The multiples birth rate in the United States has risen steadily during the last two decades, and the trend is not slowing. By 2010, it's estimated there will be 1.3 million sets of twins in America. But devising strategies and having the right tools can help lessen the stress of caring for multiples.

New moms know taking care of one baby is hard work. But what about twins — or triplets? How can you manage two (or more) babies with only two hands?

Is it possible to not just survive the daily frenzy of feedings, diaperings and tears, but to thrive?

There are more multiples than ever these days. The multiples birth rate has risen steadily over the last two decades, and the trend isn't slowing.

By 2010, it's estimated that there will be 1.3 million sets of twins in America.

When Christina Boyle and Cathleen Stahl discovered they were both having twins, they found out that there were surprisingly few resources geared toward parenting multiples.

"No one understands what a mom of multiples goes through better than other moms of twins," Boyle said. "But even with the twin birth rate soaring, it can be hard to find experts who get it."

So they put their heads together, consulted pediatricians and surveyed hundreds of moms of multiples and put their tips together in a new book, "Twin Set" (Three Rivers Press, 2008).

"Both of us have older 'singleton' children so we've seen first-hand how raising our own twin sets is markedly different, but at the same time, most of the tips in our book are actually good for all moms, not just moms of multiples.

"Twins provide a great road test for products and techniques -- if it works well with two, then it will be even better for one!"

With that in mind, the authors created a resource that offers ideas, "real world" advice, support and laughs, covering everything from feeding to diapering to bonding.

Some basic advice for moms of multiples?

• Establishing a routine is essential.Having a routine in place gives you some semblance of control, and it's a huge sanity saver. You might need to do things at unusual times, such as giving baby twins their baths in the middle of the day, rather than at nighttime. As long as it works for your family dynamic, go for it.• Do things that make life easier.There is no shame in ordering groceries online and having them delivered, or in pulling clean laundry off the top of the laundry basket and wearing it without folding it and putting it away.• Get rid of the guilt.All moms of twins feel overwhelmed at some point. No matter how much help you have, how supportive your partner is or how much you prepare for the challenge, there will be days when you feel you cannot give enough to each child. It's normal to feel guilty, but you're probably doing a better job than you realize.The blessings and the challenges of multiples are unique, and these parents need all the help they can get.Having some strategies in place and the right tools on hand can make it a little easier to go beyond merely surviving to truly thriving.One of the many challenges of multiples is dealing with diapers.Boyle and Stahl say that they were stunned by how many diapers they used in a 24-hour period.They offer some tips on eliminating some diapering frustrations and making the job a little more efficient.• Create multiple diaper-changing stations.Sixty three percent of the moms surveyed for the book said that setting up more than one diaper-changing station at home was a top mommy secret. Put stations wherever it makes the most sense for you.• Assembly lines.With small babies, the authors recommend the assembly-line approach. If the babies are fed at or around the same time, burp as needed, play with each one a little bit, then change one by one."You'll quickly figure out who should get changed first (we say go for the messier, stinkier or crankier one)."