Gutierrez Family
What, exactly, do moms with twins experience? Neapolitan Family writer Anna Snyder spoke with two moms in Naples about their experience with twins.
Lindsey Touchette
Anna: Tell me about your family.
Lindsey: My husband, Nate, and I have four-year-old twins named Addisyn and Gavin. We love being outdoors, doing crafts, and boating, and we are very active in our church.
How did you feel when you first found out you were having twins?
We found out that we were having twins during our first appointment! The ultra-sound tech didn’t waste any time. She said, “Here’s baby A, and here’s baby B.” Nate thought that she was kidding at first, but I was not surprised. My grandmother is a fraternal twin, so I always thought I’d have a good chance of having them, too. We were both so excited and couldn’t wait.
What do you enjoy about having twins?
Everything is double the fun, laughs, and love. We have so much fun together, and watching them grow and learn is amazing. Everything takes additional planning and virtually everything is made for someone with one baby. I don’t necessarily think everything about having twins is more difficult—everyone has their own unique challenges as a parent. With twins, there is just one more of everything and much less sleep. Nursing for multiples is more difficult.
How do you think your experience is different to that of other moms?
I draw on patience a lot, and am always trying to use everything as an opportunity to teach them. With two, it’s important to get a break. My husband and I know when it’s time for the other person to take over.
Do you have any advice for moms expecting multiples?
You will need help, so take what you can get! We were lucky to have family to help us when our twins were first born. I was determined to nurse them, and without help. That would have been so easy to give up on, especially as I was only getting a 10-minute nap between feedings the first couple weeks.
My best advice is to cherish every single moment. Write down the highlights at the end of the day, and ask questions of ANY mom of multiples you can find.
Julie Gutierrez
Anna: Tell me about your family.
Julie: My husband, Carlos, and I have a six-year-old boy named Marcos and three-year-old twin boys named Lucas and Mateo.
How did you feel when you first found out you were having twins?
We couldn’t believe it. The fact that we had twins didn’t really sink in until Lucas and Mateo were about three months old. We were thrilled, though, especially since in between pregnancies, we had gone through a miscarriage. Having twins gave us so much joy.
What do you enjoy about having twins?
I love having twins! We all have so much fun together. I enjoy dressing all of my boys alike. My oldest loves to match with his brothers. The boys all play well together now that they are older. It is so much fun that they all have each other as playmates.
What do you wish others knew about what it’s like to be a mom of multiples?
I wish people knew how stressful it can be to have two young children the same age. I have kids running in all different directions. It’s hard to discipline all three of them. Yes, I get it done, but sometimes I have to rush because I never know what the others are doing!
How do you think your experience is different and/or similar to that of other moms?
I think that my experience as a mom is shaped by the fact that I have all boys in my home. Our house is very wild, crazy, loud, and fun.
Do you have any advice for moms expecting mulitples?
Buy lots of cribs sheets and waterproof liners. The first night we were home, we laid them on layers of towels instead of directly on the sheet. Otherwise, we would have changed the crib sheets a total of four times the first night! Having multiples is hard, and the lack of sleep is difficult. Rely on any help you can get!