I'll keep this short and sweet: Nannies with twin experience, how do you cope? How do you plan for the day? How do you get the babies close to being on the same schedule? Many thanks.
11 comments:
Sarah NY
said...
I've worked with Irish Twins but not true twins before, but getting small children on the same schedule when that close in age is super important not only to them but also to your sanity! When I first started full time with them I established a routine that we stuck to closely. Breakfast, then play time, outside time, Lunch, Nap time or quiet time for two hours a day whether they napped or not, more outside time, usually inside play or a show while I made dinner then dinner, baths, story time and then bed. I'd say just make sure there is a daily routine. Kids adapt well to routine and it defiantly makes life soooo much easier!
They were 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 when I started with them and I dont know how old your twins are you're asking about but it worked well for them!
Sorry OP, I can't help you as I don't have twins experience. The closest I came was a couple of months ago when I had to take care of my MB's friend's baby along with my charge so I had a 4mo and a 2mo for a week. It was awful. One wouldn't eat and the other wouldn't sleep. I hope I never have twins.
It's all about having a schedule and sticking to it. It can be challenging when they are newborns, and super challenging if there are other siblings, but so worth it! If one is sleepy, put them both down for a nap. If you give one a bottle, offer a bottle to the other one. As they become more in sync with eachother, you can introduce a schedule that includes play times, nap times, and meal times. Treat your schedule as your best friend! It will be your lifesaver! At first you will wonder why you are even trying. There will be days when twin A. is fast asleep, and you sit there trying to rock twin B. to sleep for over an hour. Then Twin A. will wake up just as Twin B. is getting sleepy, and you'll spend the rest of the afternoon trying to keep twin B. awake! It's worth it, belive me. Stick to my plan, and eventually you will be able to time their poops! I purposely look for jobs with multiples. It's not always easy, but it is so rewarding!
I have nannied for quite a few sets of twins and even a set of triplets. Frankly I love it a lot. I plan for the day before they get up (not sure when you start but I go at 6:30 am) The twins like knowing what we're doing and I have them start slowly getting ready for things before we are in a time crunch. I tell them before we have nap times when we have to wind down. They do like to talk with nap time but nap time allows me to relax for a solid amount of time. I set things out during their naps, shoes, coats, whatever we need for the day. As far as the same schedule I try and have us all do the same things as close together as possible. They are potty trained so if one goes I may ask the other to try, just things like that. Consistency in the daily routine as much as possible helps a lot. Having them have free play together also can give you a bit of a break if you need to and lets them learn to share, I only intervene if I have to. Hope that was what you were looking for!
How old are they? I've been told it gets easier once they hit about 3 as far as sticking to a solid schedule.
With the twins I care for I start at 8am. Mom feeds them at 7 when the wake up. They then play and go down for a nap from 9 to 11. I get them up, diaper, food, playtime and it's back down for naps at 1pm. They get up at 3 diaper , food ,play. 5:30 they have a half hour cat nap. 6pm it's bath time and 7pm a bottle & bed. Sleeping through night.
I always do they same thing in the same orde with them. I think it helps their bodies know what's coming and start to prepare for it.
It helps because mom & dad stick to schedule on weekends too.
As far as getting ready for bed I always sing twinkly twinkle & read goodnight moon, followed by a few pats and into bed. I started the book & song when I would still rock them to sleep.
To ge them to eat at the same time I started moving their feedings closer together they used to be half hour a part. I started feeding Twin B a few minutes earlier until they were ready to eat at the same time. As far as naps I started to notice their limit was about 2 hours so I would start settingling them about 15 minutes before 2 hours before they became overtired and harder to put to sleep. When they are a wake keep them active as possible, it helps them learn the difference between rest & play time. If possile have them take their naps in the same place for example always in the crib.
There are some great books on handling twins. I've got to run out now, but if i remembe I'll come nack and post a few favorites.
Honestly, sometimes you luck out with having them on the same schedule, sometimes you don't. I generally always feed them at the same time and put them down for naps at the same time. The problem is when the parents put one down for a nap before I get there and then the other one is up... that can mess up the schedule for the day.
There really is no planning for the day when it comes to twin babies. That was the hardest job I've ever had. They were both fussy and if you held one, the other started crying and wanted to be held. There were days I thought I'd lose my mind. It does get better as they get older. When I started they were 6 months old (but they were premature, so their adjusted age was about 4 1/2 months) and when I left, they were 10 months.
In the beginning, I hated it. I felt like I was going to lose my mind every second. Yesterday, which was my last day, was actually great because they'd gotten less fussy as they'd gotten older and were able to sit up, etc.
I agree with others here. Do everything at the same time-like feedings, naps. Even if one stays awake during a nap time, it will eventually even out. Should only take a few days to a week. It is important the parents stick to the schedule as well. As little as half an hour off can throw off the whole day. Plan ahead. Especially for outings! Be prepared for any possible problems, and gather things while they sleep. Make-ahead meals (if they are doing solids) also help. OH, and Boppies are the best for bottle feedings!
Thanks Amy, now I don't have to feel dumb! :) Now that I know the definition, I have something else to add to my list of fears: 1. twins 2. Irish twins.
11 comments:
I've worked with Irish Twins but not true twins before, but getting small children on the same schedule when that close in age is super important not only to them but also to your sanity! When I first started full time with them I established a routine that we stuck to closely. Breakfast, then play time, outside time, Lunch, Nap time or quiet time for two hours a day whether they napped or not, more outside time, usually inside play or a show while I made dinner then dinner, baths, story time and then bed. I'd say just make sure there is a daily routine. Kids adapt well to routine and it defiantly makes life soooo much easier!
They were 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 when I started with them and I dont know how old your twins are you're asking about but it worked well for them!
And now, a stupid question: what are Irish twins?
Sorry OP, I can't help you as I don't have twins experience. The closest I came was a couple of months ago when I had to take care of my MB's friend's baby along with my charge so I had a 4mo and a 2mo for a week. It was awful. One wouldn't eat and the other wouldn't sleep. I hope I never have twins.
Irish twins are babies that are about 9 to 12 months apart
It's all about having a schedule and sticking to it. It can be challenging when they are newborns, and super challenging if there are other siblings, but so worth it! If one is sleepy, put them both down for a nap. If you give one a bottle, offer a bottle to the other one. As they become more in sync with eachother, you can introduce a schedule that includes play times, nap times, and meal times. Treat your schedule as your best friend! It will be your lifesaver! At first you will wonder why you are even trying. There will be days when twin A. is fast asleep, and you sit there trying to rock twin B. to sleep for over an hour. Then Twin A. will wake up just as Twin B. is getting sleepy, and you'll spend the rest of the afternoon trying to keep twin B. awake! It's worth it, belive me. Stick to my plan, and eventually you will be able to time their poops! I purposely look for jobs with multiples. It's not always easy, but it is so rewarding!
I have nannied for quite a few sets of twins and even a set of triplets. Frankly I love it a lot. I plan for the day before they get up (not sure when you start but I go at 6:30 am) The twins like knowing what we're doing and I have them start slowly getting ready for things before we are in a time crunch. I tell them before we have nap times when we have to wind down. They do like to talk with nap time but nap time allows me to relax for a solid amount of time. I set things out during their naps, shoes, coats, whatever we need for the day. As far as the same schedule I try and have us all do the same things as close together as possible. They are potty trained so if one goes I may ask the other to try, just things like that. Consistency in the daily routine as much as possible helps a lot. Having them have free play together also can give you a bit of a break if you need to and lets them learn to share, I only intervene if I have to. Hope that was what you were looking for!
How old are they? I've been told it gets easier once they hit about 3 as far as sticking to a solid schedule.
With the twins I care for I start at 8am. Mom feeds them at 7 when the wake up. They then play and go down for a nap from 9 to 11. I get them up, diaper, food, playtime and it's back down for naps at 1pm. They get up at 3 diaper , food ,play. 5:30 they have a half hour cat nap. 6pm it's bath time and 7pm a bottle & bed. Sleeping through night.
I always do they same thing in the same orde with them. I think it helps their bodies know what's coming and start to prepare for it.
It helps because mom & dad stick to schedule on weekends too.
As far as getting ready for bed I always sing twinkly twinkle & read goodnight moon, followed by a few pats and into bed. I started the book & song when I would still rock them to sleep.
To ge them to eat at the same time I started moving their feedings closer together they used to be half hour a part. I started feeding Twin B a few minutes earlier until they were ready to eat at the same time. As far as naps I started to notice their limit was about 2 hours so I would start settingling them about 15 minutes before 2 hours before they became overtired and harder to put to sleep. When they are a wake keep them active as possible, it helps them learn the difference between rest & play time. If possile have them take their naps in the same place for example always in the crib.
There are some great books on handling twins. I've got to run out now, but if i remembe I'll come nack and post a few favorites.
Honestly, sometimes you luck out with having them on the same schedule, sometimes you don't. I generally always feed them at the same time and put them down for naps at the same time. The problem is when the parents put one down for a nap before I get there and then the other one is up... that can mess up the schedule for the day.
There really is no planning for the day when it comes to twin babies. That was the hardest job I've ever had. They were both fussy and if you held one, the other started crying and wanted to be held. There were days I thought I'd lose my mind. It does get better as they get older. When I started they were 6 months old (but they were premature, so their adjusted age was about 4 1/2 months) and when I left, they were 10 months.
In the beginning, I hated it. I felt like I was going to lose my mind every second. Yesterday, which was my last day, was actually great because they'd gotten less fussy as they'd gotten older and were able to sit up, etc.
Not much to add to what's already here.
In my experience those sling/hip carriers are a life saver with twins.
Boppy pillows are great for feedings.
Talk to their parents about creating a schedule and getting them to stick to it as well.
I didn't know what Irish Twins were either Miss Mannah. No, it was not a stupid question. LOL.
I agree with others here. Do everything at the same time-like feedings, naps. Even if one stays awake during a nap time, it will eventually even out. Should only take a few days to a week. It is important the parents stick to the schedule as well. As little as half an hour off can throw off the whole day.
Plan ahead. Especially for outings! Be prepared for any possible problems, and gather things while they sleep. Make-ahead meals (if they are doing solids) also help. OH, and Boppies are the best for bottle feedings!
Thanks Amy, now I don't have to feel dumb! :) Now that I know the definition, I have something else to add to my list of fears: 1. twins 2. Irish twins.
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