Twins with an 18 month old- advice please.

[Wiggy29]

Just found out we'll be having twins around September when dc2 is only 18months (dc1 is 9). I'm really concerned about how we'll transport 3 little ones.

We currently have a city select that becomes a double so thought at first one twin in sling, one in car seat on select and dc2 in select, then in time, twins in select and dc2 on buggyboard? Wasn't going to bother with bassinet as figured the chance of me going out for walks with all 3 when they are under 6 months (plus in winter) is pretty unlikely. Plus, doubt I'd fit all that kit in the back of the car as we'll need a 7 seated now.

Also, any tips on good websites/ books for twins? Thanks.

I don't have twins but I do have a 15 month age gap between my DDs. I think your plans sound sensible. I have only recently bought a double pushchair as until now I carried DD2 in a sling while pushing DD2 in my existing single pram or, for shorter trips, pushed DD2 in the pram while DD1 walked. I also bought a buggy board but this hasn't been hugely successful. I think your expectations re your ability to push them around for a walk are sensible!

I worried about transporting the two of them but have found that DD1 has really come on with her walking (probably out of necessity since it was a struggle to carry her when heavily pregnant).

Thank you wiseelf, trying not to panic but there's a lot to think about!

My DD1 was 21 months when the twins arrived. She went on the buggy board on the back of the double buggy at first (we weren't having long walks at that stage anyway, only really from the car to playgroup).

It worked for short journeys but nothing more than 10/15 mins in total as DD1 would then get off the board/have a strop that she wasn't allowed to lie in the buggy etc.

By the time DD was 2.5 she was able to stay on the buggy board for longer periods. Now, at 3, she walks beside the buggy and holds onto a strap attached to it or she walks along beside me if we are not near a busy road. DD is quite sensible though, it she was a bolter then I would have her in a backpack with reins & wrap that around my wrist as well.

We also have an 8 year old DS & he is actually SO helpful as an extra pair of hands when we go out somewhere. I'm sure you will be glad of your older DC Good luck!

My cousin has triplets. At first she used a double buggy and carried one in a sling.

Join Tamba, their chat archive has a lot of useful information. Mothering Multiples by Friedman is a good book, she give good advice on breastfeeding twins.

Mine were born at the end of September, we didn't buy carrycots and they were able to sit in proper buggy seat very soon, 6 months flies by.

Congratulations, my twins are 18 months old and I have loved (almost) every moment.

Thank you neversleepagain (although your name scares me!), it's so nice to hear positives as when I've Googled twins it's so many negative comments/ horror stories!

Morning times- I know! dc1 (9) has already been amazing with dc2. We're conscious of not putting too much on him but he loves helping out and has been a total star.

My eldest was 15 months when twin girls arrived and we used an abc Everest / getting out for fresh air was my saviour in any weather!! I carried on using the buggy when the next set of twins arrived when the first set were 2.

The ABC when folded actually fitted behind the rear 2 seats of a galaxy :-)

Hi, I had a 19month gap between DD1 and DTs. We had a double buggy (Phil and Teds side by side) and a sling initially. And DD1 became a pretty good walker - she was/is a pretty sensible child by nature and not one to run off so I just had to not go too far. It worked fine, but I guess depends where you live/where you need to go.
My kids are 7 and 5 now and it's lovely having them all so close together. The first year or so was tough, but it's a lovely age gap.
Oh, and we have a Galaxy too!

oh god I think I top the crazy lady chart.

my dd was 11 months old when dts arrived.

I had a double and single couldn't get out on my own ever. but I thought if I got a triple what's the point if I couldn't get in doors or bus etc.
or I would put one of the twins in a sling and other 2 im buggy.

all will be ok :) they will have a lovely relationship

I have an 18, nearly 19 month age gap between my eldest and my twins. I had an ABC Everest Triple (Like harrygracejessica ) It's actually 2cm narrower than my double buggy which goes through a standard doorway- I have a baby jogger city mini double. I didn't end up using my ABC as much as I thought I would because around 2 my DD started using a balance bike to go everywhere, I preferred to sling one and use my lighter double buggy with better sleeping hoods for the babies and had my DD on my back (as she got up and down). If you#ve got a city select you could also get one of those bike attachment things - is it a bibi bike? to go on your select. I couldn't do that as it'd make my double the width of a treble so wouldn't get through doors, but my DD would have loved it!

For me, the first 18 months were hellish. BUT I have one with multiple food intolerances and reflux- he's (they're) two now, turned 2 this month, and he only stopped vomiting after a chnage in his medication which happened at the end of January. He was a late diagnosis. As was his brother- though earlier than him- both cows milk protein intolerant (and soya and egg and ? tomato for the other) refluxers. But one twins reflux settled at 7-8 months old. I think that was what made it absolute hell for me. Two "colicky" (except they bloody weren't they had reflux!!!) babies who did nothing but scream. I have friends with a toddler and twins who have done far better than me> Now my daughter is 3.5 and my boys are 2 they're totally ace though. Loving it!!!

I second that you'll find your elder dc so useful when out and about. Oh- and I love our Seat Alhambra. It's basically exactly the same as a VW Sharan but cheaper :)

We had our twins when our DD was 18m and we got a double Donkey pram, put one twin in the bassinet and DD in the seat next to him and carried the other twin in a sling. We did this for a while and then moved on to double pram and buggy board when DD was around 2.
You can get some fab buggy boards for little kids called 'easy riders' or something like that: they're like a buggy board with a seat and handlebars. You'd need a wide pram, I should imagine!

PS: we have the new Sharan as it has three x isofix across the back seats.

I have a baby jogger city mini and an easy x rider it's a buggy board with a seat and harness. My ds was 18 months when my twins were born.