Irish Twins: The Story Behind the Phrase

Irish Twins: The Story Behind the Phrase. When two babies are born nearly a year apart, they are said to be Irish twins.  This happens when one baby is conceived three months after the other was born. I already have one set of Irish twins.  The older of the two is going to be three years old, and the younger is heading to be a two year old.

At first, they were 5 clothes sizes apart; while one was wearing 0-3 months, the other wore 9-12 month clothes.  One was very much a brand new baby, while the other was a toddler.  Today, I can manage to get them both to wear the same sized clothes, although one is exactly a head taller than the other. They get jealous and fight with each other.  When one cries, the other cries louder.  When one laughs, the other comes running to see what all the fun is about.  They push each other down, wrestle each other, and they hug and snuggle each other too.  They love each other.

My newest baby is also an Irish twin.  She was born in April, and is the brand new baby in our home.  Yet, she is a totally different kind of Irish twin.  She and her Irish twin will never be mistaken for fraternal twins when I go grocery shopping or when I take the children to the park.  She will not have the same competition to cry louder than the sibling immediately older than her.  The two of them will not squeeze into our little children’s couch, one pulling a blanket over the other ones lap, to snuggle with their sippy cups together and watch a cartoon.

You see, last April, I gave birth to my miscarried baby.

There is a person missing from our family in our family photos.  There is a carseat missing in our car.  There is a missing stack of folded laundry, there is no leaky sippy cup dribbling on the floor where one should be, there are no memories of scooting, rolling over, lifting his head, tasting his first solid food, wrapping his tight little hand around his grandma’s finger or smiling big for his daddy.

Irish Catholic immigrant communities would often have many siblings who were very close in age. Since they were relatively new to the United States, and lived in cramped living conditions with little resources, other people would speak poorly of Irish immigrants.

What Are Irish Twins?

Irish Twins: The Story Behind the Phrase Years ago, when two children were born within 12 months of each other, people often referred to them as “Irish twins.” And when three children were born to the same mother within three years, they were called “Irish triplets.” But today these phrases are considered outdated and are less frequently used, particularly because their origins come from a derogatory stereotype of poor Irish Catholic families having lots of kids close together.

Statistics on the prevalence of Irish twin births in the United States are lacking. However, extremely short birth intervals are relatively uncommon. One study found that 35% of subsequent pregnancies were conceived within 18 months of a prior birth. Typically, Irish twins are conceived within just three months of a prior birth. Longer intervals from previous childbirth to conception are possible if the subsequent child is born prematurely.

While the typical definition of Irish twins is two children spaced 12 or fewer months apart, people do sometimes use the term more loosely to include children born 13, 14, or more months apart, particularly if the children end up in the same grade in school.

History of Irish Twins

The phrase “Irish twins” originated in the late 19th century as a disparaging term associated with Irish immigration to the United States. The implication was that groups of close-in-age siblings were a negative characteristic of large Irish Catholic families.

In fact, it was common for Irish immigrants to have children close in age because they followed the Church’s strict guidelines regarding contraception. Back then, when the phrase was used, the person was stereotyping the Irish and implying that they were uneducated, poor, and lacked self-control.

The benefits of having Irish twins

Is it hard to have kids within a year of one another? For sure! But there are some serious benefits, too.

You’ve already mastered “baby mode”

One of the advantages of having siblings one right after the other is that you probably already have a finely-tuned routine down pat, says Ilan Shapiro, M.D., a Los Angeles-based pediatrician. Your new baby can slide right into it without your having to make much of an adjustment.

“Usually when there is an age gap between siblings, parents tend to forget things and it can be hard to start taking care of an infant again,” he says.

It may cut down on some costs

While it might seem like having two kids close in age will be more expensive, it can actually help you save money in some regards. Dr. Shapiro says not only can your kids share many toys, books, and clothes either at the same time or as gently used hand-me-downs – you can also stretch your budget by buying lots of items in bulk (like diapers, baby wipes, and even toddler-friendly snacks).

A BabyCenter Community mom noted this about her Irish twins, too, saying that she just left out all the toys and supplies she used for her older child since her younger child would be ready for those items as soon as the older one had outgrown them.

They’ll have shared experiences – and a lifelong friend

When kids are close in age, they tend to share similar hobbies, experiences, and friend groups, which makes it easier for parents to navigate family schedules, says ob-gyn Sarah A. Hoopes, M.D., who’s based in Houston.

Multiple moms in the BabyCenter Community describe how close and connected their Irish twins are, saying “I wouldn’t have it any other way – it melts my heart consistently” and “They are so cute together and best friends already.” One mom of a 24 month-old and 12 month-old (with another baby on the way) writes that she expects having 3 kids under 3 will be hard, but she says “seeing my two daughters have the sweetest friendship has put me at ease.”Another mom writes that having Irish twins was an “awesome adventure” that starts with being “constantly in survival mode trying to keep two babies alive” but ends in having siblings that turn into best pals and go through all their developmental milestones together. 

Irish Twins Explained: Definition, Facts, and Parenting Tips

The term “Irish twins” refers to one mother having two children who were born 12 months or less apart. It originated in the 1800s as a way to poke fun at Irish Catholic immigrant families who didn’t have access to birth control.

1. Ask for help

This is particularly important when the children are very young. Babies and toddlers need a lot of attention. One person may not be able to tend to each child’s needs effectively, especially if both need someone at the same time. Having help will make sure the children get what they need and you don’t get burnt out.

2. Create a routine

Having a regular routine is extremely helpful for keeping things organized. Babies and toddlers will benefit from a regular schedule, and so will young children.

Sleeping and eating are very important in the early years. Establishing a healthy routine will help you meet the children’s needs and allow them to know what to expect.

3. Don’t compare

It may be very tempting to expect the younger child to develop at the same rate as the older sibling. But remember, they’re separate individuals. Everyone grows and develops differently, and children born within 12 months of each other are no exception.

“Because they are close in age, don’t assume they are going to grow at the same pace mentally and physically. Accept their differences from the get-go. In fact, enjoy their differences,” Dr. Hollman advises.

4. Offer alone time

Allow each child to have separate activities that give them a break from each other.

For example, one child might want to have a sleepover with a friend without their sibling tagging along. That’s OK. Arrange for the sibling to do another fun activity during that time. Explain that it’s normal and healthy for the kids to want their own space, including a separate social circle outside of the home or each other.

Risks of Having Children Less Than a Year Apart

1. Prematurity

A baby born before the 37th week of pregnancy is considered premature. Hence, in the case of the Irish twins, it is highly possible for the younger sibling to be born prematurely regardless of the fact that the older sibling was born healthy. The reason being, during pregnancy, a woman’s body takes a huge toll and depletes resources from her body to nourish the new life. Replenishing the depleted resources after pregnancy is a time-consuming process. So a back-to-back pregnancy will most likely have little to offer to the second child, resulting in prematurity.

2. Health Risks to Mother

Having children born so close together can lead to complications. Most of the complications are caused by the body not being allowed to heal properly before becoming pregnant again. Many women who have experienced two births close to one another will have a drastically faster birth with the subsequent pregnancy than the first.

While that may sound like a blessing, there are risks with having a birth that takes place quickly. For starters, a woman’s body is not given time to rest between contractions and the contractions are much stronger. There is no coping strategy with fast labour, and there isn’t any way to get pain medication to lessen the pain. Women who birth quickly are at an increased risk of tearing and lacerations to the vagina and cervix. There is also an increased risk of haemorrhaging and shock following the birth.

3. Low Birth Weight

The low birth weight of the second child is another risk associated with this phenomenon. This complication may occur due to prematurity. Another possibility is the lack of nutrition in the womb because the body hasn’t healed and replenished entirely from the previous birth. Another possible culprit is the folate deficiency, which one can overcome through the proper intake of nutrients and prenatal vitamins. However, it is recommended to take vitamins as a backup plan and not the other way around.

4. High Rate of Infant Mortality

A high rate of infant mortality is seen among children who are born close together, mainly due to the low birth weight. It is a crucial factor which determines the survival rate of an infant 

5. Complications With Placenta

Back-to-back pregnancies may lead to serious complications with the placenta, i.e., placenta previa and placental abruption. In the former’s case, placenta lies low in the uterus, subsequently, covering the cervix partly or entirely, which may lead to serious bleeding. And, placental abruption is a condition wherein the placenta disconnects from the uterine wall, resulting in heavy bleeding due to tear in all connecting blood vessels. It can prove life-threatening for the mother.

Useful Parenting Tips to Help Raise Irish Twins

Raising Irish twins is sure a challenge, and as a mother, you can use all tips possible. Below are some useful ones on raising Irish Twins:

1. Seek Help

It’s difficult for one person to parent two young children at the same time. And at a young age, they need proper care and attention. Having a helping hand will ensure your cute ones get all the love and care.

2. Set Routine

A fixed routine is crucial to keep things under control, especially for activities such as sleeping and eating. Moreover, it will help you take out time for yourself.

3. To Each His Own

Being an Irish twin doesn’t mean that babies have to do everything together. Let them do different activities if they wish to.

4. Never Compare

Parents tend to compare their children, but that’s not a positive behaviour. Each child develops differently at her own pace. Have patience, and trust in them.

Here are five frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Irish Twins: The Story Behind the Phrase: