Synopses & Reviews
Although everone experiences unexpected challenges with the arrival of a new baby, the parents of twins face their own unique sets of joys and frustrations. As the parent of three children under the age of six, including three-year-old fraternal twins, Dagmara Scalise knows firsthand just how daunting that all-important first year can be. Now, in TWIN SENSE, she offer real-world advice on dealing with the many issue that arise when caring for newborn twins.
Review
“Twin Sense is a highly practical guide for handling the daily challenges that arise in caring for twin babies.” -- TwinsTalk.com
Review
“There are a plethora of titles promising to reveal everything one needs to know about parenting, so kudos to journalist Scalise for actually delivering a truly valuable, accessible, and witty book that will be indispensable to parents of newborn twins… Highly recommended for all parenting collections.” --Library Journal
“Twin Sense is a highly practical guide for handling the daily challenges that arise in caring for twin babies.” -- TwinsTalk.com
"a must-have for any parent--twins or no twins" --Williamsport Sun-Gazette
"Here is an extremely comprehensive guide to what you need to know, what you need to have, and what you'll need to be able to give as a parent of multiples. I like the fact that the author points out, not everything 'twins' is related to pregnancy, nor does everything have to be specific to twins to be useful! Being a parent is basic, and being a parent of twins requires you to keep your 'twin' sense about you... There really is something for everyone inside the pages!" --NOMOTC's Notebook (National Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs, Inc.)
Synopsis
Double the joy, double the challenges. An award-winning journalist and mother of twins prepares parents to welcome their new bundles of joy. As the parents of three children under the age of six, including three-year-old fraternal twins, Dagmara Scalise knows firsthand just how daunting that all-important first year can be. In Twin Sense, she offers real-world advice on dealing with the many issues that arise when caring for newborn twins.
Synopsis
As the parent of fraternal twins and a former member of the "three under three" club, Dagmara Scalise knows firsthand just how daunting that all-important first year can be. Now, in Twin Sense, she offers real-world advice on dealing with the many issues that arise when caring for newborn twins. Concise and easy to follow, the book teaches harried parents everything they need to know to navigate this difficult but rewarding phase of life, including tips for: baby-proofing; stocking up on what they really need; preparing and involving previous children; breast-feeding two babies at once; making errands possible; getting through the night; bathing the babies; traveling with twins; keeping the peace; responding to probing questions about having twins; and much more. Although everyone experiences unexpected challenges with the arrival of a new baby, the parents of twins face their own unique sets of joys and frustrations. Filled with lively anecdotes and practical advice, this is a true insider's guide that will make raising twins--if not a breeze--a true pleasure.
Synopsis
Double the babies means double the challenges Learn from a mom who knows what you're going through how best to navigate the difficult but rewarding phase of caring for newborn twins.
Synopsis
Although everyone experiences unexpected challenges with the arrival of a new baby, the parents of twins face their own unique sets of joys and frustrations. As the parent of three children under the age of six, including three-year-old fraternal twins, Dagmara Scalise knows firsthand just how daunting that all-important first year can be. Now, in Twin Sense, she offers real-world advice on dealing with the many issues that arise when caring for newborn twins.
Concise and easy to follow, this book shows harried parents everything they need to know, including:
baby-proofing • stocking up on what they really need • preparing and involving previous children • breast-feeding two babies at once • making errands possible • getting through the night • bathing the babies • traveling with twins • keeping the peace • responding to probing questions about having twins • and much more!
Filled with lively anecdotes and practical advice, this is a true insider’s guide that will make raising twins a pleasure.
About the Author
Dagmara Scalise (Chicago, IL) is the author of The Everything Health Guide to PMS. She is an award-winning journalist, researcher, and former educator who has written many how-to guides for healthcare and business leaders.
Table of Contents
CONTENTS
Acknowledgments xxi
Introduction xxv
PART ONE: PREPARING FOR TWINS
1: How Different Can Having Twins Be? 3
Financial Considerations 5
During Pregnancy 6
In the Hospital 8
At Home Afterward 9
Special Challenges: C-Section Complications 10
Special Challenges: Caring for Preemies 11
2: Getting Information and Support for Your First Year with Twins 13
Where to Begin 14
What to Keep in Mind 15
Where to Go for Information 16
3: Responding to Dumb or Probing Questions About Having Twins 22
The Fine Art of the Witty Retort 27
Special Situations 30
4: Stocking Up on What You Really Need 31
Bedding and Clothes 35
Diaper-Changing Gear 39
Bathing 41
Feeding 42
Miscellaneous Extras 44
Questionable Items 46
5: Preparing and Involving Your Other Children 47
Preparing Your Child 48
Involving Your Older Child 50
Making Your Child Feel Special 52
Adjusting Your Expectations 55
6: Preparing and Involving the Father of the Babies 56
Breaking the News That You’re Pregnant 57
What He’s Most Worried About 58
During Pregnancy 60
Hands-On Training 62
After the Babies Are Born 63
PART TWO:MANAGING THE BASICS
7: Getting Through the Night 67
Preparing the Babies for Bed 68
Creating the Optimal Sleep Environment 70
Getting Everything All Ready 70
8: Breast-Feeding 74
Building Your Confidence 76
Having the Right Supplies 80
Adopting a Step-by-Step Process for Nursing 81
Important Things to Keep in Mind 83
If You Encounter Problems 84
9: Bottle-Feeding 86
General Considerations 87
Formula and Supplies 88
Preparing Formula 91
Feeding the Babies 93
10: Bathing 95
Before Starting 96
Bathing Strategies 97
When You Have an Older Child 98
When You’re Alone 99
Making Bath Time More Comfortable for You 100
Choosing Bath Aids 101
Managing the Toys 103
PART THREE: LEAVING THE HOUSE
11: Making Errands Possible 107
Strategies for Shopping with Twins 108
rategies for Shopping with Three or More Children 112
Preparing the Gear and Yourself 113
12: Preparing, Packing, and Bundling Your Twins for a Car Ride 116
Getting Your Babies in the Car 117
Arranging the Seats 120
Taking Long Trips with Twins 120
What to Bring 123
Good Distractions 124
13: Traveling by Plane 127
Before You Fly 128
At the Airport 131
On the Flight 133
When Traveling with Car Seats 135
Great Travel Gear 136
14: Vacationing with Your Children 138
Planning Your Vacation 139
Tips to Make Your Trip Smoother 143
If You Choose a Hotel 146
If You Choose a House 147
PART FOUR: LIFE AFTER BABYHOOD
15: Keeping the Peace 151
Laying the Groundwork 152
Making Sharing Easy 154
In the Heat of the Moment 157
Practicing How to Share and Take Turns 158
16: Baby-Proofing Your Home 161
The Fundamentals 163
The Kitchen 164
The Living or Family Room 166
The Bedrooms 167
The Bathroom 169
Your Home Office 170
The Area Around the Stairs 171
Outside Your Home 172
Additional Suggestions 173
17: The Best Life-with-Twins Tips Ever 176
Making Life Easier for Yourself 177
Making Life Easier for Your Twins 179
More Ways to Organize Your Life 180
Additional Tips for Making Your Life with Twins Easier 182
Appendix: Resources 187
Index 193