how? how? how?

Dear twin parents,

I have 3 month old b/g twins and am finally moving out of the fog of post-partum sleep deprivation and WTFness. I've been extremely lucky to have loads of help for the past three months – and even now, I have a live-in nanny and fill-in babysitters. But this can't go on indefinitely. I need to learn how to manage my kids by myself, even as the thought stops me cold and makes me want to run away screaming. I cannot ask my nanny or babysitter to do this unless I can do it myself. 

So, this is the question— how does one take care of two babies by oneself? I need details. For example, how do I feed two babies at the same time (one is exclusively breastfed while the other is almost exclusively bottle-fed)? How can I bounce baby E to sleep while baby Q is still feeding (he takes for-freaking-ever, thanks to acid reflux)? How do I make sure they sleep for the same amount of time, instead of baby E's 15 minute bullshit naps while baby Q happily sleeps for an hour or longer (this is not conducive to synchronizing their schedules)?

Any advice would be appreciated. I'd like to hear your strategies. For daytime… Thankfully, we have easy nighttime sleepers. Hallelujah!

And those of you who have an older child in the mix- please tell me how you refrained from sending that child to boarding school for toddlers. Hah. I'm joking. Kind of.

Thanks,

Simi

Summer Sunday Get-Togethers

Now that we're into summer and will hopefully have nice weather, let's make it an ongoing "open invitation" to meet at our favorite playground in Northampton - the Montessouri School - every Sunday from 10:30ish to roughly noon.

I'll still send emails before our usual second Sunday get-togethers. If anyone is interested in sending emails out weekly, please email me and I can send you the complete twin email list  :)

Lana

Breastfeeding Twins

This is Dana, I've emailed people on the forum for twins before, but am not sure how to initiate the question to all of the folks involved - I'm a little slow in keeping up with technology...

could you forward this question to the Pioneer Valley Multiples Group for me?

My twin boy and girl are now 5 months old. I am exclusively breastfeeding them. My girl seems to be getting enough, but my boy consistently wakes one to three times a night very hungry. I know he's hungry, because he is frantic when I get him and gulps for 10 minutes. Would like to know about others experiences regarding how much they needed to breastfeed their twins during the day. It's hard to know first, how much they're getting during one tandem feed, and second, how often they should be feeding to keep up my milk supply...

I don't feel that the typical number of feeding sessions that are recommended for singletons really applies to moms of twins...

Any feedback from the group would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks Lana,

Dana Orsman

Sleep Workshop for Young Twins (4/14/12)

SLEEP FOR YOUNG TWINS

Workshop for Families

Offered Saturday morning, April 14, 2012 from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

At The Midwifery Center at Cooley Dickinson Hospital – Northampton, MA

Concerned about your own or your child’s sleep?

Join other parents of twins for a workshop offering a look into the world of

sleep science and its clear implications for families. Share common struggles

and hear concrete strategies to help children and families get better sleep.

Preregistration is required

Register by email: beth@sleepandparenting.com or phone: 413-348-6273

Cost: $20.00 payable by cash or check

Presented by:

Beth Grams Haxby, Ed.M

Sleep and Parenting Consultant

www.sleepandparenting.com

Beth offers families advice and support in managing the sleep problems

of infancy and early childhood in her practice in Northampton.

She also frequently presents about sleep to a variety of audiences

including educators, medical practitioners, and parents.

Monthly Meeting at Cradle this Sunday (3/11/12)

Hi All,

Just a friendly reminder about our monthly meeting at Cradle this Sunday (3/11) from 10 - 11:30a.

Looks like Beth Grams Haxby will be stopping by for a "meet and greet" with our group.  She's interested in finding out more about  what we'd like to hear about regarding sleep and twins.  She is not charging for this meeting, but we hope to give her a little something for her effort, in addition to our usual donation to Cradle.

We're hoping to have our workshop with Beth in the next month or so - venue still to be decided.   Thanks to Benita for making the connection with Beth!  

Please rsvp if you think you'll be attending Sunday.  Hope to see you all there.

Lana

Possible Talk on Babies and Sleep by Beth Grams Haxby

Beth Grams Haxby gives talks on young ones and sleep. I asked her if she'd be willing to do one geared specifically to families with twins and she said yes. If you are interested, when would be doable days / times for you? What about sometime like a Saturday 1-3 pm, or 10 am - 12 pm? (I would like to avoid a 6-8 pm weekday time, as I've seen her do!) She's looking into having it at the Cooley Dickinson Midwifery Center meeting space. Besides hearing her perspective, it could also be a great chance to hear from other twin parents about practical experiences & tips.
please leave your comment to this post if you are interested in attending and let us know what time would be best.
Benita

All 4 Kids Consignment Sale!!