How to Survive the First Months with Twins

When my twins were about three months old, I went to the grocery store for the first time since they were born. I ran into a mother pushing her double stroller and I said, "You survived the first six months!" She laughed because she new exactly what I was saying and could see the exhaustion on my face. Today, I am still friends with her. I love knowing she's still alive and brave enough to have one more just like me.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Double Stroller (one of each style preferably)
• Family and/or a good neighbor
• A support group of other mothers of twins, either a mother's club, a friend with twins or a twins club.

1. Nourishment! You absolutely can't live without it.
   
   Ask your family or friends to make dinner for you the first couple of weeks.
   
   If at all possible, make and freeze meals way ahead of your due date.
   You will find you have absolutely no time to cook let alone eat.
2. Keep a log book for the children. It should include diaper changes, feedings and medicines. You may laugh and say how would you not remember when you fed a baby or who it was. I assure you, the exhaustion will get the better your mind and you will forget all kinds of things.
3. Assign a parent to each child for middle of the night feedings and diaper changes and alternate every day. One night Mommy gets up for Baby A and Daddy gets up for Baby B. The next night you swap.
   
   Not swapping babies may cause some attachment issues as well as cheat one of the parents out of a good night's sleep, as some babies sleep better than others.
4. Get a double stroller for your long walks. Its pretty much the only way you'll get out of the house. A side by side stroller is great for walking. A tandem stroller is great for snapping in infant car seats and also for maneuvering in and out of stores. (not all double strollers have two fully reclining seats, be sure to get one that does)
   
   see my articles on choosing a stroller:
   http://www.ehow.com/how_2090994_buy-double-stroller-thats-right.html
   http://www.ehow.com/how_2091074_triple-stroller-thats-right.html
5. You don't have to buy two of everything. Two of most things, yes, but not everything.
   
   Consider buying one exersaucer and one jumperoo. You can swap between them.
   
   Not all babies like the swing. Buy or borrow one and see how it works for your family before investing in one or two.
6. Try very hard to keep both kids on the same sleeping schedule. Even if this means putting one child down for a nap who isn't quite ready for one and making the other one wait a little longer. If you don't get them both down for naps at the same time, you may never get to take a shower or make a phone call.
7. Feedings should be at the same time if possible.
   
   If breastfeeding, I recommend feeding one at a time and alternating breasts between them so that they don't prefer on breast over the other. If you can manage a double football hold, that's great, if not, don't worry. That's not as easy as some books would like you to believe.
8. Bath Time:
   
   Until they can sit up on their own in the tub, I recommend bathing one at a time. I would keep one baby in a bouncy seat next to the tub while bathing the other. Dry the baby and then put the bathed baby in the seat while the second baby takes a bath.
   
   Bathing gets much easier when you can put them in the tub together.
9. Sign up for twin discounts where ever you can!
   
   -Many umbilical cord blood registries give discounts.
   -Babies R Us and Buy Buy Baby gives discounts on some big ticket items if you buy two.
   -Local shoe stores are likely to give discounts to twins.
   -Big name children's stores like Oshkosh also give twin discounts.
   -Huggies will send extra coupons if you send them requested information.
   -Both Similac and Enfamil will send extra coupons if you tell them you are having twins. You can try Nestle Good Start as well.
10. Don't worry too much about housework. If you obsess over cleaning the house, you will have very little time to sleep or eat.
    
    If you can afford it, think about getting a housekeeper. Maybe Grandma and Grandpa can help with the laundry. Grandmothers generally love to help with these things. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
11. Get a mother's helper. Ask the teenager on the block to help out once in a while. Even if its only once a week for two hours. The going rate is about $5.00-$7.00 so its very affordable.
12. When you start to freak out...Call someone for help. Family, friends or a neighbor.
    
    Sometimes you just need a time out, put the babies someplace safe, like their cribs or pack and plays while you sit on the front porch and take a deep breath of fresh air.
    
    Perhaps even taking the babies out on a walk will do the trick for you. Don't be afraid of the cold weather, bundle them up in snowsuits and get that stroller out!
    
    Postpartum Depression is much higher for mothers of twins. Discuss any negative feelings with your doctor and get the help you need if you need it. Tell your husband what you are feeling too so that he can help you get the help you need.
13. Let the twins sleep in the same crib together, you may find they are more content that way. I would let them do this until they are able to roll over each other for safety's sake.
    
    Remember, twins were together from conception and that's what they are use to. They are use to close quarters so don't be afraid to put them in the same crib. Some hospitals even keep them in the same plastic basinet in the nursery.

Tips & Warnings

• Get some books on raising twins. I like "Ready or Not, Here We Come" and "Mothering Multiples".
• Just because they are twins does not mean they will behave the same and have the same personality. They are usually quite different so expect the unexpected!
• Put a note on your front door that reads, "Babies Sleeping". This will let everyone, including the postal service, know not to wake the babies.
• Use a sound machine or any other white noise while baby is sleeping. This will help cover-up any noises you make around the house.
• Be prepared for rude and unwelcomed remarks from strangers. "which one is the evil twin?", "oh, that's the pretty one" and my favorite "how do you tell them apart?"