Anyone else pregnant with twins - or more? Or anyone who has twins - or more - who wants to hold our hands...

[GettingBiggerBird]

Hoping to drag my fellow pregnant mums and those whose bodies have been recently or not-so-recently liberated over from our ante-natal thread. We're not as experienced as those on the d'y ever ones but a lot slower . And any new ladies please join us, here's the list so far:

PazzaPlusTwo: twin girls born April 28th 2008 - Anais and Carmen
Neenztwinz: twins born May 6 2008, Esther and Theo
Accessorizequeen: twins born Sept 27, Felix and Bridget - East Yorkshire
Merrymarigold: non id twins (girl and boy) born 22 Oct, Jude and Mirissa - Forest Gate, East London
jennyroper: id girl twins due dec 15th - New Zealand (but am proudly British)
Anjlix: id twin girls due 24 dec (37 weeks) - London, booked at St Thomas.
GBB: b/g twins due Dec 25 - Hackney, London
PBH: twin girls due 9 Jan 2009
MEL2005: twins due(40w)10th jan 2009, Norfolk
Pheonixnights:Non ID twins due 17th Jan
Ewemoo: id twins due end Jan 08
Tallulahbelle: twins due Jan 08
Nellstar: id twins due 18 Feb 2009 (well, that's 40 weeks)
Balamorybaby: twins due 11th March - East Sussex
Barbarella: triplets due 9th April 2009
Swerve: twins due 28 May 2009

Frangipani - I used a twin breastfeeding pillow- i didnt get it till my boys were about 3 months - but it was great for keeping them rolled in to my sides. I managed to carry on feeding until the boys were 9 months, and gave up because one was not settling - turns out he has Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and it wasnt a lack of milk! It was definately harder to be bottlefeeding and i am so pleased i was able to save myself the hassle till they were over the heavy milk feeding period! Try the pillow - i cant remember the name but got it from one of the twins websites. My boys are 14 months now. I am still alive (but i think ive aged more!!)

LGoR congrats on scan and your two boys.

Things have gone quiet but it looks like we have a group of those who are busy with new babies, and a group of us who are mid pregancy and just waiting!

I haven't been at all well (virus with flu type symptoms immediately followed by gum infection producing worst toothache ever) so I'm feeling a bit run down and not sure how I'm going to get through another 4 weeks of work (although taking at least 2/3 days of this week sick leave so that brings the total down)

I have started collecting things for hospital bag though. Bought some cheap big knickers and nighties last week. Also bought some newborn clothing and got the pram so together with nursery furniture on order feeling quite organised.

Any tips for the recent and not so recent twin mums for what is essential to have bought before they are born? I'm trying to stick to must haves and top up with whatever else is required afterwards.

Congratulations LGoR - very exciting. We've just found out we're having one of each and both are ok which is great. Sorry to hear that you've been unwell FirstMrsF and hope you are on the mend (the only thing worse than being ill and pregnant is being ill with a small person to look after!!). Sounds like you've done some productive shopping - what made you go for the Nipper in the end?

Mountain Buggy wouldn't fit in the car and as you said, the real advantage of that is the carry cots, which are only being used for a few months. Nipper just seems to tick more boxes than anything else and I feel like I can manage it on my own, which I didn't with some of the others that felt larger. I went to see it again in a shop which had cosy toes and newborn supports on display, which made me feel better about putting them in it whilst small, so I've bought those too.

Tried it in the car and it only just fits (!)- have to take the wheels off to make it flat (although that's v easy and quick).

Ahhh someone tell me that babies go through a growth spurt at 3 weeks!!! Have had 3 really bad nights with the dts. Last night didn't get to sleep until 4 am!! The babies were doing a tag team and were just on me all night! I do feel like I have more milk now so I am hoping that tonight will be better. I know they are putting on weight as my ds put on nearly a 1lb in 9 days. I have so far avoided any formula but I can't have many more nights like the last 3, It was going so well!!

1stMrsF - I have the nipper and love it. I thought it was a really good price and is so lovely to push. I think it will last them as well.

Yup Pheonix babies have growth spurts, approx 3weeks, 6weeks, and then 3months. And it's fairly crazy when they do. Not sure if these timings are affected by prematurity. My babies seemed to have a feeding frenzy at 8weeks as well, maybe it was a growth spurt too, or because they were coming down with colds. Who knows.

1stMrsF
This is my list of essentials:
A freezer well stocked with homemade meals that are easy to reheat.
Swaddles - definitely help them to sleep better.
White noise CD - I think this might help with sleeping.
One or two books about babies sleep - (if these are your first babies always good to have a bit of guidance on how much sleep they need, how many naps etc)
Dummies.
Some sort of breast feeding cushion.
Organise some help, the first few weeks with partner at home and when babies are quite sleepy it seemed manageable, but past 5weeks everything seemed so difficult.

That's all I can think of for now.
But good to get as organised as you can.

aw ladies I have been reading some of your posts - it almost makes me want to do it again! I have 4 year old DTs (boys) and pretty much went to term with them before being induced (midwife said they never induce twins..........), plus a DD aged 2. I will follow your progress with wonderful memories of my own experiences! And dont be shy - do come over to the d'y ever thread - we are very friendly (some of them are clearly loons but you can kind of tell after a while - ha ha)

Thanks Frangi that's very helpful.

Hullo all, I've been lurking but v.little time to post.
Mel, sorry to hear about Oscar, hope all well now? You're doing well to manage even a bit of bfing with all that going on. I am still feeding them albeit with 1 bottle at bedtime and sometimes one at night for ds3 if he's feeding all night.
Whoever asked about what you need - not terribly different to one baby except extra for some things e.g. nappies, wipes, muslins, babygros etc so you're not constantly going to the shop or washing as you won't have time. I would suggest a hard disk recorder or lovefilm something like that as you'll be spending a LOT of time on the sofa! If you're planninng on bf, then do buy a v-pillow at least so you can try tandem feeding. Agree with Fran about the meals, a friend gave me two big trays of homemade things to stick in the freezer excellent gift. Accept that there will be ready meals/takeaways though as there literally isn't time to cook some days/nights.

Thanks. My sister is coming down to spend a few days with my once mat leave has started with the objective of filling my freezer with cooked meals so I've got that one covered.

Had another scan today and my girls are doing well and growing. Lying on my back on the table was almost impossible though - thought I would faint even though lying down! And that's only at 25 weeks, what will I be like at the next one?!

MrsF, ask them to give you extra cushions next time to support you a little bit - lying completely flat is a killer! I found it really painful too as I had spd.
How long till you're on mat leave?

Hi all, I've been lurking too - it's so daunting trying to catch up!

Back from Norfolk which was lovely. My DTs are now 6 weeks, and things have been easier as I started a routine a few days ago so have a good idea of when I'll be feeding and it seems to be helping settle the DTs for all their sleeps as well. Nights are still pretty relentless with feeding but at least they generally settle well afterwards. The only way we've been able to do it is to finally succumb to one formula feed - things have been so much better since, it means they settle for sleep at about 8pm and we get a few hours of peace. We are still trying to work out how to do the evening routine around having dinner with my 4 yr old DD1 and getting everyone bathed and settled - any suggestions?!

Mel so sorry about Oscar, how is he now?

Any news from Nellstar?

aq only another 3 weeks till mat leave and I'm working from home 3/5 days for the next two so I will hopefully survive. Have already decided that if it's a struggle I will just go sick for final week.

NQSBB & aq & Phoenix I'm really pleased to hear that things are going well and that you are still feeding. It's very inspiring for those of us with it all to come and I am very proud of you!

1stMrsF Forgot to add my most essential item to the list - A sling (or two if DH can be persuaded to use one) I've always used ring slings, I have 'The Better Baby Sling' and I love it. Not sure what twin slings are like, sort of made my own one where I can carry one on front one on back, I use it in emergencies when both are fed but won't settle.

NQSBB Glad you enjoyed Norfolk. Sounds like things are progressing nicely for you. Things very up and down here (more down at this precise moment!) I tried formula at six weeks, one would take a little and the other almost none - so have given up as it was so much hassle. We have same problem with toddler, having meal together and getting everyone to bed is hard work. My tip, don't do bedtime baths - my twins get bathed twice a week when I have someone to help - so at times they're a bit grubby and smell of milk but to be honest I don't care!!

Must go rescue my husband, my turn to pace the floor with unsettled baby.

Fran I know what you mean - very tempted to not bother with a bath, but it does help a bit with giving the evenings structure and getting the DTs ready for bed. At the mo, looks like I'm going to bathe each DT separately while DH does DD1's tea, then I put DTs to bed while DH does DD1's bath and bed - we'll eat by ourselves later. I just feel I shouldn't waste any potential napping/sleeping opportunities and eating dinner when all the children are asleep seems a waste - what has my life become?

I feel for those of you struggling along in the later weeks of pregnancy, it seemed to go on forever. Whose the next one due?

Sounds like you're all sorted, MrsF I went on sick at 28 weeks, problem with one of the dt's. Haven't even been back to visit work and they're 4 months! But dp having business problems, so looks as if I'll have to return earlier than planned. Like when they're 6 months instead of 14 months. Phaps only 1-2 days a week, I hope.

Re: bedtime/bathtime, depends what time all need to go but the 4yo should be more flexible? Tonight I was on my own until 6 (when dp is home) so I got tea for the older boys (5 & 2) in between in feeds, then they sat at the small play table in the living room whilst I tandem fed the dt's. I do that for snacks during the day also. At bathtime, both the older boys go in the bath, then 2yo gets out, puts his nappy & clothes on whilst we dip both twins in the bath with 5yo.5yo gets out, brushes teeth, gets dressed. DP & I feed a twin each (bottle) in the nursery whilst older boys run round (it's about 7 at this point). When one of the twins wants a break, dp or I read the boys 2 stories each, then 2yo goes to bed. 5yo stays up with us a bit later having a chat whilst we finish feeding the dt's, then goes off to bed at 7.30ish. What works pretty well for us anyway. Trick is to get the older children out of the bath first I think & breaking up the order of things doesn't really matter (teeth can be done after story, whatever) as long as everyone's happy. Rewarding the older child with 'helping us bath the twins' or something like that works a treat as well. He often sits on the nursery floor with some lego too if we're struggling with the twins.

It did only get to this point in the last month though. Am impressed at 6 week routine, as I only have a rough one now!

AQ - thanks for that info. I think we're probably doing OK - we just feel guilty for leaving DD1 on her own at that point in the day, it would be easier if she had a sibling to play with. I guess we just need to be as flexible as you seem to be and not worry too much about clock watching either.

I also just read your other thread about your bf struggles - how's it going now? Was it a growth spurt? I may have the same issues now we're supplementing so good to see the responses you've got. And you have done/are doing brilliantly - very inspiring for the rest of us on here following along behind to see it can be done. We had a bad night last night, the DTs seem to be having their 6 week growth spurt now and DS has an upset tummy as well. My DH is feeling it more than me today - serious sense of humour failure. And not sure how the routine will bear up ...

Wow AQ that sounds like a lot of work. My husband gets home between 5 and 5.30, we try to eat before 6. My toddler's not a great eater so we like him to sit and eat with us and hope he'll evemtually become less fussy. We feed twins with little un scurrying around room causing chaos, once one twin is down husband take little boy to bed. I find it really hard work, one twin takes forever to settle, sometimes having started at six it can be gone 9 before she's settled in bed. Other days all three of our littlies will be in bed by 7/7.30 - can't seem to make that happen on a regular basis yet, but we're working on it.
I'm working on getting some sort of routine but finding it a bit tricky.

hi peeps. we're TRYING a routine too...bedtime, that's all. it's not working out hugely well, but we will see...i struggle with routine at the best of time, but trying to get two babies into it isn't easy when they are quite different. i am still shattered!

dh gets home 6.30, we eat. start baths around 7. dh baths babies one at a time, puts one in cot with musical mobile while does t'other. i look after ds1 and prepare bottles of ebm or sometimes formula for ds2 if i haven't pumped enough (sadly, he doesn't sleep longer or better with formula!). then i bath ds1 (3yo) and do stories while dh feeds babies. we tried bathing ds1 with babies but he was splooshing them and made them cry! some nights we have a helper (dh's mum or my mum) who feeds one baby while dh does t'other. otherwise the less hungry one has to wait and sometimes cry (gets appetite up though). then we have shenanigans of ds1 getting out of bed/ being put back and twins requiring burping, settling, a bit more milk etc. till around 9pm. in the midst if this i pump boobs (thank goodness for double electric pump!) and hang out laundry. then i go to bed 8.30-9pm in ds1's room while dh takes of our babies in 'our' room. at midnight/1am one of them will wake for food and we swap...then they wake every 2-3 hours. Arghh. I know I need to get them to sleep longer at night...

OMG, thanks everyone! I think that makes me feel reassured - sounds like we're all doing the best we can and there's no way round the fact that having DTs, especially with other older DCs, is a logistical nightmare . We're trying another permutation of the evening 'routine' tonight, fingers crossed!

OMG indeed, no wonder multiple mummies are prone to PND, by the time we get our littlies all sleeping through we'll all be ready for a long exotic holiday and lots of pampering, but we will probably consider ourselves lucky if we manage to get to the hairdressers or have a long soak in the tub.

I just keep repeating the mantra, it will get easier, it will get easier, it bloody better.

hee hee frangi, you're right. but on top of not being able to get babies to sleep, we have to worry about redundancies and mortgages!!! the mantra from our november thread is "this too shall pass"! Puts into perspective, doesn't it? I AM (despite what it may sound like) enjoying my babies, they are growing so quickly, and I will never have these baby days again... and How's your bfing going by the way? My babies are both sick, but my boy is sicker yet eating better. Dd has had about 8oz all day . I have 4 bottles of expressed milk in the fridge cos boobs were bursting.

Still having big oversupply problem then Merry? Thank god mine has calmed down considerably, and babies are more settled and less windy, although Isabel has been doing very green poo for 4weeks now, a sign of too much lactose I think, health visitor tells me not to worry. What's up with your babies - colds? Mine have both had colds, nearly better now, but we've had a week of very interrupted sleep.

Redundancies, yep that's another worry, my husband works for Norwich Union, they're always laying people off.

Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend.

the supply has been ok, though it fluctuates. seems like sometimes way too much and other times just right. not sure if it is trhe supply fluctuating or their demand as don't know how much they drink when they're bfing. just yesterday and day before they were both ill, very bad colds and ds2 has hacking cough. they both had bronchilitis, so his maybe a recurrence although his breathing has been ok if very snuffly. but as a result of not being well they have not eaten much hence the bursting boobs! babies still v windy though and i give gaviscon to dd, who has 'proper' reflux. ds2 is just a windy baby i think and burps a lot!

My supply has gone down since the girlies had colds, now they're nearly better they've been feeding literally all day and sadly most of last night, hopefully they got enough milk in to them today so we don't have a repeat performance with me up feeding nine times. Bronchilitis - sounds nasty, did it take long to clear up.

I managed to get babies down for 6:50 but then one woke 45 mins later , but settle with another little feed quite quickly .