We just found out we're having twins! What do we do now? Having
twins (or other “multiples,” such as triplets) means much more
than simply having two babies at once, and this challenge goes
beyond having twice or three times the work or pleasure. Twins
and other multiples quite frequently are born early and
therefore tend to be smaller than the average newborn, so you
may need to consult your pediatrician even more frequently than
you would with a single baby. Feeding twins, whether by breast
or bottle, also requires some special strategies, and the doctor
can provide advice and support. There may be added financial
pressures upon the family as well, spending a lot more on
diapers, clothing, food, car seats, and dozens of other
items–and perhaps needing a larger family car or even a larger
home. The twin birth rate in the U.S. is just over 3 percent.
But as your obstetrician and pediatrician may have explained to
you, the number of multiple births has risen in recent years. It
has increased 42 percent since 1