During the Graco Get Together for the Silicon Valley Moms Blog, we realized that five twins mom were in attendance (pictured from bottom left, Linda, Linsey, Ana, Akemi and me). We also have other twins moms as contributors (Update due to my twins brain - add in our very special twins mom Martha!).. Last night when I read the news (or rumor?) that Angelina Jolie is pregnant with twins, I thought back to that night and wondered if she will get opportunity to hang out with other twins moms. As if they have a celebrity twins moms group.....
But they could - recently Marcia Cross, Patrick Dempsey, Dennis Quaid, Julia Roberts, Kim Porter, Nancy Grace, Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon and all the other celebs that fill up the multiples category on the Celebrity Baby Blog had twins. Jennifer Lopez is also pregnant with twins. Are twin celebs surrounded by so many of their hired staff,
that they won't have the honor of having other twins mom deliver some straight talk similar to what I received:
"You won't get to the gym in the beginning, so getting a double jogging stroller is your only hope.",
"Channel you inner cow, that is what you will be doing for the first month or so" and
"All the clothes you wear for the first 6 months after you deliver must have the appropriate amount of stretch."
I have my own advice to offer Angelina (fellow twins moms can be on a first name basis) for the first few weeks at home from the hospital. And I invite other twins moms to comment with their advice
for the first year and beyond. Maybe I can learn a thing or two. Of course, knowing Angelina - her figure will bounce back
immediately, she will be easily multi-tasking breastfeeding and
caring for the other 4 kids, doing humanitarian missions on the
side... And fitting in making a movie or two...
- Night Nanny, Night Nanny - oh and did I say NIGHT NANNY?? And a day nanny would not be a bad idea to help when you first get home from the hospital. Or dedicated family/friends.
- Get organized to keep track of the feedings. Excel spreadsheets work great.
- Ask the nurses to help with breastfeeding at the hospital. I had the nurse hand me one twin while I was holding the other in the "football" hold.
- Rent a hospital pump and start pumping when you get home to help stimulate milk production. Don't be shy to use formula supplements if needed - feeding two babies at once is not easy. And don't be shy to use formula whenever needed. They will turn out just fine either way (I had one twin that had mostly breastmilk, one had lots-o-formula...).
- Focus on setting up a schedule from day one. The schedule will change depending on their age - but getting them to nap and play at the same time will leave time for momma. The "E.A.S.Y" (eat, activity, sleep, you) strategy from the Baby Whisperer book works great!
- Search around for the right preschool and sign up early.
- Take full advantage of gym day care to get back into a workout routine.
- If you are going back to work, search out nanny or daycare options before you deliver. You will be way too busy after the twins are delivered.
- Dressing the twins alike is just not cool, let them develop their own personality. But color coding is a great idea......
I guess if you happen to be a movie star mom who pulls in $15 million to $20 million per picture, hire as much help as you need for managing your new life with 6 kids.
Any other tips to offer?