Can anyone help direct me in finding advice on how to handly my situation? I will be having twins in September and will have no help besides my 7 yr old. How will I possibly get them on any type of schedule to feed them at the same time, etc by myself and still get sleep to work??

I am single and due with twins at the begining of August. I am also looking for answers. I found some pretty good advice on another chat board babycenter.com There is a thread with books to read that should answer our question (although I haven't gone down to the library yet).
Just think, at least you'll have your 7 year old to help and the previous experience of caring for an infant, you're two steps ahead of me. I'll keep watch of this thread and maybe we can both get some answers.

www.multiplesconnection/com/portal

www.twins-n-friends.com

Two GREAT twin parenting sites I've belonged to for years now. They started as one totally different one which I joined prior to having my two lovely ladies (already had the one).

how far along are you ladies? how are the pregnancies going thus far? There is a great book to read called

ok let me go google it up now I can't remember the authorLOL I'll be right back!

Here's a link to the book:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060957239/102-3499715...65?v=glance&n=283155

some of it scared me, but it had some GREAT charts in it to follow and sort of track your babies growths. Great diet plans to help them develop as strongly as possible. It is much different than carrying a singleton. It is much scarier too. I had such a hard time looking to the end because I was worried I'd jinx myself. I ended up begging for them to be removed!LOL

I was married when I had them but I did it alone or with the annoying help of the Nana's hanging out. My husband at the time went away for 10 days after we'd been home from the hospital for not even a week. I cried a lot! I cried because it was hard, I cried because of post partum, I cried because sometimes I couldn't get the nana to leave. They were darn cute though and although it isn't easy it is fun. You can do it.

btw, I have often contemplated the question of whether it is easier to have twins as a first pregnancy or a later one. I still have no answer. It think there are difficulties both ways. First pregnancy man you have no idea what it is like to even be mom yet and manage one baby schedule.... later pregnancy you have to care for, drive around, serve another child.

Good thing is though a 7 yr old can DEFINITELY hold a baby during those extra screechy times!

Think positive and ask away. Do check out teh sites. There aren't that many single parents there but a ton ton ton of experience and understanding.

Oh shoot, I didn't even see the actual quesiton.

OK are you going to get 8 weeks maternity leave, or 6 anyway?

Schedule and pre planning. I did nurse mine, but bottle fed one feeding from the first day they were born.

I nursed them at the same time. It tried my best to wake the other up for feedings but it is somewhat of a joke. I hate to say it but, so is sleep. Just give up on that fact, give in to it as you aren't going to get a lot. Especially with a child to get off to school in the morning (see there's a plus of twins firstLOL)

You can also bottle feed at the same time. I didn't use them but I know a lot of people swore by those bottle holders you can hook onto the carseats or bouncy seats. Use them, don't feel guilty. Survival is what you will do, no time for guilt over bonding you WILL bond with both of them, trust me. I had awful ppd and I did, just took a bit longer and that is natural. There are two of them, you have little sleep, there's another child to continue to care for, etc.

I held both on my lap facing forwards and just held both bottles. Maybe I can find a pic for you. I could also do this and read a story to my oldest... talk about multi tasking.

Scheduling is the most important. Even when they just got a little formula I'd make a pitcher the night before no matter how tired I was. I'd be sure everything was set out, toss clothes into the wash even if for some reason there wasn't a full load. I prepared each night as though a storm was coming in the morning and I may not have time to do any of it. It made a huge difference.

There is also a site for free stuff for multiples. When you get the birth certificates have a bunch of copies made. I got some free diapers, free diaper gene, bottles, etc.

Get a backpack or larger easier to carry diaperbag... no use in those little ones. Start stocking upon any of the sizes once you feel comfortable to do so. don't get too many newborn of course but heck even if you buy size 2's, they aren't going to go bad!

I used to go to the local wholesale and comeout with 2 large cans of powdered formula and 5 boxes of diapers (2 each for the little ones and 1 for the big girl) It would last about 2 weeks. REmember with newborns you go through diapers every couple of hours!

Make some meals, frozen kind that you can take out. Especially if you plan to nurse you are going to need your nourishment and trust me you won't feel like nor have time to whip up meals!

Lastly, ASK FOR HELP! JUST ASK! People who say "if you ever need anything" Screw it call them! Worst they can do is turn you down but I bet they won't!

And how come nobody told me this thread was here, omg it is from March, I'm so sorry I just saw it today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry for the pregnancy amnesia. I totally forgot to list the books they recommended on the www.babycenter.com twins books to read thread.

some said yes and some said no to "Mothering Multples" and "Art of Parenting Twins"

The book SueP said, "What to expect With Twins, Triplets & Quads" was well recommended.

I guess "Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child" by Dr. Weissblutz and "Becomming Baby Wise" (author not posted)aren't for twins specifically, but were still a big help to some people posting. All posters "lol"-ed to the originator of the thread's notion of reading these books in the hospital while recoperating or back at home when the babies were asleep.

Read prior to birth, yes, definitely..... A free moment? If it does come along reading about how to care for your babies will not be on the top of the priority list. More likely peeing, showering, resting eyes for a moment.....

I didn't read babywise.... a lot loved it. Again, most out there you have to tweak to your own needs. I think for now start with the book about the pregnancy itself, it also offers help for the first few months. You are due fairly soon though. Is everything going along fine, do you know what you are having, no bedrest yet, right?

I Ferberized mine... although it was a heck of a lot tricker with twins. Just and fyi, they CAN wake one another up. They can they can they can although if you don't tend to the woken child they will fall back to sleep.

When they were newborn, I swaddled each one individually and then swaddled them together. I then put them into 1/4 of the crib space. IT seemed to be the only way they would actuall sleep. Mine started moving around fairly early and I needed to separate them by 4 months. A lot of people will keep them together longer but I found once they started moving I wasn't going to risk one falling to sleep on the other or scratching, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by SueP:
[qb] I Ferberized mine... although it was a heck of a lot tricker with twins.[/qb]

I'd probably end up "Focker-izing" them instead, lol!

same difference really

I just have to tell you, I've still got it! Still got it ladies!

I did some MAJOR grocery shopping, stocking up a bit here. So I had two full carts. My years of pushing a triple stroller while pulling a full grocery cart have paid off (worse yet managing Walmart aisles with all those vehicles).

They kept looking at me funny, I told them it wasn't a problem. She asked right before I left if I needed help getting out. I said, "Let's see." And off I went, maneuvering through the carts and people with my two FULL carts, one pushed wtih the left hand, one pulled with the right. I made it to the left, I made it by the bank, I made it to the sharp right turn then to the left through the automatic doors. I then made it around the plants and down the second ramp, through a pot hole, got a little sticky there BUT the woman behind me said... omg you are like a pro at that, I'm so impressed. YES YES YES I STILL HAVE GOT IT! Pulled right up to the very left rear of the mini van so I could still safely open the hatch while the carraige leaned up against it. Used my right hand to spin the second around. I AM THE QUEEN I TELL YOU!

YOU GO SUPERMOM! You've still got it Sue!

It is the little things, oh it truly isLOL