Mumsnet Talk

Sorry if this has been asked before, but can anyone recommend some books for me to read on coping with twins?

I've just started reading "Double Trouble: Twins & How to Survive Them" by Emma Mahony and it's fab but I think I'd like to read a few more - especially around breastfeeding, sleep and concentrating more on the 1st year than the pregnancy and birth!

Message withdrawn

I have 2 yr old twins. Read GF before they were born and was baffled by the routines, was even worse once they were here! Def worth a read (I could even post it to you to save you the cost!) but not for everyone.

I loved the Baby secrets book by Jo Tatum (I think) recommended by a twin mum - not specifically about twins but I loved the guidance for a routine, which with twins I found invaluable.

Have you joined a twins club? There are many affiliated to TAMBA which might be local to you. Our club runs a buddy system which could put you in touch with a local mum of twins for some real life advice.

Oh and good luck! It's a mad world with two tinies. But at 2 yrs my two adore each other, curl up snuggling in a little ball at nap times (just like in the womb!) and it looks amazing.

x

Thanks for the suggestions. I will try and get hold of Baby Secrets as I am keen to establish some sort of routine - mainly as I already have a toddler.

I read GF the first time round (Contented Baby) and although I laughed out loud (after the birth) at the "put the drowsy baby into it's cot" line (as mine needed completely rocking to sleep before I could lay him down anywhere!) I found her guidelines for feeding and when to go from every 3 to 4 hours etc quite useful. Penona - if you do want rid of your GF book, I'd be a grateful recipient!

I have e-mailed our local twins club but no response so far (they're obviously all way too busy looking after at least 2 children)

Anjelika

Where are you based Anjelika? I am in SW London. I know some of the people in our local twins club and they are very busy volunteers!

I'm in Bristol

here we come...ready or not by Elizabeth Lyons gets good reviews, I havent read it but I am reading her second one for toddler twins, I have only got 3 pages in suprisingly but so far so good!!

I have 4 month old twins and my favorite books are,

Twins & Multiple Births: The Essential Parenting Handbook from Birth to Adulthood
by Carol Cooper

Elizabeth Noble - having twins

and The baby whisperer.

My advise would be read as much as possible before they arrive as difficult to find the time once they are here

If you're planning to breastfeed though, don't take any notice of anything Gina Ford says!! She has no idea about how breastfeeding works! best to talk to some real life twin Mummies about that subject. Get in contact with your local twins club and hopefully there'll be some breastfeeders amongst them.

The Tamba guide to breastfeeding more than one is really good. You can get it free when you join if you decide to.

''I read GF the first time round (Contented Baby) and although I laughed out loud (after the birth) at the "put the drowsy baby into it's cot" line''

lol@ this, I felt exactly the same way!

Another vote for Baby Secrets and another book called Baby Love which was just fantastic - not especially aimed at twin parents but was just great - esp for after the pregnancy is over and your babies are here. The other twin ones mentioned here are also def worth a read - think it was the Carol Cooper one where she is also a twin mum? Or maybe I'm getting mixed up with Double Trouble...

PS Have given away most of my twin preg books but have just come across this one gathering dust on a shelf - it's yours free if you want it - email me at bell133@btinternet.com

Bellabelly - have PM'd you.

Thanks for all the suggestions - I shall do an online search of the local libraries first as money is definitely becoming an issue! Has anyone read the Marc Weissbluth book "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Twins"? I've got the "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" one and it was my lifesaver (my DS has never been the best of sleepers) and don't know whether or not to invest in the twins one.

I've got one called The Art of Parenting Twins by someone called Patricia Maxwell Malmstrom. I think it's got some great advice about bringing twins up (through to young adulthood), although some of it is hilariously old-fashioned American.

I still have Carol Cooper, worth it because of UK slant and the La Leche League one on breastfeeding more than one is absolutely fab, not just on breastfeeding (although very US). The TAMBA booklets you can download are v.good, I think they even do a free video on the site now. Certainly v.good on playing with twins, how to share attention etc which is useful when they're a bit older. Must go and read them again!

BTW, I've got the gina ford & emma mahoney ones for sale at the mo if anyone's interested. Virtually brand new. Personally found GF pants, really don't know why I bothered!

Having Twins by Elizabeth Noble - absolutely BRILL I reckon

AQ - how are your twins now? They must be about 1? I am in the UK having had a blissful 2 months here with my 3 children and getting help from my parents. My husband arrives on Thus then we are all flying bck to NZ on 1st Nov in time for summer. Am excited about watching all 3 running in the waves and being able to swim much more this year (me, not the littlies).
Am just packing now as off to Salisbury, my brother is getting married in the cathedral this weekend. Do 11 month olds and a 3 year year old understand the meaning of 'respect in God's house?' Let's hope so

The Carol Cooper one was dreadful imho,very negative and incorrect re boy twins, really upset me when pg with my boy twins.

I loved Double Trouble.

I found GF very useful, actually she saved my sanity.

I would reccommend the tripet diaries by jackie clunes beacuase it is funny and because it puts things in to perspective
I love the australian twins association multiples breastfeeding advice really good.
galaxy

Just came across this thread again, Anjelika I haven't forgotten about sending teh book, just being disorganised about getting to post office! Will try and send it this week...

Hi,

Would just like to say thanks to this thread i have just read the book "Double Trouble: Twins & How to Survive Them" by Emma Mahony.

What a fantastic book!! I don't normally read books as it takes me forever to read them, but i had this one read within days as could not put it down. DH is now reading it!

now i've just got to find a few more to read..... :-)

I was really pleased with the Carol Cooper one, as I didn't know anything about twins, and was keen to find out the current theories on how to nurture individuality and language development. It isn't light reading, though.

I have used Baby Secrets extensively, and it's working really well with my 5 month-old boy / girl twins. We are following the routines, but have altered the late afternoon to fit in better with breastfeeding. I don't think her "partial feed" thing works with breast feeding. Apart from that, I recommend it very strongly.

I was pleased to have read the Gina Ford one, because the stuff about black out blinds and cot runners is useful, but found I just couldn't face her routines. At least Baby Secrets expects you to introduce things gradually.

The E Noble one is the best i think, very comprehensive. I think i read everything ever written on the subject, i do like to research! However, for me it was counter productive, it kind of stressed me out, knowing everything and everything that can go wrong. Plus had me arguing with registrars at the hospital, i felt i knew everything!!

Personally i felt that a strict routine was the way to go, but then i do highly value 'me-time' and lying on the sofa reading magazines. For this i found ' The baby whisperer' v good.

Mummytotwins- what age do you think the Elizabeth Lyons covers in her toddler book- 4 year olds??