Conference moira::parenting_v3

    My kids are a year apart..not real twins...but often called "Irish
    Twins". I still hold them both at the same time even though they
    are 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 now. My daughter was 1 when my son was born.
    I held them both then to. I would think it would be easier to hold
    2 little ones then 2 big ones!
    
    You could try wearing one in the snugli, and and hold the other.
    Better yet, don't get a snugli, get a baby sling. Much more comfortable
    for Mom and baby and holds the baby in a cradled position so you
    can look at her. 
    
    I have even seen a picture of a Mother nursing both twins at the same time!
    
    You will learn the tricks...and those little girls will know how
    much you love them .....besides, Dad will hold them too. Just switch
    off. 
                                                   
    Dot

    Why do you assume you can't hold them both at the same time?  Of course
    you can.  When they're real young it's easy to carry them both.  As
    they get older, you sit on the floor and watch them crawl all over you. 
    I am sure they will get plenty of physical contact, between you, your
    husband, and all the other people in your lives.  Stop worrying!
    
    8*)
    

    I have twin girls that are 15 months old and I still hold both of them 
    at the same time.  I don't carry both of them very far but we spend
    lots of time with both sitting in my lap.
    
    You'll learn very quickly how to hold both of them at the same time.
    It is actually pretty easy when they are real young (and yes you can
    breastfeed both at the same time, although I never got very good at
    it).
    
    Good luck!
    
    -kath
    

    A past minister at our church loved to baptize twins.  Whenever he
    baptized a baby he would walk down the aisle of the church with the
    baby so every one could have a look at the baby.  Being the father of
    twins himself he loved to show off the fact that he could carry two at
    once!

    Cynthia-
    
    Blake and Lowell are now almost 6 months old.  It is actually easier to
    hold them both at the same time now, then it was when they were tiny
    and floppy.  However, I don't like holding them both for two reasons:
    	1.  My 3-year old gets left out
    	2.  If one starts to slip, or if I slip, then I have no hands left
            to prevent any serious falls.
    
    I have already had one situation where I had Lowell in my arms, and
    went to pick up Blake.  Lowell slipped thru my arms and when I went to
    catch him, Blake slipped thru.  I managed to catch both without letting
    them fall, but I was a nervous wreck afterwards.  
    
    I prefer putting them in their infant seats, or on the floor, or on the
    bed and getting between them to talk to them.  When I do hold them
    both, it's more for getting them both from point a to point b at the
    same time.  When you hold them both it's difficult to interact with
    either one.
    
    The guilt feelings, that neither is getting the attention, holding,
    cuddling, etc that one would get, do not go away.  But being aware of
    it is half the battle.
    
    Hang in there -

    Cynthia, if I can do it, so can you.  We have two girls now 2 months 
    old, and at first it seemed cumbersome holding and cuddling two at 
    the same time.  Our 2 year old even likes to hold the two girls (don't
    worry, not unassisted!).
    
    Nursing/feeding is different.  Diane is nursing both girls, but not
    simultaneously.  She tried it and she said it was too awkward, and that
    she was not able to give each one the attention she wanted to give. 
    The girls are also being supplemented with formula, so when their
    schedules do collide, one can get formula, and the other the breast.
    
    It can be done, and no they won't break.
    
    Carl - a new father of twins.
    

    For your info:
    
    Cynthia had her twin girls a few months ago.  They were born at
    6 mos of age and were very tiny.
    
    Both girls came home within a week of each other a couple of
    weeks ago.  They seem to be doing fine.
    
    Cynthia is on LOA now.  I'll let her fill in the details when
    she returns.
    
    Diana
    
    OOPS... The girls weren't born 6 months old.  They were 3 months
    premature.

:-)

Thanks for the update, Diana!

     Carol