How to get around with twins & older dc?

[Julia'sMom]

I can do the basics, meaning I've adjusted to shopping, dr & dentist appointments, errands and such with all the kids in tow. What I'm having trouble with is fun outings.

The twins are at that stage (5.5 mo) where they can't yet sit or crawl, yet they don't like the stroller and just want to be held all the time. So, I haven't figured out how to get thru a park, mall, splash park, library, etc. visit without someone breaking down. DD1 (almost 4 yo) is still very attached and wants me to do everything with her. She is also timid and needs to hold my hand entering the splash pad. How do I meet her needs without abandoning the twins? How do I meet their needs without abandoning dd1?

I've thought about a double carry. I have a moby wrap, maya wrap ring sling and a snugli (front & back carrier). Is there anyway I can combine those to wear both of them at once? I used to double-wear in the front hold with the moby wrap. However, the babes are getting a bit big for that and tend to protest.

I also want to figure this out so I can plan some playdates for DD1 without me needing the other Mom to help hold a baby and watch the kids. Aaarrggh.

TIA!

[hergrace]

I am not familiar with the details of the wraps you have, but I am wondering whether it is possible to wear one of the wraps under the snugli with the snugli on your back and the other on your front. I used to use a mei tai and a Beco for a front and back carry. I would tie the mei tai onto my body ready for a front carry and then put the Beco on for a back carry. I would put one babe in the Beco and then put the other in the mei tai. I liked having the buckled carrier on my back doing a double carry as I felt more confident. Is there a way you could do something like that with the wraps you have?

HTH

[aja-belly]

one baby in the moby then the ring sling on over that with that baby on your hip should work ok. i would just do one in the moby or sling and then hold the other - but i always felt like i was being strangled if i wore two carriers at once. not to mention once i got all of that on someone always needed to nurse. have you tried any outtings like that with the babies in the stroller? for my twins when we were doing interesting things like that they didn't mind the stroller as much.

[MeniacleBrat]

Lurking (mom of many but not multiples).... I would wear Sami and Kasi at the same time when Kasi was your little one's age. I had a wrap and a mai tai. This is what I would do...

I would tie the mai tai around my waist so it was behind me (for a back carry) then I would put the baby on with the wrap in a front carry. Once all the straps were secured and I had the baby in place nice and secure, I would put Sami on my back and carry her with a back-pack tie. I was able to carry both girls (they are 15 months apart) with no problem!

I hope this helps!
Back to lurking!

[childsplay]

Personally, I wouldn't stress about it too much right now. In another month or so they'll be sitting up and things will be a lot easier.

I have, when my twins were babes, worn my smaller one on my chest in the Bjorn, and my bigger one on my back in the mai tai while my older (2year old) played. I only did that maybe three times though. It was wayyyyyy to hot, even at the splash pad. (we lived in a hot climate though)

Usually what I ended up doing was carrying one and leaving the other in the stroller, and switching up now and then. Or carrying the fussy one.

But then they learned to sit and things got a lot easier. At the playground I'd sit them in the sand near the swings so they could watch the back and forth, and at the splash pad I'd just sit them on the ground, they'd get soaked but were fascinated by all the action.

I'd just give it a bit of time : )

[Julia'sMom]

Thanks for the replies! I have some things to experiment with now. I may want to get a MaiTai it seems like. I have tried outings like this and their not disasters if I keep it to an hour maximum. It only works because I can hold ds (the fussy one) while dd2 stays in the stroller. She'll only stay since she's addicted to the pacifier (which ds refuses) and will keep somewhat happy as long as I keep her plugged. :

I agree with getting settled in the wraps and then needing to nurse. Since they still nurse every 2 hours, that's a distinct possibility.

Hopefully childsplay is right and this stage goes quickly. It is hot here to carry both and I'm afraid my muscles are not keeping up with the weight gain of the kids.