From the start of our parenting journey, vaccinations are a regular occurrence. It’s not a nice experience for parents or babies but it’s so important to keep these up-to-date. When you have twins, triplets or more, it can be even trickier trying to work out the best way to tackle these appointments.

We’ve put together a few things to consider when taking your babies for their jabs to try and make it as easy as possible.

Consider whether you want to take all your babies to the same appointment or if you would like them being vaccinated separately.

• It’s unlikely that the babies will have any major adverse side effects from the injections, but they can often feel a little under the weather. If they’re all vaccinated at the same appointment, that could be two, three or four babies all wanting extra attention afterwards.
• Consider the time of the day. If the injections are in the morning, you can keep an eye on them rather than them going to bed soon after the vaccines. This might not be an option, but worth considering / asking if you feel strongly about it.
• Think about what you dress them in. Wearing an easy access baby grow will make it simpler to undress and redress and be more comfortable for the babies following the injections.

If you decide you do want to get them vaccinated at the same time, some further points to consider.

• Make sure when you book the appointment, the health professionals are aware they are twins or triplets and you’ll be coming with them all. That way, they’ll hopefully be properly prepared for you.
• Try and enlist some help: Having someone to help you undress and dress, as well as comfort following the injection is very helpful. If you can’t get any help, some doctors surgeries have extra staff to help but it’s not always offered or available.  Maybe consider having them vaccinated at different times, particularly if you have no support especially if you have triplets or quads.
• Think about the order you would like them to be vaccinated in. Is one of your babies more placid and you think they’d be more easily settled following it? If so, they might be good to go first. There isn’t a right or wrong, but knowing your babies’ personalities can sometimes make things a little less stressful.
• Would you like to hold them to have the injection or soothe after? Is there a certain person who your babies settle better with? If so, then that person should probably hold them after the vaccination. If you’re breast feeding, sometimes this can soothe them after the injection so it might be worth having your helper hold them during the vaccination, so you can take them afterwards.
• If you have three or more babies and only two adults, or twins and only one adult, one baby will have to be put down quite quickly following their injection. Make sure you’ve got something to continue to soothe them, for example a dummy, comforter, a snack or favourite toy (for older babies’ injections).

 

Twins Trust supports the government’s campaign to increase uptake of the MMR vaccine. Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide the best protection against measles, mumps and rubella.