Our identical twin boys (now 4 years old) were a little premature (34 weeks). After they came home from the NICU, they breastfed and slept on demand and eventually moved onto a very good and regular schedule of eating and sleeping and they did everything at about the same time of the day and night.
Maybe it was because they were identical, but with them, they stayed on the same ’schedule,’ even though they were breastfeeding on demand.
If it weren’t for a regular daily schedule, I’d have a nervous breakdown!
Comment by michelle abich — October 2, 2007 @ 3:07 pm
I think it’s critical for all of us. I’m a huge Weissbluth fan, and I think a regular sleeping and eating (and activity) schedule is super helpful for kids well-being. If they’re well-rested and have some sense of what’s coming, they’ll (generally!) be happier, calmer, and more able to enjoy and learn from the world around them.
And keeping both of them on the SAME schedule is critical to mommy’s sanity!
I will say, though, that in the newborn days it was more “routine” than “schedule.” I think earlier than 4 months (adjusted) is too young to be too strict by the clock. But still important for mom to keep both babies as close to the same schedule as possible!
My boys were 10 weeks premature, and they were on a schedule for 6 weeks in the NICU. Upon bringing them home, I continued that strict schedule (waking them every 3 hours to feed). Since then (they are now 2 1/2 years old), we have kept them on quite a tight schedule, and I credit that for the ease of sleeping schedules, etc. I don’t think I could handle each boy being on his own schedule!
Keeping up with a feeding schedule for one was challenging for me, I can’t even imagine twins! Since I was also tracking the heart medication used to treat her Wolff Parkinson White syndrom I used Baby Insights (www.babblesoft.com) to keep track of feedings, pumping, even dirty diapers!
We are very scheduled and it works well for us. The boys came out of the NICU on a schedule and we stuck with it. Of course there’s been some changes as their eating & sleeping habits change as they grow and develop. I have to do two – three meals a day, naptime, and bedtime by myself for the twins and my older daughter so schedule and predictability are key for my well-being and theirs too!
They were on the same scheudle up until about 5 months and then my girl twin started sleeping longer and less often, than her brother, who takes more and shorter naps. At first I was not happy, but, I enjoy having time alone with each one, and I move them around the house with me as I do housework and moving one is much easier than two. I wish they slept better at night. They both go down at 730 and wake about 130, and from there they are up 2 to 3 more times.
With 4 children under three years of age, of which the two youngest ones non-identical twins, a “flexible” scedule was the way to go for us. Flexible in the sense that we have a 10-15 minute flexible time period. It worked – and still works- for our eldest two and so we figured it would work for the twins. Shame that they are sooo different from eachother and that one decided to make fun at night- ALL night. Naps we are not so strict on, but feeding happens simultaneously , always, otherwise we are a 24/7 catering service.
Required information
©2006 About, Inc. All rights reserved. User Agreement
Our identical twin boys (now 4 years old) were a little premature (34 weeks). After they came home from the NICU, they breastfed and slept on demand and eventually moved onto a very good and regular schedule of eating and sleeping and they did everything at about the same time of the day and night.
Maybe it was because they were identical, but with them, they stayed on the same ’schedule,’ even though they were breastfeeding on demand.
Comment by Vincent Iannelli, MD — February 19, 2007 @ 4:53 pm
If it weren’t for a regular daily schedule, I’d have a nervous breakdown!
Comment by michelle abich — October 2, 2007 @ 3:07 pm
I think it’s critical for all of us. I’m a huge Weissbluth fan, and I think a regular sleeping and eating (and activity) schedule is super helpful for kids well-being. If they’re well-rested and have some sense of what’s coming, they’ll (generally!) be happier, calmer, and more able to enjoy and learn from the world around them.
And keeping both of them on the SAME schedule is critical to mommy’s sanity!
I will say, though, that in the newborn days it was more “routine” than “schedule.” I think earlier than 4 months (adjusted) is too young to be too strict by the clock. But still important for mom to keep both babies as close to the same schedule as possible!
Comment by Liz — March 2, 2009 @ 9:19 am
My boys were 10 weeks premature, and they were on a schedule for 6 weeks in the NICU. Upon bringing them home, I continued that strict schedule (waking them every 3 hours to feed). Since then (they are now 2 1/2 years old), we have kept them on quite a tight schedule, and I credit that for the ease of sleeping schedules, etc. I don’t think I could handle each boy being on his own schedule!
Comment by merin — March 3, 2009 @ 4:56 pm
Keeping up with a feeding schedule for one was challenging for me, I can’t even imagine twins! Since I was also tracking the heart medication used to treat her Wolff Parkinson White syndrom I used Baby Insights (www.babblesoft.com) to keep track of feedings, pumping, even dirty diapers!
Comment by Kerry — March 3, 2009 @ 9:12 pm
We are very scheduled and it works well for us. The boys came out of the NICU on a schedule and we stuck with it. Of course there’s been some changes as their eating & sleeping habits change as they grow and develop. I have to do two – three meals a day, naptime, and bedtime by myself for the twins and my older daughter so schedule and predictability are key for my well-being and theirs too!
Comment by Amanda — March 4, 2009 @ 2:49 pm
They were on the same scheudle up until about 5 months and then my girl twin started sleeping longer and less often, than her brother, who takes more and shorter naps. At first I was not happy, but, I enjoy having time alone with each one, and I move them around the house with me as I do housework and moving one is much easier than two. I wish they slept better at night. They both go down at 730 and wake about 130, and from there they are up 2 to 3 more times.
Comment by kelary — May 13, 2009 @ 10:22 am
With 4 children under three years of age, of which the two youngest ones non-identical twins, a “flexible” scedule was the way to go for us. Flexible in the sense that we have a 10-15 minute flexible time period. It worked – and still works- for our eldest two and so we figured it would work for the twins. Shame that they are sooo different from eachother and that one decided to make fun at night- ALL night. Naps we are not so strict on, but feeding happens simultaneously , always, otherwise we are a 24/7 catering service.
Comment by josine — July 7, 2009 @ 1:36 pm