Parenting twins versus one baby
Parenting twins vs singleton can be very different in several ways. Having one baby in the first place comes with its own sets of challenges and changes but twins or more can be like a mad house. Even though we have a 4 year old daughter, it still felt like a huge learning curve when the twins were born. With our daughter, we skipped or just winged it with a lot of things especially when it came to schedules.
With twins, we have to stick to a sort of schedule to help keep our sanities. For instance, i used to say swaddles, white noise, burp clothes, bibs were a waste since i hardly needed them with my first. But with the twins they have been a huge lifesaver.
I figured i should write a blog post on my experience so far on how parenting twins has been different from one baby.
Sleep deprivation
With Singleton you lose sleep but with two babies it’s worse. With Singleton when one parent is tired you can pass the baby to the other parent but that’s not the case with twins lol. When breastfeeding at night, I sometimes have to enlist the help of hubby to balance them on the twin z breastfeeding pillow or change the diapers especially when they are both crying at the same time. If they need to be bottle-fed, this usually will involve two people unless they can hold their own bottles or you have one of those bottle propping things or you just feed one while the other cries.
Baby wearing
You probably would not wear them as much as with singleton since its two babies. Right now, i usually wear both of them when i absolutely have to, like if they are both crying. Other than that, i do not wear them so one does not feel left out. The only other time would be when hubby is around and can wear one while i wear the other.
More items
You need more of many things with twins. We use about 20 diapers a day and a ton of wipes. We also wash more bottles than with one baby. The laundry is also double the amount. You will probably need more baby things like swings, pack and play for twins, car seat etc. Check out my blog post on the most essential baby products for my twins so far. You definitely do not need two of everything though so do not fall into that trap.
Less one on one time
Yep, with twins, you will most likely have less one on one time with each baby. I usually feed them, have their bath, change their diapers etc at the same time to keep a schedule for our sanities. So it’s a lot harder to have that one on one time except if one wakes up way before the other or some odd way. Once in a while i breastfeed them one by one but for the most part i feed both babies at the same time. Earlier on i sort of struggled with the fact that i could not have as much one on one time with them, but i have come to give myself grace as a mom. I can only do my best with God on my side and pray that he magnifies that love so they all know they are loved.
Going out takes time
It takes longer to get things done like bath time, leaving the house also takes longer. Our doctor appointments take longer so they schedule them into slots for two people since it’s two babies. The logistics are also harder if you have to go to these appointments alone because then the doctor has to enlist the help of one of the nurses to assist with one baby lol. Often times, you will weigh if it is really worth the extra work to actually leave the house. When i think about having to bring out the double stroller, put two car seats and their diaper bags, push both of them while praying they both stay quiet, i just stay home.
Individuality
You always need to remember to treat them as two individuals even though they are twins. You always have people ask who is the more quiet baby, the easier baby etc. We try our best to look out for their differences and cater to them the best way. It can be hard when one is doing something and the other is yet to do the same, but we are slowly learning to let them be their own individuals.
Emotions
You will go through the motions with both babies as opposed to one for instance when they are teething, sleep training, potty training, eating solid food etc. I am definitely not looking forward to potty training both babies lol. Thankfully i told hubby he is in charge of potty training lil man. Also solid food and baby led weaning are going to break me lol, i hate seeing food mess when they are eating so this will be an adjustment since it involves two babies
School runs
Daycare runs are definitely harder. They don’t go to daycare yet but my toddler does, so I usually only do picking up and dropping off when I have someone watching the twins or hubby does it. The few times I have had to take them, I usually have to call one of the daycare staff to bring my toddler out rather than carry two car seats into daycare.
Twice the love
Despite all of these you will have twice the smiles, love and cuddles to experience compared to one baby and that’s something I would never trade.
FYI, this website Twinversity has a ton of twin related resources if you are a twin mom or know someone who is.
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