Few things are as life-changing as the news that you're expecting a baby - except possibly the news that you're expecting two children - twins. What can life be like as a mother of twins? What do you need to think about when it comes to routines and what tricks should you use to take care of two little ones at the same time? We spoke to Sofia, mother of twin boys Nicholas and Oliver, 9 months, to find out!

How would you describe your first months as a new mother of twins? 

In addition to the total life adjustment that all first-time parents probably feel with sleeplessness, anxiety, emotional storms of happiness and love, and the fear of not being enough or doing the wrong thing, I prepared myself for a couple of really tough first months. I was ready for total chaos because that's what a lot of twin moms told me the first six months entail.

Our boys were born small, which meant formula feeding every two hours around the clock for the first few months, and that was incredibly tough. But beyond that, I have to say that the chaos I had imagined didn't turn out to be such chaos. It's definitely been busy and double the diapers, feeding, napping and all that baby time entails, not to mention screaming parties! But on the whole, our little ones have been so safe and happy. Maybe because they've always had each other?

The single toughest thing for me has been the emotional rollercoaster with the feeling of inadequacy at the forefront. I guess a lot of moms feel that inadequacy, but with two little ones it becomes extremely palpable. It's not always possible to (smoothly) comfort two children in your arms, but you have to take the one who cries the loudest and the other one has to wait for his turn. The best thing about having twins is that in the same way that there is double the diaper changes and the like, there is also double the love, joy, baby cuddles, laughter and smiles. To then see their bond with each other is absolutely incredible!

Have the twins often wanted to eat and sleep at the same time or do they have different routines?

Even during pregnancy, we were advised by other parents of twins that life would be easier if we synchronized the children. That's why we've always woken one up when the other has woken up so that we can feed them both at the same time, so that they can synchronize their daily lives as well as possible. Because if they end up in the same waking window, they will also (hopefully) fall asleep at the same time. This has been crucial for us because twins not in sync means a day with one baby constantly awake, and that time when babies sleep is so important to get a break! Everyone needs to sit down for a coffee, tidy up at home or try to sleep for a while sometimes.

What is it like to feed two children at the same time?

It's really not easy to feed two babies at the same time. I was advised at the maternity hospital that it is incredibly tough to fully breastfeed twins but I wanted to experience breastfeeding. However, I felt that I needed relief, especially at night, so that my partner and I could take one baby each. That's why we chose to give a replacement every other meal. It was especially tough when one was breastfeeding and one was receiving formula. Or when I was alone with Nicholas and Oliver. There was a lot of screaming and those cozy breastfeeding moments that I had heard about were absent. However, it worked better when we were both at home and could help each other! In retrospect, I think the easiest thing would have been to either do double breastfeeding or only bottle feeding.

When and how have you noticed the twins' bond with each other? Would you say they entertain each other and if so, from what age did it start? 

Nicholas and Oliver have clearly been aware of each other since birth. They have constantly been snuggled up next to each other and when they were newborns they were always nose to nose and often held hands.

When the boys were around three months old, they started to look at and smile at each other. It wasn't until they were around six months old that they really started to interact. Then they touched each other, laughed and talked to each other. Now they are almost nine months old and they are always together! Crawling after each other, holding hands while sitting in their feeding chairs, laughing at each other and "talking". And they always want to play with the same toy! So I think it's only now that the boys will start entertaining each other more and more. Then they climb on and pull each other's ears, which is less appreciated, haha!

How do you think becoming a mother of twins has affected you? 

I think the biggest impact is just being a mom, but being a mom to twins has made me incredibly efficient and fast. And it has built up my patience a lot! A BVC nurse told me that I will never think that something is hard again, and there may be something in that.

I have also become much better at asking for help and thanks to a wonderful community of twin moms and twin parents that I have joined, I have also met several new friends. Something that is special about twin parents is that it is such a nice community and I am so grateful to be a part of it! There is so much help, understanding and support without any mom shaming.

What do you wish you had known at the beginning that you know today? 

When I was diagnosed with twins, I felt that the healthcare system focused a lot on the risks and complications that can arise with twin pregnancies. It made me feel a bit scared and anxious about what was coming, which took away a lot of the joy of being pregnant. I also wish I hadn't listened to and taken in so much of the opinions of those around me about what it's like to be a parent of twins, but decided to just make up my own mind. I simply wish I had known how GOOD everything would be!

Do you have any twin parenting lifehacks? 

Absolutely! My best trick is to synchronize the children when it comes to food and sleep, that advice has made it incredibly easy for us. Also to be structured and set routines in everyday life, because the better planning and routines you have, the easier everyday life becomes. Everything from a feeding and sleeping schedule to setting up a good structure for dressing the children when going out is important when you have twins.

Do you have tips on any product that has made life easier? 

Our absolute best purchase is without a doubt a BabyBrezza! It is our best friend here at home. Many bottles have to be prepared daily and the little machine saves us a huge amount of time and screaming.

Interview with Hanna, the mother of twins.