Top tips for surviving with twins and a toddler.......

[fustilarian]

Am 26ish weeks now and trying to get it all together for the birth etc just in case it's sooner rather than later. DD will be 22 months when they are born, I've read a few really useful things on here but looking for some more top tips, I just know there are a thousand things I haven't considered.

Just to start it off, my MIL has suggested getting together lots of little presents for DD from the twins to whip out at times of great angst, rather than a big one in the hospital (or as well as maybe, she is desperate for a scooter......).

I got mine one present from the Dt's, dd1 was 18months when Dt's born. Think mil's idea is a good one. I also learnt not to use any of her stuff with the babies. So I bought different coloured muslins etc.

We also have time just the two of us, leave babies with Daddy and do something fun. Like take a bus ride or go for a walk. Mine responds really well to being helpful, even if she isn't helping. She likes to put clothes in the washing and carry the babies drinks, pick their nappies.

My dd had just turned 2 when the twins were born. We decided really to just play it by ear, see how dd responsed to the twins and let her adjust at her own pace. She was very curious - still is! - and does enjoy helping me with them, patting their backs to wind them, fetching them toys when they cry etc. Apart from the very early toys that are on their baby bouncers, we don't give the twins toys that dd thinks of as really "hers".

We did try and get the twins into a routine pretty early on, mainly so I have chunks of the day when I know the twins will be asleep and I can have some time just with dd. I've also organised their feeding times (as best i can)around her meal times, so the routine she's used to (it's not set in stone but follows a rough pattern) hasn't been too disturbed.

Best of luck!

its a good idea, my two were 4 and 2 when my twins were born, i did have several gifts for them, puzzles and toys to keep them busy. also a couple of cameras which they loved.
also make sure that visitors play with your DD before cuddling the babies. some people are that insensitive that they push the elder siblings out of the way to get to the babies. its also a great time to get a puzzle/book out so it looks like they have a gift when poeple come to visit as well. some people bring gifts for the baby and not for the older children. i just said the babies have enough toys if you have to bring something, a hug and a play with the other children is better.
make sure you have her routine pinned up somewhere so if anything happens, nanny/grandad can take over but your DD will not be out of routine.
i got the twins room ready early and we watched 'twins in the womb' so they knew what was comming. we talked about the babies alot and named them. they also had a boy and girl babyborn which they used to take in the bath and wash and push around in buggies. it wasnt such a shock when they arrived. in fact they couldnt wait. they helped with the feeds, bathing and changing. everywhere we go my little boy tells everone we meet about his little baby brother and sister.