2004 Guide To The First Year with Twins

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When your multiples contemplatewalking, it is one of thebiggest steps toward independencethey will take. A child makesa conscious decision to pull up, holdon or let go and walk away. Even takingjust one or two steps causes conflict.By their actions, babies are asking, “Should I wait, or is ittime to take a risk?” Some little ones will fall and revert to crawlingor scooting. Other children will stand upright, step out andbe on their way. Each child is different and sets a different pace.This is important to remember when you are rearing multiples.Early childhood expert, T. Berry Brazelton, M.D., refers tothis developmental milestone as “the calm before the storm.” Heexplains that babies may exhibit new and different behaviorwhen entering this next, more independent stage. Your pre-toddlersmay start waking up at night, or they may experience frustrationwhen a parent walks away from them. They are beginningto realize that they want to be the ones to walk away.As soon as they start walking, children are ready for their firstshoes—soft-soled and flexible. Indoors they should be barefootas much as possible, to strengthen the muscles.Twins may climb out of their cribs or play yard. Carefullybabyproof the room and anchor dressers to the wall.Babies assert their independence in other ways as well. Theybegin to develop distinct likes and dislikes. They may lovebananas one day and spit them out the next. In fact, you likelywill be surprised by how emotional their first tantrums are.Everything they do is a learning andThe exploring experience. They can climbRoad toup stairs but not down. Twins togethercan climb furniture higher than anyIndependence singleton would ever try.The world is a rich and wonderfulplace to discover. Protect your twinsand teach them how to survive physically, socially and emotionallyby setting limits.Twins may become so stimulated by the discovery and learningin their expanding world that they sleep less. Some 1-yearoldbabies only take one nap a day. When they cut back on nappingtime, they are usually cranky by dinner and it’s hard to getthem to eat. Consider making lunch the biggest meal. Bathingthem every night helps relax them—and they need more frequentbaths.Favorite toys may be the toilet (latch the lid down), an emptybox and a kitchen cupboard filled with plastics, wooden spoons,pots and pans. They learn to classify objects, studying shapes andsizes. They learn that a smaller object fits inside a larger one, butnot the other way around. Every object has to be tasted, shaken,thrown, banged and flushed. Stuffed animals begin to appeal toa 1-year-old.The road to independence can be a bumpy one, but itis exciting, and if you are enthusiastic and don’t worrymuch about the falls, your multiples will survive and follow inyour enthusiasm and positive outlook.TWINPROOFINGWhen babies start crawling, their horizons expand tremendouslyand your life becomes vastly more complicated. It’scritical for parents to be one step ahead as the babies beginto explore and examine their wider world. Childproofing for maximumsafety in the home is a must.■ Use safety gates at doors and stairs.■ Install locks on the toilet seats.■ Relocate pet food and water dishes.■ Move heavy objects from low tables.■ Store medicines, cosmetics and sharp objects on highshelves.■ Cover all electrical outlets with baby safety plugs.■ Put locks on the kitchen and bathroom cabinets.■ Move house plants up off the floor and out of reach.■ Tie up cords from window blinds.Take a look at your world from a hands-and-knees perspectiveand remove, lock, cover, relocate and eliminate any potential dangers.Order safety items online and from these catalogs:■ One Step Ahead, www.onestepahead.com, (800) 274-8440■ Perfectly Safe, www.perfectlysafe.com, (800) 898-3696■ Safe Beginnings, www.safebeginnings.com, (800) 598-8911For safety information, contact these agencies:■ National Safe Kids, www.safekids.org, (800) 598-8911■ Paranoid Sisters, www.paranoidsisters.com■ Governmental Recalls (6 agencies), www.recalls.gov■ International Association for Child Safety, www.iafcs.com■ American Academy of Pediatrics, www.aap.org, (847) 434-400032 GUIDE TO THE FIRST YEAR To subscribe to TWINS call 1-888-55-TWINS or go to www.TwinsMagazine.com
The Perfect Gift for a Family Member,Friend or Yourself!Created Specifically for Mothers ofMultiples. The Gift Packet Includes: 12 Issue Subscription to TWINS MagazineA full two years of the popular bi-monthly parenting publication for parents of multiples Twinship SourcebookCompendium of helpful articles from the past 20 years of TWINS Magazine (272 pages) Psychology of TwinsCompassionate wisdom and practical advice about multiples by Herbert L. Collier, Ph.D. (120 pages) Nighttime ParentingDozens of sensible tips to get babies to sleep by William Sears, M.D. (204 pages) 2 TWINS Lifetime Memory BooksExclusive best-selling books to capture the special moments in the lives of multiples (56 pages) TWINS Special Report: Tips and Tools for New Parents of Twins and TripletsCompilation of TWINS Magazine articles providing handy, encouraging advice (52 pages) TWINS Special Report: Health and Safety for Infant MultiplesIndispensable advice about the health of babies (40 pages) TWINS Special Report: Feeding Multiple BabiesUseful insights from knowledgeable mothers about feeding multiples (40 pages) 3 Unframed Twins Art: To a Mother of Twins, Pardon Our Mess…Twins LiveHere, and Multiples of LoveThree colorful artworks of whimsy and rhyme to frame and hang on your children’s wallsOur specialpackage price:Only $91.99Frames Not Included.If purchased separately,you would pay over $170.00!Call your TwinsShoppe CustomerService Representative today to take advantage ofthis special Super-MOMs Gift Packet:888-55-TWINSOr order online atwww.TwinsMagazine.comSorry, no substitutions. Payment must accompany the order. Shipping and handling fee of $14.95 applies.Additional surcharge for Canada and overseas customers. Please allow two weeks for delivery of the package.©2003 TWINS Magazine, 11211 East Arapahoe Road, Suite 101, Centennial, CO 80112-3851 USA
Page 3 and 4: Founded in 1984PUBLISHERDonald E.L.
Page 5 and 6: To subscribe to TWINS call 1-888-55
Page 7 and 8: Back to SleepPlacing sleeping babie
Page 9 and 10: 5% Discount for TWINS GUIDE usersUs
Page 11 and 12: HELP!An Australian study found that
Page 13 and 14: Getting out and aboutOnce you’ve
Page 15 and 16: supply will go down because your ba
Page 18 and 19: Newborn NOTESThe early daysFontanel
Page 20 and 21: The TWINBONDCongratulations! Welcom
Page 22 and 23: Newborn NOTESCRADLE CAP: Solutions
Page 24 and 25: Newborn NOTESSome theories suggest
Page 26 and 27: Are they twins?CAROLINE AND REBECCA
Page 28 and 29: Newborn NOTESIt’s Child’s PlayE
Page 30 and 31: Special Gifts for Families with Mul
Page 34 and 35: Newborn NOTESFreeze theseasonBlend
Page 36 and 37: Baby Care BagsFinally! A Bag toHold
Page 38: You AreNot AloneDiscover for yourse

2004 Guide To The First Year with Twins

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