FOUR HAPPY BUNNIES!

So the triplets and their sister are doing so well, they are now weaning.

Just look at these little wonders.

THE MOST TALENTED MUM I EVER MET

A more talented mum I have never met.

The way she has got these 3 babies and her toddler to be such smiling, contented little people, is a wonder.

It might be worth noting that, every time she looks, speaks or communicates with them at all, she always has a smile and has nice words for them; yet at the same time is firm within her boundaries. She has no time for nonsense and they don't crave it: after all, they have themselves to occupy each other!

Now, whether this is because she has not had the time to over-indulge and worry about the trivial things, I'm not sure.

Maybe, if we all were too busy to worry about what the baby was thinking and just got on with what the baby needed, then maybe there would be less spoilt and more contented little people out there.

I was once told that, "All you can do for a baby is to love it, feed it, clothe and protect it". Maybe there's some truth in that!

WEANING TRIPLETS

Weaning triplets together with the 8 months older sibling, is no easy task for mum!
The old routine is changing and every time you think you have a routine, they change it!

I'm going back to these dears next week and I think a massive cook up to go in the freezer might be called for.

Mum is a true hero to get this far on her own, but now the normal routine has gone out the window and another has to be set introducing them to solids.

Eating is different to sucking a bottle and not all babies have read this manual. Some take to it instantly, while others take their time to get used to it.

The good news is that they all get there in the end, but sometimes the task is harder, even with one!

MANAGING MULTIPLES FEEDING

When feeding multiple babies (which probably have many and various medications), it is not easy to remember who has had how much and at what times etc.

Therefore, a very helpful tool is a large white board.

There are various ways to work this and you may find the way you'd like, but this is how I did it with the triplets parents. (pictured here) :-

Mark out the lines in permanent pen; giving names across the top and 24 hours down the left hand side.
Leaving a space on the right for extra information and summations.

In the appropriate hour box, fill in:- 

1. Feed start time minute
2. How much was taken
3. What medications and amount
4. Wet or dirty nappy

Doing this will make it easy to add up the milk intake for the 24hr period and most importantly make it easy to see at a glance, who is to be fed with what and when.

It is so easy to forget things when there is so much to do and deliver.
This also means that helpers can see without having to bother you!

The summation for the day goes on the right hand side, together with additional information about baths, inoculations, concerns and weight (if you ever have the time to do that).

Without the triplets having a white board, life would have been almost impossible!

The picture is when they are 6 months and are down to approx 4 hourly feeds and sleeping most of the night.

TRIPLETS PASS 6 MONTHS MILESTONES

The triplets went for their 6 months check up.

After having to wait for the third bus (no room for their chariot on first two!), they were there for hours.

As expected, they all passed the 4 month milestones and the youngest even passed some of the 6 months checks. Although they are 6 months old, as they were born at 24 weeks they have a degree of development catch-up to do.

They are all doing fantastically well and I have to say, I have never met such smiling happy babies and that goes for the elder sister too.

Their parents are an inspiration.

TRIPLETS, PLUS 8 MONTH OLD SISTER

4 babies to be looked after and no physical help from any government departments. Not a good situation, but proof that exceptional parenting skills do exist!

So long since I last wrote, because the Triplets were born at 24 weeks gestation on 19th August 2011 and their elder sister was only 8 months old at the time.

They stayed 4 months in hospital, first Queen Charlottes, then at the Whittington where their elder sister was born. What a great Neonatal and Special Care Unit they have there.

They were all home for Christmas and then the work truly began!
The differing amounts of medication with each feed was daunting; but their parents just got on with the job and with the help of a large white board to record and monitor everything, they have achieved an amazing result, proving that organisation is the key.

These 4 little people are the happiest, accommodating little souls who smile and laugh constantly. Their mum says they bring her pleasure all day, even though I can see it is relentless task.

Both parents have had to get on with it and have done the most amazing and remarkable job, with no help available from the state. Mum doing most of it during the weekday when Dad is at work and both mucking in the evening and weekends.

A wonderful story and an inspiration to all, with details to follow.