Struggle carrying grand babies

I think you should involve the children as well. As they grow older they should understand that you can't lift them from the floor if they are upset or crying and they will have to wait for your DH. Once they are walking taking their hand and leading them to a chair will be just as comforting. I remember carrying babies about, whilst I was doing jobs, when I was younger and it was lovely, but old age brings other benefits. Stopping what you are doing, leaving the jobs, and just sitting, talking and playing with a child is just as good, if not better. You do lose abilities as you grow older but you gain so much more.

Is it usual ? well everyone is so different I m 78 have osteoperosis but can still safely lift quite heavy weights but I don’t have the long term energy that I did have, mine comes and go s in bursts As you have a husband with you I would think you ll be fine and at 10 months they shouldn’t need too much carrying if they cry you can sit with them on your knee to comfort them
Just pace yourself and share the load

Please take care of yourself and no carrying on the hip
I agree re the hip carrying too.

Oh, just seen that it's one day a week.

I hope you can manage that with the help of your DH.
Let's hope they are early walkers.

I apologise for not reading properly that you are doing one day. Enjoy it, it goes so quickly.

I wouldn't carry a baby in sling or a front or back carrier now in case I fell, the thought of falling on the baby fills me with horror.
You may have to lift them occasionally but do they have baby walkers so they can trundle around?

Looking after twins when you're not well yourself is a big ask. Could they go to nursery some of the days?

I hope you're having the medication for osteoporosis; two of my friends have taken it and are so much better.

Last year at a friends house I picked up two 4kg dumbbells that were on her kitchen table thinking that I would easily do some arm curls, I could barely do one. This shocked me and I realised that I did not lift anything heavy anymore and was quite weak.

A year later, I now do 50 arm curls every day, my arms look better and I am stronger.

There shouldn’t be any problem if you have DH to do the lifting and carrying. I can understand that you would be reluctant to pull out and miss out on that lovely day care and the tone of your posts suggests that you would never take any risks either to yourself or to the twins. Enjoy!

Thank you everyone for all your advice. I’ve told the twins parents that this time around the day is going to be a bit shorter so 9-4 instead of 9-6 and they know I can’t/don’t want to ever look after them on my own. DH is perfectly able and willing to do all the lifting and carrying, I would never do anything to endanger them. I was just curious to see if I’m unusual or this is a normal part of ageing. Whether we can manage another 5 years remains to be seen but it will get easier as they get older. I do agree that our DC don’t always think about us becoming less able.

When you do need to carry one of the babies, try holding them with their back against your front, your left arm round their chest under their arms and your right arm through their legs so they're sitting on it. You'll probably find the baby is on a slight diagonal, rather than upright.
Keep your arms close to your body and your spine straight.
This will hold them securely, and as they'll be able to see where you're going they'll be less likely to wriggle and squirm.

I think you really need to have a rethink about looking after the twins, if you can’t lift or carry them safely then you really shouldn’t be doing it.
It’s a shame but we are all getting older and they will get heavier!

How many days are you doing this care? I only ask as at 67 even one or two days is a lot. I have osteoporosis and you do need to be careful with lifting anything let alone wriggling small children. I agree that adult children don't always see us ageing, do they think you will be doing the caring through to 5 this time round, you will be 72!
Please take care of yourself and no carrying on the hip.

Don't do it ❌,!!!

A relative with epilepsy was told not to carry her children around, right from the start, in case she fell down in a fit. She did manage, though, using pushchairs indoors and often sitting on the floor with them. If you don't start picking them up, they won't expect it. Your DH will be glad to help, I'm sure.

Your own health should come first. My Jack Russell is 9Kgs and no longer capable of jumping into the back of the car so I’m just imagining what it would be like having two of her to carry - even one at a time. 😮

Would you be able to cope in an emergency?

Reading your posts leads me to believe you do know that taking care of them at the moment is a no no!! Follow what you know is right, two children to lift and carry NO!!!! No amount of hip carriers, buggies etc will make the situation any easier. You must not compromise your health , if you take on this childcare you will be anxious and the childrens safety will be compromised too. I recognize this is a difficult decision for you but be bold and follow your instincts on this. We are not as robust as we were a few years ago , and strained backs , pulled muscles can take a long time to repair - I know this sounds harsh but I think you know what you should do.

Please look after yourself! If you feel deep down that you will be unable to carry the twins around speak to their parents. Of course it is normal ! Small children care heavy!! and lifting from floor level is not easy. I know you have your DH around but he too needs to preserve his health.I am sure your AC would understand your predicament, our AC often don't see us ageing - we are just capable Mum ! Your health is paramount, if alternative child care is needed then so be it. Once they are just that little bit older you will be able to take up the reins again and that is not too far away. Look after yourself and your DH . Good luck.

We do have a twin buggy and a travel cot but they’re not easy either, the travel cot is quite low.

When their sister used to get fretful I found walking around looking out of different windows and walking around the garden helped calm things.

The twins are 10 months old, not yet walking one is crawling everywhere so need to keep hauling him up when he gets trapped etc. I have got severe osteoporosis but as far as I know it doesn’t affect strength and as regards that I’m very confused as to what exercises I should be doing, lots of conflicting advice.

I also thought of a baby sling but never having used one I don’t know whether they are the answer.

I struggled with our GC twins even when they were less than two. We used a travel cot when doing little jobs so they were safe on one place. It would also be handy if you had a lightweight twin stroller around to put them in taking the strain off you. It would be easier for you lifting them out of the travel cot and stroller as there is a bit of height in them so less bending down.
It was worse for me when they would sit with toys and ask me to play with them. I had a THR so sitting on the floor and low seating was a no it was quite upsetting. What you can’t cope with ask for help don’t struggle.

I can entirely empathise with you. At 60 my twin grandchildren were living with us from when they were a couple of weeks old. I was the sole carer as DH was still working full time. I had absolutely no trouble lifting and carrying them. Six years later when the next grandchild was born it was a very different story. Fortunately DiL was a stay at home Mum and we were only needed for the odd bit of babysitting but I had to rely on DH to do the carrying. I don’t think there is an answer. You just have to rely on your DH and hope they are early walkers. I hope you enjoy the twins. What a blessing.

My sister bought a hip carrier. Just google. Available on Amazon (of course!)

Have you thought of buying one of those baby slings? My DD uses one when she is pottering around the garden with baby on board (6 and a half months old) and she says it gives her arms a rest! I used to have one when my 2 were little, but they are so much easier to put on nowadays.