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twin schedule advice

Teri - posted on 05/14/2012 ( 2 moms have responded )

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looking for advice on my twins schedule - they are 3 mos adjusted (a week short of 5 mos actual). Our current schedule is (approx)
7:15am wake up
8:30-10:15am nap
10:30am feed
11:15am-2:15pm nap
2:30pm feed
3:15pm-5:30pm nap (sometimes they will sleep as long as I let them here)
6:30pm feed and then try to put them to bed
12:30am feed
5:30am feed

Our problem is the girls have a hard time going down for the night after we feed them at 6:30pm.. sometimes they don't even make it through their bottles before they start screaming. They don't usually scream after any other feeds, just this one. It can take us anywhere from 1-2 hours to calm them down and usually involves a lot of walking them around or laying them on a contour pillow.. and half the time they will fall asleep only to wake back up as soon as we put them in their crib. And then sometimes they will fuss numerous times between being put down and the 12:30am and 5:30am feeds. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. And no I'm not at the point yet where I'm willing to let them CIO despite how much my sister says I should =)

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2 Comments

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Ana - posted on 09/01/2012

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Hi Terri, I totally agree with Kim Sarofin.... my twins boys are 22months old and in the beginning it was overwhelming until we put them in a schedule or a routine. I just joined circle of moms today and I saw your post. I never let them CIO.... but I did have to let them cry.... not more than a few mints.at a time and like Kim said going in and checking on them, comforting them by speaking in a very calm manner and just plain reassuring them. I also found that a combination of Johnson & Johnson bedtime bath and lotion (lavender) and Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy (Its called..."sleep"...) it is a lavender and chamomile pillow mist ( I spray a bit in their cribs) and a nice warm bottle before bed works like magic! and again you can try to use all of these tricks but if you are not consistent it will not work..=( remember consistency is the key. I wish you the best a of luck.... keep use posted on your progress.

Kim - posted on 05/14/2012

638

12

I understand your concerns about letting children cry it out. It's heartbreaking to hear a baby/child cry in any situation. I think at that age they still need 3 naps, but they might be able to transition to just 2. Have you tried that?

When mine were that age, I was home alone with them 5 nights a week cause dad worked second shift. So I had to figure out on my own, how to get to crying fussy boys to bed. I kept a perfect routine, and tried every option. CIO was the only successful one.(for me) I never let my kids just cry till they couldn't cry anymore, but I'd give them a bath, get them dressed, tuck them in with kisses and walk out the door. If they did start crying, I'd go back in and rub their heads or back to calm them down. (without talking) Once then were calm again, I'd leave again. I'd keep repeating this until they finally went to sleep. Of course I'd wait a few more minutes everytime I went back in. It took a few weeks to get them totally settled in to self soothing at bedtime. They because great sleepers! they are almost 2 1/2 and still sleep 10-11 hours at night and 2-3 hours in the afternoon.

Unfortunately, due to changes at home, I'm in the middle of sleep training again. Spent 45 minutes tonight getting them to bed, one of them finally learned how to get out of his crib. I had to put him back in 10 times until he finally passed out.

Good luck! And remember, they can't cry blood and won't hurt themselves by doing so.

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