Changing sleeping habits

[The Huwe Family]

I need help!!

We have all triplets home from the hospital as of October 10. While they
were in the hospital they were on a very strict routine of being fed every 4
hours. (at 2, 6 and 10). Now that they are home, we have tried to keep them
pretty much to the same schedule. However, here is my dilemma.

The babies sleep all day, and then are up crying and wanting to be held all
night. I can't hold three at once comfortably. My DH helps as much as he
can, but sleep deprivation at work can be dangerous. My mom is staying with
us to help also, but I don't like handing her a screaming kid every night.

We have tried keeping the babies awake in the evening until around an hour
before bed time, but that doesn't seem to be working. I know the babies are
only 3 1/2 weeks old, but does anyone have any suggestion to get them to
change their wake/sleeping pattern???

(oh by the way, they sleep great on the couch or in bed with me, they cry
when they go in their bed) I don't like to have them sleep with me. Our bed
isn't big enough, and my husband would end up killing one by rolling over on
him/her. As a result, I have them sleep along the other side of me, which
scares me about them rolling off of the bed (one did just the other night.
Thank God, he fell on soft cushy pillows.)

--
Thanks,
Rob & Gayle Huwe
/

[David desJardins]

"The Huwe Family" writes:
> The babies sleep all day, and then are up crying and wanting to be
> held all night. I can't hold three at once comfortably. My DH helps
> as much as he can, but sleep deprivation at work can be dangerous. My
> mom is staying with us to help also, but I don't like handing her a
> screaming kid every night.

Why don't you want to give your mom the crying babies? Isn't that
exactly what she's there for? I really suggest that you take advantage
of all of the help you can get.

> We have tried keeping the babies awake in the evening until around an
> hour before bed time, but that doesn't seem to be working. I know the
> babies are only 3 1/2 weeks old, but does anyone have any suggestion
> to get them to change their wake/sleeping pattern???

Not really. We never tried to do that. We just slept when they slept.
It seems to me that it would actually be easier to have them mostly
awake during the night than during the day, because you do have your
husband there (even if he's only limited help), and you can sleep during
the day when they sleep. I know some people have a lot of trouble
sleeping other than regular night shifts, though.

> (oh by the way, they sleep great on the couch or in bed with me, they
> cry when they go in their bed) I don't like to have them sleep with
> me. Our bed isn't big enough, and my husband would end up killing one
> by rolling over on him/her. As a result, I have them sleep along the
> other side of me, which scares me about them rolling off of the bed
> (one did just the other night. Thank God, he fell on soft cushy
> pillows.)

For what it's worth, there was a recent study with data that indicates
that infants who are cosleeping are much more likely to be killed by
"entrapment" (e.g., falling off the edge of the bed and getting wedged
between the bed and a piece of furniture, or getting wedged between the
pillows of a couch) than by "overlaying" (i.e., having someone roll on
top of them).

You can get a "co-sleeper", which is like a crib with an open side,
which you put up alongside your bed (and I think they attach to the bed
in some way, to extend it). If you really don't feel there's enough
room in your bed, I really do think you should be very careful with
small infants there. I know one family who just slept on a big mattress
on the floor.

David desJardins

[David desJardins]

"The Huwe Family" writes:
> The babies sleep all day, and then are up crying and wanting to be
> held all night. I can't hold three at once comfortably. My DH helps
> as much as he can, but sleep deprivation at work can be dangerous. My
> mom is staying with us to help also, but I don't like handing her a
> screaming kid every night.

Why don't you want to give your mom the crying babies? Isn't that
exactly what she's there for? I really suggest that you take advantage
of all of the help you can get.

> We have tried keeping the babies awake in the evening until around an
> hour before bed time, but that doesn't seem to be working. I know the
> babies are only 3 1/2 weeks old, but does anyone have any suggestion
> to get them to change their wake/sleeping pattern???

Not really. We never tried to do that. We just slept when they slept.
It seems to me that it would actually be easier to have them mostly
awake during the night than during the day, because you do have your
husband there (even if he's only limited help), and you can sleep during
the day when they sleep. I know some people have a lot of trouble
sleeping other than regular night shifts, though.

> (oh by the way, they sleep great on the couch or in bed with me, they
> cry when they go in their bed) I don't like to have them sleep with
> me. Our bed isn't big enough, and my husband would end up killing one
> by rolling over on him/her. As a result, I have them sleep along the
> other side of me, which scares me about them rolling off of the bed
> (one did just the other night. Thank God, he fell on soft cushy
> pillows.)

For what it's worth, there was a recent study with data that indicates
that infants who are cosleeping are much more likely to be killed by
"entrapment" (e.g., falling off the edge of the bed and getting wedged
between the bed and a piece of furniture, or getting wedged between the
pillows of a couch) than by "overlaying" (i.e., having someone roll on
top of them).

You can get a "co-sleeper", which is like a crib with an open side,
which you put up alongside your bed (and I think they attach to the bed
in some way, to extend it). If you really don't feel there's enough
room in your bed, I really do think you should be very careful with
small infants there. I know one family who just slept on a big mattress
on the floor.

David desJardins

[Twinzmommie]

Wow! You certainly do seem to be having a rough time.

I had some of the same problems you have described. First being my DH had to
be able to to go to work and function every day. Sleeping when the babies were
sleeping was not really happening for me either. I found it impossible to turn
myself on and off like that in terms of sleep. Believe me I did try! I guess
others are able to do it. Good for them.

When both of my babies came home from the hospital they were feeding every 3-4
hours. Two things that seemed to help me were, making sure they got their
daytime feedings in. Even if it meant waking them up to feed. The other thing
that really helped was giving them a nice warm bath late in the evening. DH
and I would bath them between 11-12 at night feed them and put them down. I
found after a few days of doing this as a routine, they would sleep for 4 hour
stretches at night.

It worked out really well until my daughters colic set in, but that is an
entirely different issue.

<< I can't hold three at once comfortably. >><BR><BR>

I can understand why! Have you tried propping the babies around you in say a
boppy pillow while you are feeding them? Keeping them close to you, but not
exactly in your arms. You could sing or talk softly to them while stroking
them, this way they could still feel connected to you.

I do agree that cosleeping with them is not a good idea at this stage. It is
just too risky. The side co-sleeper might be just thing while they are still
very small. I hope you will look into it.

Good luck!

Michelle
Mommy to Riley Claire & James Michael

[Twinzmommie]

Wow! You certainly do seem to be having a rough time.

I had some of the same problems you have described. First being my DH had to
be able to to go to work and function every day. Sleeping when the babies were
sleeping was not really happening for me either. I found it impossible to turn
myself on and off like that in terms of sleep. Believe me I did try! I guess
others are able to do it. Good for them.

When both of my babies came home from the hospital they were feeding every 3-4
hours. Two things that seemed to help me were, making sure they got their
daytime feedings in. Even if it meant waking them up to feed. The other thing
that really helped was giving them a nice warm bath late in the evening. DH
and I would bath them between 11-12 at night feed them and put them down. I
found after a few days of doing this as a routine, they would sleep for 4 hour
stretches at night.

It worked out really well until my daughters colic set in, but that is an
entirely different issue.

<< I can't hold three at once comfortably. >><BR><BR>

I can understand why! Have you tried propping the babies around you in say a
boppy pillow while you are feeding them? Keeping them close to you, but not
exactly in your arms. You could sing or talk softly to them while stroking
them, this way they could still feel connected to you.

I do agree that cosleeping with them is not a good idea at this stage. It is
just too risky. The side co-sleeper might be just thing while they are still
very small. I hope you will look into it.

Good luck!

Michelle
Mommy to Riley Claire & James Michael

[Fer]

The Huwe Family wrote:
|| I need help!!
||
|| We have all triplets home from the hospital as of October 10. While
|| they were in the hospital they were on a very strict routine of
|| being fed every 4 hours. (at 2, 6 and 10). Now that they are home,
|| we have tried to keep them pretty much to the same schedule.
|| However, here is my dilemma.
||
|| The babies sleep all day, and then are up crying and wanting to be
|| held all night. I can't hold three at once comfortably. My DH
|| helps as much as he can, but sleep deprivation at work can be
|| dangerous. My mom is staying with us to help also, but I don't like
|| handing her a screaming kid every night.
||
|| We have tried keeping the babies awake in the evening until around
|| an hour before bed time, but that doesn't seem to be working. I
|| know the babies are only 3 1/2 weeks old, but does anyone have any
|| suggestion to get them to change their wake/sleeping pattern???
||
|| (oh by the way, they sleep great on the couch or in bed with me,
|| they cry when they go in their bed) I don't like to have them sleep
|| with me. Our bed isn't big enough, and my husband would end up
|| killing one by rolling over on him/her. As a result, I have them
|| sleep along the other side of me, which scares me about them rolling
|| off of the bed (one did just the other night. Thank God, he fell on
|| soft cushy pillows.)
||
|| --
|| Thanks,
|| Rob & Gayle Huwe
|| /

Hi Gayle!

Although i have absolutely no experience with multiples I just wanted to say
HI! I was thinking about you all today and checked your site for an update
(like you have time for that! LOL). I lurk here because I'd love to have
twins :-)
Anyways ....I hope all goes well for you!
~~~Cheers!~~~
Jenn-WAHM-DS11-DD6-TTC#3

[Fer]

The Huwe Family wrote:
|| I need help!!
||
|| We have all triplets home from the hospital as of October 10. While
|| they were in the hospital they were on a very strict routine of
|| being fed every 4 hours. (at 2, 6 and 10). Now that they are home,
|| we have tried to keep them pretty much to the same schedule.
|| However, here is my dilemma.
||
|| The babies sleep all day, and then are up crying and wanting to be
|| held all night. I can't hold three at once comfortably. My DH
|| helps as much as he can, but sleep deprivation at work can be
|| dangerous. My mom is staying with us to help also, but I don't like
|| handing her a screaming kid every night.
||
|| We have tried keeping the babies awake in the evening until around
|| an hour before bed time, but that doesn't seem to be working. I
|| know the babies are only 3 1/2 weeks old, but does anyone have any
|| suggestion to get them to change their wake/sleeping pattern???
||
|| (oh by the way, they sleep great on the couch or in bed with me,
|| they cry when they go in their bed) I don't like to have them sleep
|| with me. Our bed isn't big enough, and my husband would end up
|| killing one by rolling over on him/her. As a result, I have them
|| sleep along the other side of me, which scares me about them rolling
|| off of the bed (one did just the other night. Thank God, he fell on
|| soft cushy pillows.)
||
|| --
|| Thanks,
|| Rob & Gayle Huwe
|| /

Hi Gayle!

Although i have absolutely no experience with multiples I just wanted to say
HI! I was thinking about you all today and checked your site for an update
(like you have time for that! LOL). I lurk here because I'd love to have
twins :-)
Anyways ....I hope all goes well for you!
~~~Cheers!~~~
Jenn-WAHM-DS11-DD6-TTC#3

[shirley]

The one thing that helped me a lot was the double (and I bet they make
triple) bouncers. It was like little sleeping hammocks side by side
together with PVC. I don't think I could have lived without it. You could
bounce both of them at the same time. This is also where they slept
sometimes. The bouncy seats were comfortable. Also, are you still
swaddling them? I ended up getting two Moses baskets to put the twins in
and then put them in the bed (in the basket). They slept very well snuggled
tightly and surrounded by sides. I put a pillow on the bottom (hard not
soft), and a sheet over that tucked under the basket. It worked fine. The
sleep times will change soon. I found the night day thing switched
somewhere about a month. Also, do follow the suggestion about your mom and
the crying babies. She wants to help, she must be able to hush a crying
baby at sometime, she's a mom. She's there for your support so don't usurp
her help.

Good luck, congrats and just when you think it's under control, - it will
change!

Shirley
Chris and Kathleen 1/95

"The Huwe Family" > wrote in message
.com...
> I need help!!
>
> We have all triplets home from the hospital as of October 10. While they
> were in the hospital they were on a very strict routine of being fed every
4
> hours. (at 2, 6 and 10). Now that they are home, we have tried to keep
them
> pretty much to the same schedule. However, here is my dilemma.
>
> The babies sleep all day, and then are up crying and wanting to be held
all
> night. I can't hold three at once comfortably. My DH helps as much as he
> can, but sleep deprivation at work can be dangerous. My mom is staying
with
> us to help also, but I don't like handing her a screaming kid every night.
>
> We have tried keeping the babies awake in the evening until around an hour
> before bed time, but that doesn't seem to be working. I know the babies
are
> only 3 1/2 weeks old, but does anyone have any suggestion to get them to
> change their wake/sleeping pattern???
>
> (oh by the way, they sleep great on the couch or in bed with me, they cry
> when they go in their bed) I don't like to have them sleep with me. Our
bed
> isn't big enough, and my husband would end up killing one by rolling over
on
> him/her. As a result, I have them sleep along the other side of me, which
> scares me about them rolling off of the bed (one did just the other night.
> Thank God, he fell on soft cushy pillows.)
>
> --
> Thanks,
> Rob & Gayle Huwe
> /
>
>

[shirley]

The one thing that helped me a lot was the double (and I bet they make
triple) bouncers. It was like little sleeping hammocks side by side
together with PVC. I don't think I could have lived without it. You could
bounce both of them at the same time. This is also where they slept
sometimes. The bouncy seats were comfortable. Also, are you still
swaddling them? I ended up getting two Moses baskets to put the twins in
and then put them in the bed (in the basket). They slept very well snuggled
tightly and surrounded by sides. I put a pillow on the bottom (hard not
soft), and a sheet over that tucked under the basket. It worked fine. The
sleep times will change soon. I found the night day thing switched
somewhere about a month. Also, do follow the suggestion about your mom and
the crying babies. She wants to help, she must be able to hush a crying
baby at sometime, she's a mom. She's there for your support so don't usurp
her help.

Good luck, congrats and just when you think it's under control, - it will
change!

Shirley
Chris and Kathleen 1/95

"The Huwe Family" > wrote in message
.com...
> I need help!!
>
> We have all triplets home from the hospital as of October 10. While they
> were in the hospital they were on a very strict routine of being fed every
4
> hours. (at 2, 6 and 10). Now that they are home, we have tried to keep
them
> pretty much to the same schedule. However, here is my dilemma.
>
> The babies sleep all day, and then are up crying and wanting to be held
all
> night. I can't hold three at once comfortably. My DH helps as much as he
> can, but sleep deprivation at work can be dangerous. My mom is staying
with
> us to help also, but I don't like handing her a screaming kid every night.
>
> We have tried keeping the babies awake in the evening until around an hour
> before bed time, but that doesn't seem to be working. I know the babies
are
> only 3 1/2 weeks old, but does anyone have any suggestion to get them to
> change their wake/sleeping pattern???
>
> (oh by the way, they sleep great on the couch or in bed with me, they cry
> when they go in their bed) I don't like to have them sleep with me. Our
bed
> isn't big enough, and my husband would end up killing one by rolling over
on
> him/her. As a result, I have them sleep along the other side of me, which
> scares me about them rolling off of the bed (one did just the other night.
> Thank God, he fell on soft cushy pillows.)
>
> --
> Thanks,
> Rob & Gayle Huwe
> /
>
>

[TwinMom]

One thing you didn't mention (or I missed it) is Where the babes are
sleeping. Do they have their own beds, or are they sharing one crib. If they
are NOT sharing, I'd recommend it immediately! Think about it, they've had
close physical contact for 9 months or so - I think they still crave it. My
twin sons screamed bloody murder the first night we got home from the
hospital and put them into their separate cribs. I still remember my MIL (a
Saint!) and I sitting half-up in our bed, each holding a baby on our chests
to get them to sleep that first night. Neither one of us got more than a few
minutes at a time. The next night, they were swaddled (also a must-see
below) and placed next to each other in one crib and they literally slept
like babies. They also taught us how to properly swaddle at the hospital.
You start with a triangular sort of folded blanket with the head at the
longest flat side, fold the bottom point from the feet up to the upper
chest, below the chin, then tuck each side in, under and around the babies -
sort of like a baby burrito. The only thing you see sticking out is their
head and neck - they arms, legs and torso is all inside the blanket.
Something about this swaddling makes newborns feel very secure. At least
that's what worked for our babies. My boys shared a crib until they were
about 5-6 months old and could move enough to bump into each other.

Good Luck!!

[TwinMom]

One thing you didn't mention (or I missed it) is Where the babes are
sleeping. Do they have their own beds, or are they sharing one crib. If they
are NOT sharing, I'd recommend it immediately! Think about it, they've had
close physical contact for 9 months or so - I think they still crave it. My
twin sons screamed bloody murder the first night we got home from the
hospital and put them into their separate cribs. I still remember my MIL (a
Saint!) and I sitting half-up in our bed, each holding a baby on our chests
to get them to sleep that first night. Neither one of us got more than a few
minutes at a time. The next night, they were swaddled (also a must-see
below) and placed next to each other in one crib and they literally slept
like babies. They also taught us how to properly swaddle at the hospital.
You start with a triangular sort of folded blanket with the head at the
longest flat side, fold the bottom point from the feet up to the upper
chest, below the chin, then tuck each side in, under and around the babies -
sort of like a baby burrito. The only thing you see sticking out is their
head and neck - they arms, legs and torso is all inside the blanket.
Something about this swaddling makes newborns feel very secure. At least
that's what worked for our babies. My boys shared a crib until they were
about 5-6 months old and could move enough to bump into each other.

Good Luck!!

[Cindy Senger]

You've already gotten some great suggestions. I'll add one more. When they
are sleeping during the day make it in a light room with noise. Let some
sunshine in and turn on the tv. Talk to them lots when they are awake during
the day. Make the last feeding before bed as quiet and calm as possible and
do it with as little light as possible-- like a nightlight. Eventually they
will get the day/night thing.

-Cindy (mom to Ashlyn and Allyson 6/99 and Jenna 6/03)

In article >,
says...
>
>I need help!!
>
>We have all triplets home from the hospital as of October 10. While they
>were in the hospital they were on a very strict routine of being fed every 4
>hours. (at 2, 6 and 10). Now that they are home, we have tried to keep them
>pretty much to the same schedule. However, here is my dilemma.
>
>The babies sleep all day, and then are up crying and wanting to be held all
>night. I can't hold three at once comfortably. My DH helps as much as he
>can, but sleep deprivation at work can be dangerous. My mom is staying with
>us to help also, but I don't like handing her a screaming kid every night.
>
>We have tried keeping the babies awake in the evening until around an hour
>before bed time, but that doesn't seem to be working. I know the babies are
>only 3 1/2 weeks old, but does anyone have any suggestion to get them to
>change their wake/sleeping pattern???
>
>(oh by the way, they sleep great on the couch or in bed with me, they cry
>when they go in their bed) I don't like to have them sleep with me. Our bed
>isn't big enough, and my husband would end up killing one by rolling over on
>him/her. As a result, I have them sleep along the other side of me, which
>scares me about them rolling off of the bed (one did just the other night.
>Thank God, he fell on soft cushy pillows.)
>
>--
>Thanks,
>Rob & Gayle Huwe
/
>
>

[Cindy Senger]

You've already gotten some great suggestions. I'll add one more. When they
are sleeping during the day make it in a light room with noise. Let some
sunshine in and turn on the tv. Talk to them lots when they are awake during
the day. Make the last feeding before bed as quiet and calm as possible and
do it with as little light as possible-- like a nightlight. Eventually they
will get the day/night thing.

-Cindy (mom to Ashlyn and Allyson 6/99 and Jenna 6/03)

In article >,
says...
>
>I need help!!
>
>We have all triplets home from the hospital as of October 10. While they
>were in the hospital they were on a very strict routine of being fed every 4
>hours. (at 2, 6 and 10). Now that they are home, we have tried to keep them
>pretty much to the same schedule. However, here is my dilemma.
>
>The babies sleep all day, and then are up crying and wanting to be held all
>night. I can't hold three at once comfortably. My DH helps as much as he
>can, but sleep deprivation at work can be dangerous. My mom is staying with
>us to help also, but I don't like handing her a screaming kid every night.
>
>We have tried keeping the babies awake in the evening until around an hour
>before bed time, but that doesn't seem to be working. I know the babies are
>only 3 1/2 weeks old, but does anyone have any suggestion to get them to
>change their wake/sleeping pattern???
>
>(oh by the way, they sleep great on the couch or in bed with me, they cry
>when they go in their bed) I don't like to have them sleep with me. Our bed
>isn't big enough, and my husband would end up killing one by rolling over on
>him/her. As a result, I have them sleep along the other side of me, which
>scares me about them rolling off of the bed (one did just the other night.
>Thank God, he fell on soft cushy pillows.)
>
>--
>Thanks,
>Rob & Gayle Huwe
/
>
>

[multimom4]

Very Important To Stress:

- swaddle
- for goodness sake, let your Mom help and give her time off during the day
to catch up on her sleep (or if you really can't do that then YOU nap during
the day and let her take the load)
- don't co-sleep
- noise around during the day, silence and near-pitch dark at night -- no
talking, tv, lamps, radio ...
- unless poopy, don't change diapers at night -- feed, burp and put back
down in that silent near-dark

If not breast feeding, btw, then get your dh to pitch in more on weekends.
For us, I did the 11pm feed and DH did the 3am. He went to bed right after
the 7pm feed ended (9:15 or so) so he got almost six hours. And again if
poss, juggle DH's daily schedule so that he can feed at least one baby
before he leaves for work / right before he sleeps / as soon as he gets
home. If BF, then consider pumping so you can get help from bottle feeders
now and again (like on Fri and Sat nights or whenever DH doesn't have to
work the next day).

In the first weeks when Hanna would *not* sleep in a crib at night, we had a
lot of success with her in a swing (set VERY low), a vibrating bouncy seat,
a car seat, always swaddled as best could be.

I remember this horrible time very clearly -- but honestly, it DOES pass
before too long. E and C slept thru (defined as midnight to about 6:45) at
about 13 weeks. So you are 1/4 or more of the way there and when even one
baby s to go longer things will start looking up all round

--Janet
Elliot, Hanna, Connor (10/21/96)
and Holly (4/4/01)


"The Huwe Family" > wrote in message
.com...
> I need help!!
>
> We have all triplets home from the hospital as of October 10. While they
> were in the hospital they were on a very strict routine of being fed every
4
> hours. (at 2, 6 and 10). Now that they are home, we have tried to keep
them
> pretty much to the same schedule. However, here is my dilemma.
>
> The babies sleep all day, and then are up crying and wanting to be held
all
> night. I can't hold three at once comfortably. My DH helps as much as he
> can, but sleep deprivation at work can be dangerous. My mom is staying
with
> us to help also, but I don't like handing her a screaming kid every night.
>
> We have tried keeping the babies awake in the evening until around an hour
> before bed time, but that doesn't seem to be working. I know the babies
are
> only 3 1/2 weeks old, but does anyone have any suggestion to get them to
> change their wake/sleeping pattern???
>
> (oh by the way, they sleep great on the couch or in bed with me, they cry
> when they go in their bed) I don't like to have them sleep with me. Our
bed
> isn't big enough, and my husband would end up killing one by rolling over
on
> him/her. As a result, I have them sleep along the other side of me, which
> scares me about them rolling off of the bed (one did just the other night.
> Thank God, he fell on soft cushy pillows.)
>
> --
> Thanks,
> Rob & Gayle Huwe
> /
>
>

[multimom4]

Very Important To Stress:

- swaddle
- for goodness sake, let your Mom help and give her time off during the day
to catch up on her sleep (or if you really can't do that then YOU nap during
the day and let her take the load)
- don't co-sleep
- noise around during the day, silence and near-pitch dark at night -- no
talking, tv, lamps, radio ...
- unless poopy, don't change diapers at night -- feed, burp and put back
down in that silent near-dark

If not breast feeding, btw, then get your dh to pitch in more on weekends.
For us, I did the 11pm feed and DH did the 3am. He went to bed right after
the 7pm feed ended (9:15 or so) so he got almost six hours. And again if
poss, juggle DH's daily schedule so that he can feed at least one baby
before he leaves for work / right before he sleeps / as soon as he gets
home. If BF, then consider pumping so you can get help from bottle feeders
now and again (like on Fri and Sat nights or whenever DH doesn't have to
work the next day).

In the first weeks when Hanna would *not* sleep in a crib at night, we had a
lot of success with her in a swing (set VERY low), a vibrating bouncy seat,
a car seat, always swaddled as best could be.

I remember this horrible time very clearly -- but honestly, it DOES pass
before too long. E and C slept thru (defined as midnight to about 6:45) at
about 13 weeks. So you are 1/4 or more of the way there and when even one
baby s to go longer things will start looking up all round

--Janet
Elliot, Hanna, Connor (10/21/96)
and Holly (4/4/01)


"The Huwe Family" > wrote in message
.com...
> I need help!!
>
> We have all triplets home from the hospital as of October 10. While they
> were in the hospital they were on a very strict routine of being fed every
4
> hours. (at 2, 6 and 10). Now that they are home, we have tried to keep
them
> pretty much to the same schedule. However, here is my dilemma.
>
> The babies sleep all day, and then are up crying and wanting to be held
all
> night. I can't hold three at once comfortably. My DH helps as much as he
> can, but sleep deprivation at work can be dangerous. My mom is staying
with
> us to help also, but I don't like handing her a screaming kid every night.
>
> We have tried keeping the babies awake in the evening until around an hour
> before bed time, but that doesn't seem to be working. I know the babies
are
> only 3 1/2 weeks old, but does anyone have any suggestion to get them to
> change their wake/sleeping pattern???
>
> (oh by the way, they sleep great on the couch or in bed with me, they cry
> when they go in their bed) I don't like to have them sleep with me. Our
bed
> isn't big enough, and my husband would end up killing one by rolling over
on
> him/her. As a result, I have them sleep along the other side of me, which
> scares me about them rolling off of the bed (one did just the other night.
> Thank God, he fell on soft cushy pillows.)
>
> --
> Thanks,
> Rob & Gayle Huwe
> /
>
>

[The Huwe Family]

I want to thank those of you who responded with tips and encouragement. I
obviously am stressed out and need help. However, those who sent notes with
criticism of how I am doing things wrong, please read the post. If I was
claiming to be doing everything correctly, then you could voice your opinion
on what I was doing wrong. When I'm asking for help, obviously I KNOW I am
not doing it right, otherwise I wouldn't be asking for help. A stressed out
mom needs encouragement and tips, not criticism.

As a response to some of your questions:

- Yes the babies are being swaddled.
- They are cosleeping in a bed in our room next to our bed. - However, the
hospitals did NOT co-bed them (I'm not sure why and couldn't
get any clear answers from them.) So, I'm not sure if the hospital
screwed it up for them in that aspect. They seem to sleep fine together
on the couch downstairs.
- Yes, my mom is here to help, and I do use her all the time. As I said, I
don't LIKE handing her a screaming kid every night. It has gotten to the
point where she just takes one of the boys to bed with her when she goes.
(It's the boys who generally cause the nightly disruptions) She's not
getting a lot of sleep, we're not getting a lot of sleep. And there isn't
enough time during the day for us to take good naps, because generally when
the babies are sleeping on the couch, there is one that starts crying and
needs to be held, causing another one to start in. The babies keep us
pretty busy throughout the day. It's like I have to choose whether I want
to use my brief free time to take a shower, or to take a nap, because I
don't have time for both.
- I am NOT happy with them sleeping with me. It scares me. I have read all
of the studies and heard the statistics too. However, that seems to be the
only way to keep them sleeping throughout the night other than just holding
them. Just holding them is not an option because I am so exhausted that I
am at risk of dropping the baby.


"The Huwe Family" > wrote in message
.com...
> I need help!!
>
> We have all triplets home from the hospital as of October 10. While they
> were in the hospital they were on a very strict routine of being fed every
4
> hours. (at 2, 6 and 10). Now that they are home, we have tried to keep
them
> pretty much to the same schedule. However, here is my dilemma.
>
> The babies sleep all day, and then are up crying and wanting to be held
all
> night. I can't hold three at once comfortably. My DH helps as much as he
> can, but sleep deprivation at work can be dangerous. My mom is staying
with
> us to help also, but I don't like handing her a screaming kid every night.
>
> We have tried keeping the babies awake in the evening until around an hour
> before bed time, but that doesn't seem to be working. I know the babies
are
> only 3 1/2 weeks old, but does anyone have any suggestion to get them to
> change their wake/sleeping pattern???
>
> (oh by the way, they sleep great on the couch or in bed with me, they cry
> when they go in their bed) I don't like to have them sleep with me. Our
bed
> isn't big enough, and my husband would end up killing one by rolling over
on
> him/her. As a result, I have them sleep along the other side of me, which
> scares me about them rolling off of the bed (one did just the other night.
> Thank God, he fell on soft cushy pillows.)
>
> --
> Thanks,
> Rob & Gayle Huwe
> /
>
>

[The Huwe Family]

I want to thank those of you who responded with tips and encouragement. I
obviously am stressed out and need help. However, those who sent notes with
criticism of how I am doing things wrong, please read the post. If I was
claiming to be doing everything correctly, then you could voice your opinion
on what I was doing wrong. When I'm asking for help, obviously I KNOW I am
not doing it right, otherwise I wouldn't be asking for help. A stressed out
mom needs encouragement and tips, not criticism.

As a response to some of your questions:

- Yes the babies are being swaddled.
- They are cosleeping in a bed in our room next to our bed. - However, the
hospitals did NOT co-bed them (I'm not sure why and couldn't
get any clear answers from them.) So, I'm not sure if the hospital
screwed it up for them in that aspect. They seem to sleep fine together
on the couch downstairs.
- Yes, my mom is here to help, and I do use her all the time. As I said, I
don't LIKE handing her a screaming kid every night. It has gotten to the
point where she just takes one of the boys to bed with her when she goes.
(It's the boys who generally cause the nightly disruptions) She's not
getting a lot of sleep, we're not getting a lot of sleep. And there isn't
enough time during the day for us to take good naps, because generally when
the babies are sleeping on the couch, there is one that starts crying and
needs to be held, causing another one to start in. The babies keep us
pretty busy throughout the day. It's like I have to choose whether I want
to use my brief free time to take a shower, or to take a nap, because I
don't have time for both.
- I am NOT happy with them sleeping with me. It scares me. I have read all
of the studies and heard the statistics too. However, that seems to be the
only way to keep them sleeping throughout the night other than just holding
them. Just holding them is not an option because I am so exhausted that I
am at risk of dropping the baby.


"The Huwe Family" > wrote in message
.com...
> I need help!!
>
> We have all triplets home from the hospital as of October 10. While they
> were in the hospital they were on a very strict routine of being fed every
4
> hours. (at 2, 6 and 10). Now that they are home, we have tried to keep
them
> pretty much to the same schedule. However, here is my dilemma.
>
> The babies sleep all day, and then are up crying and wanting to be held
all
> night. I can't hold three at once comfortably. My DH helps as much as he
> can, but sleep deprivation at work can be dangerous. My mom is staying
with
> us to help also, but I don't like handing her a screaming kid every night.
>
> We have tried keeping the babies awake in the evening until around an hour
> before bed time, but that doesn't seem to be working. I know the babies
are
> only 3 1/2 weeks old, but does anyone have any suggestion to get them to
> change their wake/sleeping pattern???
>
> (oh by the way, they sleep great on the couch or in bed with me, they cry
> when they go in their bed) I don't like to have them sleep with me. Our
bed
> isn't big enough, and my husband would end up killing one by rolling over
on
> him/her. As a result, I have them sleep along the other side of me, which
> scares me about them rolling off of the bed (one did just the other night.
> Thank God, he fell on soft cushy pillows.)
>
> --
> Thanks,
> Rob & Gayle Huwe
> /
>
>

[Twinzmommie]

<< It's like I have to choose whether I want
to use my brief free time to take a shower, or to take a nap, because I
don't have time for both. >><BR><BR>

I can certainly remember those days! I am sorry you felt judged or critized.
I am sure things are tough enough for you without having to deal with that.

Good luck with getting some well needed rest!
Michelle
Mommy to Riley Claire & James Michael

[Twinzmommie]

<< It's like I have to choose whether I want
to use my brief free time to take a shower, or to take a nap, because I
don't have time for both. >><BR><BR>

I can certainly remember those days! I am sorry you felt judged or critized.
I am sure things are tough enough for you without having to deal with that.

Good luck with getting some well needed rest!
Michelle
Mommy to Riley Claire & James Michael

[Kimme mik]

Hi Gayle and Triplets!
Sounds like you could really use a good nights sleep! I'm with you
there. The twins wake up every 3 hours on the hour to eat, 24/7. Luckly,
they eat and are back to sleep quickly.
Evenngs are the hardest. We keep the girls up from about 6-7 til 10-11.
During this time we "play" do "tummy time on the floor", do our
"exercises", take a nice warm bath and finish it up with a bedtime
bottle. I think the fussing comes more from the transition time from
being fully awake to fully asleep.
i agree with keeping lights on, noise, etc. during daytime hours and
keeping lights off throughout the night.
I also understand not wanting to pass off a crying baby all the time.
I'm the same way.
Also remember Gayle, these are yourfirst babies if I remember correct.
The first are so hard worrying and wondering if your doing everything
right. (my twins are 4 and 5. I've had preemies before and don't fret
near what I did with #1) I did keep my first in my bed, so I could get
some sleep. Unfortunatly, when I wanted her in her crib it became a
nightmare. So with my other children I mae them sleep in their crib from
day one. It wasn't/isn't always easy, and you sometimes have to expect a
fair amount of crying. I believe babies need to "learn" to calm
themselves down to sleep. So a bit of fussing is perfectly ok. I
seriously don't think there is a solid right or wrong answer here.
Everyone has to learn what works best for themslves and their
babies/situation. Anyway, Congrats and best wishes. I hope the sleeping
problems remedy themselves sooner than later.
Kim Twin Girls 9/21/03

[Kimme mik]

Hi Gayle and Triplets!
Sounds like you could really use a good nights sleep! I'm with you
there. The twins wake up every 3 hours on the hour to eat, 24/7. Luckly,
they eat and are back to sleep quickly.
Evenngs are the hardest. We keep the girls up from about 6-7 til 10-11.
During this time we "play" do "tummy time on the floor", do our
"exercises", take a nice warm bath and finish it up with a bedtime
bottle. I think the fussing comes more from the transition time from
being fully awake to fully asleep.
i agree with keeping lights on, noise, etc. during daytime hours and
keeping lights off throughout the night.
I also understand not wanting to pass off a crying baby all the time.
I'm the same way.
Also remember Gayle, these are yourfirst babies if I remember correct.
The first are so hard worrying and wondering if your doing everything
right. (my twins are 4 and 5. I've had preemies before and don't fret
near what I did with #1) I did keep my first in my bed, so I could get
some sleep. Unfortunatly, when I wanted her in her crib it became a
nightmare. So with my other children I mae them sleep in their crib from
day one. It wasn't/isn't always easy, and you sometimes have to expect a
fair amount of crying. I believe babies need to "learn" to calm
themselves down to sleep. So a bit of fussing is perfectly ok. I
seriously don't think there is a solid right or wrong answer here.
Everyone has to learn what works best for themslves and their
babies/situation. Anyway, Congrats and best wishes. I hope the sleeping
problems remedy themselves sooner than later.
Kim Twin Girls 9/21/03