Suzy, editor of SureBaby.com, has been gracious enough to give us a few pointers on how to handle twins. See the post below for some great tips.
The Top 5 Ways to Handle Having Twins
If you've just found out you're having twins, don't panic! Many women cannot tell based on their pregnancy symptoms alone that they are in fact having twins, so it can be a surprise. Here are five effective ways to prepare your life for this major and marvelous change.
1. Put it down on paper. Whatever schedule and budget you may have already worked out will now have to be taken back to the drawing board. Sitting down and taking the time to write these things out, and keeping them where you can easily see, refer to and adjust them as needed is hugely beneficial in helping you maintain a sense of organization and not feel overwhelmed as you plan for your babies' arrival.
2. Shop secondhand. Many people expecting one baby already practice this smart money-saving strategy, but it becomes twice the lifesaver when you suddenly find yourself having to shop for two times the baby clothes, two high chairs, two cribs, a two-seater stroller, etc. You can find a wealth of options in stores and on websites devoted to selling gently used items, as well as at local yard sales.
3. Buy in bulk. It will save you time as well as money. Buy at least a month's worth of things you know you'll need a lot of, like non-perishable baby food and diapers, in economy sizes -- not only is bigger usually cheaper, but stocking up on supplies means fewer trips to the store.
4. Prepare your home well in advance. The more time you take to make the physical changes to your home that are necessary when you're expecting twins, the less stressed out you are likely to feel about them. But completing the nursery, baby-proofing and otherwise getting your house ready as soon as possible is also playing the odds, since twins often arrive weeks early.
5. If you have other children, prepare them well in advance, too. Children who will be the older siblings of the twins, especially if they are still young themselves, may feel increased anxiety upon learning that they are now going to have to share you with not just one baby, but two. Be sure to spend time with them regularly, and assure them that you will continue to do so even after the twins are born. Try to include them in the preparation process; for example, have them help to choose the paint color and decorations for the babies' room(s). You definitely want to try and avoid sibling rivalry.
