3 week old twin girls. (Sleepless in Cincy) - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

iamtheone · 03-22-2004, 05:14 AM

WoW, what a life changing experience. I am a new dad of my beautiful twin babies. There is only one small problem. The lil one's won't sleep ; )

Here goes:

week 1 = All is quiet, they eat, poop, sleep.
week 2 = hell starts to break loose. They are crying more than they are sleeping. Switched to lactose free formula. Several days pass and still no relief. Now, we are on Nutramigen (hydrolized protien for easy digestion). Still nothing. Urghh. These poor lil girls scream, arch their backs, kick their legs, punch their fists. Is this a severe case of colic? Is this normal?

Well, we took them to the Dr.s again and have done much research on this behavior. It has been determined that they are either having reflux problems or just bad gas. We have had them on Zantec for a couple days now with a little relief. If this does not work we will give them the prescription gas drops (not milicon, been there done that, does not work)

I even went out and bought those miracle Baby-goto-Sleep cd's. Nah, ain't happen' here. I work full time and my wife is home with them. I try and help all I can but I do have to sleep in order to function at work. I would not change having kids for the world and I love them with all my heart, but for the love of god is there hope in sight?

Can anyone relate ????

fnaqzna · 03-22-2004, 07:27 PM

No idea there... my kids slept like the dead.

But... I can offer this. It's a wonderful thing to be a twin. I can't imagine what it would have been like to grow up without mine.

raeanna74 · 03-23-2004, 05:29 AM

I started to notice a problem with my daughter after a couple weeks. I finally realized that she was getting too much stimulation. Once I started keeping the lights low more and handling her less she seemed to calm down. Especially keeping things as quiet and dim early in the evening. - MIGHT work. Good Luck.

iamtheone · 03-23-2004, 06:03 AM

Thanks guys, I appericate the insight..... The Zantec seems to be helping a bit...... Hope that is all it was. (silent reflux)

clavus · 03-24-2004, 12:30 PM

back when she was breastfeeding...My wife stopped eating dairy, my kid stopped screaming and started sleeping.

Even a little piece of cheese would spell disaster for our sleep.

kulrblind · 03-25-2004, 05:40 AM

I can't say I totally feel your pain, but our son is just two weeks and two days old now (I guess that makes about 16 days), and the first week was angelic, but now his true personality is coming through, and he's more of a handful at night. Granted, nowhere near the challenges you sound like you're experiencing.

My only tip, beyond what raeanna suggested, is to raise the head-end of their cribs a little bit... two or three inches. It'll help keep some of the acids down (I have a reflux problem myself, and know of two infants that went through these problems), just via gravity.

Oh, and if you magically figure out how to interpret the cries and the leg kicking, do let me know!!!

-kulrblind

iamtheone · 03-25-2004, 06:19 AM

Thanks for the info. Yep, we have their cribs elevated in back so they are at a 30 degree angle like suggested. The Zantec seems to be working on some days and some days not. I just feel for them, when they do have their spells, it breaks your heart.

kulrblind · 03-26-2004, 06:23 AM

I foolishly missed saying what should have been first out of my mouth, iamtheone:

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S !

iamtheone · 03-26-2004, 10:30 AM

Thank you Thank you!

sexymama · 03-26-2004, 11:00 AM

Congratulations! My twin chosen sons (former step-sons) are now 22. They have the most special relationship -- it is awesome to watch.

Suggestions that may or may not help:
wake them up every 2 hours during the day, so that by night they want prolonged sleep and will sleep longer (did it with all 3 of my biological and worked like a charm.)
"bicycle" their legs/feet every time you change them or wake them
dairy free formula if not breast feeding
bundle them looser or tighter then you are currently wrapping them
put them in the same crib/craddle -- they may miss each other
tell them, with words (they understand your tone) that you love them and want to meet their needs
sing to them (they don't care if you are or are not capable)

Good luck -- this too shall pass and you will barely remember it as they grow older -- may even miss it.

iamtheone · 03-26-2004, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sexymama
Congratulations! My twin chosen sons (former step-sons) are now 22. They have the most special relationship -- it is awesome to watch.

Suggestions that may or may not help:

Those are good suggestions ; )

sexymama · 03-26-2004, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by iamtheone
Those are good suggestions ; )

Please reread above -- I accidently hit enter and had to quick edit to get the suggestions -- sorry! And boy are you reading this posts quickly!

iamtheone · 03-26-2004, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sexymama
Please reread above -- I accidently hit enter and had to quick edit to get the suggestions -- sorry! And boy are you reading this posts quickly!

No problems. Thanks for the wonderful advise. That is very sweet of you. I find myself doing just about everything on your checklist. With research and seat-of-the-pants parenting. You learn quick.......

cleanx · 03-30-2004, 12:41 PM

my son started to sleep through the nite says day one..im blessed
its great

mr sticky · 03-31-2004, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kulrblind
I foolishly missed saying what should have been first out of my mouth, iamtheone:

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S !

Ditto's from me! Babies are the bomb-diggity!

A few things.

Firstly, as a parent of a former colicky baby, it takes about a week to clear out all the old formula. so your looking at an improvement shortly.

Secondly, if this works don't even think about switching him back until after four months of age. I tried this with several nights worth of regret.

Also...Try to hit your pediatrician up for samples of the Nutramigen. Even a brief respite from the cost is worth it. I think it was close to two hundred a month to feed my little guy.

My pediatrician also recommended Carnations Good Start as a follow up formula. It's funny, I went from the most expensive to the least expensive in six month's time. The doc said it's the most gentle "regular" formula they make.

I wish you luck...and enjoy these times, they grow up so damned fast!

iamtheone · 03-31-2004, 08:55 AM

Thank you..... We have the girls on Nutramigen now. Update. We think they have silent reflux. We have them on Zantac which seems to be helping some. They just continue to fuss.... They are some grumpy lil girls that is for sure! I am thinking about the new AR formula from mead/johnson.

mr sticky · 03-31-2004, 09:03 AM

Our doc put him on Reglan as well, it's supposed to help peristalsis. Ask your doc.

Also, you guys work in shifts. There is no sense in you both being zombies just so you can experience everything together.

iamtheone · 03-31-2004, 11:20 AM

I know, but it is hard for one person to handle two crying babies at the same time. We try that when it works out....

telekinetic · 04-15-2004, 12:36 AM

Wow, sorry to bump this thread back from the dead, but I missed it the first go-round, so congratulations! How long in advance did you know you were going to have twins?

I'm jealous...it will be quite a while before I have my own tiny hybrids to cuddle and play with.

iamtheone · 04-15-2004, 03:47 AM

We knew we were having twins several months prior. It has been lots of work, def the hardest thing I have ever done in my life... I am a very spontainous(sp?) person and that is no longer. ; )

But, with that said, I would not trade the lil angels for the world.
(now, only If we could get them to sleep for more than 3 hrs)

ngdawg · 04-15-2004, 10:33 AM

got twins too.....my son would go maybe an hour between feedings. I nursed and gave bottles and at 5 weeks, he was drinking about 8 oz every 45 minutes. Daughter, on the other hand, ate ok but was colicky. A couple of tricks I used to help the process: 1-keep a cooler in their room with the filled bottles needed-saves trips to the kitchen (make a pitcher or 2 of formula a day). Formula, the Dr told me does not have to be heated, just not ICE cold. 2- When one wakes up, wake up the other one and feed both at the same time.(if wife can after you go to work, take them into bed with her-just lie them perpendicular to herself.) I put them on a stack of quilts on the floor in their room and sat holding bottles. When I couldn't keep up with my son's demands for bottles and boob, the Dr told me make rice cereal, not too thick, and feed him with a small spoon-if he sucks it in, he's ready for it. He did. I mixed the cereal with breast milk but if she's not nursing, formula is fine-just check with the DR before starting. Daughter's colic was also relieved by mixing breast milk with warm water and/or holding her face-down over my knees while stroking her back. She also had premature gag reflex, so patting her back vigorously after feedings helped too.
I agree, I don't see how people have just one at a time!!! Wait til they start their own language-that's a real kick!!!! Congrats and good luck!

mr sticky · 04-26-2004, 05:00 AM

Bump...so you guys sleeping yet?

kulrblind · 04-26-2004, 09:07 AM

good call on the bump, mr sticky.

How are things going, iamtheone? Now that they're all of 8 weeks old, are they doing any better with the sleep?

Our little 7-week-old is starting to stretch his sleeps out a little at night, to about 4.5 hours between feeds. Apologies if you don't want to hear that

Hope all is well!

-kulrblind

telekinetic · 04-26-2004, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mr sticky
Bump...so you guys sleeping yet?

I had just come in here looking for thish thread, lol...any updates?

sillygirl · 04-26-2004, 03:48 PM

I get so jealous when I read threads like this... I want twins so bad! Good luck, iamtheone, I hope your wife survives while you're in Dallas!

iamtheone · 04-27-2004, 08:21 AM

thanks guys! (and Sillygirl)

Well, we noticed a bit of an improvement over the last couple days. We switched (i know, I know) them back to the original formula (Enfamil® with Iron).... They still seem a bit fussy and still have gas problems.... They actually have an apointment today with Childrens Hospital just to make sure that our Dr.s are treating them correctly. (Acid Reflux)......

They are now sleeping better at night, getting up twice to feed. So, with the appointment today I hope to find some good news and some peace of mind. Oh the worries.... But, it is getting much better and they are so damn cute! They are now starting to smile and make their cute lil noises ; )

Thanks again guys for all the support here. You are the best!

mr sticky · 04-27-2004, 06:02 PM

Excellent...I'm tickled for you!!!

All the best

iamtheone · 04-27-2004, 06:18 PM

Just got word tonight they got back from the specialist. They put them on a new medicine that treats 90% of reflux. (unlike the 40% Zantac - that always tasted like shit). They took their medicine when they got home. And get this............ They have both been sitting on the couch in the boopies just looking around....... Oh My god! I have NEVER seen these girls awake and just looking around! Hope this is it! Poor lil things, I felt so bad for them, they appeared to be so damn uncomfortable.....

Congradulations to all above on your new arrivals as well. (and that 4.5 hour sleepy cycle sounds like good news up there!)

kulrblind · 04-28-2004, 06:05 AM

So, what did they give your girls, iamtheone? Omeprazole, perhaps? (that's the drug, not the product name). If so, that's good stuff

Enjoy the little smiles and cooing. Life is good.

splck · 04-28-2004, 06:43 AM

Hey, congrats on the twins. I have twin seven year-old daughters myself. The girls were a handful when they were infants, they didn't sleep the night till past five months. Needless to say, it was a welcomed relief when they did.
It might seem as if the sleepless nights will never end, but rest assured the nights will get better.

imkeen · 04-28-2004, 05:01 PM

I'll reinforce sexymama's advice on wrapping them. Our most recent child (now 14 months) would cry and cry until you had him wrapped so he couldn't move his arms. Then he'd be out like a light. This is, of course, because hey was like this in the womb up until we were so rude to take him out!

03-22-2004, 05:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
iamtheone Psychoholic Location: Ein tov she'ein bo ra!	3 week old twin girls. (Sleepless in Cincy) WoW, what a life changing experience. I am a new dad of my beautiful twin babies. There is only one small problem. The lil one's won't sleep ; ) Here goes: week 1 = All is quiet, they eat, poop, sleep. week 2 = hell starts to break loose. They are crying more than they are sleeping. Switched to lactose free formula. Several days pass and still no relief. Now, we are on Nutramigen (hydrolized protien for easy digestion). Still nothing. Urghh. These poor lil girls scream, arch their backs, kick their legs, punch their fists. Is this a severe case of colic? Is this normal? Well, we took them to the Dr.s again and have done much research on this behavior. It has been determined that they are either having reflux problems or just bad gas. We have had them on Zantec for a couple days now with a little relief. If this does not work we will give them the prescription gas drops (not milicon, been there done that, does not work) I even went out and bought those miracle Baby-goto-Sleep cd's. Nah, ain't happen' here. I work full time and my wife is home with them. I try and help all I can but I do have to sleep in order to function at work. I would not change having kids for the world and I love them with all my heart, but for the love of god is there hope in sight? Can anyone relate ???? __________________ Music is holy, art is sacred, and creativity is power... Think for Yourself Question Authority Last edited by iamtheone; 03-22-2004 at 05:40 AM..

03-23-2004, 05:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
raeanna74 I'm not a blonde! I'm knot! I'm knot! I'm knot! Location: Upper Michigan	I started to notice a problem with my daughter after a couple weeks. I finally realized that she was getting too much stimulation. Once I started keeping the lights low more and handling her less she seemed to calm down. Especially keeping things as quiet and dim early in the evening. - MIGHT work. Good Luck. __________________ "Always learn the rules so that you can break them properly." Dalai Lama My Karma just ran over your Dogma.

03-23-2004, 06:03 AM	#4 (permalink)
iamtheone Psychoholic Location: Ein tov she'ein bo ra!	Thanks guys, I appericate the insight..... The Zantec seems to be helping a bit...... Hope that is all it was. (silent reflux) __________________ Music is holy, art is sacred, and creativity is power... Think for Yourself Question Authority

03-24-2004, 12:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
clavus pow! Location: NorCal	back when she was breastfeeding...My wife stopped eating dairy, my kid stopped screaming and started sleeping. Even a little piece of cheese would spell disaster for our sleep. __________________ Ass, gas or grass. Nobody rides for free.

03-25-2004, 06:19 AM	#7 (permalink)
iamtheone Psychoholic Location: Ein tov she'ein bo ra!	Thanks for the info. Yep, we have their cribs elevated in back so they are at a 30 degree angle like suggested. The Zantec seems to be working on some days and some days not. I just feel for them, when they do have their spells, it breaks your heart. __________________ Music is holy, art is sacred, and creativity is power... Think for Yourself Question Authority

03-22-2004, 07:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
fnaqzna Meat Popsicle Location: Left Coast	No idea there... my kids slept like the dead. But... I can offer this. It's a wonderful thing to be a twin. I can't imagine what it would have been like to grow up without mine.

03-25-2004, 05:40 AM	#6 (permalink)
kulrblind plays well with others Location: Canada	I can't say I totally feel your pain, but our son is just two weeks and two days old now (I guess that makes about 16 days), and the first week was angelic, but now his true personality is coming through, and he's more of a handful at night. Granted, nowhere near the challenges you sound like you're experiencing. My only tip, beyond what raeanna suggested, is to raise the head-end of their cribs a little bit... two or three inches. It'll help keep some of the acids down (I have a reflux problem myself, and know of two infants that went through these problems), just via gravity. Oh, and if you magically figure out how to interpret the cries and the leg kicking, do let me know!!! -kulrblind

03-26-2004, 06:23 AM	#8 (permalink)
kulrblind plays well with others Location: Canada	I foolishly missed saying what should have been first out of my mouth, iamtheone: C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S !

03-26-2004, 10:30 AM	#9 (permalink)
iamtheone Psychoholic Location: Ein tov she'ein bo ra!	Thank you Thank you! __________________ Music is holy, art is sacred, and creativity is power... Think for Yourself Question Authority

03-26-2004, 11:00 AM	#10 (permalink)
sexymama My own person -- his by choice Location: Lebell's arms	Congratulations! My twin chosen sons (former step-sons) are now 22. They have the most special relationship -- it is awesome to watch. Suggestions that may or may not help: wake them up every 2 hours during the day, so that by night they want prolonged sleep and will sleep longer (did it with all 3 of my biological and worked like a charm.) "bicycle" their legs/feet every time you change them or wake them dairy free formula if not breast feeding bundle them looser or tighter then you are currently wrapping them put them in the same crib/craddle -- they may miss each other tell them, with words (they understand your tone) that you love them and want to meet their needs sing to them (they don't care if you are or are not capable) Good luck -- this too shall pass and you will barely remember it as they grow older -- may even miss it. __________________ If you can go deeply into lovemaking, the ego disappears. That is the beauty of lovemaking, that it is another source of a glimpse of god It's not about being perfect; it's about developing some skill at managing imperfection. Last edited by sexymama; 03-26-2004 at 11:04 AM..

03-30-2004, 12:41 PM	#14 (permalink)
cleanx Crazy Location: chatsworth, california san fernando valley	my son started to sleep through the nite says day one..im blessed its great __________________ The Nation that makes a great distinction between its scholars and its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools." -Thucydides

03-31-2004, 08:55 AM	#16 (permalink)
iamtheone Psychoholic Location: Ein tov she'ein bo ra!	Thank you..... We have the girls on Nutramigen now. Update. We think they have silent reflux. We have them on Zantac which seems to be helping some. They just continue to fuss.... They are some grumpy lil girls that is for sure! I am thinking about the new AR formula from mead/johnson. __________________ Music is holy, art is sacred, and creativity is power... Think for Yourself Question Authority

03-31-2004, 09:03 AM	#17 (permalink)
mr sticky Psycho Location: NC	Our doc put him on Reglan as well, it's supposed to help peristalsis. Ask your doc. Also, you guys work in shifts. There is no sense in you both being zombies just so you can experience everything together. __________________ The sad thing is... as you get older you come to realize that you don't so much pilot your life, as you just try to hold on, in a screaming, defiant ball of white-knuckle anxious fury

03-31-2004, 11:20 AM	#18 (permalink)
iamtheone Psychoholic Location: Ein tov she'ein bo ra!	I know, but it is hard for one person to handle two crying babies at the same time. We try that when it works out.... __________________ Music is holy, art is sacred, and creativity is power... Think for Yourself Question Authority

04-15-2004, 12:36 AM	#19 (permalink)
telekinetic zomgomgomgomgomgomg Location: Fauxenix, Azerona	Wow, sorry to bump this thread back from the dead, but I missed it the first go-round, so congratulations! How long in advance did you know you were going to have twins? I'm jealous...it will be quite a while before I have my own tiny hybrids to cuddle and play with. __________________ twisted no more

04-15-2004, 03:47 AM	#20 (permalink)
iamtheone Psychoholic Location: Ein tov she'ein bo ra!	We knew we were having twins several months prior. It has been lots of work, def the hardest thing I have ever done in my life... I am a very spontainous(sp?) person and that is no longer. ; ) But, with that said, I would not trade the lil angels for the world. (now, only If we could get them to sleep for more than 3 hrs) __________________ Music is holy, art is sacred, and creativity is power... Think for Yourself Question Authority

04-15-2004, 10:33 AM	#21 (permalink)
ngdawg peekaboo Location: on the back, bitch	got twins too.....my son would go maybe an hour between feedings. I nursed and gave bottles and at 5 weeks, he was drinking about 8 oz every 45 minutes. Daughter, on the other hand, ate ok but was colicky. A couple of tricks I used to help the process: 1-keep a cooler in their room with the filled bottles needed-saves trips to the kitchen (make a pitcher or 2 of formula a day). Formula, the Dr told me does not have to be heated, just not ICE cold. 2- When one wakes up, wake up the other one and feed both at the same time.(if wife can after you go to work, take them into bed with her-just lie them perpendicular to herself.) I put them on a stack of quilts on the floor in their room and sat holding bottles. When I couldn't keep up with my son's demands for bottles and boob, the Dr told me make rice cereal, not too thick, and feed him with a small spoon-if he sucks it in, he's ready for it. He did. I mixed the cereal with breast milk but if she's not nursing, formula is fine-just check with the DR before starting. Daughter's colic was also relieved by mixing breast milk with warm water and/or holding her face-down over my knees while stroking her back. She also had premature gag reflex, so patting her back vigorously after feedings helped too. I agree, I don't see how people have just one at a time!!! Wait til they start their own language-that's a real kick!!!! Congrats and good luck!

04-26-2004, 05:00 AM	#22 (permalink)
mr sticky Psycho Location: NC	Bump...so you guys sleeping yet? __________________ The sad thing is... as you get older you come to realize that you don't so much pilot your life, as you just try to hold on, in a screaming, defiant ball of white-knuckle anxious fury

04-26-2004, 09:07 AM	#23 (permalink)
kulrblind plays well with others Location: Canada	good call on the bump, mr sticky. How are things going, iamtheone? Now that they're all of 8 weeks old, are they doing any better with the sleep? Our little 7-week-old is starting to stretch his sleeps out a little at night, to about 4.5 hours between feeds. Apologies if you don't want to hear that Hope all is well! -kulrblind

04-26-2004, 03:48 PM	#25 (permalink)
sillygirl Newlywed Location: at home	I get so jealous when I read threads like this... I want twins so bad! Good luck, iamtheone, I hope your wife survives while you're in Dallas! __________________ Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly-Rose Franken ....absence makes me miss him more...

04-27-2004, 08:21 AM	#26 (permalink)
iamtheone Psychoholic Location: Ein tov she'ein bo ra!	thanks guys! (and Sillygirl) Well, we noticed a bit of an improvement over the last couple days. We switched (i know, I know) them back to the original formula (Enfamil® with Iron).... They still seem a bit fussy and still have gas problems.... They actually have an apointment today with Childrens Hospital just to make sure that our Dr.s are treating them correctly. (Acid Reflux)...... They are now sleeping better at night, getting up twice to feed. So, with the appointment today I hope to find some good news and some peace of mind. Oh the worries.... But, it is getting much better and they are so damn cute! They are now starting to smile and make their cute lil noises ; ) Thanks again guys for all the support here. You are the best! __________________ Music is holy, art is sacred, and creativity is power... Think for Yourself Question Authority

04-27-2004, 06:02 PM	#27 (permalink)
mr sticky Psycho Location: NC	Excellent...I'm tickled for you!!! All the best __________________ The sad thing is... as you get older you come to realize that you don't so much pilot your life, as you just try to hold on, in a screaming, defiant ball of white-knuckle anxious fury

04-27-2004, 06:18 PM	#28 (permalink)
iamtheone Psychoholic Location: Ein tov she'ein bo ra!	Just got word tonight they got back from the specialist. They put them on a new medicine that treats 90% of reflux. (unlike the 40% Zantac - that always tasted like shit). They took their medicine when they got home. And get this............ They have both been sitting on the couch in the boopies just looking around....... Oh My god! I have NEVER seen these girls awake and just looking around! Hope this is it! Poor lil things, I felt so bad for them, they appeared to be so damn uncomfortable..... Congradulations to all above on your new arrivals as well. (and that 4.5 hour sleepy cycle sounds like good news up there!) __________________ Music is holy, art is sacred, and creativity is power... Think for Yourself Question Authority

04-28-2004, 06:05 AM	#29 (permalink)
kulrblind plays well with others Location: Canada	So, what did they give your girls, iamtheone? Omeprazole, perhaps? (that's the drug, not the product name). If so, that's good stuff Enjoy the little smiles and cooing. Life is good.

04-28-2004, 06:43 AM	#30 (permalink)
splck it's jam Location: Lowerainland BC	Hey, congrats on the twins. I have twin seven year-old daughters myself. The girls were a handful when they were infants, they didn't sleep the night till past five months. Needless to say, it was a welcomed relief when they did. It might seem as if the sleepless nights will never end, but rest assured the nights will get better. __________________ nice line eh?

04-28-2004, 05:01 PM	#31 (permalink)
imkeen Insane	I'll reinforce sexymama's advice on wrapping them. Our most recent child (now 14 months) would cry and cry until you had him wrapped so he couldn't move his arms. Then he'd be out like a light. This is, of course, because hey was like this in the womb up until we were so rude to take him out!