Did you just find out you will be having twins, or triplets or more??? If so, congratulations!!! Your life is about to change, and to be honest, it won’t all be easy. But it isn’t also going to be as awful as everyone will tell you it will be. And that leads into our first tip.
- Ignore the negative comments people without multiples will inadvertently make
People don’t realise that they are being negative. There is a lot of fascination with twins and multiples, but people can’t seem to help themselves. Be prepared for comments like: Better you than me, You’re going to have your hands full, You won’t be able to breastfeed, You will have to have a c-section, You will never sleep again, and the worst of them all “Poor you”. Just nod, smile and keep moving. Its good training for once the babies are here, as then the comments REALLY start!
- Get them into a routine, while allowing for flexibility!
While that may not make sense now, it soon will. Everything becomes a bit of a production line, so it’s easier to just do everything one after another, while obviously dealing with the baby that needs immediate attention first. However, try not to fall into the ugly cycle of constantly attending to the babies at different times. There is a lot of advice out there regarding different routines, but in the end you will work out what suits you and your family. There is lots of help available from the hospital and health services, so make sure you take advantage of it.
- Get help where you can
For those lucky enough to live near their family then it is time to call all forces! The first year is when you will need the most help. This will range from help with the babies, home cooked meals, help with the laundry and housework etc. If you don’t have help nearby, consider outsourcing where you can.
- Join a multiple births support group
Building an online or physical network of other parents with multiples is important for your physical, emotional and psychological well-being. Chatting to other parents who have multiples is a life saver. Sharing those days of relentless nappies, feeding and lack of sleep with other parents who truly understand helps you not feel so alone. Find your local Australian Multiple Birth Association support group HERE and join the Parents of Multiples online support group HERE.
https://www.amba.org.au/clubfinder
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ParentsofMultiplesAustralia/
- Learn to be organised
Being organised will make your life a lot easier and less stressful. Freeze extra meals, bulk buy nappies and do anything that will help prepare for those days where you just can’t get anything done.
The first 12 months seems like time warp when you are in it. Make sure you stop every now and then and absorb the moment, treasure the milestones and congratulate yourselves on raising your babies.
You may also like to read:
Unsettled Behaviour in the Newborn Baby
Setting up a Nursery for Twins and Multiples
Two Years with Three Kids
TWINS AND MULTIPLES – 5 tips to help you cope
Twinfo
Did you just find out you will be having twins, or triplets or more??? If so, congratulations!!! Your life is about to change, and to be honest, it won’t all be easy. But it isn’t also going to be as awful as everyone will tell you it will be. And that leads into our first tip.
People don’t realise that they are being negative. There is a lot of fascination with twins and multiples, but people can’t seem to help themselves. Be prepared for comments like: Better you than me, You’re going to have your hands full, You won’t be able to breastfeed, You will have to have a c-section, You will never sleep again, and the worst of them all “Poor you”. Just nod, smile and keep moving. Its good training for once the babies are here, as then the comments REALLY start!
While that may not make sense now, it soon will. Everything becomes a bit of a production line, so it’s easier to just do everything one after another, while obviously dealing with the baby that needs immediate attention first. However, try not to fall into the ugly cycle of constantly attending to the babies at different times. There is a lot of advice out there regarding different routines, but in the end you will work out what suits you and your family. There is lots of help available from the hospital and health services, so make sure you take advantage of it.
For those lucky enough to live near their family then it is time to call all forces! The first year is when you will need the most help. This will range from help with the babies, home cooked meals, help with the laundry and housework etc. If you don’t have help nearby, consider outsourcing where you can.
Building an online or physical network of other parents with multiples is important for your physical, emotional and psychological well-being. Chatting to other parents who have multiples is a life saver. Sharing those days of relentless nappies, feeding and lack of sleep with other parents who truly understand helps you not feel so alone. Find your local Australian Multiple Birth Association support group HERE and join the Parents of Multiples online support group HERE.
https://www.amba.org.au/clubfinder
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ParentsofMultiplesAustralia/
Being organised will make your life a lot easier and less stressful. Freeze extra meals, bulk buy nappies and do anything that will help prepare for those days where you just can’t get anything done.
The first 12 months seems like time warp when you are in it. Make sure you stop every now and then and absorb the moment, treasure the milestones and congratulate yourselves on raising your babies.
You may also like to read:
Unsettled Behaviour in the Newborn Baby
Setting up a Nursery for Twins and Multiples
Two Years with Three Kids
Twinfo
Naomi, BBus Bachelor of Business Management (Honours) is one of the 4,560 women who gave birth to multiples in Australia in 2011. Passionate about all things multiple (twins, triplets and more!), Naomi is the founder of Twinfo. After having twins, Naomi realised there was a gap in the market for resources, advice and services that were aimed specifically at the families of multiples. Twinfo was developed to provide the connection between service providers and parents, plus acting as a resource hub for information, expertise, knowledge and advice.
Website: https://www.twinfo.com.au/
routine, support, change, emotional, help, flexibility, well being, physical, honest, twins, organised, negative, multiples, triplets, comments, births, pyschological
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