MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES: What support do multiple birth families need to live happy and healthy lives?
A discussion paper, Multiple perspectives: What support do multiple birth families need to live happy and healthy lives?, was released in May 2019. It contains contributions from ICOMBO chair, Monica Rankin, as well as co-authors from Twins Trust (UK), Australian Multiple Birth Association, Twins Research Australia, The Royal Children’s Hospital (Melbourne), the University of Melbourne, and Kingston City Council (Melbourne).
The paper brings together evidence on a range of topics to highlight the need for additional support for multiple birth families and the professionals who care for them, and spans from pregnancy to childhood addressing issues such as diagnosis of multiple pregnancy, developmental delay, parent education, the practicalities of caring for more than one baby, bereavement, childcare and finances.
We hope that the recommendations for policy, practice, research and training will help to highlight ways in which the needs of our community can be met, and will be a useful resource when campaigning for further support.
