Twin and Multiple Births are on the Rise
By Nancy Wurtzel
Did you know that the number of twin births have more than doubled since the early 1970s? Today, about one of every 35 births in the United States are twins. Even more significant is the number of triplet and higher multiple births which have increased 200 percent over the last three decades.
Why the huge jump in the number of multiple births?
The most obvious reason for the growing birth rates of twins and multiples is the use of fertility drugs and treatments. These medical interventions are most often the reason for births of four or more multiples. Recent studies from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) show that approximately 43 percent of live births resulting from assisted reproductive techniques were multiples. Click to read the rest of this entry
6 Great Freebie Resources for Parents of Twins & Multiple Births
By Jennifer Gibbs
A sure way to double the joys of parenthood is to give birth to twins! You’ll have twice the smiles, goos & coos, giggles, and firsts (first words, first steps, first burps….) But for many soon-to-be parents of twins, once the excitement wears off, the math sets in….
Suddenly you find yourself with twice the dirty diapers, twice the mouths to feed in the middle of the night, twice the formula to buy. Then, there are twice the outfits and booties to get. You’ll need two cribs, playpens, baby swings…..The next thing you know, double the fun has turned into triple the financial stress. Click to read the rest of this entry
Photographing Twins
By Kenneth C. Hoffman
Capturing a portrait of twins compared to one person is more than twice as difficult. For a good comparison while retaining individual characteristics, all eyes must be focused at one point. There is a tendency to place the twins on a bench which unfortunately puts them both at the same height. This produces a static look and may lead the viewer to place false emphasis on minor height differences. Many methods can be used to place the twins at different heights. The ideal configuration is one in which the chin of the lower subject is even with the eyes of the upper subject. Click to read the rest of this entry
by Susan M. Heim
According to the National Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs (NOMOTC), more women suffer postpartum depression (PPD) after giving birth to multiples than do women who have singletons. In a study conducted by the NOMOTC, 11% of women developed PPD after their singleton birth, but 33% experienced PPD after a birth involving multiples. For those who had given birth to both singletons and multiples, 72% of the women felt their depression was longer and deeper after having multiples than after their singleton births. Click to read the rest of this entry
By Nicole M. Gates-Hulbert
Birthdays for multiples don't necessarily mean multiple parties, planning and stress! Try planning a party for your multiples that will include a theme. Theme parties make it fun for all in attendance. They're great for all age groups and present a new and exciting twist that allows parents to create some meaningful memories for their children. Click to read the rest of this entry
by Michelle Brouillette
When my twin girls were beginning to eat "real food," I would purchase no-salt-added canned vegetables and no-sugar-added canned fruits. I would then puree them in a blender, place them in ice-cube trays and freeze them. One can of fruits or veggies would usually make a whole ice-cube tray. When they were frozen, I would then place the cubes in a Ziploc bag until I needed them. At mealtime, I would just pop the desired number of cubes in the microwave for a few seconds because they thaw very quickly! I only used two cubes of veggies and two cubes of fruit per child with each meal when they first began to eat real food, so a can of vegetables would last about a week frozen. Click to read the rest of this entry
By Susan M. Heim
In speaking with many moms of multiples over the years, one of the topics brought up most is whether it's possible to breastfeed twins. Surprisingly, many moms-to-be of multiples are discouraged from breastfeeding by the medical community or members of their family, but they really want to give it a try. I won't lie and say that breastfeeding twins is easy. It takes a lot of patience, determination and dedication. But if you possess all of these qualities (and a sufficient milk supply, of course), I strongly encourage you to go for it! Here are some things to keep in mind: Click to read the rest of this entry
When Lainie Ceasar and her husband brought newborn twins Max and Zack home after a 10-day stay in the neonatal intensive care unit, they tried to swaddle their boys like the nurses had demonstrated in the hospital.
"They would sleep more frequently and seemed more at peace while swaddled," says Lainie. But the Ceasars didn't have much luck swaddling using standard receiving blankets. "Our little Houdini-boys would constantly get out of our swaddles...especially the swaddles I put on them in the middle of the night with a foggy head!" Click to read the rest of this entry
by Deanne Whiteley
Terrified of the thought of traveling by plane with your young twins? Veteran traveler Deanne Whiteley has successfully circled the globe with her twins and has some great advice for how to survive the ride! Click to read the rest of this entry
by Terri Mobbs
Parents of multiples are already overwhelmed with the extra care required of more than one baby, but when one or both children are disabled, the challenges can become particularly acute. Terri Mobbs, mother of identical twin boys, one of whom has cerebral palsy, has some advice to share with parents who have a disabled child.
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