Ideas on How to Care for Multiples

Hi D., Congratulations! I have 17 month old twins and we put them into a "forced" sleeping pattern, so they would sleep at the same time. If one woke in the middle of the night to eat, we woke the other and fed at the same time. If one needed a nap, we put the other down as well. Now at 17 months old, they both take two naps a day at the same time, one sleeps a bit longer usually, but at least there's a little bit of quiet. And they both go to bed easily.

Good Luck! Congratulations! M.

Congrats D.,

I have 14 month old twins and another 11 1/2 months older. You are going to go through a lot of emotions with multiples, just don't let it overwhelm you. In the beginning they'll probably be eating at least every 3 hours. But around 3+ months (depending on their weights) is really when they could start sleeping through the night and you will start to see a pattern. You can set a schedule, but try to be flexible, sleep when you have the chance and accept help, especially in the first two months. A schedule also depends on whether you breastfeed or bottle feed. I bottle fed mine pumped breast milk, and put them in their infant seats (one on each side of me on the floor)while I held the bottles for them (this worked really well in the middle of the night when I could barely keep my eyes open).
Being a first time mom I'm sure you have a lot of questions, I would suggest joining a multiples group. They can really help to prepare you for mothering multiples. Good luck!

I'm a mom of 5 yr old triplets and everything will be all right. You can get them om the same schedule. I would feed two at the same time and the 3rd one a 1/2 hour later. I changed them at the same time too. I also joined a support group called Keeping Pace with Mulitple Mircales. they are a great group and helped me alot. Their number is ###-###-#### good luck.
Niki W.

I don't have multiples, but I have a friend who has triplets that are 15 months. They have always been on the same eating and sleeping schedule since they were born. Since they were 6 weeks early they had to stay in the hospital for a week or two and the hospital really helped to get them on the same schedule. She has also found it very helpful to go to the support groups for moms with multiples and she gets out of the house as much as she can with them. So I guess I don't really have any helpful suggestions, but you will make it through! I wish you the best of luck!

Hi D.! Congrats on your upcoming babies! I have 10 month old twins who I adore! It really all will work out. I tried for a while to get them on the same schedule but it didn't seem to work out until about 5 or 6 months and then it just happened! Hang in there. Eventually, it really does come together. Also, check online for multiples groups. I know there's one in Manchester and Concord. They may be able to give you some good advice too. You can go to the first couple meetings now even before you have the babies.

Congrats and good luck!
D.

Take the news as exciting and pray for 3 healthy and full term babies... they each will eat and sleep on a schedule if you start that right from the beginning.. I have twins who will turn 2 in a few weeks and I was shocked at the news when I got it too.. but you learn to adapt and work things around the babies...

D.,

Isis maternity has a class for mom's of multiples. I would suggest if at all possible taking the class with your babies when they are born. It will give you a great support group of other mom's going thru the joys of multiples and also some great advice.
Also see if there is a 'meetup' group for mom's of multiples in your area. I have a friend of my family that had triples and they stayed in the hospital for I think a month and when they came out the nurses told them, if one each they all eat, if one goes to sleep they all go to sleep and it seemed to work itself out. They all slept in the same room too.

Good luck and enjoy,
L. M

First off.....CONGRATS!!!! I am a mother of twin 13 month olds and a 4 y/o. Let me tell you the 4 y/o is sometimes more challenging. With the twins I started a schedule from the beginning. I fed them on a daily routine so that they could get into a pattern. This helped with keeping track of eating and helping them sleep. It can be done....mine slept through the night from just over three months. I did breast feed both, so that also can be done. I also belong to my local multiples group in Dartmouth....southcoastmothersofmultiples.com. Definatley look into your local chapter, they can be of great assistance!!!!

S.

I'm sure someone mentioned this, but you should join your local Mothers of Multiples immediately so you can start getting some advice.
As far as sleep, I love "Happiest Baby on the Block" and "No Cry Sleep Solution" - both very natural, gentle ways to help babies sleep!

Congratulations mommy!!!!

First: Accept any and all help that people offer. Start a schedule as soon as you can, so people will stay committed when they have something in writing.

Ablolutely join, confer, talk to, or search on the internet any advice on raising multiples and managed care in the beginning. Get lots of ideas, I found I went through a few before I really learned what worked best for our family..(remember what worked for some, does't work for all)

We, like some other moms, forced a schedule for a while. We did find eventually around 8 weeks one twin was "sleeping" better than the other and we let him rest longer... They will start to give you some clues, and sometimes through trial and error you will discover what works for you.

Eventually, we did end up hiring a nite nanny for 2 nites a week for about a month to get some rest. You may want to consider that or try to get people to volunteer for nite shifts. (family, friends??) IT WAS WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!

Take lots and lots of pictures! I am glad we did, because in the beginning you are in survival mode and wont really remember much (lol).

Get hand-me-downs, or go to sales for multiples (other moms of multiples sell there stuff for MUCH cheaper)

If someone is throwing you a shower.. ask for a diaper well. We had each guest bring a pack of diapers, any size or brand and it workd out wonderfully!

My boys turned 3 on Tuesday and we are having the times of our lives with them. It WILL get easier, and worth it's every moment. Rest well mama!