Expert: Susan M. Heim - 12/9/2008

Question
I am at home most of the week with my 10 month old B/G twins and in the summer was enjoying taking them for stroller rides to the park to swing and play, but now it is winter and many days too cold/windy/rainy to take them out in the stroller (I do stroller them when it is about 30 degrees or higher).  I would love to take them to the local library for reading time, or the park district open play time, but it is virtually impossible to keep up with them in a public place.  My daughter crawls with lightening speed and my son chews and drools on everything.  It took me some time to figure out how to get them from car to location (a used double umbrella stroller does the trick) but once I'm there, I'm so frazzled and stressed-out that I don't even want to try until they can walk and are older.  However, we are all going a bit stir crazy in the house and I need a solution!  All my well-meaning friends/family with one baby or different aged babies have great ideas, but they simply don't work with twins.  Any suggestions?

A second question ... about one night per week either my husband or I have a late meeting so there is only one person to put the babies to bed.  I used to put one baby in the swing with a bottle while getting the other ready and in bed, then I would get the other and finish up.  They are getting too big for their swing now and I would like to put them to bed at the same time now that they're getting older.  I tried this tonight and boy was it unpleasant!  Of course one was crying and pulling up on my legs while I was trying to bottle feed the other, then I switched and of course the other freaked out.  I don't want to give them their bottles in their cribs and I do still want to cuddle them somewhat, how can this be done with only one person?

Thanks in advance!!

Answer
Hi Heidi,
  I live in Florida, so I am fortunate to be able to get my twins outside all year round! I can imagine your frustration at being cooped up inside with your twins all day in the winter. When my twins were younger and the weather was bad, I would take them to the mall and stroll with them there. At least for a little while, the sights and sounds would capture their attention. They loved to look at the water fountains. Obviously, though, you need to keep the twins in their stroller at the mall. It’s tough to find a place where they can roam and you’re not overwhelmed with trying to corral them in! Fortunately, time takes care of that as they get older. In the meantime, perhaps you could arrange playdates with friends who have children around the same age. (Or join a Mothers of Multiples group and meet other moms with toddler twins.) You’d have the pleasure of another mom’s company while your children played in the same room. By the way, BabiesToday just published an article about getting out and about with twins that might be helpful for you. I’m told that there will be a second part, so you might want to look for that! Here’s the link to the first part: http://www.babiestoday.com/articles/multiples/out-and-about-with-twins-6288/

  As for getting them to bed, you’re wise not to feed them in their cribs. It’s also important to start getting them to bed at the same time. I used to put my twins in their high chairs with the backs reclined, push them close together and sit between them with a bottle in each hand! (Or let them hold their own as I just talked and interacted with them.) You’ll need to save the cuddle time now until after feeding time when you can snuggle with them together. We also had a kiddie corral (also known as a SuperYard) in our living room. (Here’s a picture of one: http://trus.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pTRU1-2787717_alternate3_reg.jpg) I could climb in there with them and safely give them their bottles together and play with them without them wandering off.

Warm wishes,
Susan Heim
www.twinstalk.com