The questions are starting :)

[chiwifey]

1. Anyone have a 3 row SUV that you love? With a lil guy that will be almost 3 when the twins arrive, I'm thinking I may need something bigger than my current small SUV. 

2. Moms whose twins are here- did you have a vaginal delivery or c-section? Was the c-section scheduled or emergency? 

3. Breastfeeding... I failed miserably with my son and I'm hoping to do a much better job this time but with 2 babies I feel nervous already. Was it a huge struggle for you if you chose to breastfeed? Any tips or success stories welcome.


I feel like these are probably all repeat questions. I'm sorry if so!


Thanks for you help, ladies! 

[carrotcake]

1. SUV: I prefer three across. Accessing the third row can be tricky and unless you get a really big car, you wontbe able to fit much in the trunk w the third row up. The key for 3 across is the right configuration of seats. Diono radians are very slim. We used a radian and two Keyfits in the beginning and then switched to a Frontier and 2 keyfits. The key data point is rear hip room - Google different types of cars to get and idea of how much room you're working with. The other issue with having a kid in the 3rd row is top tethers.

2. I had an emergency c/s under general anesthesia due to baby A's prolapsed cord. He was breech, so I knew I'd be having a c/s but the prolapsed cord made it very emergent.

3. BFing: my twins were born at 34w and spent 13 days in the nicu. I attempted BFing once a day for the first week and then learned to tandem. We BFed successfully for 14mo when they self weaned. What were your main challenges with your oldest?

[chiwifey]

carrotcake Thank you for all the great info! Very good points about 3rd row. I really needed this info to pass along to my DH who is set on a 3rd row SUV.

With my son I had supply issues but also seriously infected nipples almost from day one which I think had to do with latch issues too. Just one big mess and I gave up because my son screamed constantly until we gave him a bottle of formula. He didn't seem like he was starving anymore. I worked with an LC but she honestly didn't really encourage me enough or help me work things out I feel like after looking back. I love hearing that you had success BFing after a NICU stay as well.

[SassyPants150]

I cannot answer 2 and 3 but I am working on 1 right now. Since we intended on having 2 kids and not 3, I've had a 4Runner and knew it would be perfect. DD just turned 3 and we put her FF seat and two infant seats in and I hated it. We have a 3rd row but it's inaccessible with seats in. I knew I would hate it even more with two RF convertible seats and a FF trying to get 3 buckled in.

We are actually getting ready to look at numbers for a Toyota Sequoia with 2nd row captains chairs. With the 3rd row up we do lose a bit of storage compared to our 4R but overall I like the size. I can also put part of the 3rd row down that's not being used too. There are a lot options for captains seat 2nd row vehicles. We are Toyota lovers and a van is out of the question so Sequoia it is.

[anakah]

1. We have a mini-van so can't say much about SUVs, however, even in the mini-van, we have the seats 3 across and only use the 3rd row when there's extra people riding with us.  It is a pain in the butt to buckle someone in back there on a daily basis.  I would also be worried about trunk space given that you'll have a double stroller back there in addition to groceries, etc.

2. I had a scheduled c-section at 37w6d.

3. I was not successful at breastfeeding the twins but in retrospect, I feel like it was because I was uninformed about how things should be and was not given enough support.  I ended up pumping for them and supplementing with formula 50/50. 

[ashb62]

1. Like carrotcake said, with two car seats in the second row, the third row is hard to access. We did 3 across for the first 8 months and I HATED it. My life changed the day I got my minivan. I love it more than is probably healthy. It is sooooo much easier to get kids in and out.

2. I had a scheduled c/s at 38w4d. My ob was very pro vaginal birth, but my baby B was breech and the bigger twin, which made the c/s a safer option.

3. My boys are still BFing at 16 months. We had a bit of a rough start. They were lazy nursers and weren't gaining enough, so we had to supplement with pumped milk. I also had mastitis twice. I was sure I would tandem nurse, but I actually preferred one at a time. We started tandem nursing more around 10 months or so, because they were getting jealous. I'm glad I stuck with it and overall it's been a good experience.

[harti09]

Jan 29, 2015 15:02:53 GMT -5 chiwifey said:

1. Anyone have a 3 row SUV that you love? With a lil guy that will be almost 3 when the twins arrive, I'm thinking I may need something bigger than my current small SUV. 
We have a Ford Explorer and really like it.

2. Moms whose twins are here- did you have a vaginal delivery or c-section? Was the c-section scheduled or emergency? 
Scheduled c-section due to positioning. Baby A (DS) was breech and Baby B (DD) was transverse across the top. DS's water broke at 35 weeks, so we went in and I got set up for surgery right away. I never went into actual labor.

3. Breastfeeding... I failed miserably with my son and I'm hoping to do a much better job this time but with 2 babies I feel nervous already. Was it a huge struggle for you if you chose to breastfeed? Any tips or success stories welcome.
I nursed twins, that refused to take bottles, until 19 months. Get set up with a LC as soon as possible in the hospital. Continue to see them until you feel comfortable. I saw one for the first few weeks after birth. If you can find one with multiple experience, it's a nice perk. Try tandem feeding while in the hospital and continue. It takes some time to get the hang of, but it will make your life so much easier. Use a hospital grade pump after feedings until you establish your supply - an LC can set up a schedule of how to go about it. Do not be afraid of supplementing. It is okay and often needed with multiples. An LC can help wean off it to EBF. 

Feel free to tag or PM me if you have any questions. It was a huge part of my life for awhile and it was a very positive experience for me.

I feel like these are probably all repeat questions. I'm sorry if so!


Thanks for you help, ladies! 

[robertjane33]

1.  No car, so I can't help here.

2. Scheduled c-section @38 weeks, because larger twin B was breech.  We probably could have pushed for vaginal.

3.  Breastfeeding is going very well - K has a great supply. She's doing a lot of pumping right now, b/c that way I can help feed them, and it's quicker than breastfeeding both.  Best tip was to rent a hospital-grade pump, which makes pumping go faster.  We also started them on formula b/c K had a complicated delivery, and then shifted over to the breast.  It made it much less stressful for her, but I know that might not work for everyone.  

[anotherdreamer]

1. We got a minivan. We have a 3y old and 7m old twins.

2. C-section . I had a previous c-section and didn't care to attempt a VBAC. Wouldn't have mattered though, my girls were breech and transverse. Made it to my scheduled date at 38w4d

3. Wasn't able to with my singleton (low supply/latch issues), weaned at 3m. I have been EBFing my twins for 7m now. It was a little difficult at first but we never had to supplement. Biggest two motivators for me: time and money. I spend extra on groceries each month, but formula would be $200-250 a month. Also they nurse very quickly, it's always on hand, and I don't have to wash bottles so that all saves time! One up both up at night, tandem nursing, and a good nursing pillow were a must for me. I had a my BrestFriend twin plus, still use it. Research, get familiar with cluster feeding (can't stress that enough, I was not prepared with DS and assumed it meant I had low supply initially).

[carrotcake]

More about BFing: not all LCs are created equal and same w nurses. I actually had more challenges with my oldest (37weekers with a lazy latch, always fell asleep, elevated bilirubin, my milk is so slow to come in) and there was one particular night nurse that I would always call to help me get him latched. I felt comfortable with her. Keep trying different people until you get a good fit.

Tell everyone you meet that BFing is important to you. Tell them more than once.

Start pumping right away. Pump after a BFing attempt, near term babies (like my oldest) can be very sleepy. The twins were tube fed in the nicu and bc I produced nothing (literally nothing) for two days (all while pumping 30min every 3hrs), we had to supplement for 10 days until my supply was established.

I highly rec the twin Brest friend pillow. Some people tandem, some don't. It worked really well for us. Do one up both up at night - first one up, both get fed. Since I tandemed, we did OUBU all the time. I think it helped them then sleep at the same time which gave me a break.

[serejane]

1. We got a Pilot and I love it!! It's so nice and roomy. We usually have the third row folded down and that leaves plenty of space for baby gear in the back.
2. I delivered vaginally at 33w2d due to pprom
3. I tried to breastfeed but it was a struggle with them being preemies. I am pumping and supplementing now.

[kels09]

1. I agree with carrotcake SUV 3 across. We have a GMC Acadia and we chose the Britax marathon clicktight car seats. We would have been able to fit three of them in the backseat if we needed too. We currently have 2 and a third passenger can still sit in the backseat comfortably. I often ride back there with the kids. We also like being able to pull up one seat in the 3 row and still have room for our stuff in the back. We usually have my mom and our DD with us.

2. I had an emergency c-section under general anesthesia. Baby A's water broke at 27wks 2d which ended up causing a placenta abruption and he went into distress.

3. My boys were in the NICU for 3 months. I breast fed both boys for 6 months before my milk slowly started drying up. Honestly I don't think I could have been that successful without the help of the lactation nurse at the hospital and the pump I was able to rent from them. Call the hospital you plan to give birth at and see if you can make an appt with their lactation nurse. They can help you start preparing now to be successful.

[doodletwins]

1. I only have the twins so I'm no help on the suv question.

2. I developed preeclampsia and was induced at 32w4d. Baby a was delivered vaginally. Baby b had a prolapsed cord and was delivered via emergency c section. Yes, the double whammy.

3. I exclusively pumped for 4 months. Then had to supplement because I was too stressed and my supply went down. Finally, I couldn't take it emotionally to pump anymore and went to just straight formula.

[chiwifey]

Thank you all so much!
kels09 I was wondering if there was anything I could do to prepare before the babies arrive for BFing. Thanks for that info!

[twinmomplusone]

I might not be much help as we were in the same situation. My son is six and we have the twins on the way. I currently have an Escape. We were looking a van but found a great deal on an Acadia so we are trading for that. It has a ton of room in it.

[minirella]

1. Purchased minivan 1 day before babies were discharged from NICU. Didn't want to give up my sedan. Didn't want a van but it was the practical decision after looking at SUVs. 

2. Vaginal unexpected birth at 31w3d.

3. Supply issue with my first. Supply issue with the twins. I pump and they are supplemented with formula. 

[kimstargazer1986]

2. My water broke at 38 weeks 1 day and I delivered vaginally.

3. I'm ebf. I might have to supplement eventually. If they keep increasing how much they eat while I'm at work, I will not be pumping enough. If you learn to tandem, it is easier. I prefer nursing 1 at a time, but you get more of a break if you tandem. I have a twin nursing pillow that helps a lot. Use the lactation consultants if you need it.

[mrsp419]

1. Our twins were #s 3 and 4, so we went to a minivan. I love it, but buckling my older two in the back row is a pain in the butt. I can't wait until they can consistently buckle themselves!

2. I had a scheduled C-section, and it was 100% elective. My twins were head down, and my other two deliveries were vaginal and med free. However, I just had a lot of anxiety of the delivery turning into a c-section anyway, or having a double whammy. With two kids at home, I wanted my recovery to be as predictable as possible. I figured while a guaranteed vaginal delivery was best, a planned C-section would be better than an emergency one. I was anxious about the decision the whole pregnancy (though DH and my OB supported it), and it was absolutely the right choice for us. It went super smoothly.

3. Breastfeeding twins was easier than breastfeeding my first. I think a lot of FTMs have a lot of trouble breastfeeding because it is scary and foreign and unknown and there is not a lot of GOOD support out there. Breastfeeding my second was automatically easier because I had more confidence that I knew what I was doing and how to troubleshoot any problems (because we had been through so many problems with DD1), and the twins ended up being fairly easy, too. My advice would be to breastfeed or at least do skin to skin as soon as humanly possible. Obviously if they need NICU time that can be tough, and there will always be circumstances out of your control, (but it is still doable in a lot of cases!) but try to attempt breastfeeding as soon as you can. My girls were 37w1d, didn't need Nicu time, and were skin to skin within the first hour, and nursing within the first 2-3. I would also suggest that you attempt tandem nursing as soon as you can in the hospital. It can be a bit complicated to get the hang of, and it is super helpful to have the extra hands of the nurses showing you what to do, or helping you position and latch two babies at once. Invest in a really good nursing pillow; that was an absolutely godsend when nursing my girls.

[chiwifey]

Jan 31, 2015 23:45:16 GMT -5 mrsp419 said:

1. Our twins were #s 3 and 4, so we went to a minivan. I love it, but buckling my older two in the back row is a pain in the butt. I can't wait until they can consistently buckle themselves!

2. I had a scheduled C-section, and it was 100% elective. My twins were head down, and my other two deliveries were vaginal and med free. However, I just had a lot of anxiety of the delivery turning into a c-section anyway, or having a double whammy. With two kids at home, I wanted my recovery to be as predictable as possible. I figured while a guaranteed vaginal delivery was best, a planned C-section would be better than an emergency one. I was anxious about the decision the whole pregnancy (though DH and my OB supported it), and it was absolutely the right choice for us. It went super smoothly.

3. Breastfeeding twins was easier than breastfeeding my first. I think a lot of FTMs have a lot of trouble breastfeeding because it is scary and foreign and unknown and there is not a lot of GOOD support out there. Breastfeeding my second was automatically easier because I had more confidence that I knew what I was doing and how to troubleshoot any problems (because we had been through so many problems with DD1), and the twins ended up being fairly easy, too. My advice would be to breastfeed or at least do skin to skin as soon as humanly possible. Obviously if they need NICU time that can be tough, and there will always be circumstances out of your control, (but it is still doable in a lot of cases!) but try to attempt breastfeeding as soon as you can. My girls were 37w1d, didn't need Nicu time, and were skin to skin within the first hour, and nursing within the first 2-3. I would also suggest that you attempt tandem nursing as soon as you can in the hospital. It can be a bit complicated to get the hang of, and it is super helpful to have the extra hands of the nurses showing you what to do, or helping you position and latch two babies at once. Invest in a really good nursing pillow; that was an absolutely godsend when nursing my girls.

This is how I'm feeling, although I had a horrible delivery with DS and had a 4 degree tear. That recovery was pretty rough and I'm terrified of a double whammy. Thanks for sharing your experience! 

[zazu13]

2. cSection after a 34 hour induced labor stalled. I was induced at 34+5 and delivered the next day.

3. I tried unsuccessfully to nurse. We had major supply issues (no milk at all until day 7), I was very sick even after delivery with Pre-eclampsia, one baby with a tongue tie, NICU 16 days, tried SNS, multiple visits with LC, etc. I pumped for 6 weeks, but barely had enough to give both babies one or two bottles a day. We switched to just formula. It still breaks my heart because I so badly wanted to nurse, but it wasn't in the cards for us.