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Pumping for Two

Amanda Hadley — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 22:53:30 +0000

Pumping for Two is a practical class for twin parents who plan to pump. Learn how to set a schedule, how long to pump, why night sessions matter, and when it’s safe to drop sessions—all with simple tips and timelines to make life with two a little easier. Continue Reading Pumping for Two

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Childcare for Twins: How it Panned Out For Other Twin Families

Twiniversity — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Getting to the end of parental leave and trying to decide about who to have help watch your infant or toddler twins during the day. Or just needing an extra set of hands to care for your dynamic duo? Thinking about childcare for twins may feel overwhelming, so here’s a quick look at what other twin parents decided on and how it worked out! One of the more challenging decisions (don’t they all feel challenging though?) you’ll have to make as a twin parent is figuring out a childcare option that feels right for you. So if you’re feeling a bit frazzled by this doubly stressful situation, know that you’re not alone! And keep reading for a look at what other twin parents did and how it worked out for them. We recently asked our twin parent community: What was your experience with your initial daycare option for your twins? Did it work out great? Did you have to pivot? Here’s what twin parents had to say: We had to pivot… “Currently going through it. We’ve been on a waitlist since December (twins born in April) and found out last week that the daycare might not have a space for them after all. I go back to work next week and we are touring two new daycares later this week! SMH! Luckily we have lots of help, but we thought we had this all figured out!” — vamirasolo “My mom is our main support, but got a nanny from 12 months to 15 months. My twins are now 3 years old and I’m considering hiring help again.” — mahinour “We started out at a nursery 2 days a week but had to pivot to a childminder due to cost (we’re in the UK).” — Lillouwho2 “Had to drop to only 3 days a week because the cost for 5 was more than I ever imagined.” — defranco “Pivoted and I quit my job.” — mrs.carriejohnson “Fail. Daycare for 2 months then quit my job. I was miserable missing them and it was expensive.” — karenmgilbert “Not so great. A month in, we had to find a new daycare, but it worked out better. The kids love this one!” — Zaheedavirani It worked out great! “Nanny at 4 months till 2 1/2. It was the most economical for us. We had an amazing nanny!” — kylez_vrussel “Not sure if this counts, but when my twins were 18 months old I started taking them to the gym daycare so that I could get back into the gym. They’re now 25 months old.” — leannaivic “It [daycare] was a hard no. Found a nanny ASAP!” – ajacks_244 “It worked, but it was mind-boggingly expensive. We poached a caregiver as a nanny.” — robinofspring “We hired a nanny. It was for affordable for us and they are thriving!” — orangespoken “Couldn’t afford two in daycare at once so I stayed home with them!” — sam.campanaro “Kindergarten. In Austria it’s free. Till they go to the first school. But we waited as long as possible. Our twins were almost 3 years old before they went. The experience was great!” – PaCo One twin mom’s childcare for twins saga We live in the U.S. and unfortunately my school did not offer disability insurance or any sort of paid leave. So our first tough decision was to extend my maternity leave and go with reduced pay. This meant that I got to be home with the babies until they were 6 months (since part of the leave was during our summer break from school). Yet, we were definitely in a bit of a financial pinch. Then from 7 months through almost 2 years, we ended up qualifying for a homecare nurse since both of our twins came home with feeding tubes and required a great deal of medical care on top of typical newborn care. Once they no longer qualified for that care though by age 2, we had to figure out a new daycare plan. At that point in time, paying for full-time daycare for two toddlers didn’t feel like the right option for us. So after only 1 year back in the classroom after having the twins, I left my job as a teacher and became self-employed as a freelance copywriter. This meant that I was home with the babies full time and trying to fit in freelance work during nap times and after bedtime (very tiring! but mostly worth it). But by the time they were about 28 months, it no longer felt manageable to watch them on my own. Most nights I had little energy left to devote to my fledgling business (which we needed to support some of our family’s bills). So we tried out having a babysitter (who we found through Care.com) come over to help three days a week for a few hours over the summer. That worked out okay, but we wanted the kids to be able to get out of the house more and interact with other toddlers in a more structured setting. Personally, my journey with this was a little all over the place. I was a high school teacher when I became pregnant with the twins. As the pregnancy progressed, and we developed some complications and then eventually landed ourselves a 3-month NICU stay, I realized we were going to need to be flexible (and creative) when it came to childcare options. By the time they turned 2.5, we decided to officially enroll them in part-time daycare three mornings a week at a Montessori daycare. While this still felt like a bit of a stretch, we ended up loving the daycare! (Thank goodness!) Looking back, the journey of twin daycare options was really wonky for us, but I feel like it all worked out in the end. Now, our twins are 3.5, and they will be going back to the same daycare Monday through Friday (just in the mornings still). This will give me plenty of… Continue Reading Childcare for Twins: How it Panned Out For Other Twin Families

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How Do You Know It’s Time to See a Therapist? (And What is a Perinatal Therapist?)

Twiniversity — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 10:01:00 +0000

Pregnancy, birth, and postpartum are a unique time in a parent’s life, unlike anything else we go through in our whole existence. The changes are physical, hormonal, and emotional; a complete inner and outer transformation! There are changes to family structure, to relationships within our families, to personal and professional roles, and to personal identity. To top it off, there’s less sleep, more stress, less time to de-stress, and more financial strain. Especially when you have two at once. You may have to decorate a nursery or move houses entirely. You may also have added medical hurdles for mom or babies to overcome. There’s so much to do to prepare for welcoming twins and even more to adjust to once they’re actually here! Change is challenging. It requires coping skills, adjustment, cooperation, and great communication. You must process new emotions and perhaps old traumas. All of these changes are compounded for parents welcoming twins. The National Institute of Health shows that there is a higher risk of postpartum depression for both mothers and fathers of twins compared with singleton parents. Even though parents of twins might as well be expected to be superheroes, they should not be expected to do it alone. Enter the perinatal therapist. What is a perinatal therapist? Peri- is a root word meaning “around” and “natal” means born. So, a perinatal therapist is a therapist who supports parents who are in a period of time near their child being born (either pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, or postpartum). What does a perinatal therapist do? A perinatal therapist can help you alleviate stress and work through challenges related to pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. Like generalized licensed therapists, they can help you process difficult emotions, offer perspective, manage change, work through challenging decisions, and even prioritize all there is to do. And they can see you individually or as a couple together. Why should parents of twins work with a perinatal therapist? While every twin parent has a unique journey, there are a lot of circumstances that may make carrying twins and parenting twins extra challenging. And this, of course, can take a toll on your mental health. We polled the Twiniversity community on Instagram recently and asked followers to respond to the following question: Did you struggle with any sort of postpartum mood disorder—either diagnosed or undiagnosed? Here’s what we found: Yes, postpartum depression and/or anxiety 50% PTSD or birth trauma 8% A combo of struggles 24% No postpartum mental health struggles here 18% (While the data could be slightly skewed with those who experienced challenges being more likely to respond, this data still shows just how prevalent mental health struggles are specifically for parents of twins). We also asked how many of them received support and if they felt they found support right on time or past when they should have initially sought help. Here’s what we found: Yes I got help, right on time 20% Yes I got help, but I wish I would have sooner 28% No, and I regret not seeking support sooner 22% No I didn’t get support, but I eventually got through it okay 30% Here’s how a perinatal therapist can specifically help you during your journey with twins: During the prenatal period (aka antepartum) If you’ve conceived your twins through artificial reproductive technology or surrogacy, perhaps you’ve experienced losses or a prolonged fertility journey. A perinatal therapist can help you cope with grief and the extra stressors of fertility challenges. Not to mention the additional complications that are possible during a multiple gestation. If you experience twin pregnancy complications or struggle with anxiety during your twin pregnancy, a perinatal therapist can support you in utilizing helpful coping mechanisms. During the postpartum period Once your newborn twins are here, you may face additional stressors or trauma. Whether you have a NICU stay or struggle with the day-to-day difficulties of caring for two babies (and eventually two toddlers) at once, a perinatal therapist can be a great resource for support. How do you know if it’s time to seek support from a therapist? We recently asked our community of twin parents to chime in with how they knew it was time to get help from a therapist. Here’s what they had to say: “My husband didn’t understand the emotional overload I was feeling. I felt overwhelmed.” “When my doctor asked how I was doing at my postpartum check-up, I just burst out crying.” “Marriage counselor during pregnancy. For some reason our marriage STRUGGLED.” “When I felt so overwhelmed at 6 months postpartum, I hid in bed and researched therapists.” “I felt like I was drowning. I was unable to manage everyday tasks and losing tons of sleep.” “I AM a therapist, and I knew I wasn’t okay. I didn’t want to visit my babies in the NICU, didn’t eat for three days and I was sobbing uncontrollably.” “My midwife identified the issue when pregnant with my singleton (my first). And my mood immediately tanked again after conception of twins so I went on meds.” “I had postpartum rage at 8 months postpartum.” “I have been seeing one for the past 10 years. Can’t imagine the difference it makes for when times get rough! I had a stillbirth before my twins and it made all the difference.” “I was in full blown PPD and couldn’t function, primarily due to sleep deprivation.” “When the sleep deprivation continued and I couldn’t feel joy anymore.” “When my body physically started giving out along with my mind. It was all-encompassing.” “When I started ‘snapping’ on everyone including my toddler. I hated who I was.” “I was highly irritable and socially withdrawn.” “Seeing my husband parent our twins brought up wounds from my relationship with my own dad.” “My doctor gave me the PPD test and I scored high.” Where to find a perinatal therapist Just like all aspects of healthcare, therapy comes with a cost, so if you have insurance coverage, try to go through your insurance… Continue Reading How Do You Know It’s Time to See a Therapist? (And What is a Perinatal Therapist?)

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The Best Baby Sock Monitor for Twins and Should You Even Use One?

Twiniversity — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 04:01:00 +0000

Considering getting a smart sock baby monitor for your twins? Read on to learn about the best baby sock monitors out there and experiences that other twin parents have had using them! Do you ever wonder how your own parents or grandparents raised their children? In the age of technology, there are so many things that are designed to make life easier and safer with raising our newborn and infant babies. Technology like continually advancing car seats and even disposable diapers. My mom reminds me that my grandma had hand washed cloth diapers for all the years she had children. And she raised 6! But car seats and diapers are probably not the first thing you think of when it comes to baby technology. Instead you probably think of all the things that blink and sync, like one of the latest and greatest to the infant tech world: the smart sock baby monitor! If you’ve never heard of this, you’re probably thinking what!? I’m telling you, the world of baby tech is wild! Smart sock baby monitors are a whole thing. The question then becomes why would you want to have a smart sock baby monitor? And if you do use one, what is the best baby sock monitor for you as a twin parent? So let’s get into answering all those questions on your mind! And be sure to read all the way to the end to hear about real experiences from other twin parents and their take on sock monitors for their twins. Disclaimer: All content on this website, including medical opinions and any other health-related information, is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation. Use of this site and the information contained herein does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others. What is a smart sock baby monitor? And how does it work? Smart sock baby monitors are like monitors with additional bells and whistles. If you’re expecting now in 2025, I’m going to guess your parents monitored you with an audio-only monitor. Or perhaps they had the first generation of video monitors. Video and audio are great to keep an eye on your child because if something happens, you’ll hear and see what’s going on in that room. But smart sock baby monitors are next level. They allow you to track even more. The smart “sock” is worn on your baby’s foot (just like a sock). And the sock has built-in technology that sends messages to the monitor (and ultimately to you). Some of these sock monitors can track sleep patterns and others may track heart rates and oxygen levels. Whether you decide to use one of these smart sock monitors or not, it’s important to realize that they are not a replacement for any other safe-sleep practices that can help prevent SIDS (like laying the baby on their back). And they are in no way, shape, or form meant to diagnose or prevent any sort of disease or health issues for your baby. Instead, smart sock baby monitors are a supplemental wellness device. And of course, it’s best to consult your pediatrician or other medical professional before using one for your babies. What are the pros and cons of using a baby sock monitor for your twins? As with all technology, there are those who love the monitor and others who are against their use. So let’s take a quick look at some of the potential benefits and drawbacks: What are the cons of using a smart sock baby monitor? One common argument against smart sock baby monitors is that they may increase anxiety for the parent because they make you feel like you’re always on alert. Like having too much information to worry about. For example, one pediatric clinic pointed to an incident where the baby’s heart rate dropped a little when they were asleep, which prompted the parents to take the infant to the ER. They explain that the heart rate can naturally drop during sleep, and so devices like this could cause unnecessary anxiety for the parents as well as unnecessary visits to the emergency room. Another argument on the opposite end of the spectrum is the fear that smart sock monitors could cause parents to be too lax when watching their kids because they may over-rely on the monitor. What are the potential benefits of using a smart sock baby monitor? While one argument for using a smart sock baby monitor is that they cause too much anxiety for parents, one argument for using them is that they may actually reduce a parent’s anxiety. This could be especially true for twin parents who have premature babies or who have had an extended NICU stay and are wanting to have extra vigilance with their fragile newborns at home. When you’re in the NICU for a long time, you may get used to having all the extra monitoring on your twins (like the pulse oximeter and the heart rate monitor). In some cases, using a smart sock monitor at home could help twin parents make a smoother transition from the NICU to home. But again, even in these cases, a smart sock baby monitor should not be used in any way as a replacement for other safe-sleep practices and overall vigilance with your newborn twins. Now that we know all about smart socks baby monitors, should you decide (with the recommendation of your pediatrician) to use one, what are the best baby sock monitors out there? Best baby sock monitor options for your twins Owlet Dream Sock The Owlet Dream Sock is a sock you may have seen around stores or heard about from a friend like me. The Owlet Dream Sock pairs with your phone and allows you to monitor your twins’ heart… Continue Reading The Best Baby Sock Monitor for Twins and Should You Even Use One?

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How to Celebrate Holidays and Special Milestones in the NICU?

Twiniversity — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Being in the NICU with one or both of your twinnies during a holiday or a special milestone (like turning a new month old) may have you feeling down. But don’t worry, we asked other twin parents what they did to make these moments still feel special! Keep reading for a loving dose of NICU celebration inspiration. We recently asked our community of twin parents how they managed to honor all of those special milestones and holidays while dealing with a NICU stay. And here’s what they had to say: “For their 100th day, we bought “100” balloons and brought party hats.” — Karen “Themed pictures with milestone plaques/cards!” — Kendyll “Always celebrated to remember those memories most.” — Meghan “I kept a log and entered it all into their baby journals.” — Angela “Don’t worry, NICU twins are all fighters. Strong kids with even stronger minds.” — Tarriq “We wore our Christmas pajamas to the NICU to visit them on Christmas Day!” — Amanda “Special outfits and the hospital decorated for holidays. For us it was 4th of July.” — Karen “Father’s Day they made cards with photos for Dad and we spent the day there making the best of it.” — Lindsay “We liked to bring treats to the nurses as a thank you! It helped us feel less sad and more grateful.” — Addison “We spent Easter and Mother’s Day there. For Easter, the nurses were so kind and made sweet little cards out of the babies’ footprints.” — Paige More tips for celebrating NICU milestones and holidays from the hospital 1. Ask your team of NICU nurses to help From my own experience and other NICU parents I’ve come across, there’s a common theme: so much gratitude for the NICU nurses. Ask your twins’ nurses to help out! Whether it’s with assisting you with maneuvering around cords or having them help you hold your baby who’s on oxygen, more than likely, they will be glad to help you take pictures or put on cute outfits for special occasions. When my twins turned two months old, our NICU nurses helped us by putting on a photoshoot since we missed out on doing the typical newborn photos while being in the hospital. It took almost an hour to do both kids with the outfit changes and setup, but it made for a fun (as fun as the NICU can be) afternoon that we now have as a precious memory. 2. Get some fun NICU milestone cards To remember those special moments in the NICU–like breathing or eating on their own for the first time–or graduating and getting to go home, go grab yourself some special NICU milestone cards. You can use them to take pictures with your twins on those memorable occasions or and keep them in a special photo album or keepsake box. 3. Keep a NICU journal to record those big and small NICU milestones One of my biggest regrets as a parent to preemie twins who had a 3 month NICU stay was not keeping a journal to record everything. I don’t remember why I didn’t bring myself to do it because a mom in the same NICU pod as us would write in hers daily. But don’t make the same mistake I did and go get yourself a NICU journal so you can keep track of all those pivotal moments as well as your own reflections and memories throughout your twins’ NICU stay. 4. Bring some festive treats or decorations along Your babies won’t have any memory of this time period, but you will. If there’s a particular holiday or occasion that’s important to you, do something special that will allow you to keep the spirit of the tradition alive! Whether it’s baking a special dessert to share with your NICU nurses and other NICU families or bringing along some festive flowers or decor (without breaking any safety guidelines), those small gestures can go a long way in brightening an otherwise standard day in the NICU. 5. Read a special holiday-themed story to your twins Most NICUs will have a stash of books that you can borrow to read to your babies. Ask around to see if they have any holiday-themed books you can use, or borrow one from your own local library and bring it in! Reading to babies in the NICU may seem like a small thing, but reading to babies is great for their health, and having an on-theme book will help you feel like you’re putting them onto the traditions that matter to you and your family. Want more ideas and inspiration for surviving your twins’ NICU stay? Check these out too:

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Twin Pregnancy Nutrition: The Essentials

Twiniversity — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000

When you’re growing two little humans inside of you, there are some additional measures to consider when it comes to your nourishment. That’s why we’ve rounded up a quick summary of the need-to-knows when it comes to nutrition guidelines for twin pregnancy. Disclaimer: All content on this website, including medical opinions and any other health-related information, is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation. Use of this site and the information contained herein does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others. Taking care of yourself nutritionally is a constant work in progress. Am I right? We’re told to eat this, remove or limit that… Then you throw the ultimate curveball to that careful planning: expecting twins. And you’re left wondering: Okay, well what does that mean for my dietary needs?! Can I eat WHATEVER I want? After all, you’re growing two humans, right? As fun as it would be to dominate the all-you-can-eat buffet, there’s a bit more complexity to twin pregnancy nutrition guidelines than you might realize. So forge ahead in the article to get a glimpse into some of the major considerations to make with your twin pregnancy nutrition. 1. Talk to your doctor Your doctor (or other healthcare professional) will be your best friend when it comes to the health of you and your twins. They’ll be able to give you personalized nutritional recommendations based on your unique medical history and conditions as well as the status of your twin pregnancy. Speaking with your trusted healthcare professional is a vital move in making sure your diet is up to par for what you and your twins need for the journey ahead. And just because you are having twins, doesn’t mean that your dietary needs will be the same as other expecting twin moms. So if you haven’t already, be sure to check in with your physician to see what specific recommendations they have for your nutrition. 2. What about calories? Having double the babies inside of you doesn’t mean that you double your calories. Instead, the specific caloric increase you’ll need will depend on your starting body mass index (BMI). Medical professionals estimate that twin pregnancies require about a 40% increase in calories (on average). The amount of extra calories you need also changes slightly as you progress in your pregnancy. For example, in the first trimester, there’s not as drastic of an increase as there is in the third trimester. According to the American College of Gynecology and Obstetrics (ACOG), moms carrying multiple babies should increase their caloric intake by about 300 calories per baby. That’s not as much as you might think! What does 600 calories look like? Well, I can tell you the double cheeseburger at a certain favorite franchise is 440 calories. And remember, the exact number of calories is just a small portion of the importance of health during this time. Prenatal vitamins are excellent to supplement what is missed and/or compensate for the nutrition your body needs for this journey. (More on those later!) 3. Get enough protein You may have been told already how important it is to get enough protein during your twin pregnancy! And here’s why: Consuming enough protein helps ensure that your body has enough amino acids to maintain healthy development of the fetuses and the placenta(s). Most medical researchers agree that the ideal breakdown of where to get your energy from in twin pregnancy is as follows: Of course, you may have some food aversions or morning sickness during this time, making protein consumption a bit challenging. I didn’t have morning sickness, but I did have a strong aversion to meat. All kinds of meat, really. And my doctor wanted me to have 90 grams of protein a day to help with my high blood pressure (caused by pregnancy). To hit that number, I had leaned on my protein enhanced chocolate milks. Not your body building protein shakes. The taste of that also made me want to vom-bomb. Fairlife Chocolate Milk shake was the only thing I could tolerate. With 30 grams of protein per bottle, I’d have one per meal to hit that 90 number. The exact grams of protein you’ll need may be higher or lower than this, but Brigham and Women’s Hospital recommends a ballpark estimate of 100 daily grams of protein for twin pregnancies. Again, consult your doctor for a game plan that meets your specific nutritional guidelines for twin pregnancy. 4. What about prenatal vitamins? Generally speaking, it’s recommended to take the same prenatal you would take for a singleton pregnancy. That said, on top of your standard prenatal vitamin, for a twin pregnancy, you’ll also be advised to take additional folic acid and iron. More on these next! 5. You’ll likely need extra folic acid and iron Folic acid is a type of B vitamin that’s very important in early pregnancy. Most current medical research shows that folic acid is vital for reducing the incidence of neural tube defects. (These are birth defects that are related to the brain and spinal cord.) Certain foods like dark leafy greens like spinach are high in folate. But most women won’t be able to get enough folate from food alone. That’s why across global guidelines, it’s recommended that pregnant women take a folic acid supplement with 400 µg. But for twin pregnancies, the dosing may be even higher. This is because women carrying twins are 8 times more likely to develop anemia caused by folate deficiency. Like folate, iron is also important for helping to ward off anemia during pregnancy. Studies have found a correlation between low birth rate and preterm birth caused by iron deficiency. Low iron may also be connected to developing preeclampsia. So be sure to check with your… Continue Reading Twin Pregnancy Nutrition: The Essentials

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When to Start Parental Leave for Twins?

Twiniversity — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000

When you’ve got two little humans ready to make their debut soon, it can be stressful to figure out when to begin your leave from work. For some helpful tips on what to consider with maternity or paternity leave, keep reading! The weeks are counting down quickly as you gear up to welcome your twinnies into the world. But there’s a burning question on your mind: When should you start your maternity leave for twins? Or when should you start your paternity leave for twins? So, let’s go over 6 of the most important considerations for you to keep in mind when figuring it all out! Considerations for when to start parental leave as a twin parent 1. Be flexible With a twin pregnancy, you’ve probably already been told a million times that there are some extra risks for complications. While it can feel overwhelming to have more uncertainty around when your twins will be delivered, it can help to consider all of your options ahead of time. Ideally, once you begin your second trimester, you should begin seriously researching your parental leave options. With twins, it never hurts to be over-prepared! This way, if you end up delivering much earlier than you expected, you’ve already thought through potential options for an earlier or more extended leave. Then, once you know the options available to you, it’s a good idea to have a primary plan as well as some back-up plans ready to go. 2. Look up parental leave laws for your country and/or state No matter where you live, parental leave laws are always changing. So make it a priority to do your own homework and understand what the most current laws are for your current place of residence. When you are informed, you can be empowered to make the best decision for yourself and your growing family. It can also help you better advocate for yourself in the event that your workplace isn’t abiding by national or local laws. For example, in the United States, there’s a law called the Family and Medical Leave Act that spells out how certain employees can be eligible for 12 weeks of job-protected leave for the birth and care of a newborn child. Within the U.S., you should also check to see your home state’s specific laws and regulations for job-protection and paid leave policies. Some states have mandatory or voluntary policies that spell out requirements for paid leave. Take a look here! Some countries and states also spell policies for pre-birth leave that includes time off of work to accommodate doctor’s appointments. And some spell out additional requirements for how you can stack both maternity leave and paternity leave. Another factor to consider is if you are part of a union. Some unions have additional resources that you can tap into related to family and medical leave. For example, when I was pregnant, I was a high school teacher, and I was part of my school district’s union. Our union had a sick bank that each teacher could contribute to yearly. Thank goodness I opted into this contribution because when I had all sorts of additional challenges with my twin pregnancy, I was able to get some additional paid leave by applying to use days from the union’s sick bank. 3. Meet with a social worker Most people don’t realize this, but the hospital where your twins are delivered likely has a social worker. And if for some reason your hospital doesn’t have a social worker, look up your state or local government agency to figure out how you can connect with a social worker. A licensed clinical social worker can support you with navigating a variety of challenges related to your parental leave. Here are just a few of the things a social worker can help with: Trust me, this is not a step that you want to skip out on! Talking to the social worker at the hospital where I delivered was a true game-changer for my husband and I as first time parents to twins. Our social worker helped us through the process of applying for Medicaid (since our twins were in the NICU for nearly 3 months). And on top of that, she made us aware of a local organization that helps families in need with covering mortgage payments and utility bills. 4. Talk to human resources and your insurance policy provider Whatever industry you work in, be sure to talk to someone in the human resources department or a person who is in charge of understanding your employer-based health insurance policy. Some companies have unique policies for maternity leave and paternity leave that go beyond what national or state legislation requires as a bare minimum. Knowing what your specific healthcare plan covers will help you understand all of your options for taking both paid and unpaid leave from your job. In some cases, you could be eligible for short-term disability benefits and child rearing leave as well. 5. Keep in communication with your doctor or healthcare professional Be sure to check in frequently with whoever is part of your healthcare and delivery team. Whether you plan to deliver at a hospital or with the support of a midwife or doula, keep an open line of communication with them so you are all on the same page with how your pregnancy is progressing. In some cases, a doctor or other healthcare professional may decide that it is not medically safe for you to work past a certain point in the pregnancy. So definitely feel encouraged to talk to them about your plan for when to start parental leave for your twins. And speak up if you feel like working is becoming too physically demanding on your pregnant body. Which leads us to the final tip on when to start parental leave for twins… 6. Listen to your body While all the above tips are helpful from a logistical perspective, a huge piece of the puzzle to… Continue Reading When to Start Parental Leave for Twins?

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Best Preemie Clothes for Your Twin Newborns

Twiniversity — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 10:00:00 +0000

If your twinnies were born early, it might feel stressful trying to find clothes that actually fit them (so they stay warm and snug). So we’re sharing tips on where to find the best preemie baby clothes for your little ones! One of the joys of twin parenthood is having the chance to buy those cute little onesies and imagining your newborn twinnies wearing them. Like the identical matching outfits (cause they’re twins after all) or in the classic pairs ( ketchup and mustard, thing 1 thing 2, etc). And of course, then posing for those sweet pictures. Your family can’t resist the pull too! Even before your twinnies arrive, you’ve got a nice stash of fun pajamas, coordinating outfits, and more. And it’s all well and good until your babies come super early, and you’ve got to figure out what on Earth to dress them in. Because even those newborn onesies will drown your little preemies. My twins were born just in time for Christmas and weighed under 5lbs. My MIL had bought them each a Santa onesie sack which was so sweet. Both those onesies were huge! So, I can attest that there’s definitely quite a difference between preemie and newborn sizes. But unfortunately, lots of in-person retail stores don’t carry that many preemie sizes if any at all). And if you happen to find a stray preemie outfit, will they have another for the second twin? It’s a bit frazzling not being able to find the right size for your tiny twinnies. Especially since the chances of a multiple birth being earlier than scheduled is much higher than a singleton. That’s why we want to make sure you’re equipped with all the insights on where to find the best preemie clothes! But first, what is a preemie size? As you’ve likely experienced even with your own adult clothing, not all brands are sized equally. When it comes to preemie baby clothes, the sizing is based on weight and length. But each brand uses slightly different cutoff thresholds for what they consider to be “preemie size.” If you want to see for yourself, Dreft has a list of common baby clothing brands with their sizing parameters charted out. Most of the charts say preemie size is up to 5 lbs (up to 17”), whereas newborn size is between 5-8 lbs (up to 20”). You’ll notice some brands even have preemie sizing go up to 6 lbs. And some preemie baby clothes brands even have sizes that go below preemie size. These are teeny preemie (up to 4 pounds) and micro preemie (up to 3 pounds). What if my twins are in the NICU? If your babies spend time in the NICU, it’s a good idea to ask the nurses what they need as far as clothing goes. Depending on your babies’ particular medical needs, their medical team may have preferences and guidelines for how you dress them. Being hooked up to all those wires and a breathing or feeding tube can definitely make dressing your preemie twinnies more challenging (but not impossible!). Also, many NICUs have a stash of preemie clothes that they will let your twinnies use free of charge. So depending on the length of your stay, you might not even need to go out and buy preemie clothes. My personal NICU experience as a mom to preemies was “don’t bring anything,” which was nice. Our hospital clothed them, bathed them, and their NICU pods were heated. So again, definitely ask your NICU nurses what clothing would be helpful logistically. Then you can save money on what preemie baby clothes you buy and go with only what you really need. And take a look at the two websites below for preemie clothes that are made with NICU babies in mind! Best preemie clothes for NICU babies 1. Perfectly Preemie This site is dedicated to preemie baby clothes, and you can filter by size or style, which is super helpful! Most of the time, your NICU babies will have monitors on them. So if your hospital requires you to provide clothes, it’s best to have something with more flexibility than a single zip up. What’s also great about Perfectly Preemie, is they also have sizes smaller than preemie: micro and teeny, each with weight limits next to the names. 2. Preemie Store Another online retailer with the best preemie clothes is Preemie Store. This e-commerce shop sells multiple different preemie clothing brands (including Perfectly Preemie). Since preemies are their specialty, they have micro and teeny options with plenty of options suitable for the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) and PICU (pediatric intensive care unit). Outside of these NICU preemie stores (which are still a great option for non-NICU preemies), there are more mainstream brands that have preemie baby clothes too. Mainstream brands with preemie sizes 1. Carters: When searching on Carter’s actual brand site, you can apply filters for “preemie” to sort for that specific size. Personally, I found zippers to be easier than snaps, especially when you’re bleary eyed at 2:00am and not knowing if you’re placing the diaper the right way on. We’ve definitely woken up a few mornings with the buttons not quite lining up (whoops!). And Carter’s has sleep & play outfits with a 2-way zipper, which is always a win! They even have a dedicated section for NICU-friendly preemie baby clothes. 2. Gerber: Of all the baby branding, Gerber is a household staple. They have a variety of options for preemie baby clothes, along with accessories fitting preemies. Did I mention occasional sales? 3. Little Me You’ll notice many of the kids in your neighborhood or circle will wear the same big name brands. But if you want to stand out from the crowd with something more ‘boutique,’ Little Me has an array of preemie sizes. 4. Monica + Andy Another great brand you’ll see around is Monica + Andy. Their clothes are super cute and they have preemie options for a… Continue Reading Best Preemie Clothes for Your Twin Newborns

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Caring for Infant Twins After Leave: What Other Twin Parents Did

Twiniversity — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 10:30:00 +0000

Figuring out a plan for what to do with two babies after those initial weeks of leave can be a challenge for new twin parents. Read on to get a better sense of how other twin parents handled caring for infant twins and returning to work (or not)! Depending on your current work and financial situation and where in the world you live, your options for parental leave may be limited. And we completely empathize with you. We’ve been there too. Figuring this out is arguably one of the biggest challenges of early twin parenthood! But know that you are not alone in this struggle. Twin parents all over the globe have had to figure out a plan to make caring for infant twins work for their lifestyle. Maybe your situation will work out with ease, or maybe it will take a bit of sacrifice. Either way, take some inspiration from what other twin parents ended up doing! Twins went to daycare after leave ended These twin parents had at least a few moths of leave and then put caring for infant twins in the hands of a daycare or in-home daycare: — Went back to work after 7 months, put them in daycare – felt good about sending them there because they had each other and wouldn’t be navigating a new space/schedule alone. We love our daycare so much and the twins jump out of our arms to see their friends and teachers every day. ~ MB — 12 months of paid maternity leave in 🇨🇦. Then they went to daycare part time for a few months, and transitioned to full time after that. — MW — 20 weeks paid leave and then took 4 weeks unpaid! My husband had 12 weeks total and did 6 weeks at the beginning and then 6 weeks when I went back to work. They started daycare at about 7 months- we were very lucky! — Sarah L. — Sweden here: 13 months and my hubby the first 6 months. So grateful! Then they’ll go to preschool (also subsidized) ~ LV — 6 weeks paid/STD then 6 weeks unpaid FMLA, they ran concurrently so I was maxed out at 12 weeks leave. Then an in home daycare at $2000/mo. I was miserable through all of it. ~ M — I’m a teacher. I had to use all of my sick days before unpaid FMLA for 12 weeks. Then I used child rearing leave offered by my district until the twins turned 1. The child rearing leave was unpaid, and no insurance (or I’d have to pay the district for benefits). I went back to work the Monday after my twins turned one. ~ CB — Got 12 weeks paid from my work then I used my own leave and took some leave without pay. I was out of work for a total of 5 months. It was the best time! They then went to daycare and they’re still at the same daycare. We love it but wish it cheaper though. ~ TA — Nurse in the U.S. I got 6 months and needed every single week of it. ~ BK — 3 months unpaid and back to work. I was teaching chemistry in Ohio. ~ MR — In Norway we have 49 weeks+17 extra twin weeks. With full pay. We shared the leave 50/50. With a couple of extra weeks unpaid. 3 months home together, and I was home total 10 months. Partly home together. At 13,5 months the dad finished his leave and we were all ready for them to go to daycare. Short days for the first 6 months…. Daycare is only subsidized in Norway, while school is free. ~ EÅ. — 6 months off and went back to work. Was going to take 9 months like I did with my older son. Twins went to day care. No regrets! Day care is like another family and they are in great care doing things we can’t do with them. ~ AL — I had 3 months off for maternity leave then had a nanny for another 3 months while I went back to work full time. Then the twins went to daycare at 6 months old. They’re 2.5yrs now at the same home daycare which is about $1800 a month. They only do 3 days a week because I work 3 12-hour shifts and then they’re home with me the other days. It’s nuts, but we have no choice but to make it work. ~ A — 18 month parental leave and subsidized daycare in Canada. ~ KAJWM — I’m a teacher and was off a few days before they were born for high blood pressure which was Feb. 20. I took off the rest of the school year and went back in August when the twins were about 6 months old. They go to a small in home daycare. ~ SJ Help from family or nanny or a work from home situation When it came to caring for infant twins, these parents enlisted the help of a family member or nanny, or one of the parents managed to care for the twins while working from home: — 16 weeks off 12 are maternity leave the rest combo of PTO and STD. Will be back at work because we can’t afford life on one income. Mom will help a few days and hiring someone for the others. 3 year old in daycare/preschool. Can’t afford 3 kids in care. ~ B —Teacher here. Took my maternity leave until the summer. Went back part time afternoons this year and it’s been great. My mom and MIL have babies during those 3 1/2 hour I’m away. — Jessica W. — I forced my in laws to sell their house and move closer to us. ~ BA — I left them at 6 weeks with my aunt/mom’s sister and although it was hard I was at peace. ~ YP — Had 12 weeks and… Continue Reading Caring for Infant Twins After Leave: What Other Twin Parents Did

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Stress Management for Twin Parents

Twiniversity — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 10:00:00 +0000

It’s no secret that parenting multiples brings along additional challenges, not to mention a higher risk of anxiety and postpartum mood disorders. So it’s extra important that we arm ourselves with tools to self-regulate and de-stress. Keep reading for a list of 12 helpful ways to manage your stress as a twin parent. Being a twin parent must be one of the most stressful jobs in the world. (Perhaps followed closely by logging and air traffic control). Through infancy, toddlerhood, and childhood, it seems twins require 24/7 care. At times, I have forgotten to take care of myself while in the throes of tantrums, sickness, and all around just trying to keep those two little people alive and happy. So it goes without saying that stress management for parents is not easy when all of a sudden you have no time to yourself. But the truth is, you can’t effectively give your best to your twins unless you’re managing your own stress and taking care of your body and mind. As the familiar adage goes, you must put on your oxygen mask first before being able to help others. Even if you may not get to shower as often or as much as you would like, there are things you can do to mitigate your stress. Below you’ll find some tips for stress management for parents of twins so that you can show up for your kiddos as your best self! Note: Of course, you might not have the capacity to do all of these all at once (I’m looking at you tip, #1). But incorporating as many as you can into your week can make a big difference. 1. Get as much sleep as possible So much of managing stress is making sure your basic needs are met. For this, I turn to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. The very base of the pyramid consists of physiological needs such as food, water, breathing, and sleep. If I am feeling stressed, I try to check in with my body. Am I hydrated? Am I hungry (or hangry)? Have I gotten enough sleep? I am able to handle so many more BIG feelings from the little people when I am well-rested. I know all too well how tricky sleep can be with twins. But at all costs, do whatever you need to do to get as much sleep as possible. Switch off with your partner on twin night duty. Ask for help so that you can take a nap or go to bed early. Leave the chores for a day when you are better rested. Sleep is such a huge part of stress management for parents. There are obvious caveats to this: if you are breastfeeding or pumping around the clock, Godspeed and just sleep when the twins sleep! 2. Spend time in nature A substantial body of research indicates that spending time in nature significantly benefits our physical and mental well-being. This could be as simple as eating lunch outside, going for a walk after dinner, or gardening with your kids. A solo walk does wonders. But also don’t discount bringing the kids or family; everyone is calmer when they are outside. What a powerful stress management tool for parents! Any nature, any amount of time, in any capacity, makes a difference. 3. Practice mindfulness This is such a huge buzzword in modern psychology, but what does it actually mean? In a nutshell, it means paying attention to the present moment without judgment. You are aware of your body, thoughts, and feelings, and accept what is. Mindfulness is the basis for emotional regulation. Instead of being reactive, mindfulness gives you awareness of triggers that cause stress and allows you to regulate before reacting automatically in an emotional state. It keeps the focus on the present rather than worrying about the past or the future. This practice starts by recognizing what is happening in the present moment and checking in with yourself. You can actually retrain your body to react calmly to stressful situations rather than with a fight-or-flight response. 4. Meditate The thought of embarking on a meditation practice might seem daunting at first. But you can start with as little as 5 minutes a day. Even a few times a week is a good start. Mindfulness and meditation are closely related, with both encouraging progress in the other. Usually, meditation is a practice you set time aside for, while mindfulness is more of a state of mind you can practice anytime. Both will help with stress management for parents. You can start with guided meditation using resources online, doing a body scan, or simply focusing on your breathing while letting other thoughts pass. If you are able to practice consistently, you may find your stress levels start to decrease! 5. Try the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)/tapping This is a therapeutic technique where you stimulate acupuncture points by tapping while you focus on situations that represent negative thoughts or feelings. While it incorporates theories of alternative medicine, it has been proven to help improve a variety of issues, such as stress, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. There are a lot of free resources for EFT/tapping online, or you can choose to be guided by an EFT practitioner. If you have intense emotions or PTSD, it is better to do this with the help of a therapist. 6. Seek out a licensed mental health practitioner Talk therapy is more accessible than ever before with countless telehealth opportunities. There is no one on Earth who cannot benefit from talk therapy. Raising children is reason enough without everything else life throws our way such as marriage, working, managing a home, relocating, grieving…the list goes on. Therapists can help you develop vital coping skills to manage all of that stress. They can provide much-needed perspective and support. It’s like talking to a trusted friend, except they are professionally trained to help you. Most sessions are less than an hour long and there are plenty of… Continue Reading Stress Management for Twin Parents

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