Hello,
I am really sorry to trouble you but was hoping that some of you twin mums might be able to offer me some advice.We have just discovered that we are having twins after several attempts at IVF and 7 years of trying but was wondering if it was best to have 2 cribs/moses baskets or if it is best to put the twins straight into a cot together or on their own and hoped that someone out there might be able to tell us what you did or what you was advised to do.If you have any other advice or tips on what we should be buying or anything to do with twins we would be thrilled to hear from you.
Thank you very much,
Nicky
Advice on Twins Please
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packer12freeserve
- Member
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Tue Mar 02, 2004 7:26 pm
- Location: guildford surrey
Nicky, congratulations on your wonderful news again. You must be in a tailspin???
I'm only a mum to a singleton but I've not heard of putting babies together to sleep. I know a few people with twins and they've always had them sleep seperately. They did use one playmat/travel cot for daytime use when the children were supposed to be awake and thus seeing each other helped stimulate them and stop them from dropping off to sleep during playtime etc. I've also a friend who found a very wide flat pram (like a huge Silver Cross pram, it was like a tank) so the babies could lie next to each other whilst out for walks. When she wanted them to sleep, she wrapped them so they couldn't see each other but said that the noise of one would always wake the other so she didn't use it for naps. She also couldn't use it in shops or get it in the car (too wide) but it was fine for daytime strolls to the park, out in the garden etc.
I might be missing something here but surely you'd not want them waking each other up all night?
I'm sure some of the twin mummies will know more and be of more help!
Debra.
I'm only a mum to a singleton but I've not heard of putting babies together to sleep. I know a few people with twins and they've always had them sleep seperately. They did use one playmat/travel cot for daytime use when the children were supposed to be awake and thus seeing each other helped stimulate them and stop them from dropping off to sleep during playtime etc. I've also a friend who found a very wide flat pram (like a huge Silver Cross pram, it was like a tank) so the babies could lie next to each other whilst out for walks. When she wanted them to sleep, she wrapped them so they couldn't see each other but said that the noise of one would always wake the other so she didn't use it for naps. She also couldn't use it in shops or get it in the car (too wide) but it was fine for daytime strolls to the park, out in the garden etc.
I might be missing something here but surely you'd not want them waking each other up all night?
I'm sure some of the twin mummies will know more and be of more help!
Debra.
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helenlouise
- Regular
- Posts: 264
- Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2003 12:15 pm
- Location: Hampshire
Hi,
we put our boys together in a moses basket for only about a week as there wasn't enough space for them.
If i were buying again i wouldn't buy baskets as they didn't last long at all and we wanted to get them used to their own cots asap. We put them in cots side by side in their own room very early on because its more practical. Many people do have them share a cot, but we thought that would only lead to more trouble when we wanted to separate them so we started as we meant to go on.
We got a mountain urban double buggy which lays virtually flat so is suitable for newborns and is great now as they are sitting up and it is very manoeuvrable.
Other advice:
-expect the worst, then it can only get better (we had a very hard time)
- even if you intend to breastfeed, buy in bottles and milk so if you can't you have a supply
- don't but many small clothes as they grow so quickly
-stay in hospital as long as possible. You may want to get home, but you really need support and help for a few days
-sort any housey jobs out now as you really will not have time afterwards
- stock up on nappies, food etc so you don't run out of things
good luck
we put our boys together in a moses basket for only about a week as there wasn't enough space for them.
If i were buying again i wouldn't buy baskets as they didn't last long at all and we wanted to get them used to their own cots asap. We put them in cots side by side in their own room very early on because its more practical. Many people do have them share a cot, but we thought that would only lead to more trouble when we wanted to separate them so we started as we meant to go on.
We got a mountain urban double buggy which lays virtually flat so is suitable for newborns and is great now as they are sitting up and it is very manoeuvrable.
Other advice:
-expect the worst, then it can only get better (we had a very hard time)
- even if you intend to breastfeed, buy in bottles and milk so if you can't you have a supply
- don't but many small clothes as they grow so quickly
-stay in hospital as long as possible. You may want to get home, but you really need support and help for a few days
-sort any housey jobs out now as you really will not have time afterwards
- stock up on nappies, food etc so you don't run out of things
good luck
Helen
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me 33, DP 35
ICSI cycle Nov 2003, tested positive.
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me 33, DP 35
ICSI cycle Nov 2003, tested positive.
Congratulations Nicky on your fab news!
We didn't bother with Moses baskets 'cos it seemed like an unnecessary expense, and the initial costs of twins are huge. Lots of people do have their twins sharing cots but Daniel and Charlotte shared a cot in the hospital and constantly disturbed each other so once they were home they were in separate cots (in their own room).
We bought a Graco Duosport pushchair which was cheap and great when they were little 'cos it's so light but once they turned one and became heavy toddlers, it was a nightmare to push. So we ended up with a 3 wheeler Nipper Double, which is still a breeze to push with 2 nearly 3 year olds in. If you can get to Haywards Heath, there's a fab shop called Tiny Tinker where you can see a huge range of twin pushchairs.
I have to say that I hated being in hospital and was relieved to get home and relax but I can understand Helen suggesting that you stay in hospital to make the most of the support - I got much more help with breastfeeding there than I did at home. I know that we were really lucky that Daniel and Charlotte were really settled babies but I didn't find looking after two newborns to be as difficult as I expected.
Check out the boards at www.twinsclub.co.uk for advice and to 'meet' other prospective twin mums. All the best.
Jules
We didn't bother with Moses baskets 'cos it seemed like an unnecessary expense, and the initial costs of twins are huge. Lots of people do have their twins sharing cots but Daniel and Charlotte shared a cot in the hospital and constantly disturbed each other so once they were home they were in separate cots (in their own room).
We bought a Graco Duosport pushchair which was cheap and great when they were little 'cos it's so light but once they turned one and became heavy toddlers, it was a nightmare to push. So we ended up with a 3 wheeler Nipper Double, which is still a breeze to push with 2 nearly 3 year olds in. If you can get to Haywards Heath, there's a fab shop called Tiny Tinker where you can see a huge range of twin pushchairs.
I have to say that I hated being in hospital and was relieved to get home and relax but I can understand Helen suggesting that you stay in hospital to make the most of the support - I got much more help with breastfeeding there than I did at home. I know that we were really lucky that Daniel and Charlotte were really settled babies but I didn't find looking after two newborns to be as difficult as I expected.
Check out the boards at www.twinsclub.co.uk for advice and to 'meet' other prospective twin mums. All the best.
Jules
TTC 5 years. Daniel & Charlotte born 22.03.02, 1st ICSI treatment. TTC for 4 further years. 2nd ICSI cycle abandoned, 3rd cycle BFN. Looking forward to being a happy family of 4.
Hi Nicky
Firstly congratulations, and secondly snap!!!!!!!! I dont know if you remember me from being on the boards before, but I am sure we cycled together at some point. Are you at the Lister now? I am and this is where I had all my treatments all bar the first one. I am 7 weeks tomorrow, I think that you are a bit ahead of me. If you get the opportunity there is a great prog on discovery health at 3pm called multiple mums which I am finding very interesting!!
My mind is working overtime and I am wondering how on earth you ever go out in the car? If I had one I thought that it would be in a car seat next to me on the passengers side, but I guess they will both have to be in the back, so then what do you do if they start crying when your on the M25?!!!!!!!!
Lots of love
Sue
xxxxx
Firstly congratulations, and secondly snap!!!!!!!! I dont know if you remember me from being on the boards before, but I am sure we cycled together at some point. Are you at the Lister now? I am and this is where I had all my treatments all bar the first one. I am 7 weeks tomorrow, I think that you are a bit ahead of me. If you get the opportunity there is a great prog on discovery health at 3pm called multiple mums which I am finding very interesting!!
My mind is working overtime and I am wondering how on earth you ever go out in the car? If I had one I thought that it would be in a car seat next to me on the passengers side, but I guess they will both have to be in the back, so then what do you do if they start crying when your on the M25?!!!!!!!!
Lots of love
Sue
xxxxx
Me 41 DP 40 3 xIVF,2 x FET all neg, 4th IVF +ve !!!! Twins!!Evie Lara 6lb 5 and Alexander Jack 6lb 9 38wks + 2 days
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Sue, they do start crying at the most difficult moments when driving, it's par for the course.
We're not allowed baby seats in the front here (middle of back is best from a collision perspective). There's not much you can do whilst driving. They have to face backwards for at least the first year so there's sod all you can do except talk, sing, put their music on and if necessary, stop when you can and see if there's a problem. There are mirrors you can buy to reflect their faces back to you so you can see what's happening. The most common source of yelling in my car is a lost dummy. I've bought some of the dummy-clips which really helped until she learned how to undo them.......
Debra.
We're not allowed baby seats in the front here (middle of back is best from a collision perspective). There's not much you can do whilst driving. They have to face backwards for at least the first year so there's sod all you can do except talk, sing, put their music on and if necessary, stop when you can and see if there's a problem. There are mirrors you can buy to reflect their faces back to you so you can see what's happening. The most common source of yelling in my car is a lost dummy. I've bought some of the dummy-clips which really helped until she learned how to undo them.......
Debra.
Hi Nicky and Sue,
To add to the discussion of what to buy we only ever got 1 McLaren twin buggy and it has been enough,as the seats could be pushed down flat, now they are almost 6 months we will start having them sitting, I am longing to try it. as for in the car, as with Debra in Norway here the babies are not allowed on the front anyway and the seats have to face backwards, I don't like it but if it's safer it's a price worth paying. My twins have mostly slept in the car so far but when they cry it's at traffic lights! When we move, they sleep, but maybe this bliss will end when they are older...
good luck with the pregnancies and don't worry too much! Jules wrote on this board once to say her twins were much easier to handle than people led her to expect and I guess I can say the same, mine have been not half as difficult as people said, but then I have them on the Gina Ford routine and I beleive this helps!
love,
juliana
To add to the discussion of what to buy we only ever got 1 McLaren twin buggy and it has been enough,as the seats could be pushed down flat, now they are almost 6 months we will start having them sitting, I am longing to try it. as for in the car, as with Debra in Norway here the babies are not allowed on the front anyway and the seats have to face backwards, I don't like it but if it's safer it's a price worth paying. My twins have mostly slept in the car so far but when they cry it's at traffic lights! When we move, they sleep, but maybe this bliss will end when they are older...
good luck with the pregnancies and don't worry too much! Jules wrote on this board once to say her twins were much easier to handle than people led her to expect and I guess I can say the same, mine have been not half as difficult as people said, but then I have them on the Gina Ford routine and I beleive this helps!
love,
juliana
Hi Nicky
congratulations. I think the only way to do things is to find out what works best for you. We are all different as are our babies. My twins are 8 1/2 months and how the time has flown. They shared a cot in hospital and shared a big moses basket when they came out for a couple of weeks. I then put them together width way in a big cot until they were about 5 months, they didnt really disturb each other I think they were just used to it. I then put them in their own cots but kept them in the same room. Each change has been smooth and I havent had a problem with them sleeping.
Its a busy time but also soooooooo rewarding and fun.
Totally agree with buying bigger clothes, and if you get loads of the same size take them back and change them (just remember the seasons!) I changed loads of mine to 6 - 9 months so we are still enjoying presents.
Take care and enjoy - its lovely
Love
Lisa, Thomas and Ben
x
congratulations. I think the only way to do things is to find out what works best for you. We are all different as are our babies. My twins are 8 1/2 months and how the time has flown. They shared a cot in hospital and shared a big moses basket when they came out for a couple of weeks. I then put them together width way in a big cot until they were about 5 months, they didnt really disturb each other I think they were just used to it. I then put them in their own cots but kept them in the same room. Each change has been smooth and I havent had a problem with them sleeping.
Its a busy time but also soooooooo rewarding and fun.
Totally agree with buying bigger clothes, and if you get loads of the same size take them back and change them (just remember the seasons!) I changed loads of mine to 6 - 9 months so we are still enjoying presents.
Take care and enjoy - its lovely
Love
Lisa, Thomas and Ben
x
Hi
Firstly - Congratulations Nicky!!!! fab news!!! Secondly - thanks for asking this!!! I am in the same boat as these are our first children - i feel a bit blind at the moment, yet also very excited and looking forward to it!! and really with knowing how early twins can come along, i dont have that much time left!
my main nightmare is the pram ................ and what to buy ...........
The advice on here is invaluable. thanks
Toni xx
Firstly - Congratulations Nicky!!!! fab news!!! Secondly - thanks for asking this!!! I am in the same boat as these are our first children - i feel a bit blind at the moment, yet also very excited and looking forward to it!! and really with knowing how early twins can come along, i dont have that much time left!
my main nightmare is the pram ................ and what to buy ...........
The advice on here is invaluable. thanks
Toni xx
Trying to conceive for over a yr
First ICSI - Nov 04 - Twins!!!
Thomas and Charlotte born 06/07/05 :D
First ICSI - Nov 04 - Twins!!!
Thomas and Charlotte born 06/07/05 :D
Twins are great - says she not having found time to get on here for yonks! We did get moses baskets for night but then they slept in separate cots as soon as we got back from hospital during the day and at 6 weeks went in to their own cot and room permanently. We bought the nipper instep double to start with and it's still going strong - cheap but well made and light. I live in the sticks in a village and have a dog which needs a walk each day rain or shine. Wish Alice slept in the car -she does but started being car sick at 6 months old - normally takes about 15 mins on a windy road - great fun!
They can be exhausting at times but I have not found it as hard as I anticipated which was a bonus. They are probably more wearing now only because one is walking (just) and the other is very tottery on her legs - can't pull herself up on her own to standing but manages to pull herself up on most other things - the other day she pulled a wooden magazine rack on herself andpinnned herself underneath. Eyes in back of head and they like to play together for so long and then start snatching toys off each other pulling hair...... so you need to entertain them more.
Clothes advice is great - not too small - they grow at an allarming rate.The bouncy chairs were a great buy off ebay - two for sale now if you want - as were the bumbos when they able to sit. The bath seats too are a godsend still.
Good luck and happy pg
Love
Tracey
xxx
They can be exhausting at times but I have not found it as hard as I anticipated which was a bonus. They are probably more wearing now only because one is walking (just) and the other is very tottery on her legs - can't pull herself up on her own to standing but manages to pull herself up on most other things - the other day she pulled a wooden magazine rack on herself andpinnned herself underneath. Eyes in back of head and they like to play together for so long and then start snatching toys off each other pulling hair...... so you need to entertain them more.
Clothes advice is great - not too small - they grow at an allarming rate.The bouncy chairs were a great buy off ebay - two for sale now if you want - as were the bumbos when they able to sit. The bath seats too are a godsend still.
Good luck and happy pg
Love
Tracey
xxx
ttc 9 years. 38 yrs old, dh 8 hrs younger!First IVF in Aug 2002 and had ectopic.2nd IVF neg.3rd FET and negative.4th FET and positive but sadly lost our little boy at 20 weeks.5th FET and Alice Isobel and Emily Charlotte born 5th Aug 2004!
congratulations nicky
my twins are now almost 5 months only seems like yesterday i had them we did get moses baskets we already had one fom when i had my daughter they managed to share it for a few weeks a cot seems so big at first. and they are handy as you can move them to the front room during the day
any other advice well mostly take it easy while you can hard i know but you wont sit down to often once they are here lots of love and luck to you
teins are great oh one other thing be prepared when you go out soooooo many people will stop and talk to you as you have twins its lovely but it can half hold you up when you need to be somewhere hehehe
love Angxx
my twins are now almost 5 months only seems like yesterday i had them we did get moses baskets we already had one fom when i had my daughter they managed to share it for a few weeks a cot seems so big at first. and they are handy as you can move them to the front room during the day
any other advice well mostly take it easy while you can hard i know but you wont sit down to often once they are here lots of love and luck to you
teins are great oh one other thing be prepared when you go out soooooo many people will stop and talk to you as you have twins its lovely but it can half hold you up when you need to be somewhere hehehe
love Angxx
Our dream came true after 5 yrs ttc we know have 8month old twin boys Adam and Kieran and our gorgeous 9 yr old daughter.
Hang in there miracles really do happen
Hang in there miracles really do happen
Nicky,
Congratulations! It is so much work, but so worth it. My boys are five months old. All the products I'm about to talk about are for sale by these names in the US, so not sure about the UK, but surely all can be found on Ebay.
Arm's Reach Cosleeper: We let them sleep in this small crib with one open side which attaches to the bed for the first few months. It is the BEST! They are really close to you, but safe from the bedclothes and my rolling over onto them. They slept in it together - it fits up to 40 lbs. I think. Now we use it as a changing table, since it is close to the room where they have their baths. Also one of them still naps in it, so he won't wake his brother.
Graco infant carseats and Swan Double Snap N Go: Don't know what your carseat requirements are in the UK, but these are great. The baby seat snaps into the car and then into the carseat, so they can sleep in there and you won't wake them up when transferring them.
Maclaren Twin Traveler Stroller: I love this for walking in the neighborhood. It can also go on dirt paths, as long as they aren't too gravelly or steep.
Slings: One of our boys was very fussy, and riding in the sling was the only way to calm him down, sometimes. We also got a Fisher Price Ocean Wonders swing - the big expensive one. We used to let him sleep in it and now it is more like a toy to them.
Good luck with the pregnancy and delivery. I hope you find some gear that works great for you.
Alicia
Congratulations! It is so much work, but so worth it. My boys are five months old. All the products I'm about to talk about are for sale by these names in the US, so not sure about the UK, but surely all can be found on Ebay.
Arm's Reach Cosleeper: We let them sleep in this small crib with one open side which attaches to the bed for the first few months. It is the BEST! They are really close to you, but safe from the bedclothes and my rolling over onto them. They slept in it together - it fits up to 40 lbs. I think. Now we use it as a changing table, since it is close to the room where they have their baths. Also one of them still naps in it, so he won't wake his brother.
Graco infant carseats and Swan Double Snap N Go: Don't know what your carseat requirements are in the UK, but these are great. The baby seat snaps into the car and then into the carseat, so they can sleep in there and you won't wake them up when transferring them.
Maclaren Twin Traveler Stroller: I love this for walking in the neighborhood. It can also go on dirt paths, as long as they aren't too gravelly or steep.
Slings: One of our boys was very fussy, and riding in the sling was the only way to calm him down, sometimes. We also got a Fisher Price Ocean Wonders swing - the big expensive one. We used to let him sleep in it and now it is more like a toy to them.
Good luck with the pregnancy and delivery. I hope you find some gear that works great for you.
Alicia
TTC 2.5 years - Me 38 no tubes; DH 32
1st- IVF June 2004 - early MC
2nd - FET Aug 2004 - Twin boys born April 25, 2005!!!
1st- IVF June 2004 - early MC
2nd - FET Aug 2004 - Twin boys born April 25, 2005!!!