Four Tips to Make Parenting Multiples a Bit Easier
Congratulations! After an exciting but hopefully not-too-eventful pregnancy, you are the parents of bouncing baby twins — or maybe triplets, quadruplets or more. Naturally, you may be feeling a combination of feelings right now, ranging from excitement and incredible amounts of love to some nervousness and a sense of being overwhelmed. In order to make this new parenting journey you are on go as smoothly as possible, check out the following tips that will make your  new life with multiples a little bit easier:
Take People Up on Their Offers to Help
Chances are good that numerous people, from your in-laws and neighbors to family friends and co-workers, have offered to help you with your new family members. Take these folks up on their kind offers, and be specific on how they can help you. For example, ask your BFF who loves to cook to come by and make a few simple meals that you can keep in the freezer, and if your neighbor says he is headed to the supermarket, hand him some money and ask him to pick up some diapers. Many people will be more than happy to assist you in these first crazy months of parenting multiples — they’ll just need some direction on how to do it.
Invest in a Great Family Vehicle
If you already have children — and even if you don’t — parenting multiples will be much easier if you have a good family vehicle that was designed with kids in mind. A great example is the Chrysler Pacifica, which is the new version of the Town & Country minivan and has seating for up to eight. As Motor Trend notes, the roomy and comfortable vehicle features Stow N’ Go seats that are now easier than ever to put away — this is ideal for storing two or more strollers and the myriad other baby supplies you often have to take along with you while still leaving plenty of seating. As your babies get older, the Pacifica’s Uconnect Theater system comes with a number of fun games that will keep them occupied on the road.
Try to Feed Them Both at Around the Same Time
Getting your new babies on the same feeding schedule will help you to maintain your sanity; otherwise, you will feel like you are constantly feeding one or the other. This is especially important at night when you are trying desperately to get at least a little snooze. When one of your infants wakes up hungry in the middle of the night, wake up your other baby when you are done feeding the first one. You may feel weird waking up a sleeping baby, but if you don’t you will feel like you are continually taking care of infants and not getting any sleep.
Resist the Urge to Get Two (or More) of Everything
It is amazing how much paraphernalia a small human needs — this is doubly (or triply) the case when you have multiples. Fortunately, you don’t need to buy more than one of a number of baby essentials — your little ones can easily share a changing table, baby monitor, double stroller and portable crib. Check out consignment stores that sell gently used baby items and look for great deals on the items you do need to double up on, including swings, mobiles, high chairs and front carriers.
While raising multiple babies at the same time will be challenging, there are certainly some tools and tips to help you with the load. Make sure you accept the help when available, set a schedule and invest in some quality products. And remember, things will get easier with time.
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