For any parents of twins

[marika76]

Hi, I am 22 weeks pregnant with twin boys and my husband and I are very excited. We are beginning to prepare our home and the things that we need. I have a few questions for all you twin parents.. How many cribs did you get? Did you breastfeed? Was it successful? How about the birth, did you have to get a C-section? We are wondering, as these are our first children, do we really need two of everything?? Any input would surely be appreciated!! Thanks, Jess

[kristiA]

Jess, congrats on the twin boys! I have twin boys also and it's been so much fun. The first few months were difficult, but then it got a lot easier.

Look about 27 messages below the one you posted and there's a thread that says "having twins what do I have to buy". Several of us answered all your questions in that thread and there's lots of info for you.

Here's a few answers to your other questions that I didn't write in that other thread. I bought 2 cribs, but had them sleeping in the same one for the first 6 months until I split them up. I did breastfeed very successfully and still am doing it. I found it very easy to BF them at the same time and found it more difficult to try to feed them separately (the other one is crying while you feed one). Mine were delivered by an emergency c-section that ended up being unrelated to the pregnancy...I had them at 33 weeks.

Good luck!!

[Rittie2000]

Hi Jess,

Congratulations on the twin boys. How is the pregnancy going? I hope that you're fine and everything is progressing well.

We too bought 2 Cotbeds but the babies are still co-bedding in the same one. They don't seem to wake each other when they cry so I see no reason to split them at the moment. However, the plan is to sleep them in separate cots once we move them out of our room into the nursery - which we hope to do this weekend.

We had a planned c-section and I think it was a totally positive experience. The procedure was quick and safe. And the recovery was not as bad as I had anticipated. There was very little pain. And I was able to look after the babies from the very beginning. Alas, you will need support in the house to look after you so we had DH's parents stay with us for the first 10 days and basically fed and watered us while DH and I focussed on the babies.

We tried breastfeeding in the hospital but the babies did not latch on so we decided to bottle feed from about day 3. I did express milk to feed them for about a month but there was so little milk and it takes so much time, 1 month of it was enough. I am totally not hung up about bottle feeding and the babies are growing up happy and strong. I stagger feed the babies ie feed one then wake the other. In emegergency cases (ie both screaming the house down) then I would feed them both (imagine both sitting in a rocker, me on a sofa and feeding with a bottle with each hand). Its not as bad as it sounds

Hope this bit of personal experience help. If there is anything you'd like to ask, please do not hesitate.

Good luck
Ritte
PS Twins are the best thing in this whole wide world. This duble trouble label is total rubbish. You'll have so much joy and happiness to look forward to

[Kabillion]

I also have twin boys. They are just about 8 months. I had them both vaginally without drugs(no epidural) I would definately get an epidural next time because it hurt like HELL!!!! I did not breast feed because I would have been feeding them all day. I have heard of people being successful with it, but I didn't even try it. Bottle feeds were easier for me since that way my hubby could help with the late night feedings. Good luck to you