I know we all dream of the day when our multiples share everything, but there are some things you do not want them to share – and that is germs!  Unfortunately this is one of the downsides of twins and multiples.  It is very common for them to share their germs.  Germs are either spread from person to person or from touching unclean surfaces, such as trolley handles and door knobs.  When you have twins or multiples, it is really hard to stop them from sharing their toys.  More often than not they will take toys from each others mouths and put them straight into their own mouth.  This of course significantly increases the chance of spreading the germs.

If one of your multiples has started showing signs of getting sick, then it may already be too late and it will only be a matter of time before the next one gets it.  With a lot of germ based diseases you are contagious before the symptoms show up. Keeping everyone healthy is not easy.  Hopefully by adopting these five tips you will prevent, or at least minimise, the spread of germs between twins and multiples.  

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Catherine, owner of Dream Winks is a holistic sleep consultant who has a special interest in multiples.

How did you become a sleep consultant?

I have worked as a Sleep Consultant for 10 years now. I am a mum of 3 and my first gave us the hardest time when he was born. He was a terrible sleeper. He was catnapping, night-waking and a nightmare to settle.

Basically everything that could go wrong with sleep did. I joined an online forum to seek help as I had no idea what to do. The information and help I got just made sense. It was as though it all just clicked and I couldn’t understand why this sort of info wasn’t just given to all mums! So I started using this advice to help other parents and I was good at it and really enjoyed it!

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While multiples share a womb, once they are out, sharing mummy (or daddy or Grandma or Uncle John etc) can become a precursor for sibling rivalry, aka jealousy.  This is the downside to multiples – there are more of them than there are of you!

However, you do need to try to put yourself in their place.  Imagine how you would feel if you were sitting there having a lovely cuddle or talk with your partner and someone else came along, broke it up and started cuddling and talking to them.  When you think about it that way, it’s easy to see why they can get upset and understand why you may have multiples or twins that fight over sharing mummy and daddy

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Author:  Sophie McDonald

My husband, 22-month-old twins and I recently returned from our first overseas family holiday. Our destination of choice was Fiji as we’d heard it was a great location for kids and it was only a 4-hour flight away! Easy right? If the idea of an international holiday with multiples gives you the shivers, I’m here to tell you that it’s not only possible, but also enjoyable! Here’s how we did it!

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Amanda from Groovy Babies shares with us her experience and expertise in regards to separating twins and multiples for sleep…….or not?

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Author: Lauren Cotter

(Please note: This is part two of Lauren’s story.  You can read all about her rare condition called uterus didelphys (two uteruses) and her twin pregnancy HERE).

Finding out that one of our twins had a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

I will never forget the moment when Ben walked into the room. Tears streaming down his face, unable to compose himself and talk to me.

Evie had been diagnosed with a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH). Her bowel was up in her chest cavity due to a hole in her diaphragm. I later learnt from the paediatrician this is one of the most dangerous conditions a baby can be born with, I was thankful I didn’t know this at the time. Evie was blessed to have some amazing doctors who quickly intubated her and saved her life.

The PIPER (Paediatric Infant Perinatal Emergency Retrieval) team arrived and we managed one family photo before our little girl along with Ben and his mum hurried off to the Royal Children’s Hospital.

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Newborn Photography for Multiples

Sarah from Dart Newborn Photography is not “only” a photographer; she is also a NICU nurse with over a decade of experience in handling premature babies.  So you can rest assured that your precious multiples are in the very best of hands.

How long have you been working as a newborn photographer?

I have been a professional newborn \photographer for 5 years now, it is crazy to believe that the first babies I photographed are starting school!!

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Lynne -McKensey Hall is an internationally certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Registered Midwife.  She has helped hundreds of families on their breastfeeding journey.  Lynne’s focus is centred on supporting mothers by offering options available for breastfeeding that will work within the family unit.

She shares with us her tips for getting started with expressing for twins or more. Please note this article includes affiliate links.

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Most new parents will feel overwhelmed at times, and it is incredibly natural to have a cry. With next to no sleep, peace or fun in sight I would be surprised if mums of newborn multiples don’t feel down or have a good bawl every now and then. But there are the ‘baby blues’ and then there is something much more concerning, and that is post natal depression with twins.

PND is concerning in any new mum, not just parents of twins and multiples. Any mum suffering from depression has it incredibly hard and needs help and support through this time.

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Choosing godparents for twins or multiples is not as simple as you may think.

The role of the godparent can differ slightly from religion to religion.  The basic purpose though is that they are people selected by parents to witness the baptism of their children and to guide them along their religious pathway and assist with their spiritual formation.

This concept has been taken on board by those who like the idea, however would prefer not to have the religious aspect of the ceremony.  These ceremonies often go by the name of a “baby blessing” or a “glistening”.  It is a way to welcome your child/children into the family and to choose people you would like to take an interest in your child’s personal development and upbringing and serve as role models outside of their family.  For the sake of this article, the term “godparent” will be used, regardless if it is a religious or civil ceremony.

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