Help for mums with multiple births

Lizzy Maciulaitis with her bubs Macey and Annabelle at the barbecue picnic for Multiple Birth Awareness Week in Casey. 151627 Pictures: CONTRIBUTED

By GEORGIA WESTGARTH

CASEY and District Multiple Births Association (CDMBA) has been supporting new families for 28 years and celebrated their longstanding friendships this week.
The organisation’s 118 local members, all seeing double and some triple, came together for Multiple Birth Awareness Week.
Pakenham mum of triplets and CDMBA secretary Rebecca Leeuw said the week was about ensuring all families knew where they could find help and support in what could be a daunting experience.
“It’s imperative to have the experience and advice available to new parents because having two or more babies at once is obviously very different to having one,” Ms Leeuw said.
“It’s trickier logistically to get around and do things and it’s hard to settle two or more crying babies at once.”
Ms Leeuw said the support of local, experienced parents comes in handy emotionally as well.
“Especially those first few months there’s a higher risk multiple birth babies will need to stay in hospital longer and not all prospective parents are ready for that,” she said.
The awareness week, “Leave no family behind” runs from Sunday 13 to Sunday 20 March.
For more information on the CDMBA visit: www.caseydistrict.amba.org.au