so my sister in law is having twin boys this january and its really exciting. the only thing is, is that they already have 2 kids a boy and a girl, they are going to be big helpers i am sure but twins are going to be a lot of work. does anyone have any suggestions on things to be prepaired for?
2006-11-14 04:28:59 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
The first 6 months are going to be very rough!! They won't be on the same schedule for months. My daughter has twins and when they were little, one would wake to eat, change diaper and get put back to sleep. As soon as she laid down, the other one would wake up - 24 hrs a day. She was so tired that she got sick. She moved in with me for a few months so I could help as much as possible (her husband was useless). She WILL need help for the first months - especially if her husband works, he will get NO sleep. Everything will settle down eventually and you will be amazed daily in the differences in them. The two older ones can only help so much - getting diapers etc, especially if she plans to breast feed. They will need explanations as to why mom is not spending time with them. Maybe outings with you would really help. God Bless for the new little ones!!
2006-11-14 04:39:08 · answer #1 · answered by GP 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi. I am the mother of five year old b/g twins. I have a ten year old son. The best thing to do is talk to the kids and help them understand exactly how much work is involved with twins.
How old are the other children?
One way to go about it if the other children are younger is to buy twin baby dolls and have them practice taking care of those.
Since your sister in law seems to already have her hands full, I recommend her setting up additional help, whether that means getting a sitter or help from volunteers from church, so that when the sleepless nights start catching up she has a support group in place. There is nothing wrong with needing help. Remind her to take all she can get.
Also... Be a great sister in law to her by making sure her husband and her have one night a month to go out and remember why they have all these kids, because they love each other.
2006-11-14 04:44:21 · answer #2 · answered by puzzleraspie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Congrats to your family!
I have 5 yr old twin boys who have an older sister and brother. Being prepared is tough because you don't know all the issues that will creep up. But...here are a few suggestions
not everything has to be doubled, especially at first. Getting enough rest is hard for the mom so that's where others can really help. Having bottles made ahead of time and diapers, onsies and burp pads at your fingertips helps. Mom will need to eat but will not have time to cook, so any pitching in will help. Also she will need help going out. You can not imagine all the stuff she'll need to bring along and how much time it takes. I think the practical stuff is where the most help is needed.
2006-11-14 06:24:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she can afford it she should think about a wet nurse for the first month then a live in nanny to help.
Get a double stroller for her too, Combi was the one we used until they grew out of it.
I also used to carry one in the Baby Bjorn in front and one in the back pack behind me and that lasted until they got too big for each one.
Buy baby food and diapers in bulk
Accept all help offered, esp. for meals for the adults and older kids
Get her husband involved and keep him that way
As mixemup said, it is overwhelming and exhausting, no schedule works and nothing can prepare you for it. To use a football analogy when it's just one parent with two babies, you're in a zone defense and you can't stop them you can only hope to contain them. I didn't get a full night's sleep for 18 months after my twins were born, but I wouldn't change a thing if I could. I wish her luck.
2006-11-14 04:50:35 · answer #4 · answered by TwinsDad 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Being a mother of twins myself, other than the basics, it is hard to prepare. She should prepare to get little sleep over the next few months, prepare for exhaustion, prepare to be physically drained, prepare to be broke, due to double diapers, double medications, double formula, prepare to have both shoulders spit up on, and prepare to start using her feet as a rocker along with her hands as a patter, she needs to prepare for multitasking, and she needs to prepare for her children to suck every ounce of energy right out of her body. Just let her know that after the first six months or so things will start to get better, but I found the infant stage very draining. Wish her luck, she's going to need it.
2006-11-14 04:37:57 · answer #5 · answered by mixemup 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your SIL is really going to need family during the first year of the children's lives. It will be hectic. Its better for her to get some play pens because its easier to leave a child unattended for a min to do something for the other child without them getting into anything dangerous.
2006-11-14 04:38:02 · answer #6 · answered by trinity082482 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
-Take any help you can get
-Have plenty of "holders" around like swings, bouncy seats, etc.
-Clean as you go so the house isn't a total mess at the end of the day
-Keep the older kids occupied
2006-11-14 04:38:43 · answer #7 · answered by CelebrateMeHome 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Lots of Prayer.......
2006-11-14 04:53:41 · answer #8 · answered by Andrew S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try a babysitter
2006-11-14 04:32:53 · answer #9 · answered by Mr. Avatar: The Last Airbender 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋