An Expectant Parent’s Guide: Preparing for Twins
Shock. Excitement. Complete and utter panic. All feelings that often come from finding out that you’re expecting twins. Although getting a two-for-one deal is a huge blessing, it’s also a little scary. If you’re wondering how you’re possibly going to manage two babies at once, don’t worry! Every twin parent has been in your shoes (which are probably going to go up a size, by the way).
One way to ease your worried thoughts? Preparing for the arrival of your sweet babies as much as you possibly can. From buying newborn baby essentials to arranging the nursery, here’s your go-to guide for preparing for twins.
Start Learning Everything You Can About Twins
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed about having twins. If things seem extra scary right now, it’s likely because you don’t know what to expect yet.
One way to transition from feeling terrified to excited is by diving headfirst into the world of raising multiples. Start learning as much as you can about preparing for twins by reading twin mommy blogs and forums. Consider joining your local twins club to gain support and learn about twin experiences. The more you know, the less anxious you’ll feel about having two babies.
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Don’t Stress Over Buying Two of Everything
After taking a quick glance at a newborn checklist, you’re probably wondering: How on earth am I going to afford this?
Thankfully, you don’t need to buy two of everything for your twins. While there are some things you’ll need to double up on—cribs, car seats and high chairs, being a few—there are several baby items that your little ones can share between them. A changing table, a double stroller, toys and almost any activity-related item can usually be shared.
Keep in mind that you don’t need to buy everything right this second. Of course, stock up on immediate necessities like Onesies® Brand Bodysuits, diapers and burp cloths, but consider holding off on the high chairs since your babies won’t need them until they’re four to six months old.
Tip: Can’t decide when to buy two of something? Just think about which items your babies will need to use at the same time.
Decide What Kind of Diapers to Use
We probably don’t need to tell you that there are going to be a lot of diaper changes in your future. What you may not know is just how much your twins’ diapers are going to cost you. According to The Bump, disposable diapers can cost anywhere from $2K to $3K over two years for a single baby. Yikes.
One way to save on diapers is by using cloth diapers rather than disposables. Cloth diapers can save you even more if you plan to have more babies in the future! If you find yourself struggling to keep up with the laundry, you can always pay for a diaper service to pick up your dirty cloth diapers and return them to you clean and folded.
Prepare Siblings for Life with Twins
If you have other children, the arrival of your twins may spark feelings of jealousy. Don’t wait to start preparing them for life with newborns. If you have a toddler, now is a good time to encourage him to become more independent. The less they need you, the easier the transition will be for your toddler once the twins arrive.
Talk to your kiddo about the new baby and let them feel your excitement. Have your toddler help you pick out newborn girl outfits for your twins as a gift. Likewise, don’t forget to give your toddler a gift “from the baby” to help him warm up to the idea of being a big brother.
Arrange the Nursery Sooner Rather Than Later
Do not procrastinate on arranging your nursery. Remember, your body is carrying not one but two babies. That’s exhausting! If you wait too long, you’ll be far too drained to even think about your nursery–much less decorate it.
To ensure that your nursery gets done on time, start working on it before your third trimester. Another reason why you should start on the nursery sooner is because your twins may arrive earlier than expected. By knocking this chore out in the beginning, you’ll have one less thing to worry about.
Think About Maternity Leave
The average length of a twin pregnancy is 35 weeks, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center. That’s an entire month earlier than a singleton pregnancy.
While it’s possible that you’ll reach 39 weeks with your twins, you may want to talk with your employer about maternity leave earlier than usual. Most singleton moms can work all the way up to their due date, while twin moms rarely make it that far.
Think about what you want your maternity leave to look like and talk it over with your employer. You’ll likely need to read and fill out some paperwork, so be prepared to carve out time for it.
Double the Babies, Double the Fun
Your dynamic duo is going to be a lot of work in the beginning. But after the first few months, things will become much easier. Go easy on yourself and accept help when it’s offered. All of your hard work will pay off!
