Baby Development – Twins: Double the Fun

By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kid’s Nutrition Specialist

Having one baby can turn your world around, but imagine having 2 at the same time.   Giving birth to twins was once a rare occurrence, about 1 in 60 women back in 1971.  A 2004 study by the National Center for Health Statistics found that about 32 sets of twins were born for every 1,000 births.  A mother’s odds for having twins doubled nearly 60 % since the early 1980’s.   Partially responsible for the twins explosion is and increase in fertility treatments and in vitro fertilization, including a rise in multiple births.

If having twins is something you long for, fertility treatments can increase your odds.  Most likely to naturally have twins are women who part of a twin set as well as those with a maternal history of twins.  Some say eating yams will increase the odds of twins, as certain tribes for whom yams are staple crop have higher rates of twins.  In addition, some studies have shown that women who get pregnant while breastfeeding are more likely to have twins, as well as women who conceive at an older age.

Caring for twins
Be sure to start with a good support group of family and friends who can help out when you feel stressed.  Twins are certainly a 2 person job, especially for newborns when mom is still adjusting. It is important to be honest and upfront with those close to you by expressing exactly what you need as well as what you don’t need.  There will probably be lots of volunteers, who wouldn’t love 2 newborn babies?

Plan Ahead
Try to get as much done as possible before the new babies arrive.  Life will most certainly become an endless cycle of diapers and feedings for the first few months.  It is also a good idea to begin parenting classes a sooner than for a single birth, as most twins tend to arrive a little early.

Breastfeeding
It may seem overwhelming, but many women have successfully breastfed twins.  The good news is the increased demand actually increases milk supply.  Nursing both babies at the same also boosts milk production and helps get them on the same schedule, which can save you precious time throughout the day.  Invest in a twins nursing pillow to help support both babies without straining your back and neck.  A breast pump is another must have, as you can keep milk reserves on hand.  Some mothers of twins also pump breasts for milk and use bottles.  La Leche League is a great resource for more nursing tips.

Schedule
Some could argue it is actually easier to get twins on the same schedule as opposed to children who are a year or two apart in age.  Twins actually enjoy sleeping next to each other and will often snuggle together, which is recommended for the first 3 months.  Be sure to establish a nighttime routine such as a bath or a story to let the babies know it is time to rest.  Most importantly, schedule a few moments to yourself and with your partner.  By taking good care of yourself, it will ultimately make you a better mother.  Take a nap when the babies are asleep and make sure you are eating adequate nutrients with healthy meals and snacks.  You will need lots of energy to care for those babies!  Visit Twinslist.org for additional resources.