Multiple Births Foundation (MBF)
An up-to-date, evidence based website on all things twin related, with useful booklets on feeding, preparing and coping. It also has booklets on medically related issues such as twin-to-twin transfusion. They are always happy to help if you phone them, giving practical advice and support. I have spoken to Jane Denton, lead for MBF, and she is hugely passionate about improving services for parents and educating professionals who work with multiples. MBF also provides a service for determining if twins are identical or not by sending out saliva swabs for DNA analysis; this is important to remember as one-third of same sex twins with 2 placentas can still be identical and so you may only be able to find out postnatally by DNA analysis. Address: Hammersmith House Level 4, Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea Hospital, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0HS. Tel: 020 3313 3519 and 020 8313 3519. Email: mbf@imperial.nhs.uk http://www.multiplebirths.org.uk
Twins and Multiple Birth Association (TAMBA)
Membership opens up online resources and discount codes. They also run Twinline and an email advice service for breastfeeding queries: 08001380509, open from 10am-1pm and 7pm to 10pm, Email: asktwinline@tamba.org.uk They have recently trained 12 breastfeeding peer supporters to help with feeding difficulties in the early days.
Bliss – For babies born too soon, too small or too sick
Bliss offers a wide range of Family Support services that provide confidential advice, information and support to the families of premature and sick babies. These services are free of charge and are available to help and support the whole family. http://www.bliss.org.uk/help-for-families/
Twinsonline
Twinsonline is a UK based Twins and Multiple Births website which provides information, advice and support to anyone who is parenting twins, is pregnant with twins, cares for, teaches twins or who is an adult twin themselves. this website has a wealth of knowledge covering everything from newborn twins, to teenage twins to adult twins. http://www.twinsonline.org.uk/
Zaky’s Hand
The Zaky has been instrumental in comforting both the term and preterm baby when a human hand cannot remain with him/her. Placing the ‘hand’ so that it caresses the head or lower extremities provides boundaries such that the baby remains in a quiet behavioral state for longer periods, thus saving precious energy and facilitating growth. By having the parent place the device, they feel like they have left a part of them that will soothe their baby when they can’t be there.” – Critical Nurse Specialist, NICU 3. There is a Zaky hand and also a sling for kangaroo care.
Designed For Twins
This website has not only been set up by a mum of twins but only has recommendations from parents of multiples. It is fantastically useful and up-to-date with its reviews and advice. Email info@designedfortwins.co.uk http://www.designedfortwins.co.uk/
Twins-UK
Good resource, online shopping tailored to multiples and also run by a mother of twins http://www.twinsuk.co.uk
Barnet Twins club
They run their baby and toddler group on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday mornings. There are also bump and new parents’ coffee mornings. One of the members is a TAMBA breastfeeding peer supporter.
http://www.barnettwinsclub.org.uk/
Highgate and Crouch End twins group
A strong and active group, with regular baby and toddler meet-ups on alternate Thursday mornings, local meet-ups, new parent coffee mornings and they also operate a “twin buddy” system. They too have a TAMBA breastfeeding peer supporter as a member.
West London Twins Group and Katy Allsop
If you’re ever looking for a peer supporter who has breastfed twins, give Katy a shout. She exclusively breastfed her pair for 6 months when she started baby-led weaning, and she is still feeding them at 23 months. They dealt with reflux and hospital admissions in the early days and Katy’s return to part time work after a year. Katy has done the NCT peer support course with TAMBA last year and now offer support at the weekly play sessions at the West London Twins group. The play sessions are every Thursday morning from 10am until noon at St Stephen’s Church, St Stephen’s Rd, Ealing, London, W13 8HB. Katy is there pretty much every week but if someone has a specific concern or is making a journey to see me they should email her or the club or send a message on the facebook page to check Katy is not on holiday or anything. It is £3 for members and £4 for non-members but the first session is free.
The sessions are really nice, they have a baby corner and lots of toys out for the toddlers. The group does snacks half way through the session and (if the parent to child ratio is reasonable!) do some singing at the end of the morning. They are getting about 20 families on a good week so it’s doing well. Katy said to me “I really appreciated the support when my two were little, particularly given my refluxy baby boy was such a handful.” Katy kindly also says she is happy to chat or email with anyone who would find it useful. Email: westlondontwinsclub@hotmail.
http://westlondontwinsclub.org/
Christina Tyson – reflexologist and mother of twins, ex-president of North West London twins club and twins sales consultant
Mother of twins, Christina has over 5 years of experience advising and assisting expectant parents of twins, triplets and more! Her wealth of knowledge in this area means she knows about the most up-to-date equipment around, what to buy and what not to buy and to assist with questions people have. Christina also runs her own reflexology classes with a particular interest in helping pregnant mums. Christina can be contacted directly for this on christinatyson@hotmail.com
Norwood Jewish Twins groups
Runs 3 times a week, base at Kennedy Leigh Centre in Hendon, London. They have volunteers look after the children whilst you have a cup of tea and a chat with the other twins mums, facilitated by a parenting advisor. This is the most amazing support for anyone with twins and especially for twins and a toddler. It is just an incredibly useful group to belong to. Contact Ruth Conroy on 0208 457 4453 to put your name down, there is a waiting list so you are advised to put your name on when pregnant. Open to Jewish families of any affiliation.
Peanut & Piglet
Emma, a twin mummy, found the current breastfeeding cushions very hard to use and therefore crested her own. Emma completely understands what is needed from a breastfeeding pillow and the pros of tandem feeding. She says “our breastfeeding pillow has been designed by a twin mummy, for twin mummies.” It comprises of two parts:
The U shaped cushion is for your babies to lie on. It has supports at the rear to keep the cushion horizontal and keep your babies in place (with a little cuddle).
The back support sits you comfortably in an upright position, you will find that this is an essential part of feeding twins in tandem. The back support also enables your piglets to grow. At about 5 months it can be turned side ways. This will create support whilst sitting you forward and ensuring your babies are not kicking the sofa back! 
Our cushion is made from 100% brushed cotton. Our breastfeeding pillow is very soft and comfortable for both mummy and babies.
The Piglet Pillow is machine washable.
Further questions? Email info@peanutandpiglet.co.uk Website; http://www.peanutandpiglet.co.uk/
Kiki & Bree
Kiki & Bree is devoted to clothing and gifts for baby and toddler twins. It enables customers to send thoughtful and considered twin-specific gifts that recognise the recipients have not only brought one baby into the world, they’ve brought two; an extra special gift for an extra special birth. The products are of exceptional quality; the weighty cotton for the appliqued items is beautifully soft and is Fairtrade and the designs are innovative and contemporary. All decisions have been made from an ecologically conscious stance so the tissue paper is recycled, the mailing bags degradable and the cotton is very often organic. Kiki & Bree also shares photos of your adorable twins and interviews from other twin parents which include tips and advice to help you on your journey as a parent – in short, we’re building a twin community! Telephone: 07506 882 429 Email: shop@kikiandbree.com http://www.kikiandbree.com/
Twin Hatch Baby Planners Ltd
DEBUTOTS BABY STORY PLAY
Twins/triplets baby classes/toddler classes DISCOUNT: twins for 2-for-1 and for triplets 3-for-1 for 2 of Jennifer’s classes. SPECIAL OFFER for DEBUTOTS BABY STORY PLAY sessions (6mths-2yrs) 2-for-1 (or 3-for-1 for triplets) for the first 2 people to contact me about our new Wednesday classes in Hampstead and Muswell Hill, starting 17th April. Interactive storytelling, dramatic play, movement to music, bubbles, parachute and more. Great for developing communication skills, encouraging imaginative play and increasing confidence. Hampstead: 10.15-10.50 Muswell Hill: 15.45-16.45 Please contact jennifer@debutots.co.uk to find out more.
Kate Musical Tots
Twins discount – £5 per child but ONLY £6 for twins in total Kate Musical Tots is a class for 3month – 3year olds, based around singing with professional ‘warm ups’ and will include classic nursery rhymes and songs from the shows with musical instruments. This will help aid speech, movement, expression along with social skills in your little ones. Very engaging and fun for parents too. With well established Musical Tots in N2, Kate is bringing her West End musical skills to the Railway Tavern, Crouch End N8. Starting on the23rd April @ 10.45am for play and chat then 11am singing starts. Same time each week and a thereafter drop-in basis. Please follow kate on facebook @ kate musicaltots
Sing and Sign
Offer two for one!
“Thanks for having me at Twins club last month! I thought I’d let you know that we are offering more Free taster sessions over the summer holidays and if you decide to book onto a course following the taster session and pay within a week you can earn yourself a free mini-pamper kit from Neal’s yard remedies organic! Every Twin parent deserves an extra pamper!!”
A twin mum wrote: “I started signing with my twin baby girls when they were nine months old & enjoyed five terms with them. When they started classes they were shy and sat on my lap, but by the end of the five terms they were confident little girls, sharing with others, singing and talking, and more often than not signing!”
http://www.singandsign.co.uk/
Lynsey & ElleUpbeat
Upbeat (run by very experienced teacher Jane Gordon) takes your child on a journey through music,song, drama and games.Each week the focus is linked to a different picture book and we build on familiar songs and rhymes learnt during the term. The children participate without a parent present (parents are asked to wait in the building in case their child needs them) and this enables them to build up their confidence when interacting with other children,develop performance skills and first and foremost have fun! For more info/ to apply please contact janegordon@upbeatmusicanddrama.co.uk
September special offer for twins who love to act/ sing and dance 10% off the first term of all courses. – www.upbeatmusicanddrama.co.uk (classes from aged 2.5 years – 11 years)