Baby Care Advice » Getting Twins to Sleep http://birthpolicy.org Fri, 18 May 2012 06:47:55 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO COPE WITH NEWBORN TWINS, (COMING 10/06) A 2 Y/O AND A 1 Y/O? http://birthpolicy.org/1720/how-am-i-supposed-to-cope-with-newborn-twins-coming-1006-a-2-yo-and-a-1-yo/ http://birthpolicy.org/1720/how-am-i-supposed-to-cope-with-newborn-twins-coming-1006-a-2-yo-and-a-1-yo/#comments Wed, 11 Apr 2012 07:28:07 +0000 admin http://birthpolicy.org/1720/how-am-i-supposed-to-cope-with-newborn-twins-coming-1006-a-2-yo-and-a-1-yo/ Question by ha:
How am I supposed to cope with newborn twins, (coming 10/06) a 2 y/o and a 1 y/o?
I have a 2 year old daughter, a 1 year old son, and am anticipating twins in October. I am so excited about the coming additions, but am also a tiny freaked out about what life will be like.
It seems like with the other two, I had my shirt off at least 12 hours out of the day for nursing, and never got any sleep. What will it be like nursing 2 at a time? And will I ever sleep again? Plus, what about caring for the older children while I have a newborn in each arm (or on each breast?)? How does it all work?
I have heard of others whose children were older, and could do more for themselves. But my 2 cannot do a lot for themselves yet. And besides, I do not want them to feel neglected because of the new babies.
I would love to hear from other moms who might have been in similar situations. I’d like examples of how you managed your time, how you were able to make all the children feel special/loved, when did you sleep, how did you make time for home work/cooking, etc.


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]]> http://birthpolicy.org/1720/how-am-i-supposed-to-cope-with-newborn-twins-coming-1006-a-2-yo-and-a-1-yo/feed/ 0 WHAT CAN I DO TO ENTERTAIN 1 MONTH OLD TWINS? OR DO THEY JUST SLEEP, EAT & CRY AT THIS AGE? http://birthpolicy.org/1564/what-can-i-do-to-entertain-1-month-old-twins-or-do-they-just-sleep-eat-cry-at-this-age/ http://birthpolicy.org/1564/what-can-i-do-to-entertain-1-month-old-twins-or-do-they-just-sleep-eat-cry-at-this-age/#comments Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:29:00 +0000 admin http://birthpolicy.org/1564/what-can-i-do-to-entertain-1-month-old-twins-or-do-they-just-sleep-eat-cry-at-this-age/ Question by Mackenzie & Kaylee’s Mom:
What can I do to entertain 1 month old twins? Or do they just sleep, eat & cry at this age?
Just was wondering if there was anything I can do to try to keep them awake a bit longer in the evening so maybe they can sleep longer at night….do you have any tricks to make your babies sleep longer at night? Currently they are sleeping about 3 hours then get up to feed. Does this seem normal?


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Answer by carribbean spice
Yes, this is quite normal, there job now is to just eat,sleep, cry and shit. Wait till they are about 4mos old for entertainment

Answer by Mina222
ahh thats great actually. my first daughter ate ever 1 1/2 hours around the clock! theres really not a heck of a lot you can do with them at this age, other than patterns to look at.

Answer by Xochitl
Its normal… babies make their own sleeping habits. just look at their habits and try to change it , my friends baby has to go to sleep at 9 so he can get 4 hours of sleep but if the baby sleeps at 1o he only sleeps 3 hours. Purchase toys with images and music

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]]> http://birthpolicy.org/1564/what-can-i-do-to-entertain-1-month-old-twins-or-do-they-just-sleep-eat-cry-at-this-age/feed/ 11 HOW CAN I HELP MY SICK BABY SLEEP? http://birthpolicy.org/1405/how-can-i-help-my-sick-baby-sleep/ http://birthpolicy.org/1405/how-can-i-help-my-sick-baby-sleep/#comments Sun, 13 Nov 2011 07:27:53 +0000 admin http://birthpolicy.org/1405/how-can-i-help-my-sick-baby-sleep/ Question by Amy M welcomed twins 12-7-08:
How can I help my sick baby sleep?
My nearly 7 month old twins got strep and were really sick for a while. They started antibiotics 9 days ago and the girl is doing much better. The boy still feels miserable. I took them back to the physician yesterday and they switched the antibiotic from amoxicillin to cefdinir because the physician felt that the amoxicillin was not doing the job. Before they got sick, they slept 10-11 hours at night without waking up. They woke up each 15 minutes to one hour at their sickest. The boy is still waking up and crying each hour or so and I do not know what to do. My husband and I are just exhausted. My baby boy is miserable. The physician told us to give him Benadryl to help him sleep and it did not work. Baby Tylenol and Motrin do not work either. He needs to sleep for more massive chunks of time to recover properly and he cannot seem to. He is normally a very happy, easy, baby that doesn’t cry often so I know he is really unhappy. What can I do? The twins already sleep in our bedroom on their own twin bed that is pushed up to our bed. When my son wakes up crying my husband or I will reach over and pick him up and cuddle him until he falls asleep again. Has this happened to anyone else? Please, I’d love to hear suggestions. I hope everyone is having a good day.
Oh sorry, I should have mentioned that they aren’t congested at all. They really do not have any symptoms, other than the sore throat. The only symptom my son is showing at all is unhappiness.


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Answer by Real Mothers Raise Their Children
Use a Vicks Vaporizer (life saver!)

And rub this stuff on his chest:

http://www.naturesbabyproducts.com/organic_chest-rub.html

It’s like Vicks, without the petroleum.

Answer by ♥Mom Of Irish Twins♥
Try elevating the mattress in their crib. it helps them to breathe easier. also try a Vicks vapourizer and if he is stuffed up and try some Vicks Babyrub, use nose drops and a nasal syringe to help clear the gunk out. I know it’s tough but your babies will be healthy soon. It’s awful when their sick, I have two babies 12 months apart and there was a time i thought I was going to lose my mind from lack of sleep! Hope your tiny ones get superior soon!

Answer by Speed Demon
I wouldnt use vick vapor rub on him, that stuff is strong on an adult I wouldnt use it on an infant, I have twins and it is hard when they get sick, there is a menthol vaporizor just for children its by pediacare, you can find it by the childrens cold medicine, i think it was called something like gentle vapors, also another thing would by to try and slightly elevate where he sleeps,it is hard to do, but one way is possibly putting a blanket under one end of the mattress so his head is slightly elevated at least thats what i was told, never tried it though, i always ended up leaving mine to sleep in his swing all night because that was the only way he slept and wasnt so congested.

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]]> http://birthpolicy.org/1405/how-can-i-help-my-sick-baby-sleep/feed/ 0 WHAT IS THE MOST DANGEROUS THING YOU CAN DO IN REFERENCE TO INFANT SLEEP? http://birthpolicy.org/1245/what-is-the-most-dangerous-thing-you-can-do-in-reference-to-infant-sleep/ http://birthpolicy.org/1245/what-is-the-most-dangerous-thing-you-can-do-in-reference-to-infant-sleep/#comments Tue, 30 Aug 2011 07:30:48 +0000 admin http://birthpolicy.org/1245/what-is-the-most-dangerous-thing-you-can-do-in-reference-to-infant-sleep/ Question by JustMe:
What is the most hazardous thing you can do in reference to infant sleep?
I’m chuckling because it was stated that co-sleeping is the most hazardous thing I could do.

I tend to disagree.

What’s the most dangerous?

I’d have to say…

in a hot room alone in a heated waterbed on their tummy surrounded by heavy pillows and thick down comforters.

Anyone have a more hazardous idea? lol

Funniest gets the 10 points.

oh wait, I thought of something even worse… in the waterbed on his tummy in the hot room alone with his two 22 month old twin sisters. lol
Oh God! Lighten up, people!

heather-You made me smile!

BTW-I was put to bed on my tummy in a waterbed but in the 70′s tummy sleep was all the rage and so were waterbeds.

My son does sleep in a co-sleeper but sometimes I do let him sleep next to me, usually when I fall asleep nursing him.

Breastfeeding and co-sleeping are how our species evolved! It’s inherently safe.
LMAO Dee!
LOL Nikki! OMG the dry milk and cats is too funny! Someone told me to get rid of my cats because they would suck the life out of my babies trying to get the milk out or something.


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Answer by mymommybody
well, my first thought when reading this question was co-sleeping. It is very dangerous. However i did it once in a while,in a desperate attempt to get some sleep. But I do not think it’s funny to joke about the careless things moms do with their newborn babies. Maybe it would be funny if it never happened, but Im sure right now there are plenty of uneducated moms in their heated water beds sleeping face down with their infant. Get your child a bassinet

Answer by GranolaMom
Hmmm… I think a child left to sleep in the automobile on a hot day would be more dangerous. In the sun, the automobile can top 150 degrees within the hour, and kill a child very quickly.

Sorry it’s not funnier. In my area there are multiple deaths each summer of babies left in hot cars. Very not funny.

Answer by Heather (Baby Mama)
for me putting the baby to sleep on its tummy i hate it when ppl do that
with extra pilliows, hot room , alone
babues should atleast sleep in mommies room or with them i dont see co sleeping as a bad thing if done right
i do it everynight

so heres my funny one

on tummy in a water bad 90 degree room 7 cats that also share the bed wraping baby u in comforter and people in there getting high and smoking cigs then drunk daddy also in bed with a lit cig
oh and 2 yr old brother and 4 year old triplets
kinda fun ?

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]]> http://birthpolicy.org/1245/what-is-the-most-dangerous-thing-you-can-do-in-reference-to-infant-sleep/feed/ 7 HOW DO YOU GET SICK TWIN BABIES TO SLEEP? http://birthpolicy.org/1093/how-do-you-get-sick-twin-babies-to-sleep/ http://birthpolicy.org/1093/how-do-you-get-sick-twin-babies-to-sleep/#comments Thu, 16 Jun 2011 07:28:26 +0000 admin http://birthpolicy.org/1093/how-do-you-get-sick-twin-babies-to-sleep/ Question by cookie’s fan:
how do you get sick twin babies to sleep?
they are about 8 months old


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Answer by chunk up the duce
its pretty hard

Answer by Gary S
play pocahontas song

Answer by hammer
GOOD LUCK!! Maybe cradle one in each arm and rock them…that’s what I did. When I didnt have a rocking chair handy, I would manually rock them in a regular chair (sofa’s are ideal because they are soft on the butt). That would get them to sleep and work out my abs!!!

Elliot…sorry, but they aren’t supposed to have cow milk at that age and formula or breast milk is already made warm…

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]]> http://birthpolicy.org/1093/how-do-you-get-sick-twin-babies-to-sleep/feed/ 3 WHATS THE BEST WAY TO GET YOUR NEWBORN TO SLEEP? http://birthpolicy.org/926/whats-the-best-way-to-get-your-newborn-to-sleep/ http://birthpolicy.org/926/whats-the-best-way-to-get-your-newborn-to-sleep/#comments Sat, 02 Apr 2011 07:32:05 +0000 admin http://birthpolicy.org/926/whats-the-best-way-to-get-your-newborn-to-sleep/ Question by kelly:
whats the ideal way to get your newborn to sleep?
mom to 10 day old twins I NEED HELP!


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Answer by foxyfarther88
good luck i cant even sleep wioth mine and she is four months old think about that befire spreding youre legs

Answer by Felix Arcanus
hold it close and let it hear your heartbeat as you rock it to sleep.

Answer by cat33y
Sing or hum softly .

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]]> http://birthpolicy.org/926/whats-the-best-way-to-get-your-newborn-to-sleep/feed/ 5 DEALING WITH NEWBORN TWINS & A 2 YEAR OLD AT BEDTIME…? http://birthpolicy.org/762/dealing-with-newborn-twins-a-2-year-old-at-bedtime/ http://birthpolicy.org/762/dealing-with-newborn-twins-a-2-year-old-at-bedtime/#comments Mon, 17 Jan 2011 07:28:24 +0000 admin http://birthpolicy.org/762/dealing-with-newborn-twins-a-2-year-old-at-bedtime/ Question by Sheen:
Dealing with newborn twins & a 2 year old at bedtime…?
We have 4 week old twins. Our 2 y/o wants to sleep in the same room as us because the babies are in the same room. We told her that the twins have to sleep in the room with us because they are babies & that she did not need to because she was our huge girl. She then stated she wanted the babies to sleep in the room with her, We told her that they could not because they are babies & need us & that we did not want them waking her up. She then started crying & whining to sleep in our room. We have spent 30 minutes trying to get her to go to bed or stay in her room at least but she won’t.

Any advice on how to handle this?


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Answer by Mimi
You need to make her stay in her room. I know of some parents who have door locks on the outside of the child’s door so they can keep them in their room. Sounds harsh, but effective and probably safer.

In the meantime you could switch up the bedtime routine to include one of you staying in her room longer until she is really drowsy and less likely to follow you out.

Answer by Lucia
Don’t let a two year old tell you how to structure your sleeping arrangements. You have two newborns to deal with and a lot of sleep deprivation already in the works, and this is not something a toddler can even come close to understanding. You need to save your strength for all your children, and it will not happen with the additional disruption of a two-year-old in your room. Can mother sleep with the newborns, and you or another family member sleep with her in her room on a mattress? (Assuming that she is new at sleeping in her own room). But if she was sleeping fine on her own before, I would just get someone to calm her down then let her sleep on her own. Let her cry and whine. This is for everyone’s good hers included. Good luck and remember they grow up eventually!

Answer by makenna’s mom
well if reason has not worked, than you have choices…. 1. you or your spouse sits in the room with her until she falls asleep……. or 2. you enforce the “no” answer and make her stay in her room. Unfortunately your daughter is confused, and feels left out now. she was the baby and only child now she is getting the boot it’s difficult for her to understand, perhaps you could even grant her to sleep in your room on the floor on her mattress or something.

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]]> http://birthpolicy.org/762/dealing-with-newborn-twins-a-2-year-old-at-bedtime/feed/ 3 SLEEP AND ALL THINGS BABY … WITH “TWINS”!? http://birthpolicy.org/640/sleep-and-all-things-baby-with-twins/ http://birthpolicy.org/640/sleep-and-all-things-baby-with-twins/#comments Wed, 05 Jan 2011 13:32:57 +0000 admin http://birthpolicy.org/640/sleep-and-all-things-baby-with-twins/ Question by rmiller.1217:
Sleep and all things baby … with “twins”!?
I have an cute adopted daughter – nearly 6 months old. Then – surprise – we got pregnant and I am 37 weeks along. Blessings abound, but I am starting to panic about how in the world I am going to pull this off. My darling daughter is very spirited, very much adores to have all my attention and is not a great napper. I heard that breastfeeding can take up to 45 minutes, with the baby feeding each 2 hours. I just don’t know what I’m going to do with my daughter during these times. Especially at her nap times! She had colic for 4 months – and looking back, I see we did what we had to do to survive, but now are left with a tiny one who can not go to sleep on her own and will only day nap for 45 minutes (and they are getting shorter!) I’ve been trying gentle sleep solutions for a few weeks now, without much success, and I am reaching the point of utter physical and emotional exhaustion. I can barely lift my arms! I haven’t slept more than 2 hours in a row in over 5 months, and I’m not sure I can go another year this way. Unfortunately, I don’t have any family nearby and all my friends work, so it’s pretty much just me for the 10 hours my husband is at work. (Yes, I wish that was less time, but with me staying home, someone has to pay the bills!) I’m very concerned about not being able to meet both their needs effectively and not sure I’ll be able to handle the guilt of it all. I also want to be careful not to makes the same sleep mistakes with her brother.

Please, mommies of the world – sorry for the long story, but I’m feeling desperate and am appealing to you for any tips, advice, help on how to survive our one-of-a-kind situation with the health and sanity of everyone intact. Sleep/nap help, managing “twins”, etc. whatever you have to offer as experienced, veteran mothers will be worth its weight in gold. (just please don’t tell me “it will pass” – I know it will, but for now I need practical survival strategies.) Thanks and Happy Mommying!


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Answer by Tina has Twins
It is hard as they are not actually twins . . .

I can only talk as a mother to 2 year old twins – get them on the same schedule. As your daughter is older, the new tiny one might have extra feedings in between but whenever your daughter is eating, feed the newborn at the same time or immediately after even if it means waking the baby. Getting them on the same schedule will help so that you will have a few hours of down time when neither one will need something from you.

Are their any teens in your neighborhood? A 14 – 15 year old girl to come and help out for a few hours here or there is a life saver for the sanity! They can play with your daughter as you are feeding your son, doing dishes or whatever. Sort of a mom’s helper.

I would also see if the pediatrician has any advice for your daughter and cross your fingers that your son is a mellow simple going baby that sleeps well!

Good luck!

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]]> http://birthpolicy.org/640/sleep-and-all-things-baby-with-twins/feed/ 0 GETTING NO SLEEP AT ALL WITH MY NEWBORN TWIN BOYS ANY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE ON HOW TO HANDLE THIS SITUATION? http://birthpolicy.org/427/getting-no-sleep-at-all-with-my-newborn-twin-boys-any-personal-experience-on-how-to-handle-this-situation/ http://birthpolicy.org/427/getting-no-sleep-at-all-with-my-newborn-twin-boys-any-personal-experience-on-how-to-handle-this-situation/#comments Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:50:04 +0000 admin http://birthpolicy.org/427/getting-no-sleep-at-all-with-my-newborn-twin-boys-any-personal-experience-on-how-to-handle-this-situation/ Question by lovenatbug:
getting no sleep at all with my newborn twin boys any personal experience on how to handle this situation?
im going on 10 days of three hours if that of sleep at night and i dont know how many more days i can keep that up


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Answer by rem n ready
Have your ‘ol man help out!!!! He helped make ‘em for heavens sake!

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]]> http://birthpolicy.org/427/getting-no-sleep-at-all-with-my-newborn-twin-boys-any-personal-experience-on-how-to-handle-this-situation/feed/ 5 WHAT KIND OF STROLLER CAN I GET FOR NEWBORN TWINS AND A 28 MONTH-OLD THAT COULD FIT IN AN…? http://birthpolicy.org/363/what-kind-of-stroller-can-i-get-for-newborn-twins-and-a-28-month-old-that-could-fit-in-an/ http://birthpolicy.org/363/what-kind-of-stroller-can-i-get-for-newborn-twins-and-a-28-month-old-that-could-fit-in-an/#comments Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:48:19 +0000 admin http://birthpolicy.org/363/what-kind-of-stroller-can-i-get-for-newborn-twins-and-a-28-month-old-that-could-fit-in-an/ Question by Elisabeth:
What kind of stroller can I get for newborn twins and a 28 month-old that could fit in an…?
…Accord trunk?
I would like to be able to keep my Accord if the automobile seats will all fit. I think they might. The Joovy Huge Caboose is too huge to fit in the trunk. The Valco twin with a toddler jump seat will not hold two infant seats. Needing to hold the infant seats is a must. I am not waking sleeping TWINS to put them in a stroller. I think a 28 month-old is too young to stand on one of those boogie board attachments (she runs off…FAST). I would LOVE to find something similar to a boogie board attachment that included a bench and seat belt, but I do not know if it exists.


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Answer by Jolly Roger
Have you seen this yet? http://www.amazon.com/Buggypod-Smorph2-Clip-Side-Stroller/dp/B003TL2H1C

http://www.amazon.com/Litaf-Pick-Up-Universal-Stroller-Rider/dp/B003XIQCX0/ref=pd_sbs_ba_2 This one I like (has no seatbelt) but it would grant you to get a side by side double stroller and is a tiny cheaper.

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]]> http://birthpolicy.org/363/what-kind-of-stroller-can-i-get-for-newborn-twins-and-a-28-month-old-that-could-fit-in-an/feed/ 1