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When writing "Twin Tales" everyone wrote some hints and advice that they wish they'd had from day one. As you read through this list you'll see we double up (and even treble) but rather than just omit repeated advice we've left it in- perhaps it shows just how useful it is. We hope it is of use to you.

Please note- the advice given in this page is from mothers who have had multiple births, we are not health professionals. If you are having difficulties we recommend you contact your doctor or health visitor.

SANDRA & DAVID

Take all the help you can, especially when the babies are small. It helps them get used to being with other people too, which helps when they get a bit older.

Try to be organised, but don't get too obsessed with it. Lots of things that used to bother me don't anymore - it's just as well or I would have flipped by now!

Get out as much as you can. Its definitely harder staying in all day. Its a treat to have a coffee and a chat with a friend whilst the babies are sleeping in the pram.

Buy things in the sales for the following year. It makes a difference getting things half price when you're buying two - just remember where you've stored them away for the following year or they're not such a bargain after all!

PAMELA

When choosing your pram, think about the width of it. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to get through a doorway and realising your pram doesn't fit! Many shops are not well suited to twin prams so make sure you can move and turn your pram with ease.

HILDA & DAVID

Having twins has a lot more good points than bad so if you focus more on the good points it will keep you sane and more able to cope.

I also found that I had to get them to sleep at the same time, so that while they were asleep I had my time, even if all I did was catch up on things like ironing.

We dress our twins the same because it is our choice, but it will be their choice when they start deciding for themselves if they want to dress different.

We also found it easier to have two of most toys as nine times out of ten they wanted the same thing at the same time. As they get a bit older it is getting easier to have one bigger thing that they can share because they are now able to understand about sharing and having turns each.

EILEEN & WILLIAM

Take as much rest as you can when you are pregnant.

Don't be frightened to ask for help, and accept all the help on offer.

Get into a routine that suits you as soon as possible and keep to it. Our bedtime routine slipped when I stopped giving them bottles and now I have a terrible time getting my 3 year olds to bed at night.

Try to avoid taking your babies into your bed- I know it is hard and you will do anything for a sleep but I regret it because every night we end up with 4 in our bed and no one gets a proper sleep.

Make time for yourself and try to go out without the babies whenever you get the chance.

I got friendly with a girl I met at ante-natal classes who also had twins and we have always kept in touch which is a great support because she can appreciate the problems I have. Join a support group if there is one near you.

Don't spend a lot of money on expensive baby equipment. I spent nearly £600 on a pram which I hardy ever used. If I were to do it again I would buy 2nd hand, usually baby equipment is used far such a short time that it is still in good condition.

The best gifts I was given were bouncy chairs, they were a godsend. I would carry them about the house when I was doing housework and the babies were kept amused.

I don't have any other children so I can't make any comparisons on the difference between having one or more babies at the same time. However I do know that it is very hard work but also very rewarding. GOOD LUCK!

ELIZABETH & DAVID

When your babies are tiny, try to have someone who will take over to give you a break even if it is to make a couple of meals. It could make all the difference and you get no prizes for coping with the extra demands on your own.

So I could get some sleep and get my twins to sleep for a few hours together at night I would wake them both at about 11 PM to change their nappies and clothes and then settle them for bed. Normally it would take about 1 hour to 1½ hours to get them settled in their cot but they would sleep for a few hours together and I would go straight to bed as soon as they were sleeping.

Even the best of partnerships will be strained at times, try to put it into perspective. You are both exhausted and your lives have been changed, it will take time to adjust.

It is easy to dislike older siblings and resent any time they demand from you because you are so busy with the babies. It seems you have no time for them never mind yourself. When people offer to baby-sit try get them to watch your babies rather than your older children and use this time to give them some attention. If they don't get the attention they crave they will act up and misbehave to get attention, because some attention is better than none.

Your vacuum cleaner will become your best friend when you can't settle your babies! If you lay them down and vacuum the carpet not only are you catching up on housework the noise often soothes them. If it doesn't soothe them at least the noise will have drowned them out a bit and you will be less focused on constant crying!

Have loads of microwavable meals in the freezer for when you come home from hospital. You may often find that you only have 10 minutes to cook and eat your dinner before you're back to the demands of your little darlings.

You will not believe the amount of washing you will have! I changed vests once every 24 hours if possible, and used bibs as often as possible before they found their way to the machine. When choosing clothes think of how easily they will wash and iron. Velour is a godsend, it washes like cotton and does not need ironed!

If someone offers to help in any way accept it- they might not offer again! Sometimes you are not convinced that people offering to baby sit could cope with them, but you will never know unless you let them try. If someone offers to take them overnight what's the worst thing that could happen? They would maybe loose a nights sleep, but that is nothing compared to the amount of sleep you loose. So let people help you and prove their worth to you!

There will be times when crying is unavoidable and it is easier to cope with if you adopt a different way of thinking about it. A baby that is crying is exercising their lungs! Or they are letting you know they are alive, a crying baby is breathing! (In temper a baby wilt hold its breath but they can't hold it for ever!) It might seem like cold comfort but it worked for me.

The first 6 months is physically exhausting, as they begin to start becoming more independent by sitting up themselves, feeding themselves their own bottle etc., they become more fun. I would say it is in some ways easier having twins at the toddler stage than one child because they have an inbuilt pal! They will have their fights, and you will be emotionally drained by them at times but the rewards are much more obvious. It does get better!

DEBBIE & BILLY

My advice would be that by all means have a routine but remember that things don't always go to plan.

ALWAYS make time for yourself. Even now when my twins are toddlers I love nothing more than getting them settled, filling a bath and having a long soak preferably with a box of chocs and a mag at my side!

Include your partner as much as possible even if he's worked his socks off and is knackered. My hubby was scared he'd do something wrong only because I never let him to get on with it when the boys were babies.

And lastly, even if things get really tough and you think you can't go on, think of all the other people who have "multiples" who are here to tell the tale! Things do get easier!!

JENNIFER AND IAIN

When they are small don't plan your day. If you are just getting dressed at dinner time or getting to the shops when everyone else is leaving, at least you have got there! But do try to get the babies into a routine as soon as possible, you'll find everything else will fall into place eventually.

Admitting, "I'm not coping" was one of the hardest things for me to do, but it was also a relief because I no longer had to pretend everything was great. So take all the help that's offered and ask for it if needed.

It is hard work but listening to them laughing and playing together is one of the most rewarding feelings I have. It makes all the hard work worth it. There is light the end of the tunnel. Take every day as it comes and enjoy.

Kenny and Lyndsey

While it is easy to want to be superhuman in the early days learn to accept help. Arrange visits to coincide with feed times; when close friends and family visit let them do your ironing or clean the loo if they offer. They'll probably feel good being of help and you'll have less to do with your limited time. On the subject of housework- don't be too precious about it. Prioritise!

Sleep whenever you can. There are no prizes for running yourself ragged.

I found getting out for a walk with the pram was an excellent way of remaining sane. The fresh air and exercise lifted my spirits on even the most stressful of days. The motion of the pram soothed the boys so it worked for us all.

If like me you like the idea of long walks with the pram invest in one with good suspension. Think about the width of your pram and shop doorways; check that it will fit in the boot of your car and that you can lift it without breaking your back. The weight of your pram is important- remember you will soon be pushing two toddlers in it.

There were two pieces of equipment I couldn't have done without: bouncy chairs are excellent when feeding both babies at the same time, for early weaning, and just for moving them easily about the house. Secondly I was bought a battery powered rocking swing and found it invaluable- it kept one amused while I fed the other, it would soothe them if they were upset and even rocked them to sleep. As they got bigger it was a great toy- my two got happier the faster it went! Look out for these swings in the classifieds.

Get out and meet other people- find a local twins club or find out about classes and groups for mothers. It's good to meet with people who will understand where you're at.

Try and go out without your babies, whether it's with friends or your partner. It's easy to become cocooned in a world of feeds, nappies and all things baby but you need a break now and then; so let your hair down and be yourself and not just "mum". You'll feel better so therefore it's good for the babies too!!!!

Without being obsessive about it try to be organised. It really helps stress levels if things are ready in advance. If you've got to be out early then have clothes, bags etc. sorted the night before.