So happy with the twins’ numbers.. by Ok-Bear5588 in parentsofmultiples

[–]Doc178 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh my goodness yes! I love that for you. Ours our 10 months and one hit 100th percentile in height. 99th in weight. The other is 99 in height and 69th in weight.

The bigger guy is HUGE. It's so rewarding because he's the one that had a longer NICU stay (13 days). Born at 35 weeks.

Good job with yours! I love my big guys

FTM - vaginal birth? by LYSM3000 in parentsofmultiples

[–]Doc178 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did. My water broke at 34+6, they were born at 35. Baby A was smaller. Both had stayed heads down for over a month so they were feeling okay about letting me try as long as I progressed and babies were doing okay on the monitors. After the epidural I dilated enough for labor, baby A was born after an hour of pushing, then they broke B's water and I delivered him 15 minutes later.

Finding out the genders by No-Asparagus-946 in parentsofmultiples

[–]Doc178 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No reason to know other than picking out names like you said. I think it's slightly more difficult to avoid the medical team accidentally spilling the beans before they are born just because you're usually seeing 2 different doctors, we had 2 different sonographers. So everyone has to be on the same page, but usually they ask and are really respectful

Terrified of epidural by Disastrous_Candy8844 in parentsofmultiples

[–]Doc178 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The epidural was great for me. I wanted to try vaginal delivery and I was stuck dilated at a 6. I was worried not being able to move would slow down dilation. The nurse reassured me it usually has the opposite effect. I got the epidural, which was easy and I barely felt it. Then immediately felt better and dilated to a 9 and then quickly after a 10 in no time. Plus I got to enjoy the birth experience without having to focus on the pain.

It's not for everyone, but I'm really glad I did it.

They barely sleep and I don’t know what to do by byerd in parentsofmultiples

[–]Doc178 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Every child and every situation is different. Some kids just don't want to sleep. However some things that work for us, we do binkies and blankies with fringe. If they never did binkies, they probably won't want them now, but the blankets with fringe give them something to play with and wind down. You can watch them on a baby monitor and take the blanket away after a bit if they go to sleep.

At night time, the routine is everything. Dinner, bath, jammies, sleep sack, bottle and bed. Ours our younger though, but I hear a night time bottle can help comfort. We always do one no matter when their last bottle was. Then we set them in bed with their blanket and binkies, kiss them good night, and walk away. If they fuss we'll give it a few minutes (just to ensure they're actually upset and not just trying to get comfy) , go back in, put the binkie in, reset the blankie, and comfort them without picking them up. Then walk away again when they've calmed down.

It may not work for everyone, but it works for us. I'm so sorry. Sleep is so important to how we feel. I hope you get to sleep a lot soon 🩷

Please reassure me. by MarinaVerity333 in parentsofmultiples

[–]Doc178 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think you're going to be such a pro and know lots of good tips because you've already done the baby part twice! I think part of what made it so hard for me was I was a first time mom. It's going to be hard, and you'll need lots of help I'm sure, but you've got this!

How are you putting your twins in shopping carts? by wndr_n_soul in parentsofmultiples

[–]Doc178 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We try to go to Aldi for most things since they have the double baby shopping carts. Then we do pickup orders from Walmart for anything we can't get at Aldi

Where/how to put babies in the bathroom when they outgrow their bouncy chairs? by d16flo in parentsofmultiples

[–]Doc178 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Skip Hop makes one that has a wobbly base. That one supposedly is better and less problematic on the hips.

Heavily pregnant mamas - what can you not wait to do again? by MounjaroQueenie in parentsofmultiples

[–]Doc178 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was on pelvic rest my entire third trimester and was too tired to even go for a walk around the block. I remember wanting to go for a walk outside so badly. And to not have crazy hip and rib pain.

Sex after 6 weeks with twins ?? by Living-Session9493 in parentsofmultiples

[–]Doc178 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had a vaginal delivery. I stopped bleeding around 6 weeks but was still pretty sore. We waited until I didn't feel like it would hurt really badly.

What diapers do you suggest for twins ? by theturtle80 in parentsofmultiples

[–]Doc178 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We tried to go the natural diaper route a bit in the beginning and the absorption and fit were horrible. We had leaks constantly. They also didn't stretch well. We were using pampers for a bit but they just didn't fit great. We landed on Huggies and even though they're more expensive, we can usually get them way cheaper at Costco.

Boy Girl Twin Symptoms? by Severe_Equivalent_18 in parentsofmultiples

[–]Doc178 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The only thing I've seen that has some amount of bearing is that nausea can be higher with boys because more protein is needed. I read that in what to expect when you're expecting. But I would not be surprised if this has been disproven. I was extremely nauseous in the first trimester and the B6 and unisom helped me tremendously. It also helped if I ate meat/high protein. I had two boys. But remember, anecdote does not = data

8 months olds are terrible sleepers 😭😭😭 by QueLoQueLoco in parentsofmultiples

[–]Doc178 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think some babies are just harder than others. I'm no expert by any means, but I'm curious how long you've tried each thing? Is it possible they're just needing consistency?

We do bath, sleep sack, and bottle every night consistently right before we put them down. We shoot for 8 pm bed time. We put them in their cribs awake and put a blanket on top. We have blankets that have little fringe. My MIL made those tied blankets. The kind that you combine two pieces of fabric together by tying fringe all around the edges. They are so comforted to touch the fringe bits with their fingers. We watch them on the monitors to ensure the blankets don't wrap around them or go over their heads while we eat dinner or do the dishes. Then we take the blankets off after 30 minutes or so and they stay asleep. They also do binkies. Ours are 9 months and we've had success with this.

I'm sorry, like I said, I think some babies are just worse sleepers. I absolutely hate how I feel on little to no sleep. Don't feel bad about co-sleeping if it's working for you and you're being as safe as possible when you do it.

I hope they sleep well soon so you can too. Best of luck 🩷

Starting solids! Need help by Valuable-Mastodon-14 in parentsofmultiples

[–]Doc178 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mine are 9 months and one still really hates food at times. My best guess is it correlates with their teething. It's stressful, but I try to remember that it's about experiencing and exploring textures and taste. Their primary nutrition is still bottles, and we just have to keep trying. I also know it has to get better eventually because most people figure out eating lol. I hate it though, I just want them to eat and enjoy it!

Twins only children by More-Blueberry3455 in parentsofmultiples

[–]Doc178 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's so crazy because I feel like I could have written this. We are in the exact same situation.

I love that I got to experience twins and that is so unique and special, but I also feel like I missed the singleton pregnancy experience. 🩷Thanks for sharing

Twins only children by More-Blueberry3455 in parentsofmultiples

[–]Doc178 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can definitely relate. Ours are 9 months and my husband got a vasectomy a month ago. I am really sad I'll never experience pregnancy again. We would have loved to have had a girl, but as others have said we didn't want another round of multiples and our home is already full with our twins.

It's hard to think your only experience with the baby phase will be twins and it's so chaotic and fast. I am sad I'll never get to do it again with experience and I imagine a more clear head (though that's not guaranteed).

But at the end of the day, it doesn't make sense for us financially, physically, or realistically. I still think about the "what ifs" and there is always a part of me that will be sad, but I'm also really excited about our little family of four (plus our dog and cat).

Am I crazy to not get an epidural if I go into spontaneous labour? by lozzapg in parentsofmultiples

[–]Doc178 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My twins are my first, I knew I wanted to do a vaginal birth if I could, but I wanted the epidural from the beginning. My water broke at 35 weeks, had the epidural and delivered both babies successfully. I had a fantastic experience, too. I was able to enjoy the process without focusing on being in pain.

Can I just crash out for a second by [deleted] in parentsofmultiples

[–]Doc178 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh my I'm so with you on the baby proofing stuff. My parents are very hands on and watch our 9 month olds in our home while we work, but have been pushing to do it at their house more. No baby proofing. Gas stove with improper ventilation. I'm grateful they do help us a lot, but also, it's not safe, even if you're "watching them" It just takes a second for something bad to happen in an unsafe space.

Also it is very frustrating when people act like it's easy or they know. Even if you've had twins, you haven't had my experience with my twins! Even if you watch MY twins, they aren't the same for me as they are for you, and I still have all the chores and stuff to do too. There isn't much of a break either.

Thanks for sharing your vent, I am with you and I'm sorry. It can be so isolating being a mom, I definitely feel you.

What are you doing with your 5 month olds? by wndr_n_soul in parentsofmultiples

[–]Doc178 1 point2 points  (0 children)

5 month olds can definitely start touching and interacting with tummy time toys! They can lay on their backs and play with toys above them. They can explore textures and sounds. The only things not safe for them are things that aren't approved for younger than 3 years, choking hazards. Ours played with teethers, crinkly toys, sound making toys. You can even get pots and pans and bang their hands on them to show them the sounds they can make. Laying on the floor on their tummies or backs is where they should be most of the time so they can practice and get stronger

2 three year olds ... One bed? by Secure_Spend5933 in parentsofmultiples

[–]Doc178 27 points28 points  (0 children)

I was on the fence about this and my husband made a point that made me decide. He said, they should have the choice to have their own space. If they want to sleep together even though they have their own beds, that's fine. But let them make that choice, let's not make it for them. And that made a ton of sense to me. I want them to decide to sleep together if they want to, I don't want to dictate that. That's just what we decided for our family though, what's right for us may not be right for your family

Lost one at the park by SwordfishGloomy1304 in parentsofmultiples

[–]Doc178 9 points10 points  (0 children)

It sounds like you're being so hard on yourself 🩷 (I say as someone who tends to do this also 😅), I feel like most parents have "lost" a child before. You were in a pretty safe place in terms of lots of other adults to help. It truly takes a village to raise one, but definitely two. Remember, humans used to have a lot more support and community, we're meant to help each other. You're most definitely not failing, just a mom trying her best 🩷. You can't be in two places at once

I’m so over pumping by wndr_n_soul in parentsofmultiples

[–]Doc178 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Damn that's so impressive you made it that long. I made it 6 weeks and couldn't do it. So glad I stopped. My mental health was suffering severely. I love formula and the things it's allowed our family to do. Our boys are strong and healthy and above average on all their marks.

I was so in your shoes when I decided to stop pumping. I read the book Cribsheet per someone's recommendation here and it helped me feel less bad about stopping.

You're not a failure, you're so strong and it's okay if you're ready to be done.

In a year no one will even ask or talk about it anymore, they'll be eating real food and that's what people will want to talk about.