OMG!! Twins!! Any Advice?

[OneHotMomma]

My DH and I have a two and 1/2 year old son. We just found out yesterday that we're expecting twins! I am so excited but this is a huge surprise. Anyone out there with a toddler and twins that has any advice? Anyone with twins at all with any advice? All help would be greatly appreciated. I have no idea where to begin with preparation and I'm already three months along. :shrug7: I feel SO overwhelmed. :hectic1: I was ready for one baby but two?
Luckily I do still have most everything from when my son was born, except his baby car seat. We have a Buick Century so we'll probably need a larger vehicle too. This changes everything.

[cpaige]

Congrats to you and your family!! I don't have any advice for you, except for CONGRATS and good luck!!

[starrbbs]

I'm a single mom with 3yo twins and an older child. The best advice I can give you is to join a parents of multiples group in your area. I wish I had joined while I was expecting. Having twins is a completely different experience. If you have any questions I'll be more then happy to give my imput.

[ScrappyDoo]

OK here goes my advice:

#1 BREATHE it will be ok

#2 Buy a pregnancy back support thing that goes under your belly. I forget what they are called but they are a lifesaver. You are gonna need it.

#3 Be very very carefeul and diligent about taking care of yourself. Twins make you more likely to be placed on mandatory bedrest by your doc, so start resting more and let other people take care of you. Hopefully you can get by with carrying out your normal routines if your doc knows you are being extra careful.

#4 Never ever utter the phrase "it can't get worse" when you are uncomfortable and hating being pregnant. I can assure you it can and will get worse...........but it's worth it in the end.

#5 If you plan to nurse........get a good lactation consultant.

#6 Twice the babies = twice the pregnancy hormones, so don't get discouraged if you're extra weepy and stuff. It's normal.

#7 After they are born you MUST get them on a schedule where they eat and sleep at the same time. This is the most important piece of advice anyone ever gave me.

#8 Enjoy!!! While you do have twice the crying and twice the poop and twice the colic, you also have twice the love and twice the hugs and who wouldn't love that?

[ScrappyDoo]

One more thing. There are TONS of deals and freebies and special promotions out there for parents of multiples. Research this on the internet and ask your OB and pediatrician. I didn't pay for diapers, diaper cream or formula for the first 4 months plus I got all kinds of free onesies, blankets and other random cool stuff.

[jen276here]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Twins are awesome! Twins are the same amount of work as any other baby - just times two! lol (I know that is the scary part!) I agree w/ joining a multiples group if possible and find an online forum for twins for advice and such. (Heck there are lots of us here with twins, we can probably start our own group! Do we have one that I don't know about?! lol)

When I had my twins I prepared no differently than anyone else (I think) except I bought two of certain things. Yes there is more money involved, but it doesn't have to be as extreme as some may think. I was a single mom at the time w/ NO child support but a lot of family help and we were able to do it. I stayed at home in the day and worked the second shift so my family were able to help to cut the child care costs. I qualifed for WIC for fomula thank goodness because even the generic is expensive! I'm trying to think of how else I prepared at the time, but it is hard to remember sincce they are 12 now- sorry! You will get a lot of great advice here @HCW though!

[justmeagain]

I bet you this wonderful lady could help you!
http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums...an-108594.html

[OneHotMomma]

Thanks everyone for the quick responses. I feel a little better now. Don't get me wrong, I am very excited but I'm worried too. We have some of the things we will need but it's like getting everything I had to get for our first all over again, so that we have two of the things we will need two of. Any advice of things people would think they need two of but really don't. For example, I know I will need two carseats and things like that but how about cribs or swings? Can I put two babies in the same crib for awhile?

[jen276here]

Originally Posted by OneHotMomma Thanks everyone for the quick responses. I feel a little better now. Don't get me wrong, I am very excited but I'm worried too. We have some of the things we will need but it's like getting everything I had to get for our first all over again, so that we have two of the things we will need two of. Any advice of things people would think they need two of but really don't. For example, I know I will need two carseats and things like that but how about cribs or swings? Can I put two babies in the same crib for awhile?

My boys were in the same crib until about four months old (basically once they don't fit together or start rolling over). Changing table isn't necessary for one more or less two, but if you prefer using it, one is enough. Swings - you may want to consider two, especially if it really helps them sleep! I only has one pack-n-play for them. Trying to think of more....

[jennlynnmahan]

My twins are almost 3 years old now. You have a lot of great information already, but I would agree about finding a local mothers of multiples club. They will have great advice for you and some even sponsor yard sales where you might be able to get some good quality stuff at a fraction of the price.

Everyone has different thoughts on it, but we kept our twins on the same schedule - that meant if one was hungry - the other one was getting fed also and if one was getting their diaper changed - the other one was also. It helped getting them on the same routine which eventually meant sleep for us. Our twins were both sleeping through the night at 8 weeks old. I have to be honest that it was hard the first year, but they are so precious now. It is like they have their own built in friend to keep them occupied.

I wouldn't double up on everything - just probably need two carseats and two swings...but you can get buy on just one of everything for awhile. Our twins slept in a pack in play together until they were 4 months old and then slept in a crib together until they were 7 months old.