FAQs

How much did the babies weigh at birth?
Courtney (baby A): 6lb 3oz.   Bennett (baby B): 5lb 13oz. 

How far did you make it in your pregnancy?
38 weeks. To the day.  Could've gone longer - it was a scheduled Cesarean, and I wasn't having any signs of labor.  I wish I could've had a more natural approach, and let my babies come when THEY were ready. Not when the doc said it was time. 

Birth complications?
Courtney had jaundice (like almost all babies do - not something to freak out about).  We just wrapped her in the bilirubin lights blanket, so I could still do skin-to-skin, nurse, and keep her close all the time. 
Bennett had low blood sugar. They tried to give him formula. I had to firmly stand my ground on that one. They even brought my pediatrician in. I insisted we wait another 24 hrs, let him nurse as much as possible, and test again later.  I wish I had just refused the blood sugar tests, but I didn't know I could do that!
Both babies lost quite a bit of their birth weight. So again, I had to fight to make sure they weren't artificially supplemented. With all the IV fluids given during birth, that raises their birth weights, so it looks like they've lost more than they've actually lost after a few days/weeks. 
We stayed in the hospital for 3 days. That was great, because we had some complications with the catheter being removed too early, and resulting bladder hyperextension. Wasn't fun. I'll spare the details. I survived.

Do you love having twins?
YES!  Almost all the time!  And especially right now - when I'd be thinking of getting pregnant again, if I had only had one baby. Two birds with one stone! Very happy to have had our two-for-one deal.  Or maybe it was a two-for-one-and-a-half deal.  =)

Synchronizing schedules?
Every book tells you to do.  But really - these are two different, individual, unique babies. They're not always going to want to eat/play/sleep at the same times.  So I didn't stress about it. We focused on having the same routines, and TRYING to keep them together... but if it gets off - NO BIG DEAL.  I believe firmly in watching the BABIES, NOT the clock. 

Do twins run in your family?  
They do now!  [default answer].  Another form of this question: Were you surprised when you found out? These are transparent attempts to find out whether or not any kind of fertility treatment was used.  Kindof annoying, but I'm not too uptight about it. Twin moms need to stop being so perturbed about people asking personal questions or making inappropriate/stupid comments regarding twins. No one can force us to feel offended or annoyed. We choose how to react. I chose to just feel sorry for these people who obviously lack basic social skills.  So inappropriate questions are fielded off with one-liners and a smile. 
I really don't mind answering sincere inquiries that are of a personal nature though. Open book policy here! 

When did you first try tandem feeding?
The first day!  Didn't plan on that at all. I wanted to nurse them separately to make sure they had good latches. But they were both hungry and wanting me at the same time! What was I supposed to do - tell one to wait?!  I'm SO glad I brought my double boppy pillow to the hospital. I wasn't planning to, but grabbed it last minute.  I guess I could've gotten by with lots of pillows, but the twin boppy is awesome. 

When will you stop breastfeeding?
Definitely way before they go to college. 
Non-sassy answer:  I'd be fine to stop anytime. But I'm happy to give my toddlers the nutritional, emotional, physiologic advantage in life that uniquely comes from extended breastfeeding. Whenever they're ready.  

Do they get along well?
As well as any two toddlers, I think. Actually, better. They sometimes are very sweet to each other - sharing snacks, toys, helping each other, encouraging each other, laughing together... and then sometimes they throw things at each other, HIT, push, steal...  this toddler stage has it's own set of challenges! I can't say it's any easier or harder than the infant stage.  Definitely messier. Definitely more sleep.  I can't imagine what the future holds with twin teenagers!

Any more questions?  Feel free to leave them here and I'm happy to answer!