Twin tips

[Robs20]

I have been so focussed on getting through a complicated pregnancy that I haven’t really thought about actually bringing babies home! We won’t know until they are born if twin A will be ok (high NT measurement and severe polyhydramnios).

But....I am 34 weeks today so trying to be positive! The twin classes I was planning to attend have been cancelled. Does anyone have any tips for a first time twin mum?
Feeding?
Sleeping?
Pushchairs (we don’t have one!)
Any other equipment?
Any other tips for getting through the first few weeks/ months and enjoying them?
Other ways to connect with twin mums?

Thank you :)

Hello!
I’m a first time mum to 18 month old twin girls. You don’t know any different I just imagine what a single baby is like :)

I formula fed both of mine used a twin feeding pillow from Asda online. If I had known I would have two single feeding pillows at least you can put one either side of you instead of leaning over the one pillow. I fed them at the same time in fact they did everything at the same time! Try and get into a routine as soon as possible mine were both tube fed so we came home in a routine I stuck to it and always put them down to sleep. You need to have 5 minutes to yourself and in the early days you can have a sleep if they’re sleeping. I had the egg tandem only now we’ve stopped using it’s fab with the car seats on. I also had two bouncers which they both loved and was handy.

Look after yourself! Drink plenty! sleep when you can! Ask for help if you need it that’s one thing I would change instead of struggling. Don’t push yourself to hard be realistic. You’ll figure it all out and it does get a lot easier.

If you look on tamba they’ll have local twin groups near you.
Twins are amazing! Enjoy them it goes so fast. Good luck xx

I too was concerned about cancelled groups but I found online today the twins trust are offering online sessions in breastfeeding, sleeping etc . It's worth checking them out!

twinstrust.org/let-us-help/courses/_event/breastfeeding-webinar-19thmay.html

I've sourced most information from a local twin group that are on Facebook. Everyone has been super helpful and there are endless threads on what to buy, reviews of products etc.

Huge congratulations! Twins are the best :)
In no particular order:
Mountain buggy duet
Sleeping: we had a cot in our room for them to share then two Moses baskets downstairs for day time
Equipment: play mat and swing chair to pop one in whilst feeding the other(second hand)

Feeding: we had formula in the cupboard and bottles although was keen to breastfeed. Neither of mine thrived on just me feeding them so combo fed for three months before moving onto formula. You have to do what works for your babies and your family.
In those first weeks, I didn’t book in visitors until at least 11am (and if they offered to bring lunch I didn’t say no! Don’t say no to any offers of help!) so I used to stay upstairs feeding/cuddling/napping if they both went back down and getting my shower in!
We made sure the freezer had loads of batch cooking in and if anyone asked us what we wanted we asked them to make us a dinner for the freezer!
The twins trust have a list of twins groups, lots of our groups have Facebook pages too! If you let us know where you are someone might be able to help you?
Most of all, hope your twin one is ok xxx

Pushchair - I can't recommend the Bugaboo Donkey 2 Duo highly enough - it's amazing at we used it for daytime sleeping instead of moses baskets too. At night a next 2me crib fitted the two of then together (just) until 6 months add they settled much better together.
I found combination feeding worked really well for us - I would breastfeed one and the other would have formula, then I'd swap them at the next feed. This was a great way to get dad involved with feeding and also meant he was able to help out at night.

Piglet and peanut feeding cushion. I used from 7 months pregnant as the back support was lovely! Easy for tandem feeding.

A decent sling, I used a moby wrap, dh preferred one with long tie bits. Easier if they are in slings for some trips out.

City select pram. I like the fact the seats can face a variety of ways including each other. Managed to pick one up second hand for around £350 including bassinets etc. Folds down pretty small too. I passed it on to a relative after we finished with it and it’s still going strong.

Oh and a massive cup for yourself, I have never been so thirsty as I was when feeding twins. And a kindle, you can feed and read using the cushion I Mentioned!

Thank you for all of the suggestions, really appreciate the tips. Both twins now have polyhydramnios so C section is booked for next week.....

Spent the last few days batch cooking.....and our fridge/ freezer has decided today is the day to stop working. Nightmare! But apart from that I will try to get organised. The feeding pillow is a good idea and not something we have. And the suggestions re sleeping are really helpful. We have a next to me but I didn’t realise they could sleep in it together (for some reason thought it would be too small).

I have contacted my local twins group and they were going to try and match me with a buddy but so far no news. I might post on some local fb groups and see if there are other local twin mums. I am in BR4 so near SE London/ Bromley.

Experienced mom here.

Definitely batch cook meals as much as possible. Budget appropriately too. Get a car seat and pram. Attend a baby fair so you can get more helpful advice and then try out the baby products and items. Read the reviews. Accept any offer of real assistance and help offered in addition.
Contact TAMBA for more help and support. Try not to worry about other people or baby clothes. Just get the baby essentials for now. Do what you can. Ask your other half to help you. Make a list. Set up a bank account and also delegate. I hope this is useful.

Your lucky babies. I am a twin and love it! My twin also had twin babies and they do too. I didn’t have twins but had a very nervous husband at both my babies’ scans 😆 Do not worry about the house, visitors or anything else, apart from looking after yourself and your babies. Good luck and enjoy x

Don't bother with clothes other than baby grows. It's just not worth the hassle. I agree with the batch cooking suggestion, and asking for help. There are good twins clubs near you, and it definitely helps to be part of them.

Hi OP, congratulations!! You must be so excited to meet your twins next week

I have 3 month old DCDA twins and a 3 year old. My top tips for the newborn phase:

• If you want to breastfeed, you must MUST get the latch right. With two babies your nipples don't get much rest. Watch some videos to see the technique, especially for small babies. This is a great series: globalhealthmedia.org/videos/breastfeeding/

In the first few days they have tiny tummies so even if your milk comes in day 3-4 it will be fine. It may be worth trying to express colostrum in the shower over the next few days to get your supply going since you're having a section.

• Sleeping - they'll outgrow the next to me quite fast but can probably share a cot up to 3 months. We bought one cot for our bedroom and one for downstairs where they napped in the day. Now we've just moved the second cot upstairs as they're too big to share - but they are already used to sleeping in a cot. A couple of cheap bouncer seats are also good for day naps/ somewhere safe to pop a baby when you need to attend to the other one.

Buggy - depends how you'll use it. We have the Mountain Buggy Duet and it's great to push, fits through same doors as a single BUT it's heavy so I personally wouldn't want to be using it on public transport. You need a big boot if driving with it. One tip I have is to buy a buggy you can use from newborn (ie lies flat) rather than buying carrycots as extras. They get so little use. If the twins feel like they're lost in the big pram you can buy a cosy stroller cushion support (about £10 each on Amazon). Also consider if you want to put car seats on the frame as a lot of buggies only allow one car seat.

A final word of general advice: there will be times when one twin cries and you can't comfort them because you are feeding/ changing/ settling the other. This is unavoidable. Just focus on doing one thing at a time, breathe, accept all help, and you'll be fine.

DTs are nearly 9. We all survived!

Casting my mind back for you. One of our best purchases was 2 bath seats a bit like these. Although I'm sure ours where cheaper. . Baths seats meant you could bath both babies at the same time hands free. The "bump" between the legs means they can't slip in.

I'll have a think for other stuff...

Angelcare Soft Touch Bath Support - Aqua https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00AWMV9CY/ref=cmswwrsmsscapiiixeGMEbCDK2STD

Devon mine lives in babygros day and night until they were 9 months old

We had a mountain buggy too. But we're rural so it was invaluable. Seem to remember at the time it was the only side by side buggy that would fit through a normal door.

We had Moses baskets downstairs and went straight into their own room when upstairs. They shared a cot for the first (can't remember) x months.

I went straight to formula. Never regretted it. Each to their own on that one. We had (and still use!) bean bags. They had a harness in them, zipped in, it meant I could feed both babies at the same time.

I agree with the pp saying sometimes you'll have to grit your teeth while one baby cries as you are seeing to the other. I don't remember it happening very often though.

Congratulations!!

Thank you! Can you use the mountain buggy without a carrycot from birth?

A couple of other things:

• if your twins were born around the same time (36+5 assuming we get to wednesday), how long were they in hospital? It is a big assumption that they will be healthy, but I’m planning/ hoping for the best. Midwife mentioned yesterday that we might need to stay until they’ve had their day 5 weigh-ins...

• Routines. Lots of people have mentioned the benefits of getting into a routine. Is there anything to read about doing this? Dd1 was in a very good sleeping/ feeding routine when she came out of hospital but that was more out of necessity and was organises by nurses. No idea where to start with newborns!

• Harvesting colostrum. Is it safe to try now? I’m worried about bringing on labour! Just had a little go and getting clear liquid....is that normal?

Thank you all. I’m scared/ excited in equal measure. Will update on weds :)

Hi

Our mountain buggy just "just" a buggy. An £800 buggy if memory serves me correctly No carry cot or car seat option.

My waters broke at 35+4. I'd already argued for had a planned CS signed off. DTs were in hospital for about 10 days. Needed help breathing etc.

Routine wise I muddled along for a while before using Gina Ford. She has a book for twins. It worked well for us! And the 2-3 hour gap in the afternoon when they both sleep was a godsend which continued until they were nearly 3!!

@Robs20 Our Mountain Buggy Duet can be used from birth - the twins had their first ride in it aged 5 days. (It's the v3 model I think and you can get carrycots for it if you want.) You do have to place them low down in it though so the canopy doesn't cover well. Hence why I recommend the support cushions.

My two were born at 36+3 due to uterine growth restriction and my little boy was only 5lb which they told me is typically the cut-off for needing to go to SCBU. He was totally fine though and I took both home after 2 nights.

Regarding routines, I did GF with my first and it worked really well for the first 6 months. But it relies on the babies being able to stay awake for 2.5-3 hours quite soon and the towns really couldn't, maybe because they were small. They are 16 weeks now, so 12 adjusted, and I'm only just getting the 2.5hr wake times, often they still need 4 naps per day. So I'd go by their cues in the early weeks. I think their weight will have a lot to do with it, as well as whether you choose to bf or ff.

Good luck for Wednesday!!

*twins, not towns!!!