A survival guide for new twin parents

Becoming a parent is exhausting and magical, not least if you've got two. Here are our 7 smart lifehacks for the first period with your twins - try them and thank us later!

Jenny Jansson

Read time: 2 m

Verified by Jenny Jansson

Certified midwife

A survival guide for new twin parents Photo: Preggers
  1. Let go of "I have to"!
    You don't have to breastfeed (there's a formula). You don't have to clean (it can wait). You don't have to dress up (your dressing gown is perfect). The only thing you have to do is eat, sleep and take care of your baby.
  2. Call in the troops!
    Parents, friends, siblings, whatever – ask for help before you're completely exhausted. Let your friends and family take the baby out in the pram, and ask them to bring you a delicious home-cooked meal that's ready to heat up. You don't need to make them coffee!
  3. Max your parental leave!
    Do you have a co-parent? It's a good idea if both of you take as long off as possible, ideally for at least a month. Four hands are better than two and you can take turns to catch up on your sleep during the day.
  4. Make sure you've got everything you need!
    Invest in a good breastfeeding pillow for twins if you want to breastfeed. Buy a breast pump and/or formula plus lots of baby bottles (preferably with holders), so you don't have to do the whole job yourself.
  5. Look after your back!
    It might help to use a support belt after birth. Also, invest in an ergonomic sling and an easy-to-roll twin pram - try it out and see what works best for you and your children.
  6. Make smart stations!
    Make sure you can put the babies down somewhere safe in all the rooms in your house. Soft blankets or sheepskins on the floor usually work at first, but many parents of twins find it's worth investing in (at least) two baby bouncers.
  7. Get support from other twin parents!
    Nowadays it's easier than ever to find others in the same situation. Search "twins" on an Internet forum and see what you find! Don't be afraid to ask questions and remember the best advice.
Jenny Jansson

Verified by Jenny Jansson

Certified midwife

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