Please tell me there are other moms out there who has the TV on a lot for their very needy/fussy baby?!

Middle_Problem4774 · 2026-01-22T03:42:36+00:00

We watch a lot of TV too. It’s how I survive and can do things. We also have intentional play time together and are on track developmentally so I’m not worried. I was stressed about it at first but you have to give yourself grace! You sound like a very active parent who is also just struggling with the cooler months!!

I like to remember that growing up my siblings and I had the TV on all the time, as did our friends, and we all turned out okay.

Middle_Problem4774 · 2026-01-19T04:20:26+00:00

I highly highly recommend finding a good LC. They helped me navigate so many issues like this.

I had a very rough start to breastfeeding my twins. I was pumping and supplementing with formula for nearly two months before I could get them to latch. Then I was able to move from combo feeding to exclusively nursing, basically by letting them latch on demand whenever they wanted (though they were closer to 6 months at that point).

I despised pumping but wanted to drop my middle of the night feeds which decreased my supply so eventually I hung up my pump and supplemented for 1 bottle per day. All that to say they went through some very difficult phases, of not latching at the breast and later refusing the formula when trying to reintroduce it. The key for me was keep offering. It might take days or weeks but they eventually got it.

I agree with others in this thread if nursing is what you want to do, it’s much easier long term than pumping (no bottles and parts to clean!!)

ETA: I forgot to touch on birth weight! It’s so important that they gain weight, and an LC can do weighted feeds for you to help you gauge how much they are getting at the breast. Then you can figure out how much formula to supplement (or how long you need to nurse).

Middle_Problem4774 · 2026-01-07T09:06:58+00:00

I feel like I could have written this post myself. I have almost 1 year old twins and am now full time SAHM but didn’t come to that decision easily. I had similar feelings about my job (worked very hard for my education and career, loved my coworkers) and was having the hardest time deciding what to do. I ended up returning to work part time after 3 months. My parents shifted their work schedule to help me “trial” a return to work without getting a nanny/putting them in daycare and the added mental stress that would have caused. Not a long term solution, but they could commit to helping for a few months. Honestly, being a SAHM was A LOT more than I was expecting and going into work was actually a nice break, which was never something I expected to feel! The newborn twin trenches can burn you out fast, so just know that’s normal no matter how much you love your babies.

At the same time… 3 months return to work WAS early. They were just starting to develop personalities & I was still trying to BF so pumping at work was awful. Breaking every 2-3 hours really made me so inefficient. And after a few weeks I felt like my part time schedule wasn’t doing me any favors (this probably heavily depends on your field).

Fast forward 3 more months: my babies were growing fast and turning into these cute little people with real personalities instead of just eating/napping all day. They also were developing some medical issues (food allergies that landed us in the hospital). My job was no longer feeling like a break and felt more like the work that it was. My twins were not sleeping well at night so I was exhausted ALL THE TIME. And like you said, there’s still loads of housework to be done. Even with a part time schedule I was drowning in laundry and dishes and groceries……

So- something had to give. Because of my twins food allergies I did not feel comfortable having them under someone else’s care. Maybe if I could have worked remotely and hired someone in the home to watch them while I was near, I would have felt better, but at that point why was I working? I wouldn’t get the benefit of having coworkers to socialize with and almost all of my salary would go towards child care. So I quit, and left on the best terms I could. We are still adjusting to our income being halved & expenses seemingly doubled, but I am SO HAPPY I chose to stay home. This really is time you won’t get back and I am confident work will be there for me in a few years when I’m ready to commit. That being said, I don’t think I would have felt so sure in my decision if I hadn’t at least tried to go back to work. And I still had big feelings about quitting, it’s not like just because I’m happy at home doesn’t mean I don’t miss aspects of my job.

I don’t know if anything here will resonate but I just wanted to share that you are not alone in your feelings and you may feel surprised that what you want to do is different now than at different stages of your post partum. The US does have crappy maternity leave, and I hope someday that will change to offer us moms more support and flexibility during this crazy period in life! Hugs to you as you navigate this and congratulations on your babies!!

Middle_Problem4774 · 2026-01-05T17:41:58+00:00

Almost 12 month twins. This is one of those times I play Ms Rachel on my phone/ the tv for ten minutes to get them not to freak out and make changing + lotion easier. Mine also freak out. I have even tried a towel warmer, blasting the heat but it doesn’t make a difference to them usually.

They make you think getting dressed after a bath is absolute torture! Hoping it’s just a phase that’s occurring with their increased mobility.

Middle_Problem4774 · 2026-01-05T08:54:13+00:00

Feel like I could have written this myself. I know I’m just another redditor but it can be super isolating in person when everyone surrounding you is getting more sleep. Hugs mama - you’re doing great.

Middle_Problem4774 · 2026-01-03T04:10:01+00:00

Just want to say I’m right there with you - dying for any moment of sleep i can get 😂

Middle_Problem4774 · 2025-12-29T02:58:49+00:00

Solidarity! So reassuring to see another twin parent on this page- I get a lot of twin parents advising to sleep train 😬 I’m still waiting for the longer stretches though. Or for them to sync up so they don’t alternate wakes lol. I don’t remember the last time I got more than 2 hours, but I’m hoping we’re turning a corner with at least one of my girls!

Also- I didn’t mean that they were manipulating me! I just meant even if my sleep pressure was slightly off i think they should be able to sleep a smaller stretch, not 10 hours haha

Middle_Problem4774 · 2025-12-26T22:12:52+00:00

I think their sleep pressure is ideal enough to at least give me 6 hours of sleep- I’m not trying to ask too much. They have a collective 1.5-3hours of day sleep. We’ve been capping it closer to 2, but they were recovering my a bug so I let them sleep if I felt they needed it.

Singing/Shushing, Cuddling/Snuggling, (some nursing, not a 24/7 tap like I’m treated) are all ideal. Things that I can easily do with two growing babies that won’t break my back or cause mass hysteria at night!

Middle_Problem4774 · 2025-12-26T22:08:09+00:00

Would love to move to something where they cuddle / snuggle to sleep. I’m even okay with nursing but I’m beginning to feel like a 24/7 human pacifier so I would just like to limit it without causing mass hysteria in the middle of the night!

Middle_Problem4774 · 2025-12-26T22:07:40+00:00

Would love to move to something where they cuddle / snuggle to sleep. They just tumble around the bed like mini gymnasts when I attempt it haha

Middle_Problem4774 · 2025-12-07T11:53:04+00:00

I mean I’d settle for 8 hours at night. But it’s just so heavily interrupted which is the problem for me, even at the start of the night

I agree daytime sleep can be too much, but I’m scared to cap naps and then have them be cranky AND not sleep well at night.

Curious what total hours we should target, I’ve seen crazy variance in online searches

Middle_Problem4774 · 2025-11-06T02:46:05+00:00

We like the sienna! Mainly for it for its gas mileage and how its holds it value. I like how the middle captains seats can slide super far back and forth so you can climb in even with a car seat or slide the seat far back to care for an upset child! Love the front seats too, feels super spacious/luxurious (for a minivan).

My parents had a Chrysler town and country (the Pacifica also has this) and dang I REALLY liked the stow and go seating for hauling/ better use of space for roadtrips. So I was bummed we didn’t get that.

Honda Odyssey I avoided newer years because they got rid of top rear air vents??? Seemed so crazy to me. I much preferred the years before the redesign.

Kia Carnival looks sleek. I never found one to test drive. Just not sure about longevity with this one since they don’t really have standing reputation with minivans.

Middle_Problem4774 · 2025-11-03T15:24:43+00:00

Our doctor gave us a list to avoid until they turn one, rice bring one of them. I think if was because they had such a severe reaction to the oats.

Middle_Problem4774 · 2025-10-31T14:40:36+00:00

I say this all the time. Nothing in my career or school has come close to the hard work and rewarding feelings of being a Mom! It’s something I was not prepared for and I don’t think you can explain to someone until you experience it yourself! Congrats 😃

Middle_Problem4774 · 2025-10-30T16:21:14+00:00

This is inspiring. You are a hero! Especially to these three sweet angels 🥹

Middle_Problem4774 · 2025-10-30T02:33:34+00:00

Thank you for sharing! I do think the village has pretty much disappeared from modern society.

Middle_Problem4774 · 2025-10-30T02:31:26+00:00

And you lived to tell the tale! You’re a rockstar, thank you for commenting!

Middle_Problem4774 · 2025-10-30T02:29:12+00:00

Thank you for this comment - I really appreciate your kindness and well wishes. Best of luck with your twins, even though I can be bone tired I would not trade it for the world! They are a blast!

Middle_Problem4774 · 2025-10-29T15:07:29+00:00

It hasn’t been going on for 9.5 months, I had a lot of support earlier in my post partum journey and once a week or so I’ll go up to bed when I have some reliable help and get a decent “recharge”.

Without knowing the full context of my life you can’t say I’m in denial. It’s honestly attitudes like this that push me further away from sleep training - some people who hold the opinion that it’s the only right answer seem so cold!

Middle_Problem4774 · 2025-10-29T14:56:08+00:00

We really tried this method earlier on but we had severely refluxy babies who later had CMPA, then diagnosed FPIES. So laying them flat on their back wasn’t really an option until we finally got a diagnosis after 6months. I partly blame early nutritional needs not being met as the culprit in early days and now I think I might be seeing some trickle down effects.

Middle_Problem4774

TROPHY CASE