Raising Twins: From Pregnancy to Preschool:
Offering practical, “can-do” advice for anxious parents expecting or already caring for twins, this handbook guides from the first news of twins’ impending arrival and continues through their early childhood. From how to set up the nursery, synchronize feeding and sleeping schedules, and potty train two children at once to discipline, family dynamics, and fostering individuality, this doctor-cum-mom shares her experiences of what works and what doesn’t and encourages parents to not only...
Search in google:
Offering practical, “can-do” advice for anxious parents expecting or already caring for twins, this handbook guides from the first news of twins’ impending arrival and continues through their early childhood. From how to set up the nursery, synchronize feeding and sleeping schedules, and potty train two children at once to discipline, family dynamics, and fostering individuality, this doctor-cum-mom shares her experiences of what works and what doesn’t and encourages parents to not only survive but also enjoy their twins’ early years. A special appendix on caring for triplets as well as preterm babies is also included. Publishers Weekly Raising a single baby is a major undertaking, but with twins there's often double the work-for the same number of parents. Pediatrician Flais, herself a mother of twins, presents a survival guide for parents in the first weeks and months of twin-rearing, as well as sensible advice for all stages of their children's development. From breastfeeding, napping, toilet training to discipline, her empowering and confident tone is neighborly and down-to-earth, keeping parents attuned to her if-I-can-do-it-so-can-you attitude. Sharing personal experiences and professional insight, each chapter is sprinkled with common sense to-dos and quick activities to expand on topics feeding, scheduling and seeking support. While much of the content here focuses on daily routine of twin care, Flais also encourages parents to foster independent identities in their kids: "give them plenty of opportunities to be individuals and pursue their own interests," and celebrate their different strengths and traits. Loving and bonding remains the most important factor in promoting lifelong well-being, but Flais gives parents sound advice for preparing and maintaining that loving environment while serving double duty. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Acknowledgments xiiiChapter 1 Introduction 1Your New Life With Twins 3The News Flash of a Lifetime 5How the Parenting Experience Changes Over the Early Years 6Enjoying the Parenting Experience 7Families With Twins-One Size Does Not Fit All 8Chapter 2 Preparing for Your Twins' Arrival 11The Emotional Roller Coaster 14Taking Care of Your Body and the Pregnancy 17Pregnancy Preparations 20Twins' Preparation Checklist 23Preparing Older Siblings 29Nearing the Delivery 30Chapter 3 The Early Days and Weeks 31In the Hospital 33Coming Home 34Keeping Your Twins on the Same Schedule-Starting Now 35Feeding-Breast Milk or Formula 40Breastfeeding-How Do We Do It? 42Formula-Feeding-Simplifying the Process 45Burping and Reflux 46Advice for Outings 48Infant Colic Times 2 50Should We Use Pacifiers? 52Seeking Support 53Going to the Pediatrician 54Getting Into a Routine 55Chapter 4 Early Infancy and Getting on a Schedule 57Sleep-Infant Twins (arid Parents) Need It! 59Two Cribs or 2 Bedrooms? 61The Science Behind Good Sleep Habits 62Strategies for Good Sleep Habits 63The Power of the Bedtime Ritual 66Daytime Naps 69Feeding Your Infant Twins 69Twins Getting Stronger 72Diaper Rash 74Twinproofing 75Returning to Work 76Toys and Books 77Outings and Fun 78Continue Seeking Support 79Bonding With Each Twin 79Chapter 5 Older Infancy and First Birthday 81Sleep Patterns 83Mealtime: A Whole New World 84Solid and Table Foods 86Sippy Cup Training-Bye-bye, Bottles! 88Oral Health 92Play and Development 92Language and Communication 95Safety Issues97Discipline-Working Toward Acceptable Behaviors 99Your Emotions-How to Stay Sane 101Special Time With Each Twin 103The First Birthday 104Year One-An Extraordinary Time That Flies By! 104Chapter 6 The Toddler Years (1- and 2-Year-Olds) 107Sleep Issues 109Transitioning to Big-Kid Beds 112Nutrition and Mealtimes 117The Importance of Positive One-on-one Time 122Kind But Effective Discipline 24Encouraging Language Development 130Toilet Training-Is It Possible? 132Safety Issues 137Family Relationships-A New Baby? 139Keeping a Twin-Friendly Budget-Save Time and Money 139Having Fun 141Chapter 7 The Preschool Years (3- and 4-Year-Olds) 143Sleep Issues 146Socialization-The Twins' Role Within the Family 148Preparing for Preschool 151One-on-one Time-It's Still Important 155Two Distinct Individuals, Now More Than Ever 156Consistency and Discipline 159Advanced Toilet Training and Independence 163Emotional and Social Support for Parents 164Budgeting and Practical Matters 166Enjoying the Here and Now 168Chapter 8 The Early Years End-As Your Twins Grow 169The Journey 171Built-in Life Lessons 172Two Unique Individuals-A Special Bond 172An Eye Toward the Future 173Appendix A Facts Every Parent of Twins Should Know 175The Distinction Between Identical and Fraternal Twins 177More and More Twins! 178Appendix B if Your Twins Are Born Early 181Nutrition 183Respiratory Issues 184Jaundice 184Other Concerns 185Bonding in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit 185Going Home-When Is the Right Time? 186Other Homecoming Concerns 186Appendix C The Triplet Parenting Experience-Advice That All Parents Can Use 187Pregnancy Preparation 189Synchronized Schedules 190Surviving the Early Months 191Organizing the Triplet Way 192Toilet Training Triplets 193Interpersonal Relationships and Emotions 193Benefits of Triplets 194Maintaining Individuality 195The Adventure of a Lifetime! 195Index 197
\ Publishers WeeklyRaising a single baby is a major undertaking, but with twins there's often double the work-for the same number of parents. Pediatrician Flais, herself a mother of twins, presents a survival guide for parents in the first weeks and months of twin-rearing, as well as sensible advice for all stages of their children's development. From breastfeeding, napping, toilet training to discipline, her empowering and confident tone is neighborly and down-to-earth, keeping parents attuned to her if-I-can-do-it-so-can-you attitude. Sharing personal experiences and professional insight, each chapter is sprinkled with common sense to-dos and quick activities to expand on topics feeding, scheduling and seeking support. While much of the content here focuses on daily routine of twin care, Flais also encourages parents to foster independent identities in their kids: "give them plenty of opportunities to be individuals and pursue their own interests," and celebrate their different strengths and traits. Loving and bonding remains the most important factor in promoting lifelong well-being, but Flais gives parents sound advice for preparing and maintaining that loving environment while serving double duty. \ Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.\ \ \ \ \ BookSmack!This is a valuable contribution that will pair nicely with other recent winners.\ \
