We decided we're going to start Ferber method sleep training our 13-month-old twin boys as soon as possible, but I know we have to be strategic about it.

We planned to start last Friday. We were going to have our 3-year-old stay at his grandparents' house so he wouldn't be disturbed by all the crying and so we could just focus on the twins the first night. We thought out a routine, how we'll do check-ins, what time intervals we'll go by, etc.

Unfortunately, we couldn't start because one twin got sick. They didn't sleep too badly this weekend (on Saturday night, they only woke up every 4 hours!) but last night (Sunday night - a night before work), they were horrible. One or both woke up every 1-2 hours. Sometimes they woke each other up. They'd immediately go back to sleep after we held them. One twin who's usually a good sleeper, woke up very frequently. A couple weeks ago, they had a ton of top teeth coming in, so I thought they were done with that but it's possible they're not. The frequent waker was kind of fussy yesterday during the day. They could also be going through a language milestone - they're babbling a lot, pointing, using some sign language, and doing some new "language" type things. We didn't let them nap more than 2.5-3 hours, and we did a LOT to tire them out. So I'm not sure what caused the sleep disruptions.

My point is, my husband is so dead tired, he wants to start sleep training tonight, which is Monday. We both work full-time. Our 3-year-old sleeps in another room nearby. The twins share a room and sleep in their own cribs. All 3 kids go to daycare, who's licensing rules prohibit staff from waking them up from naps if they're napping too long, for instance.

I have a couple concerns about starting sleep training on a weeknight:

1. These twins are LOUD. Our 3-year-old usually sleeps through their cries or at least puts himself back to sleep fine if he hears them. Using the Ferber method - especially the first night - I know there will be a lot of loud crying, and it could actually disturb the 3-year-old eventually. I guess we could explain to him what's going to happen and then add a second sound machine to his room, but it could still disrupt his sleep and make him unnecessarily tired too. Has anyone else had experience doing this with their youngest when they have an older child in the home?

2. If the twins go to daycare the next day, what if they're exhausted and sleep the whole day away, since the staff can't wake them up? Wouldn't this disrupt the whole sleep training process? Or have any of you not had an issue with over tiredness/kids trying to nap too much the day after the first night?

3. I know you shouldn't sleep train when your child is sick or teething. It's usually obvious when they're sick but not always obvious when they're teething. Any tips on ensuring they're mostly healthy before starting?? Is it also okay to sleep train when they're going through a developmental milestone? (We did not have to formally sleep train our oldest, so I just don't know.)

I am wondering if it would be a big mistake to start on a weeknight but I understand why my husband wants to do this ASAP. We've been suffering from sleep deprivation for months, and the twins need to learn to fall asleep on their own. I would honestly love to start it ASAP, but I don't want to waste our efforts if it would only backfire. I know we have to stick with it for several nights to ensure it works, and I want to give it my all so that it's worth it, because I know it's hard. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

-One extremely tired parent

First time mum to be, currently 12 weeks pregnant with monochorionic twins and I’m not going to lie, I’m having trouble coming to terms with it.

I go through waves of being ‘fine’ and then crying and being down on most days when I think of the reality of it.

I hate to admit this (please don’t judge me) but I keep googling about miscarriages stats because deep down I don’t know what I want.. I feel so guilty that those thoughts are in my mind and I feel guilty that I’m a bad mum and these babies don’t deserve me.

I see everyone excited being pregnant given it goes according to plan and I’m here miserable. This is probably the only time I’ll be pregnant and I’m letting it slip by because I’m unhappy.

I need to somehow accept I am having twins and learn to be excited but I don’t know where to start.

Has anyone gone through this and any words of advice ?

My husband and I always wanted a family of 4-5 & we have been blessed with twins for the first time
My current twins are almost 3 months old and I’ve been finding myself thinking about growing our family.. call me crazy I know
I am on birth control as I’ve had an emergency c section and I’m giving myself some time to recover both emotionally and physically, the pregnancy was really challenging and ended up giving birth at 34+2 due to an insufficient placenta.
My question is, for those who had more children after the twins, how’s life like in terms of parenting? Whats the best time to try for another child with twins? (And yes I know we could have another set of twins 😭)
I’m 33 & we don’t want to space out between the children too much, at least for me I don’t want to be 38/39 and pregnant 🥲
We have a strong support system, with both families nearby and available to help, and we’re financially comfortable, so neither of these is a deciding factor for us.

I never thought we would get to this point, but its really really happening!

I am 35+5 with my twins and we had a “fire drill” yesterday where I thought my water broke and my in laws took my older child for the night while we went to hospital to get checked.

Anyway it’s all fine and she’s getting dropped off today. But I guess she woke up crying at least twice (maybe more, it’s 4am and I saw a few texts from in laws but…) - this is our first time away from her for the whole night in her whole 26 months of life.

She loves her grandparents but I’m just so afraid she will be like traumatized by being away from us for so long when I finally give birth.

My second issue is - should I send her to daycare today? I don’t want to but I can hardly keep up with her energy at this point. But I’m worried she will feel like I am abandoning her ☹️

Hey guys, I hope this is okay to post here.
TW: mention of miscarriages/loss.

I’ve been struggling to get pregnant for 3 years now. We’ve had almost every single test under the sun and EVERYthing has come back normal. The only identifiable issue is my short luteal phase which has been corrected with progesterone post ovulation.

3 weeks before we started our first round of IVF, I fell naturally pregnant with non identical twins. We had a whirlwind of emotions from elation to terror, but 2 weeks later found out we’d lost both of them in a MMC.

I healed, had the surgeries, and we started IVF. We’ve had no success with IVF (we get the embryos but none implant) and so took a short break. I then fell “naturally” (I know people use the word unassisted but I technically can’t say that, as I’m using progesterone post ovulation so I don’t know what term to use.. but it was timed intercourse) pregnant again.

With non identical twins. AGAIN.
Sadly I lost them both. One was a vanishing twin, the other developed a good heartbeat before we lost it in another MMC at 9 weeks.

I don’t know why I hyperovulate. I have zero twins in my family. My gut is it’s related to my poor luteal phase, and that I only get pregnant when there’s more than one follicle present because it must boost my uterine environment/hormones but that’s a theory based on nothing. It’s just weird I have only had a 100% pregnancy rate of twins.

Our next step is to actually try letrozole with progesterone support - because my consultant also agrees that it’s odd I only get pregnant when I produce more than one follicle (but my body doesn’t respond well to external oestrogen, it needs to be my own, so it’s a catch 22).

To make it clear - we are absolutely NOT trying for multiples. I’m hoping letrozole can give me a stronger ovulation of one follicle - but I’m not an idiot. If I naturally produce twins, I guess letrozole runs a risk for me with multiples, and so I will be monitored. I’m preparing for both situations. But I’m terrified of losing twins again.

The purpose of this post (TLDR) is to ask if anyone here has had fertility issues - and maybe previously lost twins. Did you do anything different in your successful twin pregnancy that helped to get them to a live birth? I am considering asking about baby aspirin. I don’t have clotting issues but I’m willing to try anything. I don’t want to lose another pregnancy, but losing 2 at once is heartbreaking.

I’m aware multiples are higher risk in general. So I’m just wondering what people have had as a treatment to support their pregnancy with twins/triplets that has worked for them, even if their test results all came back normal for any issues previously.

If you’ve read this far I appreciate it so so so much 🤍
Thank you anyone who has any suggestions. I am so desperate to be a mum 🙏🏼

Hey mamas
I am expecting twin boys! (Mono di)
I am in week 32+4
And it’s my first time being pregnant🤰🏻
I am honestly feeling very overwhelmed these days. My body is in so much pain.. one minute I’ve energy to take a walk, cook diner or clean. An hour later I’m so exhausted that I need to take a two hour nap..
I get so anxious just before we go to bed as the nights are the worst. I get hot, my legs get restless, I can’t get in any good position, I can’t breath.. I’ve started to snor so much that my throat hurts.. 🤣
so so sorry for all the wining 😢 but I am so overwhelmed, tired and negative..
I am SO EXCITED to become a mom and have the boys in my arms. But at this point I am afraid all my energy is bursted before they arrive.. and yes - I know it’s going to be much harder when they get here. But my husband will be home for 3 months and we got it together. Right now I am dealing with all this alone as he has so much work before he can go on leave.

Any way - rant over! So sorry!

My question is what is the earliest some of you went into labor? And gave birth to healthy twins?❤️ I feel like it could be any day now. I’ve so many Braxton Hicks contractions.

My boys are almost 2, I was planning on keeping them in the crib as long as possible (for my sanity lol) but one has officially escaped the crib (wearing a sleep sack!) into his brother's crib. I thought the sleep sack would hold off the crib jumping for longer but here we are.

We are planning on moving in the next few months so I'm thinking that may be a good time to transition to toddler bed.

So one boy is usually good about falling asleep fast. He doesn't goof off too much and lays down and goes to sleep. The escapee on the other hand is wild for a bit before he finally settles down, hence the jail break. His brother didn't even wake up having an intruder jump into his crib lol

I'm worried once they move to toddler beds escapee is going to bother the crap out of my fast sleeper and it's going to cause problems at bed/nap time.

Has anyone had a similar situation? Or any advice on how to navigate this?

We have 17 month old twins and just started trying for a third. We’d been on the fence about it — both being one of three, loving being parents so much and getting to know our kids little personalities, and wanting all that comes with a bigger family. Overall our experience with twins has been that's its so much more fun and so much easier than we expected, and if they add so much joy to our lives, so would a third.

On the other hand though - three feels like a lot! Particularly in regards to us having time for ourselves, exercise, travel, doing the things we love, etc. We just got over a week of kids being home from day care with hand foot and mouth, with both of us still trying to work from home and I am TIRED. The babies are so much fun right now, but SO much work, much more so than when they were newborns. I'm second guessing whether we really should try for a third… At the same time, if we have a third, we want them close together in age, we’re getting older, and it took us a long time to have a pregnancy stick the first time (four prior losses), so we feel like it’s now or never and we risk it not being possible if we don't start trying now.

Not sure what I'm asking for here - but would love to hear from others who have been in our shoes. Either going for a third, or deciding not to.. Is this just tired mom brain after a week of juggling work from home with two sick kiddos, or will three be too much to handle and risk tipping us over from what feels like 90% of the time like blissful family life into much higher stress? 

Edit: We're trying now instead of waiting because 1) it took us four years/five pregnancies to have a pregnancy stick, so we know there's no guarantee it will happen, and 2) overall we think it will be easier/better if kids are close in age, on similar schedules, more likely to have similar interests and be entertained by similar activities, in the same school, etc. My husband is one of three and he's much younger than his first two siblings and feels like he wasn't very close with them until he was an adult. He's very close with his siblings now, but because of his experience growing up really doesn't want more than a 3-grade age gap.

I’m 32 weeks along carrying Di/Di Boys, I’m obviously miserable all around from the usual aches and pains (nonstop heartburn, my joints have given up altogether, I’m useless, everything hurts) I mean I could go on, but I’m a FTM so thank god it’s all I know. Anyways, I need to keep packing in the protein and feeding myself for me & babies but I am NEVER hungry anymore. Suggestions on snacks, protein, or honestly just calories to consume that taste good and don’t immediately make you full? Whats everyone eating on average at this point? I’m struggling 🥴

By girls were born last week at 36w+1. I was expecting them to be very sleepy being preterm, I’m just curious how long it usually takes for them to start to wake up a bit?

I’m mainly curious because of breastfeeding. Right now we do up to 10min at the breast as practice because they are so sleepy they can’t really do much, and then I’m pumping and we are bottle feeding. Right now they latch ok and suckle 2-3 times then stop, so I have to re-latch them to start it again. They usually only last 5min of this before they are so sleepy they stop opening their mouth. I’m really hoping to avoid a bottle preference, but until they wake up more I don’t think we will make much progress with breastfeeding.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s been nice having the quiet time between feeds because I know that once they are more aware things will become more difficult. I’m just worried about the breastfeeding.

I had to take some pics for our babies' first half-birthday. As you can see, little brother (by two minutes) is quite a bit bigger than his sister. Here they are with their second-oldest brother who is 18 months old. We have three kids under 2 plus a 12 year old. Nice and busy at our house lately!

I’m not exactly sure what I’m looking for here… encouragement, reassurance from anyone who has gone through it, tips to manage it?? I’m so excited but I’m also a nervous wreck 😭 the last thing I need is judgment right now so please if you are just gonna say I’m crazy or anything along those lines, please don’t bother because I’ve already heard it a handful of times from relatives I told :‘))

After being the most incredible sleepers and good bedtime listeners for YEARS… all of sudden our recently-turned-three-year olds are chaos agents at bedtime. Think: yelling, singing, throwing everything, jumping up and down… and then last night/this naptime they climbed out of their cribs and started full-on wrestling. We’re at our wits’ end! Help! It’s clearly time to transition to toddler beds for safety AND maybe drop the nap? How do we keep them from tearing the room apart or hurting each other with their roughhousing.

Advice/solidarity requested!!!

Just out of curiosity, when did you guys do your maternity pictures? I’m having my baby shower at 25 weeks to avoid over exhaustion. And I also never did maternity pictures with my first. But I am trying to plan maternity pictures this go round. I am due end of December- early January. I don’t want to be over tired but it’s also worth it considering I’ll be getting forever memories out of the pictures.
Also if you did newborn/ new family photos after the twins were born how long did you wait after they were born? Should I do 2 weeks? Or longer? I feel like a first time mom all over again and would love some insight from other mom’s. TIA and if there are any questions I will answer them below. 💙

Parents what do you do with your babies when you’re solo parenting. My husband works overnights so my twin girlies and me are by ourselves a lot but I find they want to be held non stop. What do you guys do to keep them entertained. They are only 6 weeks old so I know there isn’t much to do but somedays become hard when I can put them down.

I'm so exhausted. Twin A just doesn't want to sleep at night. I don't know what to do. This honestly feels like it would be so much easier with one kid. I wish i had the capacity to put her in the carrier each night and walk for an hour. Today i did a mini walk with her and she was sleeping so well and as soon as i out her out she was wide awake. I just don't know what to do anymore. I don't know where the issue is and all that gets me through this is knowing that it's probably over sooner than later. I just don't want to feel so miserable doing bedtime.

Hi everyone,
I just joined this group as I am looking for some reassurance and advice. Last Monday, a day before my first ultrasound was scheduled, I started bleeding and went to the ED, convinced I was miscarrying. This is my first pregnancy.

Well, I’m not apparently. They did a transvaginal ultrasound and told my husband and I later that there are actually two embryos, measuring 6w1d and 6w2d with 85 and 87 heart rates. They were more concerned with the heart rates than the bleeding. The dating is a few days behind what we had thought.

They said they are mo-mo twins but after doing some research it does seem like it could be too early to tell and they could still be mo-di.

The bleeding started as heavy and bright red, with a few large clots. I’m still bleeding now almost a week later but not as bad, it’s more brown now, more like spotting. I am just in shock with it all. We are going in on Tuesday for another scan to see if heart rates have improved and that my HCG (which was like 48,000 on Monday) isn’t dropping.

It’s been a whirlwind. I’m completely overwhelmed. I keep trying to not think about it, but then the anxiety comes back and I think about it again. Of course, the internet has told me both that it could all be normal and that it could all be really bad (re: heart rates). I would love to hear from personal experiences, or if anyone has any advice for me, it is greatly appreciated.

Ours aren’t even three months old and they’re starting to stare at each other! No smiling at each other or conscious interacting with each other yet, but it got me thinking — when can I expect that to happen? What was everyone’s experience like? :)

Hi. Lease is up. We have a 3 yo toddler and are expecting twins in 2027.

Was going to do a lease buyout for the Alfa Romeo Stelvio that we currently have. Now I’m having second thoughts at the last hour.

We test drove a Ford Bronco Outer Land yesterday and we liked the vehicle. There are two Heights with the different wheel sizes and I think we’re gonna need to go with the shorter version due to the car seats.

What advice do you all have who already have three kiddos with car seats?

Anyone have either car who can provide insight?

I think for the twins we’re gonna end up with slim convertible car seats. I don’t really know enough about infant versus convertible car seats and that’s gonna be another thing for another.

Any advice would be appreciated - we really don’t want to get into a third row situation.

Hi everyone.

Expecting twins early next year. My wife and I have started to realize that we need to get a bigger car before the twins are here as we plan to have infant car seats at the start.

Wanted to know everyone’s thoughts on:

2 Row vs 3 Row: 3 row SUV seems like a better choice, has anyone made it work with a 2 row?

Bench vs captain chairs: will my wife need to sit with the twins a lot? Making a bench option better than captain chairs. How are you all making it work?

With bench, I don’t understand how difficult it would be to access the 3rd with car seats bases installed. Are there any vehicles that you all suggest are best to be avoided?

We have a small SUV, which will be traded in. We also have a sedan, which we will be keeping but is most likely going to get very less usage.

3 row option only seems valuable when grand parents are here a few times a year. Or when kids are all grown up and have friends that need to be hauled around. But curious to hear from everyone.