'For me, it was a godsend'

WAVERLEY - Bleary-eyed new parents know all too well the difficulties associated with sleep deprivation, crying, diaper changes and feedings.

But imagine experiencing that with not just one, but two, three or more infants all at once.

The support network provided by the local chapter of the Parents of Multiple Births Association is invaluable for many parents who find themselves blessed with more than one child at a time.

"For me, it was a godsend," said Waverley resident Janet Cranford, who joined POMBA when her twin sons were born 14 years ago.

The Halifax region's POMBA chapter started more than two decades ago with a group of parents of multiples sitting around a kitchen table talking about ways to get through the day. Cranford said they've since grown to include more than 260 families from across the Maritimes.

The organization provides a weekly play group for members and their children, a weekly preschool swimming program at the Dartmouth Sportsplex and high-quality twin nursing pillow rentals at reasonable costs to parents. Those pillows are shipped all over the province.

Other supports include a buddy program, which matches each new mother with a more experienced mother to help with any questions and issues that may arise the first few months they have their multiple infants at home.

"They can call and ask for assistance. We've all walked different paths through bringing our multiples up, but we can offer information to new moms, let them know there is light at the end of the tunnel," Cranford said. "Getting into the routine of one baby is hard, but getting into the routine of two or three or four is that much harder."

OMBA members also enjoy a monthly mom's night out, a yearly mom's retreat, and a parent's night out four times each year. Seasonal celebrations include a large Christmas party and a summer picnic for members and their entire families.

The group starts to reach out to parents expecting multiple children before their offspring are even born. They host an expectant parents information night at the IWK Hospital and also organize hospital visitations to expectant mothers who find themselves on bed rest due to their impending multiple births.

"Parents that don't have multiples can't always understand the types of things and questions parents have when they have two babies or more at the same time," Cranford said.

The non-profit group's only fundraisers are its spring and fall clothing sales, which enable members to sell outgrown items and purchase quality, gently-used items at affordable prices. The sale is also open to the public and attracts a large crowd of bargain hunters who show up early to get a good spot in line.

Their upcoming fall sale is Sept. 27 at the Halifax Forum. The doors are open to the public from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

"It's definitely a big part of why we can do what we do. We continue to grow," said Cranford, who along with the help of 70 volunteers is organizing the fall sale. She has held the clothing sale coordinator post for 12 years.

In addition to clothing ranging from infant sizes to size 16 youth, 150 sellers will offer toys, books, baby equipment and maternity wear. All items are laid out according to product type and size, not by individual sellers. That means shoppers looking for baby toys can easily find them, while those seeking sleepers for six-month-old infants can easily track down a wide variety all in one place.

"It's a wonderful opportunity for our members to benefit and a wonderful opportunity for people from HRM and beyond to come and outfit their families," she said. "Many are regulars who come year after year, and if they come once, they'll come back. There are as many things at noon as there are at 9 a.m."

For more information about the Sept. 27 POMBA clothing sale or to learn more about the organization and its membership fees, visit www.pomba.ca.

ydentremont@hfxnews.ca