What are Irish twins?

"Irish twins" refers to siblings born less than 12 months apart, not actual twins, a term originating from a late 19th-century stereotype about large Irish Catholic families. While historically derogatory, today it's often used affectionately for close-in-age siblings, highlighting their strong bond, though some find it offensive due to its roots, so context matters.

What is the meaning of Dutch twins?

"Dutch twins" (or "Catholic twins") is a slang term for siblings born very close in age, usually within 12 months, similar to "Irish twins," originating from the idea that Catholic families avoided birth control, leading to closely spaced children. It's not a medical term but describes children with a short interval between births, sometimes meaning the mother conceived the next baby when the first was around 3 months old.
 

Is 16 months apart Irish twins?

No, 16 months apart isn't the strict definition, but it's very close; Irish twins are typically defined as siblings born within 12 months of each other, though the term is sometimes used loosely for children born less than 18 months apart, especially if they end up in the same school grade, making 16 months fit the broader definition for some. The term originated from a derogatory stereotype of large Irish Catholic families but is now used informally by some parents. 

Can siblings be 9 months apart?

Yes, siblings can be 9 months apart, and it's a well-known phenomenon called "Irish twins," describing siblings born less than 12 months apart, often from very quick successive pregnancies, sometimes as close as 9 months apart due to ovulation resuming soon after birth. While a typical pregnancy is around 9 months, getting pregnant again quickly (even just weeks after delivery) can lead to very close birth dates, with doctors recommending longer spacing (18-24 months) for better health outcomes. 

Why can't you say siamese twins?

You can still say "Siamese twins," but it's outdated and often replaced by the more accurate and sensitive term, "conjoined twins," because the original term links to historical "freak shows," isn't geographically accurate for most cases (as it comes from Chang and Eng Bunker of Siam, now Thailand), and can feel dehumanizing, similar to outdated terms for other conditions. "Conjoined twins" is the preferred medical and respectful term for twins physically joined in utero. 

what are irish twins

What is the 3 6 9 rule for babies?

The "3 6 9 rule for babies" is a simple guideline for common growth spurts and developmental stages, occurring around 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months, marked by increased hunger, fussiness, and disrupted sleep as babies rapidly grow and learn new skills. It's a helpful way for parents to anticipate behavioral changes, recognize feeding needs (cluster feeding), and understand developmental leaps, though timing can vary by baby.
 

What is the farthest apart twin can be born?

It sounds impossible, but the longest recorded time between the birth of twins is 87 days. One twin was born early, and doctors managed to delay the second birth to give the other baby more time to grow. It's one of those rare medical miracles where timing really did mean everything—and both babies made it.

What age gap is too big between siblings?

There's no official "big" age gap, but generally, 5 years or more starts to feel significant, while gaps of 10+ years or even 15+ years create very different sibling dynamics, often resembling parent-child or extended family roles rather than typical playmate relationships, with the younger feeling like an "only child" at times. A gap of 3-5 years offers different experiences, but 7+ years usually means vastly different life stages, impacting play, shared activities, and overall bond, though many still form strong connections as adults. 

What are some fun facts about Irish twins?

These children grow up as close companions, almost like built-in best friends. They can play together, share interests, and support each other, regardless of who's the younger or the older brother. Having Irish twins can also mean that they share many items, such as clothes, toys, and books.

What is the meaning of Alaskan twins?

"Alaskan twins" is a slang term, popularized by the show The Great North, for siblings born about nine months apart, similar to "Irish twins," implying they are very close in age and bonded like twins, even though they aren't biologically multiples. It's a term for close-in-age siblings, often used humorously or affectionately, highlighting their strong connection despite the slight age gap. 

Do twins start puberty at the same time?

No, twins don't always start puberty at the exact same time, though identical twins often begin close together due to strong genetic influence, while fraternal twins can vary more. Even identical twins have individual differences in diet, health, or birth weight that can shift the timing, with lighter twins sometimes starting earlier, but generally, they're similar within a relatively short window. 

What is the meaning of Eskimo twins?

"Eskimo twins" (or more commonly, "Eskimo brothers/sisters") is slang for two people (usually men for "brothers," women for "sisters") who have had sexual relations with the same person, popularized by the show The League, stemming from a humorous (and often debated) idea about sharing partners like bedding in Inuit culture, though the term itself is considered offensive by many Indigenous peoples and often replaced with terms like "Lumberjack Sisters/Brothers" or "Shared Experience". 

What do Italian twins mean?

"Italian twins" isn't a common specific term like "Irish twins," but it likely refers to siblings born very close together (within 12 months), similar to the derogatory "Irish twins" term for Catholic families having many kids, or simply means actual twins in Italian ("gemelli"), but given the cultural reference, it probably means close-in-age siblings, often due to large Catholic families, sharing a cultural background.
 

What is the meaning of mirror twins?

Mirror Twins are identical twins, in that they are both from a single egg (monozygotic). But the theory is that the egg splits much later in Mirror Twins than in identical twins—generally more than a week after conception. Just before they would become conjoined twins.

Why can't twins go past 37 weeks?

This study found a mean gestation at birth for twins of 37 weeks, with the risk of stillbirth and early neonatal death increasing after 38 weeks gestation. The lowest risk of perinatal death in twin pregnancies at 38 weeks gestation corresponded to that observed in singleton pregnancies at 43 weeks gestation [7].

What is the best age gap between the 1st and 2nd child?

There's no single "best" age gap, but health experts suggest waiting 18-24 months between pregnancies for lower risks, while many parents find a 2-3 year gap ideal for balancing toddler-stage intensity with a child who can play and relate, though larger gaps (4+ years) offer a break and more one-on-one attention, with smaller gaps (under 2 years) potentially creating built-in playmates but intense early years. The choice depends on your family's unique needs, finances, and energy levels, with pros and cons for every difference. 

Is the older twin always shorter?

In addition, previous studies have shown that first-born twins are, on average, taller and heavier than second-born twins until adolescence (Silventoinen et al., 2007; Pietiläinen et al., 2002).

What is the newborn 2 hour rule?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, infants should generally not spend more than two hours in their car seat at a time.* Think about it. You probably get fidgety after sitting for 2 hours — and remember, as an adult your movement is less restricted when using a lap-and-shoulder seat belt.

What is witching hour baby?

The "witching hour" (or hours) for a baby is a common, intense period of fussiness, crying, and clinginess, typically in the late afternoon or evening (5 PM - 11 PM) when they seem inconsolable, even after basic needs are met. It usually starts around 2-3 weeks old, peaks at 6 weeks, and improves by 3-4 months, often caused by overtiredness, overstimulation, gas, or cluster feeding.
 

At what age is SIDS no longer a risk?

SIDS is less common after 8 months of age, but parents and caregivers should continue to follow safe sleep practices to reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related causes of infant death until baby's first birthday. More than 90% of all SIDS deaths occur before 6 months of age.

Are Abby and Brittany legally two people?

Abby and Brittany are legally two separate people – except at work.

Do conjoined twins feel the same pleasure, Abby and Brittany?

Yes, for conjoined twins like Abby and Brittany, sensations, including pleasure, often overlap due to shared anatomy and circulatory systems, meaning one twin can feel what the other feels in shared areas, leading to potentially simultaneous experiences, though individual control and perception still vary. They share reproductive organs from the waist down, leading to shared physical responses like orgasm, and hormonal responses from touch or kissing can transfer, but perception differs as they are distinct individuals.
 

How long is a twin pregnancy?

Twin pregnancies rarely last this long, with the typical twin pregnancy lasting 35 to 36 weeks. It's common to go into labor sooner. Few treatments are available to prevent preterm labor, and they're not always successful. Once you go into active labor, there's no way to stop labor from progressing.