Question (I babysit twins) (Long, sorry!)

The twins I babysit are turning 4 months old next week. I have a concern about one of them. They are both girls and about 5ish pounds at birth. Now Twin A is bigger than Twin B. Twin A can stand up straight has excellent head control and during tummy time can hold herself up for a good amount of time. She also moves aound kicking and flailing on the baby gym mats.

Here's the concern, Twin B does none of this. She can hold her head straight when sitting with me, but tummy time lasts about 5 seconds. She just goes face down into the mat and won't even move her head to the side. Even after positioning her arms and body for her to lean on she can't hold them there. She doesn't stand when you put her feet flat, she's like a rag doll. She also has problems sucking. She can't keep a pacifier in her mouth and has problems with the bottle too. She drinks all her formula, it just takes longer, where as Twin A will hold her bottle and finish in a timely fashion.

Other than this they are on the same page. I know that parents are sensitive to this and no one wants to hear that there might be something wrong with their baby, but on the other hand, if there are excersises I can do with Twin B to catch her up, I'd like to help sooner rather than later.

Has anyone had this problem with their twins? What can I do to help? I know that kids develop at different rates but I feel like this is a little extreme.

TIA!

Re: Question (I babysit twins) (Long, sorry!)

I actually just wanted to give you a hug.
You sound like a great babysitter and a good friend.

Re: Question (I babysit twins) (Long, sorry!)

All children develop at different paces and sometimes it's hard to remember that, especially with siblings born within minutes of one another. I am sure that during well-visits to the ped. the parents will be asked different questions as to what each child is able to do. If there's an issue, the ped should recommend some help and perhaps certain exercises that can be done.

Good luck to you!

Re: Question (I babysit twins) (Long, sorry!)

Posted by lastchance1222

I actually just wanted to give you a hug.
You sound like a great babysitter and a good friend.

Re: Question (I babysit twins) (Long, sorry!)

Thanks ladies! I do have a boppy from my DD, I'm going to try that with her. And I'm going to wait until after their 4 month well visit to see what the ped says about it. Thanks again!!!

Re: Question (I babysit twins) (Long, sorry!)

All babies develop at different rates, it is hard to see one do something and the other not do it, because you notice it more, but they both very well may be within the range of normal.

Also some kids hate tummy time so I would try the boppy too.

Re: Question (I babysit twins) (Long, sorry!)

Update:

I mentioned to the mom that Twin A is doing really well with Tummy Time. She said "yeah, I know, and Twin B is lazy"

They had their well visit and she didn't say that the ped mentioned anything.

I brought it up to my ped at my DD's well visit this morning. She seemed concerned, she said there is probably something wrong.

Should I wait until they turn 5 months to see if she's catching up? She's small and doesn't seem to be growing at the same rate as her sister. It's like handling a baby who was born a month ago.

I don't want to say something and offend her, but again, I don't want to wait and have it be harder to catch her up. I'm confused!

Re: Question (I babysit twins) (Long, sorry!)

Maybe ask the mom if there's anything to do for Twin B so she becomes less lazy?

Re: Question (I babysit twins) (Long, sorry!)

Sounds like Twin B might have low muscle tone

Re: Question (I babysit twins) (Long, sorry!)

This is such a tough one...

I have a friend of a friend situation where I just know that something isnt right with her daughter...Im not close enough to mention anything.

Honestly,knowing me I would probably sit down and have a heart to heart with Mom..but keeping in mind that it might mean my job. For me I would be doing the right thing. Im sure mom has her own concerns about her daughter.

To me it sounds as though she is hypotonic. Does she seem "floppy"? Additionally are these identical twins???

Re: Question (I babysit twins) (Long, sorry!)

Re: Question (I babysit twins) (Long, sorry!)

I would just ask the mom a few more questions about the recent ped. visit and maybe suggest asking her ped. more questions. I think that you are mentioning a combo of things that, together, is not so good. However, when he was just 4 months, my son did not really bear weight on his feet. Now at 5 months, he usually does, but it is very recent. I see my ped. go through an extensive exam and I see DS being up to speed or ahead in other areas but if he were also not turning his head during tummy time or also not doing some other things, I would be a lot more concerned.

ETA: My nephew had torticolis and my SIL only found out when someone pointed it out to her and then she asked her ped. She was not annoyed at the person who pointed it out at all.

Message edited 3/10/2008 5:14:43 PM.