Home
>
Parenting
>
Twins - Double The Trouble Or Double The Pleasure? Both!

Twins - Double The Trouble Or Double The Pleasure? Both!

If You're Having Twins..is it double the headache, or double the joy? Probably both!

What Causes Twins?
The number of twins is on the increase, probably because of IVF treatment where more than one fertilised egg is placed in the womb.

Of the non-IVF twins, there are two causes:

Two eggs are released during ovulation and both are fertilised by separate sperm - it is possible twins can be fathered by two different Dads! In this case the twins are not identical (even if they have the same Dad!). Non-identical twins are also known as fraternal, they share about half their genes so they may or may not look the same. It is even possible for a couple of mixed race to have one white and one black twin - now wouldn't that be fun! You could just imagine the comments from some dumb folk.

Identical twins result when the egg splits into two during the first 14 days. In this case both twins have similar looks - the saying 'two peas out of the same pod' has more than an element of truth! If the egg splits into two after around 14 days, the result could be Siamese (conjoined) twins, but this is extremely rare. The reasons why the egg splits are not really known, although a recent study has remarked that medical treatment to encourage ovulation may cause the wall of the egg to weaken thus making it more likely to split.

So, you found out from your ultrasound scan that you are expecting twins. How do you know if they will be identical? Do you have to wait until they are toddlers before this is apparent? Maybe.

Firstly a boy/girl pair are not identical. If your scan reveals two babies of the same sex, you need to find out whether there is one or two placentas: if there's one, your twins are probably identical; two placentas and the jury's still out. Even after birth you still may not know. Again, a single placenta places the odds heavily in favor of identical twins, two placentas either fused or separate are inconclusive; the only way then to get the answer is through a DNA test, or you can wait until they start to grow up.

Feeding Twins
In the first few days you will think this is impossible. It is possible to breastfeed two babies but a bottle is easier, especially if you have help. It is also easier to monitor how much each baby has taken if you use a bottle.But you probably want to breastfeed because it is better for your babies. It can take several weeks before your breasts produce sufficient milk, so a combination of your milk and a formula feed may be necessary until your milk production gets up to speed. Try to feed both babies at once otherwise you will be at it non-stop.

Raising Twins
There's no denying it's hard work. According to Tamba, the Twins and Multiple Births Association, twins should be encouraged to achieve a sense of individuality. To this end don't dress them in matching clothes, if you are given matching clothes as a gift try to ensure they wear their identical outfits on different days. Ask family and friends to send individual cards and presents, and try not to refer to them as 'the twins'.

It has been known for many years that twins' language is about six months behind their peers. They talk later and in shorter sentences. This can lead to reading difficulties later and problems when they start school. You can help by ensuring that you find time to talk and read to them, individually if possible as if you talk to them as a pair the dominant one will respond and the other may just opt out. If you can't find the time or energy for a bedtime read, play them a story tape.

Above all, try to raise two individuals. There's a story of one mom who took her two boys to nursery: one was asked what his name was and his reply was 'Michael and John'! Sad.

****************************************************************

Author: Tony and Katy Luck who have a website about raising babies.

****************************************************************

Airbnb cleaning service Glenview ..

In The News:

ChatGPT 2025 now connects to Apple Music, Canva, Expedia, TripAdvisor and OpenTable through built-in apps that help users create playlists, design graphics and more.

Apple releases emergency patches for two zero-day vulnerabilities actively exploited in attacks. iPhone and iPad users urged to update immediately.

DoorDash launches Zesty, an AI-powered social app that recommends restaurants through conversational search, now testing in San Francisco and New York.

Cybersecurity firm Infoblox reveals that over 90 percent of parked domains now redirect visitors to scams and malware, making simple typos extremely dangerous.

The Fox News AI Newsletter covers the latest artificial intelligence technology advancements, including the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

GPT-5.2 is now live for all ChatGPT users with improved coding, writing and image interpretation, with Kurt Knutsson offering his review.

New iPhone replacement scam uses pressure tactics and fake carrier calls to steal devices from buyers. Criminals claim shipping errors and demand urgent returns.

Amazon Ring's new facial recognition feature sparks privacy controversy as Electronic Frontier Foundation critics argue the AI upgrade expands surveillance risks.

New Android banking trojan Sturnus steals credentials, reads encrypted messages and controls devices.

Denmark's 3D-printed student village proves automation builds 36 apartments faster than traditional methods. Skovsporet project shows housing future.

Discover Android's new Sound Notifications feature that alerts you to smoke alarms, doorbells, and baby cries even when wearing headphones.

New SantaStealer malware reportedly threatens holiday shoppers with password theft. This Christmas-themed info-stealer targets browsers and crypto wallets.

The Christmas season brings a surge in Netflix phishing scams targeting shoppers with fake emails. Stacey P received convincing scam but verified account first.

San Francisco Giants invite Jamie Grohsong to throw ceremonial first pitch at Oracle Park after he learned to play baseball with a bionic hand following an injury.

FBI warns cybercriminals are stealing family photos from social media to create fake proof of life images in virtual kidnapping scams targeting victims.

Instagram's new 'Your Algorithm' tool lets you control your Reels feed in real time. The app now gives you power to customize what videos you see.

Major Marquis fintech breach exposes 400,000-plus Americans' data through unpatched SonicWall vulnerability, with Texas hardest hit at 354,000 affected.

Free up iPhone storage fast by clearing large photos and videos from Messages app. Simple steps for iOS users to delete attachments without losing chats.

Scammers are flooding inboxes with fake tracking alerts that mimic real carriers, exploiting the holiday rush to steal logins and personal data.

The Fox News AI Newsletter brings you the latest news on AI technology advancements and the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Texas family reunites with missing 11-year-old cat Grayson after 103 days using Petco Love Lost's AI photo matching technology and community help.

Tired of AI customer service loops? These insider tricks help you escape "frustration AI" and get real human help when you need it most for urgent issues.

Unlock richer audio from your streaming apps with simple tweaks to volume normalization, equalizer settings, and quality preferences for cleaner sound.

Scammers are sending fake Facebook settlement payout emails that mimic legitimate notices from the privacy settlement administrator to deceive users.

Holiday shopping scams surge as fake refund emails target distracted consumers during Black Friday and holiday seasons, costing Americans billions annually.

Twins - Double The Trouble Or Double The Pleasure? Both!

Parenting