No two ways about it: pregnancy and labour wreak havoc on a woman’s body. No matter how earthy midwives urge women to be zen about “having the body of a mother,” it’s hard not to be neurotic about such a huge physical change. Even if you’re not inclined to embark on a Madonna-type regimen of yoga and dance, you might be wondering about weight loss. The good news is that doctors say much of the weight gained during pregnancy consists of blood and fluids that will vanish in the first week or two after labour. But there will likely be at least seven pounds of fat left. While some physical changes might be there to stay, many mothers report their weight declines rapidly as they breastfeed. As for exercise, doctors caution that excessive workouts can be harmful in the early weeks after giving birth, but once you’re healed, exercise is healthy for new mums, and, unlike crash dieting, it won’t interfere with the quality and quantity of breast milk.

La Leche League
“Postpartum Body Image and Weight Loss”

“Once the challenges of childbirth are past and a mother has held her new baby and counted fingers and toes, she turns her attention to the dramatic changes pregnancy and childbirth have worked on her body. The first sight of a sagging postpartum tummy can shock even the slimmest, most self-assured woman. [. . .] Remember you’ve earned the body of a mother. Celebrate that body and appreciate the emotional and physical strengths you’ve gained.” …read the full article

iVillage
“Post Pregnancy Weight Loss”

"Once you feel up to it, go for walks. I have been taking my nine-month-old son for power walks in the stroller since he was an infant. Go first thing in the morning if you can. If you delay, you will find excuses not to go, and the walk is a great way to start your day. You can also invest in a baby backpack. I pop him in and off we go for a walk." …read the full article

BabyCenter Australia ®
“Diet for Healthy Weight Loss”

"If you’re not breastfeeding, you can start to eat a little less than you’d need to maintain your normal weight. But don’t go on a strict diet — women need a minimum of around 1,200 calories a day to stay healthy." …read the full article

Pregnancy-Info.net
“Weight Loss After Pregnancy”

"Weight gain in pregnancy is healthy and natural, but many women crave to return to their pre-pregnancy bodies. But you need to exercise caution when losing your baby weight. Just as it’s best to put on weight slowly and steadily during your pregnancy, you need to be slow and steady in losing weight after your pregnancy." …read the full article

Sydney Morning Herald
“Body After Baby”

"And in a world obsessed with the size and shape of women’s bodies, the radical changes pregnancy brings are particularly challenging. A glance at any gossip magazine confirms that (a) babies are a hot accessory and (b) they’re only acceptable if they have no impact on the woman’s lifestyle, or her waistline, afterwards." …read the full article

Attachment parenting is the name Dr. Sears has given parenting styles that involve closeness, intuition and listening to the baby’s needs and desires rather than centering baby’s routine around the parents’ needs. Baby-wearing, breastfeeding for as long as possible, and the family bed are all mainstays of attachment parenting. It can be a beautiful thing when it works as advertised, and it can inflict guilt when it doesn’t. Some might argue that the emphasis on closeness and breastfeeding imposes an undue burden on the mother who needs or wants to return to work earlier than six months after the child is born. Dr. Sears assures readers that his tenets of attachment parenting are only an ideal, not something every parent must live up to all the time, though his assertion that you can’t adhere to every principle all the time because “nobody’s perfect” may lead you to suspect that full adherence to attachment parenting is in fact perfection. Dr. Cohen warns that trying to interpret a baby’s every cry can drive a parent nuts. But Dr. Sears might tell you, that if your kids are acting up and you’re going nuts because you don’t know why, something’s awry with your parenting style.

Attachment Parenting International
“What Is Attachment Parenting?”

“Dr. William Sears, a practicing pediatrician in California, coined the term ‘attachment parenting’ over twenty-five years ago. Dr. Sears did not start attachment parenting but simply observed that mothers in other cultures cared for and raised their children in a very natural, loving way as they had done for thousands of years. This type of care helped the parents and baby form a strong, secure attachment.”
…read the full article

Dr. Sears
“What Attachment Parenting Is To The Seven Baby B’s”

“The way baby and parents get started with one another helps the early attachment unfold. The days and weeks after birth are a sensitive period in which mothers and babies are uniquely primed to want to be close to one another. A close attachment after birth and beyond allows the natural, biological attachment-promoting behaviors of the infant and the intuitive, biological, caregiving qualities of the mother to come together.” …read the full article

Parenting Web
“Attachment Parenting: The Components of a Nurturing, Instinctive Parenting Style”

“These are my personal thoughts about Attachment Parenting. You may not use the term Attachment Parenting to describe this way of parenting. You might call it Natural Parenting, Instinctive Parenting, Immersion Parenting or Continuum Parenting. Perhaps a label is unnecessary to you. Maybe you are simply ‘following your instincts’ and have never thought of parenting as anything but second nature. I am fully supportive of all of those possibilities.” …read the full article

Attachment Parenting Australia
“About Attachment Parenting”
“Although an attachment parenting approach is becoming more popular in Western societies, most parents’ approach to parenting in Western societies is less child-centred. Because attachment parenting is not as frequently practised as other approaches, some aspects of attachment parenting are not well understood and can be challenging for some people.” …read the full article

Dr. Cohen
Excerpt from The New Basics

“I have always thought that parents are attached to their babies. Apparently not everyone shares that point of view. Dr. William Sears introduces a concept he calls ‘attachment parenting,’ wherein he teaches new parents how to develop a connection with their new baby. I have encountered many parents who followed this philosophy and literally drove themselves and their baby crazy with guilt and frustration when it didn’t work.” …read the full article

We tend to think of acne as something that affects hormone-addled teenagers or stressed-out adults, not cute pristine babies just out of the womb. But newborn acne, and its more persistent sibling, infantile acne, are common. Acne can happen any time hormones are surging through a body and many experts believe it is the mother’s pregnancy hormones that are passed on to the baby through the placenta that cause the acne. If you or your baby are taking certain medications, that might also be a factor. In most cases pimples and whiteheads on a newborn will go away of their own accord within a month or two, so there is no need to break out the Clearasil at first provocation. When newborn acne doesn’t go away, it is called infantile acne and can last for 2 or 3 years, sometimes even longer. Experts say that gentle rinsing with water can be enough to keep the condition under control, but that paediatric dermatologists can provide topical medicated treatments if necessary.

Dr. Greene
“Infantile Acne”

"New parents often learn about an early round of acne — newborn acne or neonatal acne — that comes and goes during the first weeks or months of life. Newborn acne is usually quite mild. Because newborn acne is very common, when people see pimples on a baby they usually reassure the parents that they will disappear soon on their own. But for a few kids, this is not true. There is another variety called infantile acne that often lasts 2 or 3 years unless properly treated."
…read the full article

iVillage
“Can A Newborn Have Acne?”

"Babies may be born with or develop a number of “normal” rashes. Unfortunately, some of these rashes may seem unsightly especially when they get worse over the first couple of weeks of life. Baby acne is one of these rashes. The last trimester of pregnancy is full of activity with respect to what mom passes on to baby. A large amount of calcium is transferred during this time. The same is true for iron. However, something else is given through the placenta — hormones. The pregnancy is supported by a large sustained amount of hormones. And labor is triggered and sustained through hormones as well. With mom’s bloodstream packed with these hormones, they can’t help but be passed on through the placenta to the infant." …read the full article

Natural Childbirth Baby Care
“Baby Acne, Not As Bad As It Looks!”

"Baby acne is though to be caused by the mothers hormones which pass through the placenta and are present in the baby’s sebaceous glands. About 20% of babies are affected, male babies are more prone than females." …read the full article

How To Do Things
“How To Treat Baby Acne”

"Baby acne [...] may look painful, it usually doesn’t bother the baby at all. And like many other difficult stages of infancy, this one, too, shall pass. Baby acne is most often caused by your hormones, and may appear anytime from birth to when the baby is a few weeks old. The condition usually clears up on its own by the time the infant it about six months old. But if you want to try to speed up the process, there are a few things you should know." …read the full article

BabyCenter Australia®
“Baby Acne”

"Baby acne is very common. It can be present at birth, but more often it shows up after a couple of weeks, usually on the cheeks and sometimes on the forehead, chin, and even the back. These small whiteheads might be surrounded by reddish skin. They can become more pronounced when your baby is hot or fussy or if his skin is irritated by saliva, spit-up milk, or fabric that’s a little rough or that’s been washed in strong detergent. By the way, if your baby had tiny bumps on his face at birth that disappeared within a few weeks, these are called milia and they’re unrelated to acne. If the irritation looks more rashy or scaly than pimply or it appears elsewhere on his body, your baby may have another condition, such as cradle cap or eczema." …read the full article

Ideally, baby latches on from the get-go and mother and baby nurse happy ever after. But doctors say that minor breastfeeding complications are common, especially for first-time mothers. Sometimes babies don’t latch on as well as they should, or experience other problems in feeding. Stress and a number of other factors can also trip things up. Common challenges include sore nipples, engorgement and blocked milk ducts. The latter two conditions can lead to mastitis if not resolved. Mastitis involves swelling, redness, tenderness and pain in the breast. Another common issue is Candida, or thrush, a yeast infection that thrives in warm, damp environments. Both with Candida and Mastitis doctors say it’s best to keep nursing if at all possible. If problems are serious or persist, experts advise women to consult their doctor or a lactation consultant.

BBC Health
“Mastitis — Problems with Breastfeeding”

"Mastitis, or inflammation of breast tissue, is a miserable condition that often adds to the stress of motherhood. It can occur in women who aren’t breastfeeding, but is more likely to develop when breasts are trying to produce milk." …read the full article

Dr. Sears
“Candida”

"Candida [. . .] is a fungus that thrives in warm, dark, moist environments, such as the mucus membranes of the mouth and vagina, the diaper area, skin folds, bra pads, and on persistently wet nipples." …read the full article

Dr. Sears
“Mastitis”

"Mastitis means that the breast is inflamed, and there is swelling, redness, tenderness and pain. There may be an infection, so it is wise to consult your health-care provider to determine whether or not an antibiotic is necessary. A breast infection can become a breast abscess that requires surgical draining, but this can almost always be prevented by treating mastitis promptly." …read the full article

Raising Children Network
“Breastfeeding Problems and Solutions”

"Breastfeeding is a learning curve for both mum and baby, so it’s no wonder there can be some sore nipples and other challenges at first. Most issues can be easily resolved, and getting help early can make all the difference." …read the full article

Australian Breastfeeding Association
“Breast and Nipple Care?”

"Many mothers have problems with their breasts. If you deal with these problems straight away you may stop them getting worse.Here are some simple suggestions which can help." …read the full article

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The Womens
“Nipple Vasospasm”
Australian Breastfeeding Association
Collection of Breastfeeding Links

Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder caused by an extra full or partial chromosome. No one knows for sure why this happens. But it is known that mothers in their 40s are at a higher risk to have children with Down syndrome than younger mothers. There are a few physical characteristics that set people with Down syndrome apart, such as almond-shaped eyes, small features, and curved pinky fingers. People with Down syndrome are also at higher risk for some medical problems. All people with Down syndrome have some mental retardation and developmental delays. However, experts say that it is important to remember that Down is a syndrome, not a personality — people with Down syndrome vary widely in their likes and dislikes, abilities and temperament. Often children with Down syndrome go to ordinary schools and go on to have jobs and full social lives. Though having a baby with Down syndrome can be a big readjustment in terms of what to expect out of your child, parents who have children with Down syndrome say, that while their children have some special needs, they are kids first and foremost, and on the whole they are more alike other children than they are different.

Children, Youth And Women’s Health
“Down Syndrome”

"Down syndrome is named after Dr John Langdon Down who first identified the syndrome in 1866. Down syndrome is caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21 inside each of the body’s cells. The extra chromosome causes certain physical characteristics (appearance) and affects intellectual development (thinking skills)."
…read the full article

Brain Foundation
"Down Syndrome"

"Babies with Down Syndrome have distinctive physical features, including a slightly flattened face, eyes slanting upwards, and slightly smaller ears, hands and feet. They usually have some degree of intellectual impairment, and may be developmentally delayed. They frequently have other health problems, such as hearing or vision disorders; hypothyroidism; or skeletal, intestinal or heart defects." …read the full article

Better Health
"Down Syndrome Explained"

"Down syndrome affects, but does not determine, development and achievement in a person. People with Down syndrome demonstrate a wide range of capabilities. What happens after birth will be far more important in shaping the outlook for a person with Down syndrome than the occurrence of the extra chromosome at conception." …read the full article

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
"Down Syndrome"

"Down syndrome is the most common and readily identifiable chromosomal condition associated with mental retardation. It is caused by a chromosomal abnormality: for some unexplained reason, an accident in cell development results in 47 instead of the usual 46 chromosomes. This extra chromosome changes the orderly development of the body and brain. In most cases, the diagnosis of Down syndrome is made according to results from a chromosome test administered shortly after birth." …read the full article

BabyCenter Australia ®
"Down Syndrome"

"As yet we do not know what causes the presence of an extra chromosome… What we do know is that no one is to blame. Nothing done before or during pregnancy can cause Down syndrome. It occurs in all races, social classes and in all countries throughout the world. It can happen to anyone. " …read the full article

Jaundice, yellow discolouration of the skin and eyes, affects many newborns two or three days after birth. Experts say the condition is not a disease in and of itself. In healthy-sized full-term newborns it’s usually fairly harmless. Doctors say babies are born with an excess of red blood cells. As these old blood cells are broken down, they’re transformed into a substance called bilirubin. (Dr. Greene explains that this is the same substance you see when an old bruise turns yellow). Often the newborn’s liver is too unformed to properly process the large amounts of bilirubin in her system and she becomes yellow, or jaundiced. Doctors cite the risk factors for this type of common, usually harmless, jaundice as being premature birth, bruising during birth, mother and baby having different blood types and breastfeeding. This type of jaundice should disappear on its own at about two weeks. Jaundice that develops earlier, or later, may have other causes and may be less benign. Doctors tend to monitor jaundice in infants carefully, just in case. If a baby is extremely yellow, or if she seems weak, this may be cause for worry. In some cases babies are given treatments to make sure the level of bilirubin in their blood doesn’t get too high.

Raising Children Network
“Jaundice in Newborns”

"Jaundice is usually harmless and disappears after a week or two without problems. Nonetheless, a nurse or doctor should check and monitor all cases of jaundice in newborn babies. Some babies have severe jaundice, which very occasionally can lead to deafness and even brain damage if not treated promptly." …read the full article

Dr. Greene
“Jaundice”

"Jaundice is common in new babies and is usually not a problem. Nevertheless, jaundice can be a sign of a serious disease and occasionally jaundice can cause lasting nerve damage. Parents need to know when to worry and when to relax. " …read the full article

BabyCentre Australia
“Jaundice”

"Jaundice develops in a healthy baby when the blood contains an excess of bilirubin – a chemical produced during the normal breakdown of old red blood cells. Newborns tend to have higher levels because they have extra oxygen-carrying red blood cells and their young livers can’t metabolise the excess bilirubin." …read the full article

Kids Health
“Jaundice in Healthy Newborns”

"A common condition in newborns, jaundice refers to the yellow color of the skin and whites of the eyes caused by excess bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is produced by the normal breakdown of red blood cells." …read the full article

Dr. Cohen
Excerpt fromThe New Basics

"Jaundice, the condition of having yellowish skin, is not a rare occurrence in newborns. In fact, it’s common, so common that most of the alarm it causes doctors and parents of jaundiced babies is unwarranted . . . Practically speaking, I’d say that at least a third of all newborn exhibit some kind of yellow tinge. Mild jaundice tends to appear on the second day, peaks around the fifth day, and then slowly decreases over time. It may still be detectable around week six." … read the full article

Nappy rash happens: most babies will suffer one at some point in their nappy-wearing career. Chaffing or contact allergies can be culprits, but most often the cause is simply wetness — chemicals and enzymes in urine and stools can constitute quite the toxic cocktail when left to marinate a soft baby’s bottom. Introduction to solid foods is one common trigger of nappy rash, antibiotics another, but nappy rash can occur at any time a child is in nappies. The basic prescription for treating and avoiding nappy rash is to keep the nappy area as clean, cool and dry as possible. This means changing nappies often, washing the nappy area with water, carefully dabbing it dry with a clean towel and letting baby air it out whenever possible. When it comes to nappy rash there is no clear advantage of cloth nappies over disposable or vice versa, so go with your preference on that one, though experts say you should avoid nappies that are too tight-fitting as well as any plastic or rubber pants. If the rash persists you might want to see if changing wipes or nappies makes a difference.

Dr. Sears
“Diaper Rash”

"When your beautiful baby is born, her skin is often perfect in every way. It is softer and smoother than it will ever be again. You are dismayed when she wakes up and her bottom is red and irritated when you change her diaper. What happened! What did you do wrong? Absolutely nothing! Having a diaper rash is a normal part of being a baby. There are many ways you can limit the amount of rash, but from time to time it will flare up again. " …read the full article

BabyCenter Australia
“Nappy Rash”

"The main cause is wetness. Newborns urinate often and have frequent, loose bowel movements. Even the most absorbent nappy leaves some moisture on a baby’s delicate new skin. A baby left in a dirty nappy for too long is more likely to develop nappy rash; however, it can still strike the bottoms of babies with particularly sensitive skin, even if their parents are frequent nappy changers. " …read the full article

Kids Life
“Nappy Rash- Prevention and Treatment”

"All mothers feel confronted if their babies have nappy rash. What will people think? The first thing to realise is that nappy rash is not a sign of parental negligence." …read the full article

Raising Children Network
“Nappy Rash”

"The skin in the nappy region looks red and sore. Some areas of skin may be raised or swollen and there may even be ulcers present. Skin folds are usually not involved because they are protected from exposure to urine. The rash may cause discomfort or pain, which may make the baby irritable and cry more often." …read the full article

Dr. Greene
“Treating Diaper Rash”

"Diapers were a wonderful invention, controlling infants’ waste products in a relatively convenient, clean, and healthy way. Still, ever since children began to wear diapers, diaper rash has been the most common skin disorder of infancy." …read the full article

Babies have large heads, weak neck muscles and soft, fragile brains. Shaken Baby Syndrome is a collective name for a number of injuries caused by an adult losing control and violently shaking a baby. The shaking, which can happen for as little as 5 seconds, causes the baby’s brain to bounce around inside the skull and bruise, bleed and swell. Related injuries include damage to the spinal cord and retinal bleeding. Shaken Baby Syndrome is basically a type of whiplash, and more likely to happen if the baby’s head is also hitting an object, even something as soft as a pillow. Signs of Shaken Baby Syndrome include vomiting, extreme irritability, loss of consciousness, blue skin and breathing difficulties. Doctors say that about a fifth of all Shaken Baby Syndrome cases lead to death within days. A majority of children with Shaken Baby Syndrome end up with permanent damage and disabilities such as blindness, paralysis or mental retardation. Experts say gentle bouncing, swinging or other play does not cause the type of damage seen in Shaken Baby Syndrome. That degree of damage is also very unlikely to be caused by accidental falls off furniture, or even down stairs.

National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome
“What Is Shaken Baby Syndrome?”

"Shaken baby syndrome is a term used to describe the constellation of signs and symptoms resulting from violent shaking or shaking and impacting of the head of an infant or small child. The degree of brain damage depends on the amount and duration of the shaking and the forces involved in impact of the head." …read the full article

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
“Shaken Baby Syndrome Information Page”

"Shaken baby syndrome is a type of inflicted traumatic brain injury that happens when a baby is violently shaken. A baby has weak neck muscles and a large, heavy head. Shaking makes the fragile brain bounce back and forth inside the skull and causes bruising, swelling, and bleeding, which can lead to permanent, severe brain damage or death." …read the full article

Kids Health
“Abusive Head Trauma (Shaken Baby Syndrome)”

"The perpetrators in these cases are most often parents or caregivers. Common triggers are frustration or stress when the child is crying. Unfortunately, the shaking may have the desired effect: although at first the baby cries more, he or she may stop crying as the brain is damaged. " …read the full article

Child Protection Council
“Babies Break If You Shake Them”

"Things which might tell you if a baby has been shaken include: being grumpy or annoyed, tired, no energy or not responding, having trouble breathing, not eating well or other feeding problems, throwing up, having fits, being like a rag doll." …read the full article

ABC News
“Doubt Cast On ‘Shaken Baby Syndrome’”

"Doctors are calling for a rethink of shaken-baby syndrome as researchers cast doubt on one of the symptoms used to identify it. " …read the full article

Sometimes babies cry for no discernible reason. After you’ve eliminated all possible causes of the crying, there are some tried-and-true soothing techniques recommended by paediatricians. Fans of attachment parenting swear that “wearing” baby in a wrap or a sling not only soothes her when she cries, it also helps prevent crying. Others say that a variety of gentle motions, in combination with body contact, will produce an effect similar to baby-wearing. Additional methods involve sounds, oral or visual stimuli. Some recommend taking a drive in the car, as many babies are soothed by the humming and vibrations from the motor. While other parents say they’ve unexpectedly hit on certain sounds that soothed their baby: popcorn poppers, washing machines and hair-dryers all produce the kind of womb-like white noise that tends to make babies feel safe and sleepy. Sundry other tips from the experts include rolling baby over a soft rubber ball, lying skin-to-skin on dad’s furry chest, taking walks outside, and taking a bath with mum (although getting out of the bath without waking the baby up may prove a problem.)

Dr. Sears
“11 Ways to Soothe a Fussy Baby”

“Calming techniques (except visual ones) are like re-inventing the womb that baby has been used to for nine months. Here are baby-calming techniques that we have found worked with our own fussy babies, and that we have been able to glean from experienced baby-calmers in our pediatric practice. Remember that your baby has individual needs. Try these techniques as a starting point and improvise.” …read the full article

BabyCenter Australia®
"Seven Reasons Babies Cry and How to Soothe Them"

“Unable to do anything for themselves, babies rely on someone else to provide them with the food, warmth, and comfort that they need. Crying is a baby’s way of communicating one of those needs. As a new parent, it can sometimes be difficult to work out what your baby is telling you… However, you will gradually begin to recognise your baby’s different crying patterns and, as you get to know her better, will be able to anticipate her needs. ” …read the full article

Dr Greene
"Fifteen Minutes Of Magic"

“If you’ve ever had a massage, you know how soothing and wonderful touch can be. Infant massage has been the subject of recent studies and shown remarkable benefits… Massage can be particularly powerful if Mom is depressed. Not only does the baby’s crying decrease, but the brain wave patterns of distress and depression measurably decrease as well. In my experience, Mom also benefits directly from giving the massage (the reduced crying) and also benefits from getting a massage of her own.” …read the full article

Dr. Harvey Karp
"The Calming Reflex: Nature’s Automatic Shut-Off Switch for a Baby’s Crying," from The Happiest Baby on the Block

"I believe once our ancestors began living in villages and cities, they forgot that, since the Stone Age, babies were almost constantly jiggled and wiggled as their moms walked up and down the mountains. As you will recall, reflexes require specific triggers. The triggers for your baby’s calming reflex are the sensations he felt in the uterus. It is my belief that this precious reflex came about not as a way of soothing upset infants but rather as a way of soothing upset fetuses! So if you’ve tried feeding, burping, and diaper changing and your baby is still yelling himself hoarse, it’s time to try soothing him this "old" new way.

The most popular baby calming methods can be grouped into five basic categories: Swaddling, Side/Stomach position, Shhhhing sounds, Swinging, and Sucking. I call these the 5 "S’s"; they are the qualities of the uterus that help activate the calming reflex. However, like all reflexes, even these great techniques only switch on the calming reflex if they’re done correctly." …read the full article

Guardian
"The Crying Game"
“When a baby – particularly your own baby – cries, it can feel like a personal rebuke. I remember the feeling of hurt when, despite my best efforts, my third baby, Joe, cried buckets for the first three months. It couldn’t be my novice status, but sheer ineptitude which was to blame. Looking back, I realise that the early months of pregnancy and days after Joe’s birth had been traumatic. Somehow, he seems to have been expressing the stress I was feeling inside.” …read the full article

The first months with a newborn are never easy, but parents with twins and multiples face some additional logistical hurdles. Breastfeeding twins is entirely possible — and some say easier than bottle-feeding two little guys at once — but it is more of a production than feeding a singleton. Everything, from getting your babies to sleep and nappying, to buying new clothes takes twice the effort with twins, compared to just one baby. On the bright side twins provide double opportunity for love and they have each other for added company and comfort. Last but not least any parent of twins will tell you that they do eventually grow out of infancy. Tips from seasoned parents of twins include prioritising, not being shy about asking for extra help, and letting go of any ambitions you might have to vacuum or cook much in the first three months.

BabyCenter Australia®
"Tips For Raising Multiples"

"The most important thing in the early days is to establish a routine. Although this is important for any baby, having two makes it a major priority. Once you have a routine stick to it vigorously. — or yourself — when stress starts to build, plan ahead and line up additional help for after the birth."
…read the full article

iVillage
"Twins: Eight survival strategies for new parents"

"Most families need regular outside help with twins during the first year. Set this up ahead of time if you can. You can get help from people you trust and get along with, such as [friends, relatives, or hired help]. And you might be able to trade services with friends. Remember outside help doesn’t always have to cost money. Call your county health and social services departments and ask what in-home services are available for families with new babies. (Programs differ from county to county.)" …read the full article

Better Health
"Sleep Problems- More Than One Baby"

"It can be a challenge to get just one baby to sleep. When there is more than one, babies will often take turns in crying and playing all night long. This can quickly exhaust their parents. Getting babies to sleep at night is a common problem for a parent of twins, triplets, quads or more. " …read the full article

Raising Children Network
"Raising Twins And Multiples"

"Within families of multiple birth children, older siblings can often feel displaced when twins or triplets arrive, especially if their relationship with their parent was particularly close before the arrival. Encourage older children to be involved in the preparations for a multiple birth whilst making time for their needs and interests. Ensure that friends, relatives and visitors remember than an older brother or sister is very special too." …read the full article

Dr. Sears
"Breastfeeding Twins"

"Your babies will have distinct feeding personalities. One is probably bigger than the other, and one may want to nurse more often than the other. As the babies become more adept at latching on it will be easier to nurse them at the same time, at least for some feedings. (Feeding on both breasts at the same time will really boost your prolactin levels.) At times, you may want to encourage the less-demanding baby, or the one who is not very hungry yet, to nurse at the same time as his sibling, especially at night so that you can get some rest. There will be other times when you want to give each baby individual attention at the breast." …read the full article

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Babble Australia
“Seeing Double”