Is It Harder to Raise Twins?

Your first year of raising twins will be tough. Expect less sleep, as your world will revolve around feeding your twins, burping them, changing them and putting them to sleep, all while constantly washing two sets of everything from clothes to feeding bottles.

Financial costs are also higher with twins. Even the cost of the hospital stay and delivery with multiple births is higher. And you will need to buy double the amount of diapers, clothes, toys, car seats, high chairs, etc. Add to this the future cost of two college educations, and you may need to adjust your savings plans.

Despite these challenges, raising twins can be incredibly rewarding. And with patience, you can make it through the toughest years.

While there is no magic formula for raising twins, here are some tips that can help make things a little bit easier for you, especially if you are a first-time parent.

1. Ask for help

• Getting extra pairs of hands to help with even simple things like changing diapers, cleaning and sterilizing feeding bottles, and running errands can be invaluable.
• Ask friends, families, neighbors, or even hired help to help you with what you feel comfortable delegating, even if it’s just cleaning the house or grocery shopping.
• This can buy you some time for a nap to regain your energy.

2. Establish a routine

• Establish a regular feeding and sleeping routine so that you’re not up 24/7.
• Sync their schedules so that you can accomplish other things while they are both sleeping.

3. Get organized

• Having essentials on hand can help save you valuable time so you don’t need to run around finding extra diapers or snacks for your babies.
• Keep your diaper bag well stocked with diapers, snacks, formula, wipes, etc., or anything else you need quick and easy access to. 

4. Be resourceful

• Since raising twins gets more expensive as they get older, it’s important to be wise about how you spend your money.
• Babies outgrow their clothes and gear faster than you think. So don’t be shy about accepting hand-me-downs or buying second-hand baby gear.

5. Take care of yourself

• Give yourself enough time to rest when you need to. 
• Try not to stress out or be too hard on yourself. Remember that a healthy mom raises healthy and happy babies. 

6. Discipline consistently

• Proper discipline starts at a very young age.
• When one twin gets away with something, the other is sure to notice. So be consistent with your discipline.
• Don’t give in to their tantrums just because you’re outnumbered. 

7. Avoid comparisons

• They may look alike, but they are different in so many ways. So treat each twin as an individual. 
• Avoid comparing them to each other, especially when it comes to milestones like potty training or walking.

8. Schedule one-on-one time

• One-on-one bonding time with each of your babies will make them feel important, loved, and appreciated.
• This will also help you learn what makes each twin unique. As they get older, you can plan play dates or activities based on that.

9. Don’t neglect your partner

• The demands of raising twins can put a strain on your relationships, especially with your partner.
• Give each other breaks and check in with your partner every day. 
• Do what you can to spend some time with each other.

10. Embrace your new life

• Raising twins will change your life completely. Instead of pining for what you miss, celebrate the transformation.
• Embracing change can help lessen emotional and physical stress of raising your twins, as well as inspire you to get creative in overcoming parenting challenges.