1. What Makes a Twin Pregnancy Different?

A twin pregnancy comes with its own unique set of experiences. The most apparent difference is that two babies are growing simultaneously, which means your body has to support both. This can lead to a higher intensity of pregnancy symptoms or some that may present earlier than with a singleton pregnancy.

2. Top Symptoms That May Indicate You’re Pregnant with Twins

a. Excessive Morning Sickness

Morning sickness is a common pregnancy symptom, but it can be more pronounced in twin pregnancies. If you’re experiencing extreme nausea and vomiting, known as hyperemesis gravidarum, it might be one of the early signs of twins. This is often attributed to the elevated levels of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which tends to be higher when you’re carrying more than one baby.

b. Rapid Weight Gain

Gaining weight quickly in the early stages of pregnancy is another possible sign of twins. Since there are two babies developing, your caloric needs and overall body mass tend to increase faster than they would with a single baby. If your healthcare provider notices significant weight gain early on, they may recommend an ultrasound to check for twins.

c. Extreme Fatigue

While fatigue is common in all pregnancies, carrying twins can take an even bigger toll on your energy levels. Your body is working overtime to nourish two babies, which can result in feeling more exhausted than usual. If you’re struggling with extreme tiredness, even after getting plenty of rest, it might be an indicator of a twin pregnancy.

d. Higher hCG Levels

As mentioned earlier, hCG levels tend to be higher when carrying twins. Some women may have an earlier pregnancy test result or a darker positive line on their home pregnancy test. Your healthcare provider may order blood tests to check hCG levels, which could offer another hint of a multiple pregnancy.

e. Bigger Belly Early On

If you’re showing much earlier than expected, it could be due to the extra space needed for two babies. Many women with twin pregnancies report that their bump appeared more noticeable in the first trimester compared to friends expecting just one baby. However, belly size can vary and only an ultrasound can confirm whether you’re expecting twins.

f. Increased Appetite

With two babies growing, your body needs more energy. Some moms-to-be with twins notice a significant increase in appetite, often feeling hungry shortly after meals. This can happen as early as the first trimester and might be accompanied by stronger food cravings or aversions.

3. Medical Indications of a Twin Pregnancy

a. Elevated AFP Levels

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein produced by the fetus, and its levels are checked through a maternal blood test during pregnancy. When carrying twins, AFP levels tend to be higher than normal, which could be a red flag for your healthcare provider to look further into the possibility of twins.

b. Hearing Two Heartbeats

One of the most thrilling moments during a pregnancy is hearing your baby’s heartbeat for the first time. But what if there are two? If your healthcare provider detects two distinct heartbeats, it’s a strong indicator of a twin pregnancy. However, this can sometimes be tricky in the early stages, so it’s often confirmed with an ultrasound.

c. Ultrasound Confirmation

The only way to truly confirm a twin pregnancy is through an ultrasound. Most often, this happens during the first trimester, usually around weeks 10 to 12. In some cases, twins can be spotted even earlier during a routine dating scan. If you’re experiencing more intense symptoms than expected, your provider may suggest scheduling an early ultrasound.

4. Are You More Likely to Have Twins?

Certain factors increase the likelihood of having twins. These include:

• Family History: If twins run in your family, particularly on the mother’s side, your chances are higher.
• Age: Women over 30 are more likely to conceive twins, especially if they are over 35 due to higher levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
• Fertility Treatments: Assisted reproductive technologies, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), often increase the likelihood of twins due to multiple embryos being transferred.
• Previous Pregnancies: If you’ve had multiple pregnancies before, your chance of having twins is higher.

5. When to Consult Your Healthcare Provider

If you suspect you’re pregnant with twins based on any of the signs mentioned above, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider. They can perform tests and ultrasounds to determine if you’re carrying more than one baby. Early detection is important as twin pregnancies often require closer monitoring due to the increased risks associated with carrying two babies.

6. Caring for a Twin Pregnancy

Once twins are confirmed, it’s important to follow specific advice for managing a multiple pregnancy:

• Regular Check-ups: You’ll likely have more frequent prenatal visits to ensure the health of both babies.
• Balanced Diet: Proper nutrition is crucial, as your body needs extra calories, vitamins, and minerals to support two growing babies.
• Rest: Expect to need more rest throughout your pregnancy, as twin pregnancies can be more physically demanding.
• Monitoring for Complications: Twin pregnancies can carry a higher risk of complications such as preterm labor, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia, so close monitoring is essential.

Ready to take the quiz?

While experiencing more intense pregnancy symptoms doesn’t always mean you’re having twins, it can be a clue to consider. If you notice any of the signs mentioned above, it’s always best to consult your healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis. Whether you’re having one baby or two, early care and attention are key to ensuring a healthy pregnancy for you and your little ones.

Note: This quiz is for fun and informational purposes only. It’s not a medical test and should not replace professional medical advice. For accurate pregnancy information, please consult a healthcare provider.”

The post Wondering if you’re pregnant with Twins? Take the Quiz! appeared first on TWINS Magazine.

Especially during Christmas, we want to remember that members of the U.S. Army willingly sacrifice time with their families. Each year, thousands of United States Military personnel are deployed to foreign countries, remote sites, and postings all over the world. Connections from home are a huge boost to the morale of the troops and military families as they serve far from home – especially over the holidays.

Holiday Programs

The Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes program enables Americans to “Give Something That Means Something” during the holiday season. Beginning in 2014, there is no longer a national Holiday Mail for Heroes P.O. Box to which cards are sent. Instead, Red Cross chapters across the continental U.S. and Red Cross offices on military installations overseas will take complete control of the program. Check with your local Red Cross for times and locations of events and for opportunities to get involved.

Homefront America sponsors two different programs during the holiday season: Homefront Santa and Gifts for our Little Unsung Heroes. Homefront Santa endeavors to match sponsors to military families. Gifts for our Little Unsung Heroes provides each registered child with unwrapped toys and/or gift cards. In addition, holiday meals for families are also provided.

eMail Our Military is a charitable organization supporting our troops through morale-boosting emails, cards, letters, and care packages. Troop supporters can take part in a number of support projects ranging from emailing a service member one-on-one to general year-round support projects.

Full Circle Home gives deployed servicemen a chance to send a gift box to their wives back home. Gift boxes contain items to pamper themselves, such as lotions, bubble baths, and spa socks. They also feature a handwritten note from the serviceman.

Operation Christmas Spirit supports local military families by “adopting” over 100 families and fulfilling their Christmas wish lists with gifts for all family members and gift cards to do their own shopping; sponsor gifts and crafts at unit holiday parties; “Adopt” single Marines and Sailors, giving them gifts and gifts cards to celebrate whether near or far from their families.

Donate to Operation Holiday Joy. 100% of your donation goes to food and toys.

Operation Homefront offers many programs for military families throughout the year and on Christmas. To receive a gift, you must register for your local Operation Homefront Toy Distribution. A military family may also participate in the organization’s holiday meal events and receive all of the groceries for a Christmas dinner.

Thanks to the Marines Toys for Tots program, military and civilian children alike, have the opportunity to receive a new toy for Christmas. Donate or request a toy.

Tree for Troops delivers a Christmas Tree that was grown on an American farm on the other side of the world, just in time for Christmas. Also, they offer spouses and children the gift of a free, real Christmas Tree while their family member is away serving our country.

Military Mail

There are different ways to mail to a military member. See the APO, FPO, DPO link below for more details on how to address as well as dates to mail packages to reach your soldier in time before Christmas.

To assist people in sending gifts out on time, Military Postal Service Agency experts each year publish deadlines to get cards and packages in the mail. To ensure cards and packages arrive at their destination by Christmas, experts recommend the following guidelines.

• Packages going to military APO, FPO, and DPO addresses sent by Parcel Post must be shipped by Nov. 12.
• Space-available mail, or SAM, must be sent by Nov. 26.
• Parcel airlift mail, or PAL, must be sent by Dec. 3.
• First class letters and cards and packages sent by priority mail should be mailed by Dec. 10, except for AE 093 which must be sent by Dec. 3 to ensure on-time delivery.
• Express mail must be sent by Dec. 17, except for APO/FPO/DPO AE 093 where it is unavailable.
• SAM packages are first transported domestically by surface and then overseas by air on a space-available basis. SAM parcels must be less than 15 pounds and 60 inches in length and girth combined.

PAL service is space-available air transportation for parcels up to 30 pounds and 60 inches in length and girth combined.

Special note: Some Muslim countries (such as Saudi Arabia) have laws against displaying Christian symbols. Please keep that in mind when sending cards and letters to the Persian Gulf (Southwest Asia). You’ll not want to use envelopes with Christmas decorations on them as customs may refuse to allow them to enter the country.

Additional Note: Walter Reed Hospital DOES NOT accept Christmas cards addressed to “A Recovering American Soldier” and the U.S. Postal Service will not accept mail addressed to “Any Soldier,” “Any Wounded Soldier.”

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Many of those procrastinators are busy parents like yourselves with neverending daily to-do lists on top of regular parenting tasks, including preparing meals, school drop-offs, bedtime routines, and other activities. It’s no wonder some parents find themselves at the toy store on Christmas Eve wrestling another panicked parent for the last Hatchimals surprise egg.

The holiday season is kicking off earlier and earlier. As soon as those Halloween decorations come down, parents’ stress levels go up. If you haven’t started your holiday shopping yet, here are 10 things you’re missing out on by not shopping early.

1. The Twelve Months of Deals

It’s a misconception that retailers offer their best deals closer to Christmas. The fact is, you can find fantastic deals all year round with a little strategizing of what and when to buy. Black Friday, for instance, offers some of the lowest prices of the year on tons of items. It’s especially a good time to buy electronics (like that 65-inch TV dad has been talking about ever since the neighbors Super Bowl party, which he says ruined regular TVs for him forever.)

If you’re looking to buy winter clothes, including coats, sweaters, and matching jammies, you’ll save more money shopping in January when retailers are under pressure to clear out all the leftover winter inventory before spring. The same goes for other seasonal items such as bikes. It’s best to shop right before the stock for the new season hits shelves.

2. Shopping around on a Christmas spree

Last-minute holiday shopping can feel like a mad dash. Hurds of people rushing from store to store, scrambling to find ANY gift – never mind the perfect one. It’s the reason you end up being the gift recipient of a creepy cat clock, which you now have to re-gift to your child’s teacher because you also waited too long to shop  It’s a vicious cycle that can easily be broken by beating the holiday rush. When the clock is ticking (no pun intended), people tend to grab whatever is leftover.

You can be a confident and money-savvy gifter when you take the time to shop around. Browsing gift guides for inspiration is a great place to start. You’ll also have the opportunity to price match to make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck.

3. All The Christmas Stockings!

The closer you shop to Christmas Eve, the more you begin to feel like you’re in one of those post-apocalyptic movies, hunting and scavenging nearly empty store shelves for supplies.

But in this case, it’s Lego, because the 500 pieces that currently occupy your living room floor, some of which are now permanently embedded in your feet, aren’t enough.

Shopping earlier or during times of the year when items are at their peak season guarantees there will be plenty of stock to choose from.

Tip: Subscribe to the mailing lists of your favourite stores to get early access to specials and even exclusive deals right to your inbox. This ensures you’re one of the first in line to scoop up the item as soon as it goes on sale and before it goes out of stock.

4. It’s not just the weather outside that’s frightful

If you’ve ever tried doing hot yoga in a snowsuit while balancing several heavy bags of rocks in each hand and a coffee on your head, that’s what shopping in the wintertime feels like. Walking around the mall with all those layers on –puffy coats, sweaters, scarves, and mitts– plus all the shopping bags is exhausting to even talk about. And that’s if you can even make it there through all the snowstorms.

Not having to shop in the winter means fewer layers and nicer weather conditions to contend with. You also don’t have to worry about stores and banks suddenly closing because of bad weather. Besides, it’s much easier to push a full shopping cart when you’re not having to plow through 5-feet of snow across the entire parking lot while your kids scream in your ear to go faster. We call this shopping move “the downward sled dog.”

5. Shopping in your pajamas

Many parents don’t have time to shop in-store during the holidays. Did we mention that parents are busy? I mean we eat 156 meals a year standing up for goodness sake! Seriously, there was a study about it and everything. The alternative is shopping online. 

Online shopping is the most convenient way to purchase gifts because you can do it from anywhere at any time from your mobile device. Product selection is often better online, with additional styles and colours to choose from.

You can conveniently have gifts shipped directly to your house for a small fee or to the nearest store for free. Make sure to double-check each retailer’s website for shipping deadlines as they may vary.

6. Rocking the ship out of Christmas

If you have gifts to ship, getting your shop on early guarantees you won’t be scrambling to get everything delivered by Christmas or get stuck using couriers and paying expensive priority fees. You can take advantage of free shipping at some retailers like Amazon and eBay when you shop ahead of the busy holiday period. You’re also prepared if the post office inconveniently goes on strike, which could cause delivery delays.

Make sure to check out the shipping deadlines for retailers and the post office so they can ship those pants out early or you’ll be shipping your pants come December 22nd.

7. No cuts, no buts, no crowds going nuts

The worst aspects of holiday shopping are undoubtedly the large crowds and endless lineups. It’s amazing what people are willing to do for a deal, like camping out for days in the blistering cold huddled next to strangers, making small talk while discreetly relieving themselves in a urine bag. If this isn’t how you want to spend your holidays, get to the stores before the Christmas season starts, even before Black Friday.

Shopping during the retail off-season means no queues or angry mall mobs to fend off or customers next to you eyeballing your shopping cart. Let’s not even talk about parking. Get your shopping done during non-holiday periods and we promise you’ll be in and out of the store faster than you can say Happy Hour.

8. Gifting like Santa and saving like Scrooge

The most wonderful time of the year often turns into the most expensive time of the year for most families. Never mind buying gifts for friends, relatives, teachers, the mailman, and the dog, but there’s also the food, the drinks, the parties, and the travel expenses. Hmm, starting to see things from Scrooge’s perspective.

The benefit of shopping early or slowly throughout the year is that you can spread out your expenses into more manageable funds. Make the effort to put together a budget at the beginning of the year, or at the very least, the beginning of the season. Setting spending limits for gifts and additional holiday expenses is also a good idea. All of these steps can help save you time, money, and stress.

9. Saying Yes to No Stress

Nothing turns someone into a Grinch faster than the stress of the holidays. The key is to be organized and have a plan of attack. Otherwise, you will be stuck on Christmas Eve running around like a chicken with your head cut off at the grocery store, and ironically, holding a couple of frozen chickens because the grocery store ran out of turkeys.

There’s a reason why your annoying friend, the one who hums Christmas carols in July and has her gifts wrapped and under the tree by November 1st, is so happy and cheery all the time. She doesn’t have to step foot in a store during the holidays! Imagine how great it would be to have all your holiday shopping done early this year? You can sit back with your glass of wine, binge-watch Christmas movies all night, and still have time to move the stupid Elf on the Shelf before the kids wake up.

10. More time for fun and family

With the shopping out of the way, you’ll have more opportunity to spend with your loved ones and do all the Hallmark Christmas stuff you never get to do, such as roasting chestnuts on an open fire! Even though you’re allergic to nuts, you’re doing it anyway because people sing about it and you have time now. And you can send out Christmas cards with an adorable photo of your family in matching reindeer pajamas. Finally, you can rub your holiday happiness in everyone else’s face!

Turns out your holiday-obsessed friend and those retail Christmas creeps were on to something after all. The key to enjoying the holidays is actually getting to enjoy the holidays. Who knew? So give yourself the gift of shopping early this year so you can spend more time with the people you care about instead of a bunch of salty strangers ready to rumble over $2 bath towels.

Melanie Gibson is a Canadian comedy writer and spokesperson known for her razor-sharp wit and dry/sarcastic humour. When she’s not writing, you can find her in the ‘hood, fighting off invisible bad guys with her two sidekicks (sons, ages 1 & 3) and rescuing wine trapped in bottles.

Twitter: @sugarwits |  Instagram: @sugar.wits |  Facebook

The post 10 Things You’re Missing Out on by Not Shopping Early this Holiday Season appeared first on TWINS Magazine.

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While vaccines are one of our great success stories in modern medicine, saving millions of lives over the past several decades, they remain a topic of uncertainty for many parents. You are not alone if you have questions about vaccinations for your growing family. This article will guide you through the most up-to-date newborn-vaccination recommendations to help keep you and your newborn twins safe.

Highlights:

Newborns have a high risk for severe complications from vaccine-preventable illnesses.

All babies should receive the first hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth.

The CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone ages six months and older, including people who are pregnant and breastfeeding.

Pregnant women should also receive a Tdap (whooping cough) and flu vaccine.

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Family members and caregivers should be up-to-date with immunizations and boosters, including whooping cough and influenza vaccines.

Why are vaccines so important?

The simple answer – getting vaccinated is better than getting the disease. Those quick little pokes have saved many children from dying from diseases like meningitis, diarrheal infections, and many more. Since a newborn’s immune system is not fully developed, they are at an even higher risk for severe complications from vaccine-preventable illnesses.

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Are vaccines effective?

Yes! Vaccines do an outstanding job. Many diseases affecting children have been reduced or eliminated thanks to vaccines. Most childhood vaccines are 90% to 99% effective in preventing disease, and if a vaccinated child gets the disease, the symptoms are less severe than the illness of a child who did not get the vaccine.

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Are vaccines safe?

Millions of children safely receive vaccines each year. The most common side effects are pain or swelling at the injection site. Serious side effects from vaccines are rare. For every 1 million vaccine doses, 1 to 2 people may have a severe allergic reaction. Your doctor’s office is well-trained to treat any severe allergic reactions that may occur.

Why do vaccinations start at such a young age? Do I have to stick to the recommended vaccination schedule?

Changing the recommended vaccination schedule is not a good idea. The CDC’s recommended scheduling for each vaccine is based on age and factors like immune response and likelihood of exposure to the disease. There is no research to show if a child would be equally protected with a very different schedule.

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Tips for vaccinating twins

Most new parents cringe at the idea of their newborn receiving their first shot, and this can be double as tough for parents of twins. Here are a few tips to help make the injection go as smoothly as possible:

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Enlist some help: Having an extra pair of hands to help undress, dress, and comfort the babies after the injection can be incredibly helpful. If no one is available to help, ask if a staff member, such as a medical assistant, is available to help during the vaccinations.

Ask for something sweet. A sweet solution of sucrose or glucose (often called sweet-ease) a minute before the shot can help reduce your little one’s discomfort with the injection.

If you are breastfeeding, this can help soothe them after the vaccination. Have your helper hold them during the vaccination and get them dressed, so you can take them afterwards.

For triplets or more: Consider having them vaccinated at different times, especially if you do not have a helping hand.

Vaccines for newborns

Hepatitis B Vaccine

Brand Names: Engerix-B and Recombivax HB (3-dose vaccine series); Pediarix, Vaxelis (4-dose vaccine combination series)

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Hepatitis B is a contagious liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus. The vaccine is vital in your newborns because approximately 90% of infants who become infected with hepatitis B will become chronically infected (compared to only 2%–6% of adults). Chronic hepatitis B can lead to chronic hepatitis, liver cancer, and death.

All babies should get the first hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth. The hepatitis B vaccine may be given as a 3-dose vaccine series or as part of a 4-dose vaccine combination series (a vaccine that combines more than one vaccine into one shot). Both series start at birth and are completed by 6-18 months.

Some newborns will have a mild reaction, such as pain at the injection site or a rash. If you are concerned about symptoms, call your pediatrician for guidance. Here are a few tips for comforting your twins after the injection:

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A cool, damp cloth can help reduce any redness and swelling at the injection site.

Some newborns will want to eat slightly less the 24 hours after getting a vaccine and may prefer smaller and more frequent feedings.

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If a pregnant mother tests positive for hepatitis B, the babies will get their first shot of the hepatitis vaccine within 12 hours of birth and receive a hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) along with the vaccine to help prevent the disease.

What is the recommendation for the hepatitis B vaccine in premature babies? If your twins were premature and weighed less than 2000g at birth (about 4lbs., 6oz.), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the hepatitis B vaccine be given at one month of age or when discharged home from the hospital (whichever comes first).

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Vaccines for family members and caregivers

Family members and other caregivers can protect newborns by staying up-to-date on all their vaccinations.

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Whooping Cough Vaccine (DTaP for children and Tdap for preteens, teens, and adults)

Whooping cough can cause severe and life-threatening complications in babies, especially those under six months. About half of babies who get whooping cough will end up in the hospital, about 1 out of 4 will get pneumonia, and 1 out of 100 will die. Whooping cough is very contagious and is transmitted through respiratory droplets. The best way to protect newborns from whooping cough is to ensure pregnant women get a whooping cough shot (called Tdap vaccine) during each pregnancy between 27 and 36 weeks. It’s also crucial that siblings and anyone around the babies are up-to-date.

Influenza Vaccine

Influenza (commonly called the flu) can also cause severe complications like dehydration, pneumonia, and even death in babies less than six months. Because flu vaccines are not approved for use in children younger than six months old, protecting newborns from the flu is especially important. The CDC recommends that all pregnant women get the inactivated flu vaccine (the injection, not the live nasal flu vaccine). All caregivers and household members six months and older should also get the influenza vaccine.

COVID-19 Vaccine

We still have a lot to learn about the risks of COVID-19 in newborns; however, it appears most newborns who test positive for COVID-19 are asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms. The CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone ages six months and older, including people who are pregnant and breastfeeding. Booster shots are approved for everyone five years of age and older.

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Helpful resources for parents

To learn more about vaccine ingredients: What’s in Vaccines?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Vaccines & Immunizations

American Academy of Pediatrics: Conversations About Vaccines

Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your health care provider will usually file this report, or you can do it yourself. Visit the VAERS website or call 1-800-822-7967. VAERS is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff do not give medical advice.

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References

Kempe A, Saville AW, Albertin C, et al. Parental Hesitancy About Routine Childhood and Influenza Vaccinations: A National Survey. Pediatrics. 2020;146(1):e20193852. doi:10.1542/peds.2019-3852

Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html. Published 2022. Accessed September 3, 2022.

Hepatitis B Foundation: Hepatitis B Vaccine Schedules. Hepb.org. Published 2022. Accessed September 5, 2022.

The post Newborn Vaccinations: a pediatrician’s guide to keeping your newborns safe appeared first on TWINS Magazine.

1,190 miles apart.

And I somehow feel closer to her than I have in a long time. Every time I go out with my sister, someone asks us if we are twins, something that we are so accustomed to since we are in fact twins. The typical follow-up questions are the cheeky “Who’s the good twin?” and “Who’s the quiet one?” But the question that resonates with me the most is “Do you have twin telepathy?” It seems like such a ridiculous concept, but contemplating the matter, I do believe that we have telepathic powers in a strange way. While it is certainly not the way Hollywood or TV shows portray the dynamic, certainly it is something extraordinary that only twins can understand. Of course, we are not able to communicate test answers to each other or know exactly what the other is thinking at a certain point in time, but the bond that we share is like no other.

When I fractured my elbow in the second grade, peers constantly asked Jenni if she felt the excruciating pain. Thank goodness, no! However, we can both say that we sense each other’s emotions. During our high school years and college experiences, we have spent almost every day together. Interestingly, we both happen to be finance majors at the University of Georgia, so consequentially, we have many of the same classes, our lunch schedules coincide, and we naturally gravitate towards each other out of habit and convenience. In addition, we also live together along with two other roommates. We clearly always have an idea of what is going on in the other’s life since we spend many hours together in our normal daily routines. During the moments in which we have been apart, I have felt intense feelings of happiness or sharp pangs of sadness without reason. Later, I have found out that I am experiencing Jenni’s respective emotions, and the opposite is true as well.

The ultimate test of truly knowing whether we had a strong sense of each other’s emotions was when Jenni moved to Minneapolis for a 10-week internship.

10 weeks.

Now, that’s a long time, especially considering that we were together in the womb for 9 months and developed an intimate, inseparable bond ever since. I knew that being apart for so long would be a challenge for both of us, as we have historically been quite dependent on each other for support. During the first week of both of our summer internships, I withdrew myself from friends and family, as I honestly felt miserable. I avoided talking about my work and dodged all questions addressing it. Jenni noticed that something was off. Ultimately, I never told her anything about my experience and how I felt like a fish out of water in a field that I did not care for at all. I made the decision to resign from my position without telling her because I did not want to worry her or cause her to feel any distress when she was obviously powerless to help me with my situation.

When I finally had the courage to tell her that I resigned from my position, she told me that she was not surprised at all. She felt intense levels of discomfort and felt out of place without knowing why. She obviously was adjusting to her new environment in Minneapolis but could not explain feelings of dread and misery that she periodically felt. I knew that she had been feeling the emotions that I had experienced during my internship. Knowing that Jenni somewhat understood how I was feeling gave me a sense of relief and consolation. Knowing that despite being almost 2000 miles apart, we could still empathize with each other was a beautiful feeling.

During the past month since my resignation from my summer position, I have been searching to fill an emptiness that I was feeling from a lack of passion for my career. My twin has supported me throughout these struggles and has given me words of encouragement throughout this difficult, uncomfortable, and at times painful process. This week, I noticed that I was feeling upbeat and rejuvenated, eager to read and write for fun, something that was much-needed but I had not done for years. This week truly has been a turning point for me. However, suddenly, on the Fourth of July, I felt an indescribable amount of emotional pain and was wondering

Where is this coming from?

My instinct told me that something with Jenni was not right. The following day, I received a phone call from Jenni, which really surprised me, because I am typically the one to call her first. I dropped everything that I was doing at that moment because I felt that she needed me and urgently. Sure enough, she was in tears, and I had correctly suspected what the matter was with her situation. The dynamic that we have is something felt on such a deep level; we are always connected, as we share the same DNA and have very similar life experiences. In a way, feeling her emotions makes me feel hopeless because no matter what I say or do, I know there really is nothing that I can do for her other than give her consoling words and a hug when she is there with me.

While these responses do help the other person to feel supported and loved, it certainly does not alleviate the pain that the other is feeling.

After our conversation, I felt guilty that there was nothing I could do in the moment to make her feel better. I couldn’t leave my work and take a plane to visit her in Minneapolis; even if I could, my mere presence wouldn’t solve her problems. All I could do was hope and pray that with time, she would feel better, and she will.

That night, I had an interesting idea. I sent Jenni a post of a leg work-out that I had found and challenged her to perform the exercises with me. While it may seem silly, I felt Jenni’s presence while I was working out and felt more motivation because I knew she was doing it with me. It was a peaceful way to end the day, and after feeling each other’s strong emotions, the work-out was a metaphorical way in which we communicated to each other that we would grow stronger amid our circumstances.

[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://twinsmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/AileenVezeau-cropped.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Aileen Vezeau is a fourth-year finance and Spanish student at the University of Georgia. She is passionate about volunteering in the Athens community as a Spanish interpreter at a health clinic and at elementary schools. During her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball, soccer, and of course spending time with her twin!

aileen_vezeau on Instagram [/author_info] [/author]

The post It’s a Twin Thing appeared first on TWINS Magazine.

Twins and then some

As all twin parents know, this isn’t a walk in the park. This twin parenting stuff requires prowess, strength, resilience and a good sense of humour. For some of us though, there’s an additional spike in the daily workload and pressure of life. Bringing twins into a house with other kids is not for the faint-hearted. It’s a phenomenally challenging job, one that requires planning, compromise and on many days, a simple smile and graceful acceptance of defeat.

I hope this provides some practical, achievable tips for coping with the extra pressure the school year brings.

New term, new promises, new realities

As the leaves turn golden and the nights grow cooler, the new school year offers the annual promise of new beginnings and hope to parents. This is the year we won’t miss a beat, we’ll make school on time every day, we’ll never forget a pack up, a trip or a test. They’ll be tumble free, drama free, without angst or fear. We will greet our happy, confident, curious kids every day and hear their bright and brilliant stories of the adventures school brings. And most importantly, we will meet all their needs. They won’t be compromised by the addition of twins. They won’t resent the time the twins take up but instead see the joy in every step of this journey.

Yeah. Good luck with that. As Halloween approaches, for many of us moms of multiples, the wheels are already falling off of that rosy outlook. Last night it took all my strength to smile as I was trying to help my 9-year-old with his mental arithmetic homework. Dusting off my rusty old brain cells was a sizeable enough task. Throw in bouncing a baby on one knee, using the other leg to keep another from eating the biscuits in the dog bowl and trying to show appropriate praise for my 5-year-old daughters homespun (and incredibly loud) production of The Greatest Showman… well, come on. Seriously. Is this for real?

Somehow as ever, we all survived. Despite some slight friction and debate, in the end, each child got from their A to their B. Everyone was fed, washed and snuggled up in bed. Albeit some more compromised than others.

So today we regroup. We revisit some of the self-taught mantras that help in times of stress. We accept that we must have rough with the smooth. We remember that we are warriors. We were given this job because we can champion it. We remember that with a little planning and thought, we can show them all our affection. Most of all we remember that love will out.

If you wake some days with a faint fear of what lies ahead, try some of these simple coping techniques.

Here are 7 tips for coping with school and twins

1. Schedule a 30-minute end of day prep time

At the end of every day, no matter how bad that last shift went, you need to reboot and get organised for tomorrow. Give yourself every head start possible for the following day.

 Make sure you have their timetables and homework schedules on the fridge. Check what kit, homework and ‘stuff’ you’re meant to have lined up by the front door.
 Make any packed lunches before bed.
 Get your own clothes out for the next day. You can calmly control your decisions when everyone has gone to bed. Getting your head around a simple thing like what to wear can make a huge difference in your confidence and starting attitude for the day.

 Lay their clothes by their doors and get each child their own hook in the hallway, making sure their hats, shoes, bags are ready to scoop up as you leave.
 Check and reload your baby bag. Get baby clothes, nappies, any baby equipment ready to go with the older children’s gear.

Don’t take more than 30 minutes over this. You can do it. Tidy, organise, prepare and then stop.

2. Give yourself permission

Give yourself permission to take some smart shortcuts. You will be forgiven for cheating on the home-made bread, cakes and flapjacks for a while. You can punch in name labels rather than sew. You can skip sending your donations to the cake bake this term. You can lean on friends for a lift to school.

Give yourself permission to be less than perfect for a while, to take a helping hand and to opt out from things from time to time.

3. Spot gaps and make changes

If you step back and take a practical, dispassionate look at the separate processes in your day, it’ll be easier to see those that are working and those that need improvement. Remove the emotion from the equation and work out all the processes involved in getting from the start of the day to the end. This may include the school run, feeding the babies, taking the dog out, running the grocery errands, picking up from school, running to clubs etc. We all have our ways of getting things done, some of which will be working well, some which are barely functioning and some which just go to pot every day.

Take a solution-based approach and work out how to plug the gaps. Nothing needs to be permanent because let’s face it, once you’ve got it nailed, a logistic will change, a club will be added to the list or a child will U-turn on you for no expected reason. However, think about the here and now and what you need to do to make each process function best.

Do you have friends with teenage children who could help you with a homework buddy system for an hour a day, or mind one child while you run another to a club? Can you throw your dog on a neighbour’s dog walk for a little while or take the stroller with you for the dog walks? Can you get a friend to do pick up on allotted days? Can you swap dinner times with a friend so that you both gain from a child-free window when your schedule needs it?

Try it, make a few tweaks so that you can even out the load and operate more efficiently.

4. Create daily 1 on 1 time

It’s a fact you are acutely aware of, but every child in the mix needs you, and they need you in different ways. It’s easy to focus on those who shout the loudest, taking the path of least resistance and getting by in whatever way you can. But if you make a promise to give each of the big ones just 10 or 15 minutes before bed, you can rest easy that you’re giving them real quality you time.

Ask them what the best part of the day was. Ask them what tomorrow is going to bring and what they look forward to. Allow them to release the harder parts of every day before bed and recap on what makes life interesting and inspiring.

They won’t clock the time you spend but they’ll find comfort in the consistency of you always saving a little bit of energy and space for them.

5. Don’t throw money (or sugar) at it

It’s easy to feel sorry for the big ones, to get a sense that you are not playing enough, not listening enough, not interesting or even awake enough. But don’t let the guilt lead you to an unhealthy place where you take shortcuts to show you care. You are a good parent; you can make time and you do care. Don’t feel the need to throw more toys or sugary treats to maintain the love, affection and favour of your children.

Kids are resilient. Be consistent and keep good strong values or you’ll spoil them and need to honour this exchange and materialism for a (very) long time.

6. Don’t compare yourselves to others

Everyone else’s lives seem simpler right now. Do not make comparisons, it’ll crush you! You need to get focused on your own shizzle and leave the other parents to it.

I’ve often made the mistake of reading the banter on the school mom group chat and feeling bad about myself. Parents with fewer children have more time to review and debate the issues surrounding their children. They can chit-chat (seemingly endlessly!) about what to put in the school snacks, what to wear on the trips and compare notes on reading levels.

Don’t get sucked into the detail or you’ll end up resenting their space and forcing yourself into a low ebb. Parenting twins is what it is. It’s busy, it’s hard, but it’s also brilliant and rewarding. Just keep afloat and don’t listen to any external chat that can take you off you’re A-game.

7. Pause, smile and reflect

Above all else, take a moment every day to smile about your beautiful brood. Think about the funny things they said and the little quirks they have that make them special. Most people haven’t got a clue about how tough a gig this is. But don’t forget that soon, these bonkers, crazy, muddled up, messed up days will become the ‘the good old days – the moments you struggle to recall a bunch of years from now. One day our hearts will ache to be this important, this busy and this loved.

Remember to reflect and save a little praise for yourself. You are doing a great job. You are a champion. Keep at it tiger, tomorrow is and always will be another fresh day.

About the Author

[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://twinsmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/icon.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Laura O’Shaughnessy is a mother of four, including one-year-old twin girls. She writes about family, food, society, and life. She lives with her family and faithful sheepdog in Yorkshire, England. https://lauraoshaughnessy.wordpress.com/[/author_info] [/author]

The post Tips for coping with twin babies and school-age siblings appeared first on TWINS Magazine.

Breastfeeding twins has many advantages for both the mother and baby.

Breastfeeding strengthens the baby’s immune system and reduces the incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). It is also a great way for mother and child to bond.

Breastfeeding twins can seem overwhelming to a new mom, but thousands of new mothers successfully breastfed their twins every day.

These tips will help you to be successful from day one.

1. Get a Lactation Consultant

As soon as you arrive in your Postpartum room after giving birth, ask to see the Lactation Consultant. As a mother of twins, you will be a priority for her.

She will sit with you and teach you exactly how to get each of your babies to latch correctly onto your breast. Learning how to do this from the very first feeding is important.

If your babies do not latch correctly, breastfeeding twins can be painful and your babies will not be able to feed efficiently.

That is the number one reason responsible for issues with breastfeeding twins.

Nowadays all Lactation Consultants receive training on teaching mothers how to breastfeed twins, so she will be able to help you with different positions and issues particular to twins.

2. Find a Lactation Consultant in Your Area

Before giving birth, you may want to find a lactation consultant in your area, so you can make an appointment to see her once you have been released from the hospital. Many will come out to your home to continue to help you after you leave the hospital.

3. Get in a Comfortable Breastfeeding Position.

The position is very important when breastfeeding twins. There are many positions mothers prefer when breastfeeding twins and there is no one right way.

The positions for breastfeeding twins should allow you to relax your back and neck. Your posture of choice should allow easy digestion while the babies suckle.

You may find a number of positions helpful at different times. The goal is to try different positions until you find the ones that work best for you and your twins.

4. Get a Comfortable Breastfeeding Pillow

Get a special breastfeeding pillow designed for twins.

The My Brest Friend Supportive Nursing Pillow For Twins 0-12 Months, Plus-Size is the most useful breastfeeding pillow for twins.

It is soft and provides plenty of room for both babies. The strap is also awesome, as it keeps the pillow in place while you move your twins around and help them latch on correctly.

Colors: Light Green (Pictured), Dark Grey, Light Grey, Fireworks, and Black and White

Lowest Price: Amazon.com

Price: $58.04- $67.99

5. Wear Easy Access Nursing Tops and Nursing Bras.

In the beginning, you will find soft, comfortable 2-in-1 nursing tops with built-in bras to be extremely useful. While you are learning how to nurse twins and your twins are feeding to often, you will find yourself constantly needing to expose your breast to feed. These tops also make it simple to breastfeed both twins at the same time.

Caramel Cantina 3 Pack Women’s Nursing Cami Built-in Bra is a great 2-in-1 soft tank top and nursing bra. You can wear it by itself or under another loose top. It comes in many sizes and colors, thus matching everything. You will want to buy at least a few packs of these because in the beginning, milk will leak and babies will spit up on you.

Colors: Black, White and Charcoal (3 Pack), Navy, Burgundy and Teal (3 Pack), Black (3 Pack)

Lowest Price: Amazon.com

Price: $36.99 (Pack of three)

Having plenty of comfortable nursing bras is also important. When your milk supply is first coming in and your twins are learning how to breastfeed, it will messy. You will find yourself often needing to change your bra. You will also need to wear a bra all the time in the beginning because your breasts will leak milk.

Therefore, you will want to have comfortable bras you can wear all day and night.

The 3 PACK Full Bust Seamless Nursing Maternity Bras with Extenders & Clips is the perfect nursing bra bundle.

We recommend you buy at least three of these packs to get started. The extender will be great right after you give birth before you lose your pregnancy and while your milk supply is adjusting. The clips allow you to connect the two straps in the back to hide them when wear tank tops or other sleeveless shirts.

Colors: Black, Pink & Nude (3 Pack), Nude (3 Pack), Black (3 Pack), Black, Grey & Nude (3 Pack)

Lowest Price: Amazon.com

Price: $36.99 (Pack of three)

6. Start with One Twin at a Time

As a new parent or one who is having your first pair of twins, it is advisable that you start gradually, with a twin at a time to the breast.

Once each twin is latching properly and you feel comfortable, start trying to feed the other twin at the same time.

Be patient with yourself and know you will master breastfeeding twins at the same time. It is a skill like any other and simply requires practice.

7. Use a Breastpump Only When Necessary

Before you consider using a breast pump, be sure it is needed.

Mothers panic, saying their breasts don’t produce much milk and they are afraid they are not making enough for the twins.

it takes a few days for your milk to come in. The most effective way to establish a strong milk supply is to latch them properly and encourage your twins to feed often.

The woman lactation process actually generates more milk with the demands placed by the suckling mouth(s). Breast pumps are just not as effective at expelling milk from the breast.

In the early days, encourage your twins to breastfeed often. These early days will determine how much milk your body makes. It is a supply and demand system established during the first days. That is also why learning how to latch your twins on is so important from the beginning.

So, before you go for a pumping aid, be sure you need it.

When it is time to begin pumping, we recommend you use the Medela Pump in Style Advanced Double Electric Breast Pump with On the Go Tote.

It is an awesome all-in-one system.

Medela is the most well-known and recommended brand on the market. All of their products come with a lifetime warranty and their service department is excellent.

While the bag this breast pump comes with may not be your first choice, this bundle is a great deal and has everything you will need to immediately begin pumping.

Lowest Price: Amazon.com

Price: $190.93

8. Alternate the kids to the breast

Each of the twins might have different appetite and sucking behavior.

Therefore, alternate which twin feeds from each breast with every feeding. A great way to remember which twin fed from each breast is to wear a simple bracelet or hair tie on your wrist. Assign the hair tie to Twin A. After you have completed breastfeeding your twins, move the hair tie to the other wrist. This will tell you that Twin A should feed on that breast during the next feeding.

9. Get Rest

You need as much rest as you can get.

When your newborn twins are sleeping, you should sleep, as well.

Ask friends and family members to keep up with the daily tasks around the house.

In the early days, your task is to heal your body from birth, breastfeed and care for your new twins. That is a full-time job. Everything else can wait.

10. Ask for Help

Neighbors, friends, co-workers, and family are great helpers in the early days. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Hiring a Postpartum Doula is also an excellent choice.

Postpartum Doulas can help you care for your newborn twins, clean your house, cook and help organize the help of others in your life.

11. Eat and Drink Frequently

Think of your body as just recovering from running a marathon.

Labor is exhausting and you have lost a lot of blood. Now you are trying to make food for two little people.

Allow yourself to eat foods you are craving. Your body may need more salt, protein or fats to recover.

In the early days, we drank lots of Ensure High Protein Nutrition Shake with 16 grams of high-quality protein, Meal Replacement Shakes.

We loved them because they did not contain milk and thus did not need to remain refrigerated. We kept them on our nightstand and drank them during the night when we woke up hungry.

Product Details:

Flavors: Chocolate, Strawberry, and Vanilla

Price: $31.94 for 24 8oz Bottles

Lowest Price: Amazon.com

Drinking lots of water is one of the best ways to ensure your body will produce enough milk.

Breast milk is composed of 90% water.

During birth and for days after giving birth, your body will lose a lot of blood. Blood is composed mostly of water. Therefore, you will likely be extremely dehydrated.

One of the biggest factors that will affect your milk supply in the early days is your water intake. This is a crucial time as your body is figuring out how much milk to make for your twins. If you are severely dehydrated in the early days, your body will not establish the correct amount of milk supply.

You will probably notice that soon after you begin breastfeeding your twins you will become thirsty. The oxytocin that your body releases during breastfeeding is responsible for triggering your thirst. This is your body’s natural way of ensuring that you are getting enough water to make breast milk.

As soon as you can, begin rehydrating your body. This can easily be done simply with water. During breastfeeding one baby, you should drink an extra quart, or 32 ounces, per day.

12. Start Preparing Before Your Twins Arrive.

Preparation is key. Create a plan now to ensure you will have all of the tools and people in place when your twins arrive.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. People who love you will want to feel needed and your twins will benefit from it, as well.

The post 12 Tips for Breastfeeding Twins appeared first on TWINS Magazine.

We have found our top three recommendations for the best pack n play for twins and included the product details, the pros and cons of each and all other information we feel you will need to choose the best pack n play for your twins.

1. The Baby Trend Twin Nursery Center is our #1 recommended pack n play.

It has extra features the other pack n plays we found for twins just don’t have.

When your twins are first born, a pack n play can be a great first place to have your twins sleep at night.

We placed this pack n play next to our bed and had each twin sleeping in one of the two removable bassinets. That made it easy for me, as the breastfeeding mother, to lean over and pick up each twin when they needed to breastfeed.

This will be the place you lay your twins down to nap throughout much of the day. During the day, many parents have this crib in the main sitting room. At night, many parents bring this crib into their bedroom.

Product Details:

Colors: Comes in Color Shown

Price: $249.99

Lowest Price: Amazon.com

Amazon Rating:

Below we have included the main pros and cons of each pack n play.

Pros:

★ Advantage Over Our Other Recommended Pack n Plays–The Deluxe Parent Organizer is an awesome feature that allows you to keep diapers, wipes, clothing and outfits right next to the pack n play.

★ Two removable rock-a-bye bassinet each convert to standalone rockers

★ Removable rock-a-bye bassinet comes with canopy and carry handle, plush fabric and mesh sides for proper ventilation

★ Flip away changing table and deluxe parent organizer. Use only household mild soap and warm water. Do Not Use Bleach. Do Not Machine Wash

★ One-hand locking mechanism and large wheels with brakes

★ Electronic music center with volume control, nightlight, and vibration

Cons:

• Only available in 1 color

• Twins will quickly outgrow the bassinets

2. The Graco Pack ‘n Play Playard with Twins Bassinet is the second pack n play we recommend.

Product Details:

Colors: Comes in Color Shown

Price: $179.99

Lowest Price: Amazon.com

Amazon Rating:

Below we have included the main pros and cons of each pack n play.

Pros:

★ Advantage Over Our Other Recommended Pack n Plays– It is less expensive.

★ The Pack ‘n Play Playard with Twin Bassinet is roomy with 2 cozy quilted bassinets for twins

★ Removable bassinet is perfect for napping, making it easy to transition to a portable playpen

★ Quilted mattress pad creates a comfortable nap space

★ Convenient carrying bag for no-fuss travel and storage

Cons:

• Only available in 1 color

• It does not have a changing pad or organizer for diapers, wipes and other baby items

3. The JOOVY Room2 Twin Nursery Center and the Joovy New Room2 Portable Playard is our third recommendation.

Note: The Nursery Center and the Playard Must Both Be Purchased

The JOOVY Room2 Twin Nursery Center and Joovy New Room2 Portable Playard are sold separately.

Price: $75.33- Nursery Center; $119.99- Playard = Total is $195.32

Lowest Price: Nursery Center and Playard

Amazon Rating:

Product Features:

★ Advantage Over Our Other Recommended Pack n Plays– Much larger than other two pack n plays

★ Includes bassinet and changing table (playard sold separately)

★ Bassinet holds twins up to 15 lbs each or 30 lbs total, removable center divider

★ Great for use with one baby, twins or multiples

★ Changing table holds up to 25 lbs, water resistant surface is easy to clean

★ Changing table is removable and flips over when not in use

Cons:

• Must be purchased as two individual items

• Does not include a parent organizer bin for accessories

• It does not have a changing pad or organizer for diapers, wipes and other baby items

In summary, a pack n play for twins is an excellent, useful place to have for your twins. It can be used for naps, to change diapers and as a safe play area for your twins.

Comment below and let us know if you have purchased any of these three pack n plays for twins and what you think about them.

The post The Best Pack n Play for Twins appeared first on TWINS Magazine.