Tips for Parents of Triplets from TLC

I found some tips on TLC's sight for parents of multiples. So - if you have multiples have a read. If not, you might find it interesting to see what kinds of things we need to be thinking about. Also - it just made me smile to re- realize the life we've gotten ourselves into :)

- "Leaving the house with more than one baby is not something that happens at the spur of the moment. It's an event," says Boyle. "Pack the car with everything you'll need the night before. Also get your babies' outfits set, and try to time your departure somewhere between feedings, diaper changes and naps." And if you can, keep a second diaper bag packed with all the essentials and leave it in your car for unexpected trips you may have to make.

Here are some tips that can help make adventures with your babies a little smoother:

• Have a strategy for the pediatrician's office. The doctor's office will probably be the first place you venture out en masse, and you don't want to get stuck in the waiting room. Booking the doctor's first appointment of the day will put the odds in your favor. Also, many times you'll need to undress, re-dress, hold babies still, and even comfort them after shots. It can be overwhelming with just one baby, let alone multiples. So bring someone along to help you.
• Choose "one-stop" stores that can meet all your needs if you'll be taking your infants shopping, says Sheryll Greatwood, co-author of Mothering Twins (Fireside) and themom of twins. This way, you'll be most efficient with your shopping time and you'll only have to deal with getting in and out of the car once.
• Avoid the grocery store. Hands down, food shopping will be the hardest thing to do with your infants. So why torture yourself? If you absolutely must take the babies along, try this setup: Wear one baby in a baby sling and place the other in his infant carrier, which should fit snugly over the shopping cart's child seat. Some exceptionally brave moms have even been known to wear two criss-crossed baby slings to the supermarket. Or, to avoid this scenario all together, look into grocery delivery services in your area. For a small fee, grocery stores will gather and deliver your supplies right to your door, usually within 24 hours.
• Invest in a good stroller. "Look for a stroller that is quick and easy to set up and fold down, and be sure it is also sturdy and comfortable enough to hold growing children," says Greatwood. "A well-built, reliable twin stroller is not inexpensive, but it will save you the inevitable extra cost of having to replace a flimsy, poorly built one."

Bonding, Times Two, Three or More!

Learning to split your heart evenly in two, three or more doesn't happen overnight. So, at first, it's not uncommon to feel closer to one baby than the other(s), especially if your babies' hospital homecoming didn't happen all at once.

Try these tips for fitting in one-on-one time with each baby:

• Feed each child individually once a day. During feedings, make lots of eye contact and get skin-to-skin with your babies when possible.
• Take your time diapering. Visits to the changing table don't have to be rushed — singing, cooing, eye contact and smiling all make this count as quality time.
• Take naps together. Many pediatricians and even the American Academy of Pediatrics say it's OK to nap with babies in a bed that has a firm mattress; no soft bedding, pillows or blanket to get tangled in; and no space for getting caught between the mattress and the bedstead. Just make sure babies are a safe distance from the bed's edge. (Children's bed rails, which fit under the mattress and fold down when not in use, can provide peace of mind that your babies won't roll off the bed while you're co-sleeping.)

It's also important for the main caretaker to have alone time, if possible. Becoming a parent is a major shock to the system, whether you're prepared or not. To keep your sanity, schedule an hour or two every few days to take a nap, a bath, a stroll through the mall or just a walk around the neighborhood. These little refreshers can go a long way.