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Andrew Nardo is the proud father of one-year-old twin girls. Raising twins has special challenges that you don’t encounter when you are raising a single baby. Sometimes it feels like you just don’t have enough arms. In the course of the last year, though, Andrew Nardo and his wife have learned a number of tricks for making life with twins – or more – easier. The first thing you should do when you bring you new babies home, says Andrew Nardo, is start to establish a routine. A schedule for naps, feedings, baths, and bedtime helps everyone to feel more confident and less stressed. The bedtime routine is particularly important because having cues to calm your children down at the end of the day will serve you even as they get much older, says Andrew Nardo. For the first few months, in particular, explains Andrew Nardo, you should sleep whenever your babies are asleep. Until their sleep routine allows them to sleep through the night, you will probably be operating on a sleep deficit. Keep it to a minimum by napping right along with them. Using evenings to prepare for the next day can be really helpful in getting everyone off to a smooth start, says Andrew Nardo. Your babies will probably go to sleep before you’re ready to turn in for the night, so make bottles, pack diaper bags, and lay out clothes during this part of the evening. By doing this, you are prepared to head out the door at a moment’s notice. And you should always try to get outside. If the weather is nice, take the babies out for a walk. Fresh air is good for everyone. Accepting help is particularly important when raising multiples. Delegate tasks to family members or accept the offer of help from the friendly next-door neighbor. Ask family members and friends to drop off meals you can easily heat up, suggests Andrew Nardo. Feeding yourself can be the biggest challenge when you are trying to juggle all the feedings, naps, and diaper changes that twins entail. If you are feeling isolated after the birth of your new babies and are having trouble getting out, join a parents group, recommends Andrew Nardo. Leaving the house with infant twins might seem unmanageable, but it is possible with a little preparation. There are even special groups for parents of multiples. Forming a social network of parents in similar situations will help you feel more in control. In the midst of all this chaos, make sure to enjoy your babies! In the end, raising multiples can be a joy – Andrew Nardo knows that for sure. 
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Andrew Nardo, twins, multiples,
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