Twin Talks: Pregnancy and Parenting Multiple Children

From the moment you discovered your twin pregnancy, you've probably experienced a lot of emotion about the pending arrival of your little ones. How did you manage all those feelings? Did your feelings differ from your spouse or partner? What piece of advice or words of encouragement helped you the most? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You’ve heard all the standard comments about twins: “Are they twins? Are they identical? Are they natural? Who was born first?” And you’ve come up with answers to those questions. But what about your kids? How do they respond? Have you talked to your twins about how to address these questions from complete strangers? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you're caring for two, you become a master at multitasking. Wearing your babies not only makes them feel more safe and secure, but it gives you more options and can allow you to be a more productive parent. But is it really possible to babywear twins? Whether you plan to wear one baby at a time, or both at once, we'll explore the different options available to you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re already a twin parent, then you already have plenty of parenting experience. But how do things change when you introduce a new baby into the family? How do you prepare your twins for the arrival of their new sibling? How do you encourage closeness between all your children? And how do you balance everything and everyone when you’re out and about? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your twins may look alike and perhaps even act alike, but they are different in many ways. Encouraging their own individuality will become more and more important as they grow older. As a parent, how can you help them discover their own identities? How do you know if separating your twins in group situations is what's best for them? And how do you help educate others and avoid common twin stereotypes? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shopping for two babies typically takes more effort than shopping for one baby, but do you really need twice the stuff? How can twin parents take advantage of good deals in their own community? What are some great online resources when searching for discounts? And will major retailers really send you free product simply because you had two babies at the same time? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carrying more than one baby creates a higher demand on an expecting mother’s body during pregnancy. This often includes tapping into her iron supply which can result in iron-poor blood for mama and babies. If you’re pregnant with twins, should you be concerned? What can you do to prevent this condition? Can it be treated effectively? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The social and emotional development of twins is a bit different when compared to singletons. Their innate ability to communicate with one another may appear more advanced, but what happens when you look at each twin individually? As a parent, how do you encourage proper development for each child? And what type of advantages and disadvantages do twins commonly have socially and emotionally when compared to singletons? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's one of the biggest questions on the minds of NICU parents, "When can my babies go home?" And, once you get the green light, you may also be wondering how you're going to care for your babies at home. What kind of training or instructions can you expect from your NICU? How should you set up your home? And what about your babies' schedules? You'll hear from NICU parents about their personal experience with their twins and triplets! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After getting over the initial shock of being pregnant with twins, most soon-to-be parents want to know if their babies are identical or fraternal. How do medical care providers determine your twin type? What exactly are they looking for during those ultrasounds? How do they determine if your pregnancy is more "high risk" than others? And how accurate are their findings? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prenatal care when you're pregnant with twins is different than care you'd receive with a singleton. So, what exactly can you expect to happen during the next nine months? Are all twin moms referred to perinatologists for their care? What should you expect to happen during a typical appointment? How will your care change between the first, second and third trimesters? And who ultimately delivers the babies? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bringing home twins is a big change for any family. Even experienced parents learn a whole new set of challenges. What are the key things to remember during the first week? What type of environment is best for recovery of mom and the babies? How can extended friends and family help? And what can you expect to happen during your daily routine? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you planning to transition your twins from a crib to a toddler bed? How do you know if they're developmentally ready? What are some of the challenges you can expect? And once your kids are in bed, how do you encourage them to stay there throughout the night? Our twin parents tell us what worked best for them. Plus, we're reviewing a super fun sleep time app- especially if your kids like dinosaurs! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Having trouble finding the perfect baby names for your twins? That's because there's double the pressure to get it right! What's trending right now with baby names? And what should you consider when making this big decision? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Preterm birth is more likely with twins than singletons, which may result in some time in the NICU. Even though your babies may be under constant medical care, there are still plenty of ways to bond with them. How important is physical contact with your newborn? What are some other ways to bond with your babies without touching them? And how can you help siblings and other family members get to know your babies better? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wonder if your same-sex fraternal twins are truly fraternal? Perhaps you've even considered DNA testing to determine if they are actually identical? So, what's involved in the testing process? How accurate are the tests? And how can the results impact the relationship between your twins? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cribs, Co-sleepers, Bassinets, and Bunkbeds. With twins, there’s a lot of equipment and transitions ahead. Should you put newborns together? Keep them in your room or put them in the nursery? And when they’re older, when should you separate them? Do they need their own rooms? Our twin parents are here to talk about sleeping arrangements for twins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever wondered what it's like to parent more than one set of twins? It's rare that twin parents become twin parents again, but it certainly happens. Today we're chatting with three mamas who have given birth to at least two sets of twins. How did their birth experiences differ from one another? How did their lives change when they realized they were having another set? And how in the world are they able to survive those first few years? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you have mo-di twins, you may have already heard of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. It's a complication that can happen during any twin pregnancy in which the babies share a placenta. How are pregnancies diagnosed with this condition? How can it impact your twins? And what options do you have to hopefully remedy the situation and keep your babies in utero for as long as possible? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Having two babies in diapers can be quite a challenge, but how do you know if your twins are ready for potty training? What happens if one twin is ready and other needs more time? Are there any differences in potty training fraternal versus identical twins? We'll also break down the basics of potty training so first-time parents know what to expect. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Having a tough time telling your identical twins apart? You're not alone. Or perhaps you're looking for ways to allow other people to tell your twins apart more easily. Moms of identical twins share what strategies worked for them as well as their own insecurities of making the mistake themselves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Twice the fun and twice the mess (usually)! If you're a parent of toddler twins, it's hard to imagine meal time where the majority of the food actually ends up in mouths rather than lying on the floor. So, how do you keep your twinnies from spitting out the food and throwing their bowls, plates, and spoons across the room? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Having one or both of your twins in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit can be an overwhelming experience. You anticipate the day when you can finally bring them home with you. What determines when your babies are released from the NICU? What kind of training will you receive before you leave? And what does outpatient care typically look like? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Keeping track of one baby is tough enough. But if you're trying to watch two or more babies, you may want to seriously consider getting a second pair of eyes and ears- also known as a baby monitor. Should you go for an audio or video monitor, or perhaps both? What should you know about reception and security? And what can you expect to pay? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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