There are many things I learnt from being a first time mother of my identical twin boys. Here are a few great tips I’ve tried that helped me survive the first few months of the twins lives.
1. When they cry at the same time
There will be many instances where both babies are going to be hysterically crying at the SAME time. So, who do you go to? Well, if you have help at home, then the obvious answer is that you each take one baby and figure out how to soothe them.
But what if you’re alone? Then honestly, the answer is make sure both babies are in a safe place (inside the crib or playpen) and then go to the baby that is crying the hardest/loudest first. One of the things that will help you most is actually learning the all the different types of baby’s cries. Each cry sound means a different need/thing.
Loudest/hardest cries can mean that the baby is in discomfort or possibly pain.
2. If they look IDENTICAL, how to tell them apart
Yes, I get it. You’re their mother, ofcourse you can tell them apart!
EXCEPT when you’re incredibilly sleep deprived, in the middle of the night, with dim night light on so that you don’t arouse the babies. THAT’S when things can get a bit confusing. Like “wait a minute, did I just change the diaper of Twin A or Twin B?”
Try assigning each baby with a set of separate color schemes. For example: Twin A can wear red, blue, and brown; and Twin B can wear green, yellow, and orange. At least in the very beginning, where those late nighters might be making you do a double take everytime you finish with handling a baby.
Another idea is to put a “done/not done” sign up on their cribs. That way when you finish one baby you can turn the sign, indicating that you’re done changing/feeding with them.
Another idea is to paint one of their big toenails each two different colors. There are Halal nail-polish options out there now, if you’re willing to go that route.
3. What type of things should I buy doubles of?
That all depends on your financial means and your living environment. Obviously, if you can afford it, have the space for it, and want to give them their own things. By all means, do you.
I, on the other hand, was the primary income provider, and brought my twins home to a 1 bedroom apartment. So no, I did not buy two of everything.
Get two of the basics: cribs, a double stroller, car seats, high chairs, bottles, clothes, etc. Things like that.
In the beginning, I didn’t get two sets of toys, bouncers, or anything like that. And honestly, it wasn’t neccessary. Especially in their early years, most often they didn’t play with the same thing at the same time. And not buying them each the same thing, gave me an opportunity to teach them to “share” early.
4. Photos/videos
When you take any pictures/videos of the twins. Make sure you put some kind of captions with the picture, indicating who’s who. TRUST ME, even if you are confident that you’ll know which twin is in the picture/video YEARS down the road. NOT everyone else will, that can include your spouse/other parent or the twins themselves! So just save everybody the confusion and headache and jot down those captions.
5. Keep a strict Baby schedule
I did my best to keep the twins pretty much on the same schedule. I fed them the same time. I put them to sleep at the same time. I changed them one after another, so that it’s around the same time. I gave them baths one after another, so that it’s around the same time.
If unexpected things happen, like one baby pooped and the other didn’t. Then that’s a different story. All I did was just change the baby with the poopey diaper. But for the most part, I kept both babies on the same routine and schedule. It just made the day flow easier for me and the babies.
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