I bow down to you, single mum, doing it on your own, you really deserve a massive reward! It is interesting reading these messages, as it is clear, that the only parents to understand how complicated illnesses can be with twins are twin parents!

It is nice to think we are not alone!

Just agreeing really! Illness in this house too, at this very moment its just colds (4 out of 5 of us) but as I always say there is always someone ill and always someone crying! Well done rugrats. Are you happy to be on you're own with them? I only ask because I have DTs and a DD and my DP works away most of every week so I raise them largely alone with a little bit of help here and there. I sometimes find its easier on my own than when he or someone else is around.

Peaceful nights everyone and roll on a balmy summer.....

Hi, just to reply to rugrats i have 5 yr old twins and i have have one thats sicker than the other,don't worry it usaualy doesn't last. About you not remembering you twins when they where younger take loads of photos and videos its great to sit and look at them and it will bring back great memories especially when they get older.

just thought I'd jump in as well.

DT2 gets sick much easier than DT1. He got foul chickenpox, then 2 weeks later she got one pox spot on her right shoulder, which dried up in a few days and she was as right as rain. He got the vomiting/runs bug. She... fit as a fiddle.

They tend to build really strong immunities around the age of 4. (Whilst not wishing their wee lives away.......... sigh!). Roll on the Spring (or at the very least some warm weather).

A second nudge towards the d'you ever wonder thread

Hi Rugrats. You deserve a medal. Twins are hard work and to do it on your own, well.

I don't want to appear smug but my DTS have had no illnesses this winter and they are now 24 months old. They go to nursery 3 days a week so I guess mixing with other children has helped them. If anything DH and I have suffered more this winter than the boys.

I just hope I am not tempting fate by posting this.

Good luck!