Necessities for twins

Amanda - posted on 12/20/2010

One more tip to add to the list: dont wake them up in the middle of the night to feed. Though.....when one of them wakes up to eat, wake the other one up and feed them at the same time. B/c if you dont, by the time you finish feeding one and get that one back to sleep, the other one is going to be up wanting to feed and you wont get much sleep (not that you get much sleep to begin with, but you will get less that way). And it worked great for both my husband and I to get up with the girls - he fed one and I fed the other and put them back to bed. And get them on a routine - both of them on the same routine for bedtime. Example: bath, reading, feeding with lights out with a relaxing cd playing. Done everynight so they know this is bedtime. Good luck!!

Amanda - posted on 12/20/2010

I have twin daughters that are going to be 2 in January. The biggest thing to think about with twins is the function of everything you are regestering for or buying. The more functions an item does the better, the longer it will last you the more money you save in the long run. Def need 2 car seats, the infant ones worked the best for me b/c they come of the car to take into the store or wherever with you. My girls loved their swings, and I had 2 of those. They would take their morning nap in them, plus was great b/c they were downstairs with in earshot. Def need monitors. Cribs - I got the convertable cribs that convert to a toddler bed, then to a full sized bed when they are ready. They are a little more expensive than just a normal crib, but again, you dont have to buy other beds down the road. A boppy worked great for my girls. I tried to use it to breast feed - but that just didnt work out for me. Instead it helped to prop one of them in it when they both needed to be fed. I could hold one and have the other in the boppy feeding as well. Was a real saver. High chairs are needed - b/c we needed 2 of them - I got the fisher price space saver chairs which strap into a regular kitchen chair and dont take up alot of room. They are easy to take off and take to a party or wherever you may be going that will require a highchair (or two) and it also converts into a booster seat when they have outgrown the highchair part of it (again - does multiple functions). A thought would be to try cloth diapers - saves money in the long run on buying diapers. I like bum genious cloth diapers with pad inserts - one size fits infants through toddlers. bottles - lots of bottles so you dont have to constantly do dishes to get clean bottles. Def clothes and clothes and more clothes. Infants go through outfits sometimes 3 or 4 times a day if they spit up alot. Onesis are also great to have. Excersaucers are great when they can sit up - I had two of these - it kept the girls occupied and happy for awhile b/c they have toys attachd to them - I was able to keep them entertained while my hands were free to make dinner or do the laundry. A large diaper bag and probably another small diaper bag to go with it. When leaving to go somewhere and you have to pack extra outfits, bottles, formula, diapers, wipes and toys - its alot of stuff to sometimes fit in one bag unless its a large bag. Blankets are good to have, especially for tummy time on the floor - they get dirty fast with spit up, so have more handy. The only thing I got for my shower that didn't work as planned was the pack and play. Mine has the bassenet and changer on it and all I really use is the changer. we tried the bassanet, but the girls didn't really like it. and the pack and play portion of it is crowded when there is 2 squirming babies in there.

I know this is a very long list, but from experience I thought this might help you out. I would think about everything you register for. Twins are more work and take more things than a single baby do. Thats why we made sure when we were picking stuff out that its stuff that was needed and not really what we wanted that was just cute. In our minds it had to serve a purpose. Another quick tip is to buy the store brand of wipes, and biggest quantity box they offer - for the first year you will go through alot of wipes with 2. Its more work with twins - but hang in there throught the tough times - its worth it as they grow up - and mine are now playmates and keep each other entertained for a little while.

Good luck with the baby shower registery and good luck when the babies arrive.

Jamie - posted on 12/20/2010

I could not have lived with out two boppy's. I used them for both sets of my twins, that is the one thing that I couldn't have lived with out.

Celeste - posted on 12/20/2010

Late to the game!
-For sure 2 carseats LOL Everything else, it's SO dependent on their personalities. For us, 2 swings were a must. Could've done without 2 bouncies. We had 1 exersaucer and wish I had 2. So, perhaps buy one of each and see what's really needed.


-Cloth. I cloth diapered my twins, even when we were out and about. My stash included one size pockets and prefolds. I used the one size pockets while we were out (I'd put the dirties in a wetbag). See if the cloth diapering company will give you a twin discount. Pinstripesandpolkadots.com offered one but that was a couple of years ago.

-Not sure if you're planning to breastfeed, but one of my favorite books is "Mothering Multiples" by Karen Gromada. That book was awesome because it put in my head that you COULD breastfeed twins. All the other books I had read before suggested that you would *HAVE* to supplement at some point. Karen also has her own website (www.karengromada.org) and owns a yahoo multiples group (ap multiples). She, along with other experienced twin mothers will answer your questions.

Rebecca - posted on 12/19/2010

I tried the cloth with the twins bcuz I did cloth with my first and it did not last long. While they were tiny it caused acid reflux with their bums being pushed up by the diaper. As they got older I simply don't have the time to keep up to the regular laundry let alone a load of diapers a day. If we had a diaper service then I would definitley do it again.

Nicole - posted on 12/19/2010

I have two sets of twins. (One boy-girl set, and one set of girls...) The sharing thing worked for me sometimes...unfortanately, mine seem to like the same things. For a tighter budget, I would get two of everything, but if I could find some gently used items, I did. (They grow at the speed of light anyway.) I also dressed them in one piece outfits as long as possible. (Less teeny-weeny pieces of clothing to find.) Also, I always buy used "play things," and spend the bulk of the money on things that I don't want to buy used. Good luck! Baby swings were a lifesaver. Anything that keeps them both happy at the same time is worth having two of... :)

Kathleen - posted on 12/19/2010

I read the post about the velcro falling apart on the diaper. You may want to double check when you purchase cloth diapers that they use either Aplix or Touch Tape. Aplix I think is the best strength-wise has lasted through three babies. I have been using Touch Tape because it's softer. My kids are out of diapers but still make and sell them. I have not heard anything negative about the Touch Tape, yet. Hopefully I won't. LOL

Elizabeth - posted on 12/18/2010

I'd say that you might want to only get one of each item because you may find that they will like different things. I bought a really expensive swing that went back because neither one liked it for more than 5 minutes. My babies liked the seat that vibrates and plays music just as much as the "bouncy" seat. Some do both. I'd get a vibrating one.
I use cloth with my twins who are now 15 months old and we have had no problem using them out of the house. The only time we use disposables is on vacation and now at night time because I don't want to have to get up early anymore to change someone if they wet alot overnight. The older they got the more pee there was to soak up! I actually like the prefolds with a nylon pull on cover better than the all in ones that I've been using. The kissaluvs are the BEST for newborns with a thirsties cover. SO absorbant and soft. Everything else leaked. Then I used all in ones but the velcro is falling apart and considering how expensive they were-I'm not happy about that! It only take s a few diaper changes to get the hang of prefolds and I use snappi's instead of pins. Zero chance of getting stuck! Try Green Mountain Diapers. They have great products. I also liked the wool soakers for overnight. They look so adorable with their big fluffy butts!
Last, if you get the chance, register for another person to help you with the babies! Have people sign up to come over and hold babies, change them, bring food, do housekeeping, etc., because IT IS HARD WORK to take care of twins. I am not exaggerating when I say that my twins did not go to sleep until 5 am until they were 4 months old. I thought I was going to die. My husband will back me up on this one! I pray your babies are easier than mine were. Our first 4 months were a night mare that I never want to relive. Get someone to help you overnight just in case. Thankfully not all babies are like mine! But they did get over it.
Read "Yes you can breast feed twins!" It's a great resource. Read it BEFORE they come! Even if you have breastfed before. It's NOT the same. I wish I had read it first.
Good luck!

Marcella - posted on 12/17/2010

Onesies, wipes, bibs, bottles!! Lots of socks. Blankets.

Kara - posted on 12/17/2010

http://www.twin-pregnancy-and-beyond.com... Here is a list of basics needed for a newborn.

Diane - posted on 12/17/2010

We had two exersaucers and highchairs and carseats but otherwise we only have one of everything else. I would have liked to have had 2 bouncers but only one baby liked it anyway so it didn't matter. We have several slings though and they have been big life savers, I prefer the Mei Tai but my moby was good for wearing both at the same time when they were little and Baby K'tan looks like it would be good for that but I haven't actually tried that one. We don't even have a crib because we co-sleep, it's so much easier with breastfeeding (especially with twins) I would also reccommend cloth diapers because diapering twins with disposables is sooo expensive, especially when you add on the wipes. We have only been doing part-time cloth with our twins because we don't have many cloth diapers but we really should have just bought them at the begining, it would have saved us a fortune (not to mention late night drives to walmart because we were going to be out by morning) Good luck, twins are awesome!

Linda - posted on 12/17/2010

Lucky you...I have twin girls. I was one of those mom's who had to buy everything new! My daughters are now three and I would suggest getting the Snap-n-go used. You can find them from about $20-$25 used ($90 new). Make sure you look at what car seats are compatible. I had to return my first set of car seats as they were not. I would also suggest a Microwave Sterilizer. I LOVED mine. I used it for pump parts, paci's and bottles. I think I used it at least 2-3 times per day. I was also given as a gift the Fisher Price Space Saver high chairs. They used them up until just about a month ago. They convert into excellent boosters and slide right under the table. The other thing I couldn't have done without during the first three months was the Graco Twin Bassinet Play n Pack. I loved it!!! I think that about covers what hasn't been covered yet. Good Luck - and remember the first three months are probably the hardest, but it gets SOOOOO much better. I am having a BLAST with my girls!

Angie - posted on 12/17/2010

o and i found this swing the best specially if your baby is sick or hard to sooth cuz you can bring the baby for a ride to get them to sleep and when you get home you can just snap him in the swing and keep them a sleep a little longer its sturdy and its pretty awsome lol
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Graco-Sweetpea...

Angie - posted on 12/17/2010

i always tell twin mommies to be to get the snap n go stroller cuz if you have to go some were buy your self carts are not designed for 2 carseats and thay get heavy to carry i still have my twins in car seats and use the stroller everyday ill post the link but it has been a life saver to me
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Baby-Trend-Sna...

Anna - posted on 12/17/2010

If nursing, an electric double pump is a must, as well as a double nursing pillow. It makes so much simpler. You can also using the double nursing pillow as a pillow for bottle feeding, too. Other than the obvious things like cribs, car seats and bouncers- I would only have one of each item. If it seemed like getting a second was was necessary then I would get it at that point.

Kathleen - posted on 12/17/2010

I would say two bouncy seat are a must they used to get their exercise in them. I would put on Riverdance and they would bounce and kick with them. I had two swings (one borrowed) because they both fell asleep in them, they had the crib that you could put on and we used a wedge. I had two high chairs but they didin't eat solids til they were 10 mos. I breastfed and pumped while at work and was lucky to have enough milk. Had to take nursing holidays and pump at night. We had two cribs but used only one until they starting standing then they would stand on the other one. One bit of advice if you use one to start. When you separate them put the cribs together mine would not sleep until someone recommended that. After they got used to it we could move them apart. If you have plenty of cloth diapers you can do it. I make and sell cloth diapers and if you have enough you can wash a load each day and not worry about running out. Although I have been known to use a dish towel and diaper cover in a pinch. LOL Two carseats is a no brainer after that see what works for you. There were a couple toys that we had to get another because they both loved it and would fight. other than that they shared. Hope this helps if you need anything or have any questions feel free to contact me.good luck

Laura - posted on 12/17/2010

I couldnt survive without 2 bouncy seats they slept in them for 2 months lol....and 2 boppy pillows my girls are almost a year old and still use them for bottles and just to hang out :D two swings were very helpful and def. 2 carseats....as they get older 2 highchairs are important, when they where younger I bought Bumbo chairs, I recommend these they are great to support little backs and boost older ones :) Best of luck to you Twins are such a blessing :)

Heather - posted on 12/17/2010

Yes, I forgot, two bouncy seats are a must!!!

Heather - posted on 12/17/2010

Yeah, I wouldn't buy two of everything either. Mine did just fine with one item and they took turns. It worked well because they each liked different things or they could rotate (except of course highchairs, carseats, and cribs). Mine shared a crib until 4 months. After 4 months they start to recognize another body with them so I split them up into separate rooms and cribs at that point ( my twins are boy girl). If you are nursing a double nursing pillow is a MUST!! I ordered it online. Just do a goole search. Diapers, bottles, spit rags, blankets, EXTRA crib sheets, bibs, and clothes are what you will need most of.

Amanda - posted on 12/17/2010

The snap and go double stroller was the best, you just snap the infant seats right into the stroller, folds up nicely too! I agree woth the two boppys as well, my boys loved them, and the spacesaver high chairs for sure!

Rebecca - posted on 12/17/2010

Diapers!!! (and wipes of course)I had a diaper raffle at my shower, each person brought a pack/box of diapers and I gave them a ticket, I haD a $25 Applebee's gift card and drew a ticket during the shower... Double bassinet... Target registry... you'll find that you'll get a ton of stuff you'll never use... don't hesitate to take it back... Walmart takes back just about everything (even if it wasn't purchased there but they stock it) - this will save a lot of money.

Heather - posted on 12/17/2010

We used a lot of our boy stuff for our girls. We had two boys and then twin girls. Therefore, one of our car seats was blue, the play pen was blue, and they had some boyish clothes, blankets and such. But they also had some new girly things. I mix and matched outfits so if they are wearing hand me downs from their brothers they wear a blue shirt with pink pants or something like that. It works.

AMANDA - posted on 12/17/2010

Well, we found out yesterday that they are Girls! I have NOTHING for girls. Our son informed us that he does NOT want sisters!! I have my work cut out for me now!!

Katie - posted on 12/17/2010

My girls are now 2 but we had 2 swings, 2 bouncy/rocking chairs, 2 cribs , I had 1 pack n' play when they were small but once they got bigger we needed 2. And 2 bumbo seats. We had lots of hand me downs from other twins and that helped in the clothes dpt. I had 1 twin who was bigger than the other so the smaller one gets all the handme

Monica - posted on 12/16/2010

2 Bouncee seats, 2 car seats, 2 high chairs, 2 cribs. I also liked having a tandem double stroller and used if often for walks and going to the park with their older sister. Everything else you can get by with one.

Marta - posted on 12/16/2010

My twin daughters just turned 9 months, and I know I could have gotten throught those first few months with my boppy pillows. Close seconds would be the bouncy seats and my babies loved their swings. Best of luck it can be tough, but well worth it!

Jodi - posted on 12/15/2010

Definitely 2 bouncy chairs, I don't know how I would have done it without them. We used them until the babies were 14 months old. Oh, and lots of sleepers.

Heather - posted on 12/15/2010

I have heard that it's easier to potty train children who wear cloth diapers. Had I been told that before my twins were born I totally would have done it. Once you get to the potty training stage you have to wash underwear anyway. I think it would have been easier to have done it all along!

A double breast pump is another must! One that is easy to use. That way if you have to pump it's quick and easy. :) (I also had to pump and bottle feed, I don't know what I would have done without my pump!)

CHERYL - posted on 12/15/2010

hi my twin most was defo bouny chairs as the can be fed with bottles at the same time,rock them at the same time if unsettled i used mine up till they were 8ms.2 cots, 2 carseats, 2 highchairs,good luck

Jessica - posted on 12/14/2010

My life savers were my boppy pillows and bouncy seats. Our girls loved them. Two carseats are a definite must. We also had two play mats. We only needed one in the beginning but it was great to have two when they were bigger. Make sure you have pleanty of bottles if you are bottle feeding. I didn't plan on it but our girls never latched so I pumped and bottle fed, still do and they are 11 1/2 months. On the diaper note we went through about 20 a day in the beggining. We have two highchairs. I bought the ones that are called spacesavers. They attach to your chair and recline for newborns and then turn into booster seats when they get older. we used a pack n play for our bassenet and got two cribs that convert to toddler beds. We seperated them when they were 4 months old becuase they would constantly kick and wake eatchother up. Make sure you have lots of burp clothes, blankets (depending on your due date) and clothes. Onsies are always my best friend. We used one bath tub until they were big enough to sit in a regular tub. Other than that I would agree it is a personal preference.

AMANDA - posted on 12/14/2010

Thanks Heather!! I never thought about them taking turns!! Im REALLY seriously thinking about using cloth diapers at home and disposable when we are out and about! May be getting over my head here, but worth a shot I guess!

Heather - posted on 12/14/2010

Well you absolutely have to have 2 car seats. Other than that it's up to you. We only had one of everything and they took turns using them. One twin favored the swing, the other favored the bouncer. One of the girls liked the exersaucer the other liked the johnny jump up. We did have 2 high chairs and two booster seats, but I probably could have gotten along fine with one of each of those too. We had two cribs, but I know lots of twin parents have their kids share. Our twins shared a bassinet for the first month or two...

Other than those big things I would say lots of cloths!