Twins: Who wants to discuss and share experiences?

[bodie1011]

Hi Ladies - question for you (as I am starting to build my registry) -- is it worth getting two bottle warmers so that I can warm two bottles at once?

[baby_blu73]

bodie - Honestly, I barely used the one warmer I got. My boys don't mind room temp bottles and we don't mind making them on demand. I think we used it more for warming BM but I only pumped for 7 weeks. I'm sure there are plenty of mamas that got a lot more use out of their's, but, for us, it was a bit time consuming.

[DALLAS]

We have not used our bottle warmer either. I make bottles on demand or I put the breastmilk container or bottle in a glass of hot water before I change them. It is warm enough by the time I get ready to feed them.

[rypell1985]

Another momma who doesn't use the warmer! We make bottles on demand, otherwise warm them up in warm water.

[DillysGirl]

No bottle warmer here either.

[wishfull27]

No bottle warmer here either breastmilk is classed as room temp so when went to formula just gave them at room temp never heated it at all in fact if water had not cooled enough when made the milk up boys would not drink it warm !! Figured bad enough up feeding two in the night without faffing heating bottles too !!

[margi26]

Bodie: We used the bottle warmer like crazy for first 2 months, and almost purchased a second....mainly because we didn't know any better. LOL. Depends on how you are feeding babies and your style. We did exclusively pumped BM at first and it took me a while to figure out that I could pump and then leave out (it can be left out 4-6 hours at room temperature). However, refrigerated and frozen would still need to be warmed. Now I am exclusively BFing. Rarely we will make a formula bottle, but we then make it when we need it. We haven't used the bottle warmer in over a month!

That got me thinking, in order to help those twin-mommas-to-be....what things did those of us that have twins.....need/use two of? wish we had only one? Didn't use at all? Couldn't LIVE WITHOUT TWO?!

Bassinets?
Cribs?
Bottle warmers?
Baby carriers? Single? Double? Two?
Boppies?
Nursing pillow? Double?
Swings?
Bouncy seats?
Pack and play?
High chairs?

What else couldn't you live without? No "right" answers of course, just opinions and everyone has different styles and needs and desires for their babies. I know that I found it helpful to know what others did and why.

We, to start of, have two cribs, but thus far (at nearly 4 months) we still have both babies in one (and in our room)...although Sofia often still sleeps in the swing, I must confess! We started it because of reflux and it has gotten easy to let her stay there. She will sleep in the crib next to her brother however, and I love watching them cuddle. Not sure how long it will last as Levi is getting quite coordinated. He snatched the paci out of Sofia's mouth the other day and made her cry. Time will tell, but I am really glad that we have 2 cribs so we have the flexibility.

[Wishingandhoping]

Hello ladies!
I appreciate everyone's input on the childcare situation that we were having. Fortunately we were able to find a 5 star center very near our house that could get both babies in by June 1. They have only been open for a year, so they were not quite full, but will be when our babies come in. It really was a huge weight off of my shoulders!

Our new complication is that I am officially on bedrest. I had my 1st NST yesterday, and they noticed several contractions. Then my OB checked my cervix which had softened. Ultrasound showed the babies looking great, but my cervix is down to 1.87 cm. They couldn't do the fetal fibronectin test because of all of the KY used to check my cervix, so I have to go back tomorrow. I'm really keeping my fingers crossed and saying my prayers that these little ones stay in another few weeks. They went ahead and gave me betamethasone yesterday and today. I'm really nervous that these little ones are trying to make their escape! Did anyone else have significant cervical shortening that didn't lead to imminent labor?

I would love to hear what you all have to say about Margi's list. We have 2 cribs, 2 high chairs, 2 pack n' plays, a twin My Brest Friend, 2 bouncy seats, 2 baby carriers, and 2 bottle warmers. Is that all too much? Thanks ladies! This thread is so helpful!

[margi26]

Wishingandhoping: Yeah on the daycare! That is terrific, and I know quite a relief. Hang in there with the bedrest...you are in that final, critical stretch. The longer you can bake them the better, and the shorter the NICU stay. Stay off your feet and drink as much water as you can, is my advice. Did they give you anything for the contractions? I was on Procardia for a long while. I still had contractions while on it, but it did help. Glad that you got the shot for the babies' lungs just in case. For me, my cervix stayed long and yet them came early after all-but I was dealing with Pre-E. Let us know how the test comes back tomorrow--sending positive thoughts your way!

[DALLAS]

We have 2 cribs (they r sleeping in a pack n play in our room still), 2 bouncy seats and 2 swings. I started out with one swing, but they both love it so much we borrowed a second from a friend. I am going to start putting them in their cribs some during the day to get them used to it, to make the night transition easier.
I will still put them both together, but they dont seem to care if they are together or not. They are 5wks old, so maybe its too early for them to really notice or care about the other one. Has anyone else noticed this??

Any suggestions for making shopping easier??? I went to the twins md appt Monday on my own (only bc hubby was home with stomach virus). I want to venture out into the world soon. How do you ladies handle carrying twins grocery shopping, to Target, etc?? The cart is only so big for 2 carseats, and leaves no room for groceries. Do you push 2 carts? I had thought about putting one on my chest in the baby carrier and then putting the other in the cart. I am starting to get claustophobic being in the house, esp since I have been home since Oct. I am ready to hit the road!

Just an update... Md changed babies to Prevacid for the reflux, Zantac was not helpful at all. Ethan was 5lb 15oz at birth and is now 8lb 9oz!!! Avery went from 6lb 1oz to 7lb 15oz!!! Growing like weeds!!!

[Wishingandhoping]

Test was positive They say not to make too much out of a positive test, but I can't help but worry! Next NST is Monday unless something changes. Just lying down now and praying!

[rebeccajm]

I am curious if anyone else is seeing an early intervention specialist for their twins? At my last pediatrician visit they suggested I call an early intervention therapist to have my daughter evaluated to see if they could offer some therapies in the home. This took me by surprise as I feel she is developing just like her brother, but they said because she was born with a clubfoot they may need keep a closer eye on her. They are beginning to worry about the flat spot on the back of her head, but she is very uncomfortable with the brace on her legs and only likes to be on her back. She does do tummy time which she enjoys, but I guess not enough to prevent htis from happening.

Dallas...my twins are almost 5 months old and they rarely pay attention to one another. At daycare I am told they will lay by each other and "talk" back and forth, but I have never seen this. I do have them in seperate cribs because Isabel has a brace and I know from experience how much it hurts when she kicks and I don't want Mateo to be kicked by her. Sometimes I wonder if they know they have a brother/sister.

We have 2 cribs, 2 bouncy seats, and 2 boppys (which we now use to help with tummy time). My twins love their bouncy seats and actually prefer to nap in them during the day when they are home. I try to get them to nap in thier cribs, but they immediately get up, while in their bouncy seats they will sleep for 2-3 hours. At night they do fine sleeping in their cribs and will sleep for 10-11 hours. Any suggestions for getting them to nap in their cribs?

We also do not use a bottle warmer. I make bottles as needed or I warm them in hot water which does not take long at all.

[margi26]

Wishingandhoping: Oh, dear! Are they going to retest to make sure it wasn’t false positive? Are they giving you any meds to keep contractions at bay? Hang in there....rest and (difficult as it is) try not to stress and worry. Drink lots of water! Do you have someone to help you during the day while on bedrest? I know first hand how bed rest can be. Take care of yourself. Babies will be ok if they come now--remind yourself of that--and just do the best you can to take care of yourself. I will be sending some prayers your way that those LO’s keep baking. Take it one day at a time. Each day in is less time in NICU.

Dallas: My little girl has always been much more aware of her brother than he has of her. Even in the NICU she would gaze at him if we put them close. I do find that they would calm easier if I swaddled them side by side. And they do now snuggle. But, I think each set is unique!

Regarding shopping I have a couple methods. 1) “Wear” both babies. That really doesn’t work much anymore because they are getting heavy for me. I did like that I could keep them so close to me and not let anyone get their germs close to babies when they were still really tiny. 2) What I usually do is put them in the double stroller. I chose not to get infant carriers, so I am always taking them in and out of car seats whenever I go somewhere. If I only need a few things, I will put the items in and on the stroller as I shop. If I need a lot, then I push stroller and drag a cart. I have a really nice stroller (courtesy of MIL!) and it is really a breeze to push one handed. Gets a lot of attention that way as I take up a lot of room, but people usually just smile. 3) What I would like to do, is wear one baby and push one in cart or single stroller. I am “scared” of the infant seats in Target, etc, although they probably would be ok with a wipe with a chlorox wipe and a blanket in it. I bought a nice cart cover that I will use once they can sit independently. I am planning to get a light single stroller this weekend so I can wear one and push one in single stroller. We shall see how that works out! Carolyn and Dillysgirl? You have the oldest babies in our bunch. What did you do when they were small?

Rebecca: I wouldn’t worry about getting Early Intervention. I am a big supporter of it for any and all issues, no matter how slight. Sometimes some brief work at this young age can prevent much lengthier interventions done the road. It is great that your ped recommended it. My baby girl naps best in swing or stroller. She really doesn’t stay asleep long in the crib, except at night (although most nights she is still in the swing). My boy is more easy going, but even he sometimes wakes up when I try to lay him down in the crib instead of the swing, or boppy (ours has a seatbelt on it to keep them from slipping down) or stroller. I am trying tricks to get them down--swaddling again, going down really slowly and leaving my hand underneath them for a few minutes before letting go, and gently “rocking” them once they are laying in the crib. Sometimes these work, sometimes they don’t! LOL. Any other ideas welcome!!

[margi26]

My Sofia and Levi, "on the go!":





And together at 4 months, Levi was not in the mood...

[bodie1011]

Thanks for all the advice on the bottle warmers and other things you need two of. I guess I was thinking after I go back to work I would have a lot of frozen/refrigerated milk for the nanny to warm up. But for now I will just put one on there since it sounds like using warm water is just as easy. I also saw somwhere you can put water in your crock pot and keep in on low and then just use that as needed throughout the day.