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Multiple births

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

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Original poster

When will I get a smile ?

10 replies

loadsanappies · 17/01/2007 12:38

Hi,
I wonder if anyone has any thoughts on this ? My DS & DD are now 10 wks old (but arrived at 34 +5 weeks). So far, DS has produced about 3 full-face broad grins but they are few & far between. DD gives every indication that she is as miserable as sin - nothing approaching a smile at all (plenty of crying, mind you). She has always been about 2 weeks behind her brother developmentally, and was (and still is) the smaller of the twins. Does anyone think this sounds odd ? Should they be smiling by now - and generally interacting more ? They have one of those play-gyms and DS particularly likes being in it. They also like the music on Baby Einstein & I try to chatter/interact with them as much as possible but after 2.5 months of little or no feedback its becoming really hard. I think my partner is ready to leave home!
Anybody any thoughts - particularly on whether the fact they were prem makes a difference ? I'll post on the behavioural/developmental thread too - just incase.
Thanks!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

sunnywong · 17/01/2007 12:41

babies smile at 5-7 weeks after birth so any day now

maybe you should up the ante and dress as clowns

Original poster

loadsanappies · 17/01/2007 12:53

I frankly couldn't look more ridiculous than I already do (thank God I don't have a webcam)!

OP posts:

MarsLady · 17/01/2007 13:09

I really wouldn't worry! DT1 has always been my serious one (looks at you like she just stepped in you lol) and DT2 my smiley man.

You'll find that they are soon smiling away and you'll forget you were concerned.

They're only 10 weeks (5 weeks corrected)there's time.

frumpygrumpy · 17/01/2007 13:11

Plenty time. She is adjusting to this new world and is just sharing bits of herself at a time. So far she is opinionated, cautious, intruiging and mysterious - all fabulous qualities IMHO .

My twins really didn't notice each other very much until they were well over 6 months (maybe even a year).

Are you coping?

glamourbadger · 17/01/2007 13:33

Prems tend to be behind developmentally but they do catch up. My twins were also prem and didn't smile for ages. It was around 17 weeks (so 7 weeks corrected). The first time DT1 smiled at me I actually cried!

Mine are 9 months and only just starting to notice each other. I guess they are so used to having their twin around it is like an extension of themselves, rather than another baby. Mine also cried continually from about 6-12 weeks, making me think they had a miserable disposition and hated me! They are now happy little ladies with lots of smiles and chatter.

Hang in there - it does get better! It's such hard graft at the beginning but in a few months you will feel so blessed that you have twins. Mine have brought me so much joy - one baby would be so boring in comparison! Just work towards getting them to sleep through at night as once you get a decent nights kip you start to enjoy them a lot more.

Kelly1978 · 17/01/2007 13:37

my dt2 was a miserable baby and rarely ever smiled and both were quite late to smile, prefering to sit back and study everything. I don't think you have anything to worry about, and do keep chattering to them they will be taking it all in and they often change so much as they grow up - my dt2 is now the cheeky comedian of our family!

Original poster

loadsanappies · 17/01/2007 13:42

Oh I so know what you mean about sleeping through the night! Lucky for me, my other half does the 11pm feed so I can get some shut eye. I must admit I'm finding the "Baby Secrets" book pretty invaluable. They've started to take less feed at night-time and we now have to wake them for the 11pm feed so I think they may be "getting in to gear" for going through. I really really hope so!

Frumpy - yes thanks, I think I am coping. I only think otherwise when I've had 2 or 3 hours sleep for 2 or 3 nights on the trot (ie.last week when they both had colds). But so far, they are syncronized, they are feeding well and we do have a pretty good routine worked out - which (being a control freak) is keeping me sane. However, it is now 20 to two and I am still not dressed (the result of a "night out" with my girlfriends - alcohol free and home by 10.30 but nevertheless, a night out - which meant I was knackered this morning and just couldn't get stuff done!)

Anyway, onwards and upwards....

OP posts:

speedymama · 17/01/2007 13:59

DT2 did not smile until he was 20 weeks. He weighed 3lb 1oz at birth at 34 weeks.

glamourbadger · 17/01/2007 14:07

Sounds like you are doing a brilliant job!

Getting out and seeing your mates well worth it even if it means less sleep. Helps keep you sane and nice to talk about something other than feeds and poos . Don't worry about the pyjams. I brought my twins home during this summer's heatwave and spent 3 months in giant maternity knickers and a series of alluring Primark vest tops. Am also amazed my husband is still on the scene!

frumpygrumpy · 17/01/2007 18:33

loadsanappies, good for you girl! I am also a control freak , explains why I have found motherhood so damn difficult

We have a regular thread on here which we struggling mums of twins and more pop into daily. Please do join us.......its the thread titled "D'y ever wonder....." (our fourth thread and growing daily)

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