https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:08:30 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-all-mothers-of-multiples#post-1862190 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 17:54:14 +0000 marionberry 1862190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Blue: thanks!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-all-mothers-of-multiples#post-1862174 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 17:36:28 +0000 Mrs. Blue 1862174@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@marionberry: we used RNPs, and they were nice because thy are so easy to move from room to room. I would just say as a cautionary thing to make sure that you rotate which side their heads are turned because some people think the RNPs lead more to flat spots since the sides are kind of curved up. We didn't have any issues with that though. </p> <p>As for gear, we had one bounce seat and one swing to start off with. Out boys both only tolerated the bouncer, but loved the swing so we eventually bought another swing. I would wait and see what your kiddos both like before buying doubles of any big ticket items. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-all-mothers-of-multiples#post-1862148 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 16:45:29 +0000 marionberry 1862148@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@msmug: @Mrs. Blue: Thank you both for the amazing advice. I know that letting go of plans and ideals will be hard for me at first. My ds loved his my little lamb bouncer for the first few months of his life. I'm tempted to get another so we can use them as baby holders. What have your babies liked? And do/did either of you use a rock n play? We used a pack and play but I'm thinking about the rnps. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-all-mothers-of-multiples#post-1862078 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 14:47:34 +0000 Mrs. Blue 1862078@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p># of Babies: 2.5 (#3 is due in January)<br /> Age of Babies: 18 months<br /> Biggest Piece of Advice You Can Offer: Be gentle with yourself, and accept all help that us offered! Having multiples--especially when they're little, but really anytime--can be overwhelming at various stages and your experience may not look or feel like what mamas of one experience. Give yourself a break; it's a big, but wonderful, challenge.<br /> Baby Item You'd Most Recommend for Twins:<br /> Anything Else: the Twin My Brest Friend Pillow and "baby containers." I always needed a safe place to set down one baby while I handled whatever the other baby needed or to out both babies so I could go to the restroom, etc.</p> <p>Every new stage with twins has new challenges to work through, but I LOVE being a mama of twins. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-all-mothers-of-multiples#post-1861993 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 12:06:19 +0000 msmug 1861993@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@marionberry: thanks for starting this thread! I don't have much advice to offer since my twin boys are only 4 weeks old, but I appreciate reading all the advice already given!</p> <p>Name: msmug<br /> # of Babies: 2 - fraternal boys<br /> Age of Babies: 4 weeks<br /> Biggest Piece of Advice You Can Offer: So far, the best advice I can offer is to receive help when it's offered and to communicate Communicate with DH! That's been so helpful and crucial for us since the most minor of things could set us off in our sleep deprived exhausted state<br /> Baby Item You'd Most Recommend for Twins: Still trying to figure this one out!<br /> Anything Else: The hardest thing for me was to let go of my own expectations and pressures and ideals for myself. For instance, I naturally assumed that I'd be able to breastfeed and if for whatever reason that didnt work out, I expected to be ok with pumping and/or formula feeding and not feel bad, like I failed the babies or something. Well reality is that I felt really bad for not making breastfeeding work, and I found (still find) pumping to be incredibly difficult and time consuming, when I already have so little time as it is!</p> <p>I'm still waiting for things to get better.. but like everyone says.. no matter how difficult things have been these last 4 weeks for me, I'm head over heels for my boys! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-all-mothers-of-multiples#post-1861909 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 08:50:58 +0000 Mrs. Train 1861909@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@marionberry: you definitely can. It might be stressful at first but you will adjust to your new normal quickly! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-all-mothers-of-multiples#post-1857169 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 20:17:59 +0000 marionberry 1857169@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Train: thank you for all of the advice! It's very helpful and makes me feel like I can maybe manage 3. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-all-mothers-of-multiples#post-1856996 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 17:48:17 +0000 Mrs. Train 1856996@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Name: Nicole<br /> # of babies: although mine hardly count as babies anymore I have four.<br /> Age: right now I have 3 five year olds and 1 two year old. In November it's will be 6,5,5,3<br /> Best piece of advice: ignore everyone's advice and figure out what works best for you and your family. It is awesome to gather information and get advice but don't let it get to you if it seems like you're not able to follow that advice. There is so much information about breast feeding, scheduling, sleeping and sometimes you just have to test things out and see what works. </p> <p> Twins is a whole new ball game and it seems like one with no rules. Actually I shouldn't say no rules. There are rules and only your wee babies know the rules and their #1 rule is once mom and dad figure out the rule it's time to change it. :) I know that might sound daunting. Infant twins was the hardest thing, but so so so worth it! I love being a twin momma. </p> <p>Equipment: twin nursing pillow. Even if you bottle feed it was an awesome way to hold them together for snuggles. It was actually the only way our twins would calm down for the first few months. Even my husband would put it on (ummm... He might be pretty embarrassed for me to say that) and sit on the couch with them to snuggle and relax them. Also we had two swings. Ours we colicky and had reflux for 3 months so it really helped to be able to sit them up after feedings. Also detachable infant car seat carriers. It takes awhile to get the double baby hold down. It's even harder to double baby hold and get your car door closed and your house open. The infant seats helps immensely. </p> <p>Anything else? I will try to answer some of your questions. The hardest thing for me was sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation for me snow balled into a lot of other issues. When I am tired I am cranky and less patient which makes taking care of fussy babies harder, and made me snap at my family easier and made me feel worse about my self esteem. </p> <p>The biggest difference between 1 and twins (although I only had 8 months of living with a singleton) was the loss of flexibility. And the amount of work. With one baby I was on his schedule. When I was tired from multiple night wake ups I napped with him. We went places in between his nap time. With the addition of two more my life seemed very chaotic. I couldn't just nap with my older son any more because there were two other babies needing me. I couldn't nap with the new babies because the older one needed me. I often felt like there wasn't enough of me to go around, but there was. It's all about survival in the first few months. Each day when I went to bed I would laugh and say "well, I kept us all alive so that's a good thing"</p> <p>For 3 months they slept in our room in swings or bassinets. I would wake up and feed whoever cried. I would nurse them while laying down and inevitably fall asleep with them in bed with me. When the next one cried my husband would wake up (laugh at me a little for falling asleep with my boob hanging out) and take the first one back to its bassinet and bring me the crying one. I would flip to my other side and feed the second baby. Then rinse and repeat all night long. Then we moved them to one crib until they were about 6 months. I still nursed them in bed and at 6 months they each got their own crib. At about 6 months my husband was going crazy with having them in bed so when one woke up I woke up the other and went and tandem nursed them on the couch. Again I usually fell asleep and spent the rest of the night on the couch with my twin pillow and my babies. </p> <p>You know for all the crazy sleepless nights, and frustrating endless days there is so much joy and love. All the struggles fade and things change as they get older. You can look back and laugh at all the crazy things you did to survive and look at your beautiful twins and know that it doesn't get much better than two sweet peas to love. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-all-mothers-of-multiples#post-1856296 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 11:57:55 +0000 tequiero21 1856296@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@marionberry: @hilary: first month, we were w my parents, so we used a bassinet and a playyard for the babies. Once we came home, they shared crib until they got too long to put vertically.... Which was sometime between three and five months? Can't remember exactly.</p> <p>@hilary: trying to have some face time w my twins. I also make sure to have some good night time w them. Luckily they have their grandma who they've seen every day, and they have each other. One reason I think twins first is easier. ;T</p> <p>@sunshineandsushi: I had fraternal twins and I was all about schedule. One wakes up, we wake the other. Feed them simultaneously.</p> <p>I actually logged everything and was logging twins up til now. I liked to see pattern, especially naps. I'm keeping track of lo. Otherwise, no way would I remember how many wet diapers, which side they need to feed, etc. my short-term memory sucks big time. I use the baby connect app.</p> <p>Video monitor was very helpful and I was in the same room as them! Lol. They make so much noise sometimes, I didn't like getting up over every sound. Also, as long as I had the monitor, I felt comfy enough to go to another part of the apartment, etc. even now, I like to see if they fell asleep, if I need to go in and fix their blankets or whatever. a splurge, but worth it for me.</p> <p>Twins are such hard work, but like I say, double the love! Also, they do have a built in best friend. :) more like frenemies lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-all-mothers-of-multiples#post-1855961 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 09:29:18 +0000 Caly 1855961@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Name: Caly<br /> # of Babies: Fraternal twin girls<br /> Age of Babies: 10 months<br /> Biggest Piece of Advice You Can Offer: Like @twodoghouse: said, take it one day or even one crisis at a time. Give up on any expectations, wether that be the state of your house, breastfeeding, the perfect schedule for the babies or the birth, things may or may not go the way you had planned in your head...the sooner you let go of those plans, the less disappointment there will *hopefully* be. I've always been a planner, like order &amp; want to be able to control situations and how things are done. I learned quickly to let go for my own sanity. </p> <p>Baby Item You'd Most Recommend for Twins: Hmmm...I will think on this &amp; come back if I think of something not already mentioned. </p> <p>Anything Else: It WILL get better, promise! The first few months were complete hell for us. To the point that (this sounds terrible but I'll admit it) I honestly thought we'd made a huge mistake. It continues to be a lot of work but it improves drastically &amp; becomes a ton of fun. Nothing beats their smiles, giggles &amp; cuddles. </p> <p>Ours slept horribly in their cribs, so, for the first 4-5 months they slept in bouncy chairs. They loved &amp; slept much better (or as well as a newborn sleeps) in those chairs. After that they slept in separate cribs. One moves around WAY too much &amp; would wake the other, one crib would be impossible for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-all-mothers-of-multiples#post-1855885 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 08:40:22 +0000 sunshineandsushi 1855885@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilary: For us, the video monitor relieved any concerns about them being in a room away from us. Also, when we would hear a peep or a cry, we could check to see if they were just making noises or actually waking up or needing us. It let us watch and see instead of rushing into the room when maybe we didn't need to. Now that they're older, it makes for great fun to watch them playing and interacting in their cribs at bedtime. They'll talk to each other, throw blankets to each other, etc. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-all-mothers-of-multiples#post-1855834 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 08:15:13 +0000 hilary 1855834@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunshineandsushi: Oh yay. Glad to hear yours slept in the crib together for that long. There is hope that I will not have to own 3 cribs. I hate the thought of having 3 cribs when big sister will probably not tolerate being confined in hers for that much longer. </p> <p>And I never had a video monitor for LO 1, but it seems like everyone so far says it's definitely worth it with multiples. Any specific reason why? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-all-mothers-of-multiples#post-1855791 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 07:33:52 +0000 sunshineandsushi 1855791@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@twoofeverything: @marionberry: I NEVER logged anything with them and it honestly never occurred to me to log anything. I agree, they will make themselves known if they are hungry or need a diaper change. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-all-mothers-of-multiples#post-1855790 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 07:32:06 +0000 sunshineandsushi 1855790@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yay! I love talking with other twin mamas. :happy: </p> <p>For Current Mamas:<br /> Name: sunshineandsushi<br /> # of Babies: 2<br /> Age of Babies: 20 months, identical boys<br /> Biggest Piece of Advice You Can Offer: Stick to a schedule!! The saying "never wake a sleeping baby" does not apply to twins. Instead, go by "one up, both up." This worked wonders for keeping my boys on the same schedule. (However, this may not work as well with fraternal twins)<br /> Baby Item You'd Most Recommend for Twins: Video monitor! Still use it to this day. A big recliner that is wide enough to rock with both babies at the same time. We bought a big leather recliner for our family room, which is where I would rock them, instead of in their nursery. It's also where I clocked hours upon hours of time with them while on maternity leave.<br /> Anything Else: It gets easier! Promise! And I think twin mamas actually have it easier in the long run, we just put in more work up front. We put them in a crib to sleep from the very first day home from the hospital. Worked great and it eliminated any worries for us to have to transition them later from a PNP or something else into a crib. They slept in the same crib until about 3.5 months old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-all-mothers-of-multiples#post-1855746 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 06:29:16 +0000 hilary 1855746@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm excited for this. Oddly enough I have 4 friends at work who all have twins (there must be something in the water on our floor), but of course no one who will be in the midst of twins at the same time as me. </p> <p>For Pregnant Mamas:<br /> Name: Hilary (note how creative I am with usernames)<br /> # of Babies: 2<br /> How Far Along Are You: 22 weeks<br /> Biggest Question You Have: For those with an older and then multiples, how did you keep your first occupied/from feeling neglected?<br /> Anything Else: Did your twins crib share and for how long? I'm hoping to only buy one more crib and when they're ready to be separated maybe my 20 month old will be ready to get out of her crib. She's not climbing out yet so I'm keeping her in there for now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-all-mothers-of-multiples#post-1855723 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 04:50:05 +0000 tequiero21 1855723@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@marionberry: right now, my mil and my mom are helping me, so I do get lil breaks here and there to do my own thing and take rests, but, my mom is only helping out for a month, so I know there won't be as much time in the future. :T </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-all-mothers-of-multiples#post-1855715 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 04:07:44 +0000 marionberry 1855715@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tequiero21: So glad to have you here! Hope things are going ok with your new family of 3. Do you feel like you ever get time to yourself anymore? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-all-mothers-of-multiples#post-1855682 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 23:11:26 +0000 tequiero21 1855682@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For Current Mamas:<br /> Name: g / tequiero21<br /> # of Babies: 3<br /> Age of Babies: 29 months and 1.5 weeks<br /> Biggest Piece of Advice You Can Offer: don't be afraid to ask for help! My mom helped me for a month. My mil has helped from about three months to now.<br /> Baby Item You'd Most Recommend for Twins: definitely my Brest friend if u will breastfeed together. I definitely used the video monitor. Still look at it to this day!<br /> Anything Else: every stage is different. Newborn is so hard because of lack of sleep, but they are so dependent on u. :heart: kind of miss that with my twins. They grow to be toddlers, which definitely has its challenges, but they talk so much now and it's amazing to see how much they've grown up. Three under three is tough! Let's freak out together! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-all-mothers-of-multiples#post-1848512 Thu, 04 Sep 2014 08:09:17 +0000 marionberry 1848512@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@twoofeverything: Oh yes I'm not one to log anyway! And I swear by my noise machine and blackout shade for my ds so I will definitely be continuing that with the twins. Thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-all-mothers-of-multiples#post-1848316 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 23:32:25 +0000 twoofeverything 1848316@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Awesome! Congratulations! Here's us:<br /> 2 babies (b/g born 11/30/12 @ 36+0<br /> Best advice: (I have lots...sorry!) Definitely do your best to keep them on a schedule, but don't let it drive you ( too) crazy. Also, EVERYTHING is a season, and with twins, something will always be getting better as something else gets worse! And take pictures...in the long run, you will be happier about having awesome pictures over detailed logs. I promise you will know if someone needs to poop or be fed :) And have fun! Almost every twin MOM I know says it's ultimately easier.<br /> Best baby item: it's a tie between the white noise machine and blackout shades! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-all-mothers-of-multiples#post-1848285 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 22:33:04 +0000 marionberry 1848285@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@twodoghouse: Thank you so much for all the advice! I'm sort of freaking out wondering how we'll do this for twins and an 18 month old. But I'm sure like you said, we'll just figure it out, even if it's nothing like I'd expect or want it to be. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-all-mothers-of-multiples#post-1848242 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 21:50:46 +0000 twodoghouse 1848242@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Great idea! I'm so excited for this new batch of twin mamas. I found out one year ago today that I was pregnant, but it would be another three weeks before we found out it was twins! </p> <p>Name: Ashley / twodoghouse<br /> # of Babies: Two<br /> Age of Babies: Four months today<br /> Biggest Piece of Advice You Can Offer: Cut yourself some slack and learn to let go of your expectations now. Pregnancy, L&amp;D, feeding, sleeping may end up totally different than you expect and that's ok. Take it day by day and remember it will get better!<br /> Baby Item You'd Most Recommend for Twins: Two recliners/gliders in the nursery so you and SO can do nighttime routine simultaneously. Some kind of baby carrier for the beginning because pushing around a double stroller is a pain! So much easier if you can each wear a baby. Also, the twin Brest Friend if you want to breastfeed!<br /> Anything Else: I'm only four months in, but this is the hardest and best thing I've ever done. A couple days ago Alice started really giggling out loud, but she only giggles at her brother! The feeling of watching your children bond and interact like that from the very beginning is unbelievable. Without a doubt the best part of having twins so far! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-all-mothers-of-multiples#post-1848231 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 21:35:56 +0000 marionberry 1848231@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I thought that since there are a few of us needing advice and many who've already gone through this, we could create a mini support group/advice feed, whereby mothers of multiples could answer questions for newly pregnant mothers of multiples.</p> <p>For Pregnant Mamas:<br /> Name: Marionberry<br /> # of Babies: 2<br /> How Far Along Are You: 8 weeks<br /> Biggest Question You Have: What do you find the hardest about having twins? If you have a single and multiples, what did you find was the biggest difference?<br /> Anything Else: I'd love to know how you and the babies slept for the first few months. I co-slept with my ds but I'm not sure I could co-sleep with two.</p> <p>For Current Mamas:<br /> Name:<br /> # of Babies:<br /> Age of Babies:<br /> Biggest Piece of Advice You Can Offer:<br /> Baby Item You'd Most Recommend for Twins:<br /> Anything Else:</p> <p>Thanks in advance! </p>