How to Care for Twins

You will always remember that day when you discover that you are pregnant with twins. You will experience shock, joy, fear, and elation all at the same time. After the shock has worn off, the planning begins for the extra effort you will be doing now that twins will be coming into your life.

1. Caring for Twins Begins in the Womb

Prenatal care is essential to any mother to be, even more if you are expecting twins. A pregnancy involving twins will by nature be a higher risk with the potential for complications. Your prenatal care should include closer monitoring with the usual exams and evaluations. Taking good care of yourself during pregnancy will help your twins closer towards a longer term in the womb.

2. Two of Everything with Twins

As with every baby, you will need to make sure to buy all the basics; however, you may not need to buy two of everything just because you are having twins. You find you need two baby high chairs, but you may need only one swing, or one bouncer. It is not important that every detail be worked out before the twins arrive. In time, you will find what is an obvious need and what will work best for you and your new twins.

3. Sleeping with Twins

The most precious commodity to a new parent is sleep, more so when they are the parents of twins. The first few months can be the most challenging; however, if you organize your days and weeks into shifts and delegate the responsibilities with both parents it should make it a bit easier. Do not try to do it all yourself and accept offers of assistance from family and friends. Raising twins is not easy so make sure that you enlist as much help as needed.

4. Feeding and Sleep with Twins

With a new baby, it is all about schedules. With twins, it is imperative that schedules be kept. If one twin wakes from a nap and needs feeding, wake the other as well to keep them both on schedule. If you do not keep them on a schedule, you will lose that precious time you need when they both are sleeping.

5. Each Twin Might Be Different

It is important to understand and adapt to the needs of each twin. As a parent, our first instinct is to be fair and consistent; however, all babies are different and some have special needs. If one twin latches on easily, the other twin may not during breastfeeding. It is important to set real expectations for each twin as they continue to grow up.