Babies don’t come with an instruction booklet and the prospect of coping with more than one can seem overwhelming. Your feelings are absolutely normal. It will be hard work, but you will rise to the challenges and the rewards will be fantastic. Being a mum or dad is an exciting adventure – and you’re in for a big one so try to relax and enjoy it.
Plan it, don't panic
Get organised. Mums are great logistical experts so start to think about what you want to get ready before the babies arrive. Set yourself one realistic target that you want to achieve each week and make it happen.
Get support. The more information you can get early on in your pregnancy, the better prepared you’ll feel. There are lots of great sources of support and advice including:
• TAMBA
• Your GP and health professionals
• Other parents and local support groups
Be positive about being pregnant
Lots of mums-to-be carrying more than one baby say they often don’t enjoy being pregnant. Far from being in blooming health, they say they feel sick and permanently tired – and look like a galleon in full sail. You may well feel like that too. Take life one day at a time – you won’t feel like this forever.
Top Tips:
1. When you look at yourself in the mirror, focus on the way in which the changes in your body show you’re on an amazing journey into motherhood.
2. De-junk your maternity wardrobe and only wear clothes you feel good in.
3. Talk to your babies. Tell them what you’re looking forward to about being their mum.
Look after yourself
he most valuable thing you can do for you and your babies is to take care of yourself. You’re coming to terms with huge emotional and physical changes and to deal with them, you need to be in top form.
• Get plenty of rest. Listen to your body and stop when it tells you to. Have regular healthy meals and drinks.
• Find an activity you enjoy such as walking, yoga or swimming and it will help you to relax and energise you.
• Treat yourself. Book into a spa that specialises in treatments for expectant mums or get your hair done.
These are all great habits for you to develop – not just in pregnancy, but once your babies are here. Mums are great at looking after everyone else but not themselves – you need to if you want to be the best mum you can be.
Don't try to be the 'perfect' mum
Every mum knows just how demanding new babies are. It’s hard work – and especially tough when you’re having sleepless nights, missing out on exercise and eating irregular meals. Don’t try to be the perfect mum: she doesn’t exist. Be realistic with your expectations. As a mum, you achieve a huge amount on an hourly basis and it’s important to recognise this.
Focus on the benefits
There may be times when it definitely won’t seem like it, but there are some real benefits to having more than one baby. It means you’ll get all the hard work, nappies and sleepless nights over and done with in a short period of time. Many mums of twins and triplets say organising childcare is often much simpler. And you’ll find it’s easier to entertain them together – as toddlers and teenagers!
Sleep when baby sleeps
Anyone who uses that phrase, ‘sleeping like a baby’ has obviously never had one. The exhaustion that comes from broken nights can cause havoc and make even simple tasks seem impossible. You need plenty of rest so sleep when your babies sleep – don’t be tempted to do the housework. Many mums find it helpful to put their babies to sleep at the same time so that you are guaranteed some time off.
