Preparing for Baby's Arrival
Preparing for twins
Most parents of twins know in advance that they’ll be bringing two babies home from the hospital. Here are things you can do ahead of time to make homecoming with twins easier:
- Cook ahead. Make a variety of dinners, lunches, and snacks, and freeze them.
- Stock up. Buy large quantities of diapers, formula (if you’re formula-feeding), and laundry detergent.
- Delegate responsibilities. Sign up relatives and friends to help you in the first few weeks—or longer. Keep a running to-do list for those who are eager to help.
- Have a plan.Sit down with dad and plan how to split child care responsibilities; for example how you’ll schedule midnight feedings.
Baby times two
Once your babies are home, be prepared for a hectic lifestyle. Here are some tips for squeezing twice the amount of care into a typical busy day:
- Feed them together. Instead of feeding both babies on demand, try feeding both of them at the same time. For example, when one baby wakes up to feed, wake the other up too.
- Get the older kids involved. Since so much of your attention will be focused on your new twins, letting an older child help will keep her involved with you as well as the babies.
- Plan for snooze breaks. Twins are twice the fun but at least twice the work. You’ll be tired for the first few months, so plan on taking naps whenever you can.
- Stay upbeat. There may be days when your new responsibilities, sleep deprivation, and recuperating body give you the blues. Try to keep a positive outlook and perspective.
- Divide and conquer. Start out bathing the infants one at a time. Then, when they can safely sit up and support themselves at about 6 or 7 months, you can give them a bath together.
- Seeing double. As your babies become more mobile, you’ll have to be doubly aware. Keeping an eye on where they are and what they’re doing takes practice but you’ll have plenty of time to learn as they begin to crawl.
Seek out other parents of twins
The best resources for raising twins are the parents of twins. Contact and join your local multiples organization. You also can check the Internet for support groups.
