Having a baby changes your life in many different ways. Having twins adds an extra challenge as you adapt to caring for two newborn babies at one time. You will face difficulties related to dividing your time between two children as well as financial and emotional challenges for the entire family. Concentrating on what is the most important will help you prioritize your time and enjoy the precious time you have with your newborn twins.
Create a Routine
Your newborn twins will spend a great deal of their time sleeping and eating. Healthy Children, a website from the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommends putting them both on the same eating and sleeping schedule so you do not spend your entire day caring for them opposite of one another. If one newborn is hungry, try feeding them both. Put them down for naps and for bed at the same time as well so you can help establish similar sleeping habits. If one newborn wakes up to feed in the middle of the night, wake the other up to feed as well to help minimize the number of times you get up and to make sure you are getting enough sleep.
Decide How to Divide Belongings
If you have newborn twins that are the same gender, it may be more difficult to keep their clothes and other belongings separate than if you have one boy and one girl. Consider color coding clothing so you can quickly grab an outfit, socks, pajamas or hats without worrying about getting the clothes mixed up. Other parents interchange their twins' clothing by choosing a clean outfit for each without worrying about who it belongs to. Consider giving each twin a few things that belong to just him so he can develop a sense of individuality as he grows, suggests Kids Health. Separate individual toys and personal belongings into storage bins so you can easily locate each twin's things.
Spend One-On-One Time With Each Baby
Twins need parents to identify them as individuals and allow them to develop their own distinct personalities. Some parents dress their twins in different clothes or colors and give them their own name rather than choosing names that rhyme or begin with the same letter. You can help encourage individuality from birth by spending one-on-one time with each of your babies as often as you can. Spending time alone with each newborn allows you to learn more about each baby separate from her identity as a twin and allows each baby to be the center of attention once in awhile.
Ask for Help
Parenting newborn twins takes a great deal of time and effort. Asking for help will give you time to nap or just take a break if you need one. Seek out sources of help from family members, friends or your church so your twins get the care they need and you get the emotional support you need. Ask volunteers to cook meals, clean your home or watch the babies while you take a shower or a nap. Most people are willing to help if asked, so do not hesitate to ask a neighbor to hold your baby or a friend to cover a feeding for you.
