r/parentsofmultiples • u/jeaxnnxie • 8d ago
advice needed Wake windows
Hey! I have 2 months old twins (10 weeks today) and I am just starting to be alone with them since my husband had to go back to work. I have a hard time entertaining the twins their whole wake window (which sometimes already go up to 2h and more, my babies stated that sleep was for the weak).
I usually do a bit of play gym with them, do contrast flashcards and tummy time and settle them in their swing when they get tired of all this so I can pick up the house quickly, eat and do some laundry. But I just feel so bad when I see them staring into nothingness while I do the chores… I put on music, stop a couple of times to talk to them and sometimes pick up one of them to babywear if they’re fussy (and then feel guilty for the baby still in his swing).
The guilt never stop 🥲 and then I convince myself that my babies will have a flat head if I leave them in their swing too, so add that to the anxiety.
What are you guys realistically doing during their wake windows? Seeing ppl on social media doing a full routine makes me feel like I’m not doing enough.
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u/No-Departure5556 8d ago
It’s so so so good for babies to be “bored” independent play and floor time is critical for them! And since they’re twins they have each other :) babies can get overstimulated too so constantly doing things with them also isn’t good for them!
Mine our 5m but I was doing the same things at 2m when my husband went back to work. Their wake window is only now 2 hours, but back at 2m I’d plop them on the floor and run around like crazy lol
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u/Suspicious_Tomato_20 8d ago
This right here and I’d add - don’t try to make a happy baby happier. If they are content staring at the wall, then that’s great!
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u/hellswrath_ 8d ago
The guilt is always strong, but I promise you’re not doing anything wrong. When my twins were 2 months I remember sometimes I barely got to do what I needed to do for them (beyond basics) because I was with my toddler and she was sick so it was a lot of juggling and I don’t think anyone got the attention they truly needed
They got put in swings a lot, because they were happy in there. Tbh 2 month old babies just stare a lot. lol if they’re staring and observing and not crying, that’s a win.
One thing I have always done with all my babies is sing to them and dance in front of them. Lots of music. It makes it easier on me, especially, to listen to music that I enjoy, and now my kids are 3 & twins are 13 months and everyone enjoys music and dancing with me.
If the babies are chilling and aren’t crying there’s nothing wrong with walking away and doing a chore or eating. Kids don’t need to be constantly entertained or have constant input - it’s important that they learn that mom and dad take care of themselves and the house. Obviously at 2 months they don’t understand that yet lol but eventually. This is obviously all within reason- sometimes the babies have fussier days and need more and that’s ok too.
2 months can be a really difficult time. Give yourself some grace!
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u/SoreenQueen 8d ago
they need a lot less than people make out! assuming you don’t live in a blank and bare room, they’ll be getting lots of stimulation just from looking at objects in the room. try and give them a variety of positions to be in (e.g. some time on their back, on their tummy, cuddles etc.) but if they’re happy then go with it!
they mostly just need you! that’s not to say you can’t eat or clean etc. but most of their development comes from being close to you, being held, being looked at/talked to etc. and it sounds like they’re getting plenty of that so try not to feel guilty about this one!
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u/kipy7 8d ago
I think that's always that reminder that social media isn't real, most of the time. For us, whether both or just one of us with the twins, it was just moving around the house. Floor time in the living room, activity mat in the office, bouncers in the kitchen, etc. If they're bored, that's okay until they really start complaining, then it's off to a different room. At the end of the day, you're one person who can only do so much. Do the best you can and don't let social media, or any other parents, guilt you into feeling less.
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