Challenges of caring for twins or more

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Challenges of caring for twins or more

Once a multiple pregnancy is over, new challenges arise as you care for the babies. Be aware of signs of stress. Use your family, friends, and health professional to develop ways of coping with issues such as:

• Premature infants who need to be hospitalized or have medical problems. See the topic Premature Infant.
• Lack of sleep and exhaustion from meeting your infants' round-the-clock needs.
• The needs of other children and family members.
• Lack of time for caring for yourself or your partner.

The babies may face their own challenges in life, including:

• Less time spent with a parent. Make time for each child individually.
• Competition for parents' attention.
• More difficulty in developing a separate identity. Celebrate your children's differences and encourage them to make their own choices.
• Less likelihood of being breast-fed. Breast-feeding helps with bonding between a busy mother and child. It also helps increase an infant's immunity against infection and many diseases in infancy and childhood. Working closely with a lactation consultant will help you master the art of breast-feeding more than one infant.
• Possible delays in growth and development. For more information, see the following topics:
  • Growth and Development, Newborn
  • Growth and Development, Ages 1 to 12 Months
  • Speech and Language Development

Credits

Last updated:	July 24, 2007
Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH
Reviewed By:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine, Gregory A L Davies, MD, FRCSC, FACOG - Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Editors:	Kathe Gallagher, MSW, Pat Truman, MATC