Double Duty: The Parents' Guide to Raising Twins, from Pregnancy through the School Years (2nd Edition) » (Original)

Christina Baglivi Tinglof is the mother of three sons, including school-age twins. She is a contributing writer for Twins magazine, founder and editor of talk-about-twins.com, and a “twin expert” for ClubMom.com. She is asked to speak at twin clubs and conventions around the world and speaks regularly to twin groups nationwide and in Canada. She is the author of Double Duty, The Stay-at-Home Parent's Survival Guide, and Parenting School-Age Twins and Multiples.

Not 10, but 20 fingers and 20 toes!

The classic guide to parenting twins-now completely updated and revised!

You're excited to hear your baby's heartbeat during the ultrasound. But what happens when you hear two heartbeats instead of one? Having a baby can cause any parent to feel overwhelmed, and with twins those concerns are multiplied by two. Having twins is a unique experience, and expert Christina Tinglof brings you the fully updated essential guide to help you cope with any issue that can arise-from pregnancy through the school years. With multiple pregnancies becoming more common, the second edition of this timely book provides you with the much needed information, practical tips, and strategies for handling the everyday challenges of parenting twins. Double Duty includes:

• Up-to-date information on diagnosis and treatment of complications common to multiple pregnancies-plus dietary guidelines specific to a twin pregnancy

• The latest must-have products that simplify day-to-day life

• Survival tips and trouble-shooting techniques for the critical first month

• Tips on how to breastfeed or bottle feed two infants at once

• Money-saving advice for accommodating two new additions to the family

• The pros and cons of placing twins in the same classroom

• Advice on how to discourage unhealthy sibling rivalry

Includes the TOP FIVE:

• Exercises for extremely pregnant women

• Ways to bond with premature babies

• Baby wardrobe essentials

• Bedtime strategies

• Ways to establish each child's individuality

VEndorsements for Double Duty 2nd Edition (ISBN: 0071613447) by Christina Baglivi Tinglof

“Double Duty 2nd Edition is singularly successful in combining practical advice with reassurance and encouragement from seasoned parents of twins. It neither sugar coats nor overstates the challenges, but presents a straightforward picture of what parents can expect from their twins at every stage, from pregnancy through the teen years.

Tinglof mingles thorough research with personal anecdotes to present a comprehensive resource for parents of twins. With updated information about the medical issues of multiple pregnancy and new insights about the psychology of the twin relationship, the new edition is recommended reading for all prospective parents of twins”
-Pamela Fierro, Guide to Twins & Multiples at About.com

Acknowledgments xi

Introduction xiii

1 So You're Having Twins 1

Just the Stats, Ma'am 1

Why the Increase? 2

Fertility Drugs

Assisted Reproductive Technology

Age

Birth Control Pills

Inherited Trait

Women Who Already Have Had Children

Women Who Already Have Had Fraternal Twins

Race

Body Type

Diet, Environment, and Other Factors

Twin Types 5

Fraternal

Identical

Semi-Identical

Determining Twin Type 7

Myths or Miracles? 8

Now It's Your Turn 9

2 Fifty Pounds and Still Gaining-Thriving in a Multiple Pregnancy 11

Prenatal Care 12

Choosing a Doctor

But I Don't Feel High Risk

Prenatal Tests

Possible Maternal Complications

Possible Fetal Complications

Preterm Labor

Interventions to Help Prolong Pregnancy

If Your Babies Are Born Prematurely

Pregnancy Lifestyle Changes 31

How We Feel

Getting Plenty of Rest

Exercising Sensibly

Is It OK to Have Sex?

When to Leave Work

Staying Comfortable

Traveling

Diet

Tips for Increasing Chances of a Healthy Pregnancy 46

One Final Thought 47

3 It's All in the Planning 49

Nursery Essentials 49

Crib

Bouncer Seats

Car Seats

Strollers

Swing

Clothing

Blankets

Toys

Diapers

Baby Monitor

Snugly Sack

Playpen/Port-a-Crib/Pack-n-Play

Don't Waste Your Money

Future Nursery Items

Two for the Price of One? Money Matters 56

Reevaluate Your Budget

Double-Duty Items

Breastfeeding

Do It Yourself

Freebies, Coupons, and Discounts

Secondhand Rose

One More Thing...

Getting the Family Ready for Twins 61

The Birth Experience

Select a Pediatrician

Cook Ahead

S.O.S.-Getting Help

Preparing Older Children

Taking Care of Business

How Are You Feeling,Honey?

Choosing Names

It's Almost Time 71

4 The First Month: Dirty Little Secrets Parents Won't Tell You 73

Developmental Milestones 73

Keeping Your Head Above Water-First Month Survival Tips 74

Keep Notes

Take Care of Yourself

Sleep When You Can

Don't Answer the Phone

Prioritize Chores

Learn to Tell Your Twins Apart

Create Baby Stations

Recognize Postpartum Depression

Feeding Your Babies 79

Breastfeeding

Bottle Feeding

Nighttime Feedings

Bathing and Dressing 92

Of Special Concern-Bathing and Dressing Preemies

The Fussy Hour-Will You Live Through It? 94

Fighting the Fussy Fest

Playtime 95

Bonding with Twins: The Truth Versus the Myths 95

Techniques to Promote Bonding

Four Weeks and Counting 99

5 Months 2 Through 6 101

Developmental Milestones 101

Home Alone 103

Troubleshooting

Putting Babies on a Schedule

Support Groups and Play Groups

Traveling Overnight with the Twins 114

Traveling by Car

Traveling by Plane

Europe and Beyond

Getting Out Without the Twins 118

Finding a Babysitter

Is Three a Crowd? Nurturing Sibling Relationships 120

Tips for Nurturing the Parent-Child Relationship

The Postpartum Body 123

Applause 124

6 Months 7 Through 12 125

Developmental Milestones 125

The Exploring Twins 127

Babyproofing Your Home

Safety on the Go

Treating Twins as Individuals 131

Should You Separate Twins for a Day?

To Dress Alike or Not to Dress Alike?

Life After Infancy 138

Keeping the Marriage on Track

Dad's Changing Role

Introducing Solid Foods 142

Feeding Your Twins

Eating on Their Own

What a Year It's Been! 144

7 The Toddler Years 145

Developmental Milestones 145

As Toddlers Grow-Singing the Naptime Blues 147

From Two Naps to One

Exploring the Twin Bond 149

The Beginning Bond

Nature Versus Nurture Theory

Speech Development 153

How Language Begins

The First Words

Speech Difficulties in Twins

Is There a Secret Twin Language?

Are Your Twins on Target?

The Terrible Twos-Are They So Terrible? 158

Banding Together for Mischief

A Question of Discipline

Fighting Between Twins

Toilet Training

In Sickness and in Health 164

One More Pair? 165

8 School Days 167

Developmental Milestones 167

The Great Debate: Should You Put Your Twins in the Same Classroom? 168

Advantages of Placing Both in the Same Class

Advantages of Placing Both in Separate Classes

What the Research Tells Us

How to Choose What's Best for Your Kids

Twins and Friends 173

Tips to Encourage Outside Relationships

Twins Asserting Their Independence 176

The Need to Compare and Contrast Twins 177

The Pitfalls of Labeling

Playing Favorites

Twins as Adolescents and Adults 181

The Last Word 182

This Too Shall Pass

The Grass Is Always Greener on the Other Side of the Fence

Go with Your Gut

Appendix 185

Suggested Reading and Bibliography

Twin Resources and Websites

National Twins Clubs

Free Samples of Baby Products and Coupons

DNA Test Kits and DNA Labs

Index 197