Expecting the arrival of twins is double the blessing but it will also be double the work. That said, forget about going with the flow; preparing for one baby’s arrival is necessary but when you’re expecting twins, preparation is absolutely crucial. There’s no doubt that these babies will be the best thing that will ever happen to you. Having twins is truly an amazing gift. However, taking the responsibility of caring for two babies at once has to be challenging, and getting ready for the experience will make things easier for everyone.
Calm Down and Cover the Basics
The moment you learn you’re expecting twins, you’re bound to be very excited, but soon you might start to stress over the fact and overwhelm yourself with a bunch of things that you need to learn and manage. Of course, you will have to prepare, but the key is to take things gradually. For starters, it’s more than enough to focus on the most important basics as a mom-to-be. That said, learn about breastfeeding, changing diapers, creating schedules and sleep patterns, essential baby gear, and so on. Once you master these basics, you’ll be calmer and more knowledgeable to proceed with further preparations.
Do as Much as You Can By 30 Weeks
Don’t leave anything to chance. While there’s no need to rush and stress over the preparation, it would be best to create a schedule that you can easily follow every day in order to check something out on your to-do list. It’s important to note that almost half of the ladies expecting twins have to be put on bed rest when they enter the 30th week of pregnancy. That said, this could be your deadline for getting ready the essentials, such as equipping the nursery, packing the hospital bag, organizing a baby shower, and so on. Even if you’re not on the bed rest by this point, it’s much better to have the essentials already dealt with so that you can rest and relax for the arrival of your babies.
Take Care of All Things Medical in Time
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From your OB/GYN to postpartum doula, baby nurse, pediatrician, and so on, it’s important that you find the right people and services for both your pre- and post-natal care before it’s time to give birth. The sooner you deal with this task, the better it will be for both you and your babies. Essentially, you want to get medical assistance from professionals who already have extensive experience in dealing with twins.
You are probably aware of the importance of good OB/GYN and delivery staff, but you also have to think postpartum. You will need adequate help to care for the twins in particular. It’s also recommended to decide on various matters well before your due time, such as the setting of the delivery room, the choice of cord blood bank if you wish to store your kids’ umbilical cord stem cells, rooming, and so on. There are plenty of details that have to be worked out well in advance so don’t leave anything to chance. What’s more, always keep your focus on professionals with experience in multiples, as all areas have to be covered.
You Don’t Need to Buy Absolutely Everything in Pairs
It’s only logical that you’ll have to get some items double as someone expecting twins. However, you can easily find baby gear that’s specifically catered to twins while stocking up on essentials and decorating your nursery. As such, you can purchase double car seats and strollers, as well as changing tables meant for two babies at once. However, when it comes to anything electric as well as activity-inducing gear such as rockers and bouncers, there’s no need to get them in pairs. It would be better for your kids and for you as well to simply rotate the kids between these.
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Baby books can be of great help but nothing can substitute the experience of moms who have been through it all. In the digital age we live in, it’s easy enough to get on forums and social media, and find the mom support groups where you’ll be able to get some first-hand advice. This bit of extra effort could prove to be extremely valuable so don’t hesitate to take the time to connect.
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