Finding out you’re expecting twins is exciting and after the initial shock wears off, a little frightening as well. As excited as you are to be a parent, you were only expecting one bundle of joy. But when you think about it, having twins is wonderful in so many ways. However, there will be challenges. If you’re having twins and aren’t sure how to prepare, you’ve come to the right place.
Take a Child Birthing Class
If you’re worried about giving birth, you should sign up for a childbirth class. It’ll help you prepare for delivery day and take away a lot of anxiety that comes with having a baby. Since traditional Lamaze classes might not cover everything you want to know, look for classes that are specifically for the birth of twins or multiples. Keep in mind that twins usually arrive early, so it’s best to sign up earlier than later.
Choose a Stroller
With twins, you need a stroller that is sturdy, lightweight and is big enough for two. Look at the various options to see which suits your lifestyle. Twin strollers come in side-by-side versions, jogger versions and a variety of tandem styles. Make sure you choose one that can grow with your twins, at least up to their first birthday. You also need one that offers additional storage under the carriage.
Names
Choosing names is an important part of becoming a parent. Your children will have these names for their entire life, so you need to think about how the names you want could impact them overall. Think about how it sounds phonetically, if it’s hard to pronounce and whether there’s a risk they might get teased when they start school. The last thing you want is to have two children crying because their classmate’s made fun of their name.
Financial Planning
Once you discover you’re having two babies instead of one, you need to reevaluate your finances. Even if you’ve been saving for years, you now need to cover the cost of two tiny humans. Look at your finances and create a new budget for the initial months after delivery and future as well. You’ll need double the supplies to bring the babies home, specifically car seats, clothes, diapers, formula and cribs. Since this can add up quickly, you need to think about your own financial picture.
Some parents take out a personal loan or use credit cards to help pay for added expenses. While these are both viable options, you can also consider getting a life insurance settlement. When you sell a life insurance policy, you can receive a substantial amount of money to use as a nest egg or open a savings account for your children. Since not every type of life insurance policy qualifies for settlement, it’s best to review a guide online for more information.
Include Older Siblings
If you already have children, now’s the time to get them involved. Ask them for their input when choosing names, buying clothes and setting up the nursery. This will make them feel more secure in their attachment to you and not feel like a third wheel when you bring their siblings home, which is one of the challenges for siblings of twins or multiples. If they’re old enough, talk to them about how important their role as a big brother or sister is. Let them know how much you love them and that you are excited about having them help you. You also need to talk about how things will change once the babies arrive. Prepare them for charges in their night-time routine and possible sleeping arrangements prior to your delivery date.
Set Up the Nursery
You also need to figure out the new sleeping arrangements. If you also have a set risk, up, adding an additional bassinet or crib is an easy fix. However, if the room is small, you can either have the twins share one crib or move them both into your room initially.
Ask For Help
Even if you feel comfortable going it all alone, you will eventually need some help. After all, taking care of two babies is far different than taking care of one. In addition to friends and family, you can also hire a night nurse or part-time nanny. If you choose to interview candidates on your own, ask for a list of references, CPR certification and always perform a background check. If you are not sure how to interview a nanny, you can also enlist the help of a certified staffing agency to screen applicants prior to interviewing with you.
Practice Self-Care
Prior to delivering, you need to take time for yourself. Pamper yourself with a manicure and pedicure or massage, if cleared by your obstetrician. Once your babies are born, you’ll have less time to focus on yourself. However, even as busy as you’ll be, you still need to carve out time for yourself.
