I am 21 weeks pregnant and just found out that I am having twins....I was wondering if there is anyone who has had twins that could give me a little insight on if I need to of everything, such as swings, bouncy chairs, ect.

Amanda - posted on 07/02/2012

You will only need to have 1 cot for a while if you lack space then this is a handy tip. I bought 2 cots had 1 in my room and 1 in the babies room until there older. They are 5 weeks now and still wont settle in the cot. I've resorted to bringing the crib into the room at night, I got it on loan from my cousin and it measures 50cm by 80cm so is perfect for having them side by side and they still have loads of room. I got one of the bumpers that go across the middle of the cot so when they no longer fit side by side I'll put that across and have 1 at each end of the cot.

Also for the first few weeks I got away with using my single pram with them both in it. I had taken it down from the loft and washed it to try and sell but they still fit quite snuggle in it.

In the first few weeks you don't really need a bouncer as its better for babies to be lay flat on there backs anyway. Having said that I bought them and 1 twin sits fine in it for a little while the other just doesn't look comfortable in it at all so I put it away again.

1 thing I can't live without is the cold water steriliser which I can take things in and out all day long for 24hours before having to change the solution. We have 6 bottles in at any time and 6 bottles ready for use.

Another tip I have (if bottle feeding) is to have 2 different colour of bottles 1 for each baby so you know who's is who's. I'm lucky enough to have 1 of each so have pink and blue bottles but if I had 2 same sex I'd have got half pink or half blue and the rest white/clear. I also have to write down the time of every feed and the amount taken and when they have had a dirty nappy otherwise I'd forget especially as health visitors ask this info.

Candyce - posted on 06/29/2012

sad but true all of it! scond hand stores garage sales online took for the deals babe!

Emily - posted on 06/29/2009

Congratulations! I have 13 mo old twin girls. It sure is an amazing ride! You got some great suggestions on here...just wanted to say congrats!



Also, I am all about hand me downs if you know someone who had singletons you can get doubles of things that you hadn't planned on. I ended up with 2 Baby Bjorns which have been awesome and a single stroller as hand me downs...Today I went shopping with one in the Baby Bjorn and the other in the single stroller. I was lucky my sis saved everything! Has been a lifesaver! Best of luck to you...



Oh and join a local mothers' group for multiples...great support AND people look to get rid of double items and offer them to group members first!

Frances - posted on 06/29/2009

I have 5 kids, my boys are 11.5 and my girls are 6 and I also have a singleton now who is 3.
I would say that the most important thing that I had was a good stroller or two.
Also when they were little, I had car seats that could be unclipped and they ate and slept in them during the day. We got two cribs when they started to chew on each other in the crib.
Two of everything isn't really necessary. I thought that matching outfits were really cute when they couldn't protest too much, but that's me. I only had a couple. Now, they mostly dress differently, so do the girls, and sometimes ask for at least one shirt that is the same so they can "be twins!" Both boys and girls are ID.
Two diaper pails are a must have also.
There are some toys that you have to have two of, but you will find out really fast which ones they are.

Tammy - posted on 11/20/2008

Congratulations!! I have 14 month old twin boys...joining the local multiples club is the best piece of advice that I got. Good luck!

Tryna - posted on 11/19/2008

Get the diaper champ, instead of the diaper genie. I had my twins in the same Pack N Play and the same crib until they were 4 months old, so you only need one of those, I recommend one swing, and see which twin prefers it, but definitely two bouncy seats. Those were indispensible. Finally, instead of taking up all the space with two high chairs you won't need for a while, put two feeding seats that you can attach to dining charis on your registry. You won't need them for six months, but they were great to have in the nursery, moving twins around, or by the front door when you were shuttling kids in. I liked the snap and go car seats, especially in the beginnign when you could still go out to dinner, and not wake them transfering from the car inside. Get ready for a wild ride, and enjoy every minute. All the hard parts eventually pass too.

User - posted on 11/19/2008

it seems you've gotten lots of advice, my only addition (i'm a mom of 16 month old twin girls) would be two baby slings or carriers. one for you, and one for dad or a friend, or whoever may accompany you on outings. i found this worked better for us than a stroller all the time. another suggestion would be to use a single stroller (a gently used one would work fine) for times when you're alone and want less bulk. you can carry one baby and put one in the stroller, then switch off depending which baby is more "needy" at the time. so much easier to push a single stroller. also when they were little i would put one in a baby carrier and take the other in her car seat and place that on the shopping cart at places like the supermarket or target.
as for buying two of everything, i'd agree with the other posts, other than the basics like car seats and bouncy/vibrating chairs, i'd wait and see what you need two and what you can survive without. your house will be crowded enough (and it looks like you've already got two kids!) without too much unneeded stuff.
good luck.
its so much fun to have twins! just today as they were eating breakfast i was appreciating their individuality. i almost never dress them alike (only in the few matching outfits i was given) but i tend to dress them similarly. for example, matching jeans, different colored striped t-shirts. or the same dress but in different colors, etc.

Staci - posted on 11/19/2008

My twins are 9 years old now, but then I had 2 swings( that was wonderful), 2 highchairs, 2 car seats(of course), 2 baby bouncy seats,

We had them in the same crib until about 4 or 5 months(when they started poking at each other)

Stephanie - posted on 11/19/2008

Congrats! I have b/g twins that are 14months. We had alot of doubles that were a necessity, bouncer chairs with vibration and swings. We had one swing at first then found we needed two, they loved it so much. Mine slept together till they started to roll over. We had a pack n play in our room and 2 cribs in theirs. Now they sleep seperate ly always, better sleep. We also have 4 high chairs 2 here at home and 2 at my parents. Some things are just not meant to travel. When traveling you may want to have 2 pack n plays. We own one and have good friends who lend us theirs when we travel. Join your local twins group. Ask lots of questions. Best wishes to you. I made it 36 weeks and my twins were small, but had no issues.

Dawn - posted on 11/19/2008

Hey congrats on your great news! I have 3 1/2 year old twins, a boy and a girl. Contacting your local twin group or multiple birth club would be a fab idea. They will have oodles of info for you, and many (like our club) hire equipment out. This is great for items that you may not be sure whether you'll need or not, and for ones that you might not need for long. We found an electronic swing was a lifesaver in those early weeks as both of ours had reflux, and my daughter did the cluster feeding thing from 5-11pm every night. We also borrowed 2 rockers from another friend who had twins, which was great for feeding them both at once. Don't rush into buying things like highchairs etc until you need them...spread the cost! Enjoy the ride, you're in for a fantastic adventure!

Lindsey - posted on 11/19/2008

Not everything. Swings yes, but there are a lot of things we have bought two of over the past two years where one item has really sat there. The best thing I can tell you is to find your local twins club, go to the meetings, take a detail list, and get everyone to buy in with ideas. Opinions vary a lot!! The twins club will be a lot of help and support even with older ones!!

Tracey - posted on 11/19/2008

I'm 16 weeks w/ twins... I currently have two boys, ages 5 & 3. We just found out that we are having a boy and a girl... FINALLY a girl!! Thanks for posing the question... Already having had two kids I have lots of stuff, but I know there are things I'm gonna need to buy a second of. Good luck to you!!

Miranda - posted on 11/19/2008

congratulations, you are definatlety going to need 2 of everything i have 2yr old twin girls. i didnt have 2 of everything from the start but as they get older you MUST to stop the fighting well i know i do anyway!!! good luck and hope all goes well

Lily - posted on 11/19/2008

Hi Jamie! i have almost- 3 year old twin boys, and my sister has 1 year old twin girls.. we did not have two of everything. We had the Jeep double stroller that was awesome, very light... We also got 2 of the chairs that attach to the table that have been GREAT, because we do not have to deal with highchairs that take up so much space and are messy! We had one Exersaucer and one johnny jump-up, that they switched back and forth and loved them both. They slept together in the bassinet part of the pack-and-play, and in the crib, and they slept wonderfully... Also, check out consignment sales in your area, kids grow out of things so quickly, i wouldn't invest a ton of money in everything!! =)

Twins are so much fun, Congratulations!!

Angie - posted on 11/19/2008

have more than one diaper station in the house. This is good advice for any parent!

Angie - posted on 11/19/2008

In looking at all this advice, make sure you check out all the second hand stores you can, as well as TONS of rummage sales and ebay. This will allow you to get two of each thing that you want for lots cheaper. Congratulations and have fun!

User - posted on 11/19/2008

I did keep two notebooks on the kitchen counter for amount of diapers and time, amount of milk and time, and medicine. We also found a college girl who lived with us for the summer to help me and play outside with my older kiddo. She was in college so it was affordable for us and a place for her to live during the summer. It was also nice to have an adult with me all day...sanity!

Jennifer - posted on 11/19/2008

I have a 2 year old and twin 1 year olds.

There are definitely must haves where two items help:

- bouncy seat with vribrations -- a must have, especially if you want to get a shower in -- they can sit right outside the shower.

-pack n play if you plan to go anywhere.

-fisher price spacesaver high chairs -- they are great!

-Graco quattro duoglide stroller -- very easy to steer, even with my 2 year old holding my hand



As for swings, etc. We had one from our first daughter and just waited to see if they liked it -- neither of them did, so I am glad that we didn't invest in abother.

We had 2 exersaucers but really could have done with 1. We had the free-standing jumperoo (which is GREAT!) and we would switch back in forth between the 2, so they wouldn't get bored. They 2nd exersaucer we kept downstairs if we were ever playing down there.

We had 2 cribs but they slept together for about 7 months, so you could hold off on the second crib for a while if money is tight right now.

Oh -- the other thing I am glad we had in our diaper bag -- "diapees and wipees" holders. My twins ended up being different sizes after a while. At one point, one kid was in a 3, the other in a 4, and my oldest in a 5. Just keeps the diaper bag more organized!

Good luck -- any try to get some sleep, while you can=)

Emma - posted on 11/19/2008

We found out we were having twins at our very first scan, I was 9 weeks and 4 days gone! Remember it like it were yesterday, just burst into tears as was beginning to think I was never going to have children. Found out expecting two boys at 20 week scan, am just so thrilled that they are growing well and are healthy and just can't wait to be a Mummy! xx

Kerry - posted on 11/19/2008

Hi there...congrats! I have twin boys who are 13 months. It is such a fun and exciting ride. :) I would recommend two of the basics: bouncies, bucket seats, highchairs, boppy pillows (very helpful for feedings when you are alone). We didn't move to 2 cribs until they were about 3 months, so you will most likely have plenty of time for that. We used one swing, although we didn't use it until they were older. As for exersaucers, I would get one excersaucer and one jumperoo. That way you can rotate the kids and they can play in different toys. Again, you won't need them until they are older, but if you are registering its a good thing to ask for as they are $$$.



Items that I couldn't have lived without:

- Miracle Blanket (saw it on Oprah and it worked wonders on my boys)

- Fisher Price Rainforest items...the music is SOOTHING as opposed to some of the other toys out there. The mobiles were wonderful...and the kick gym was a favorite. The jumperoo is AWESOME.

- Pack and Plays with the diaper changing stations. I set up one downstairs in the kitchen and one upstairs in the bedroom during those first few weeks. I still have one in the kitchen. Just so convenient...

- Boppy pillows...seriously...they were lifesavers.

- Bouncies...my boys actually slept in these due to reflux for the first few weeks.

- Snap and Go. I think every twin mommy has owned one of these. Just so easy.

- Snugglers. These are wonderful if you live in a cold climate. No need to pile on layers...just pop them into their car seats and you're off. Cozy and warm. Transitions easily to strollers when they are older.

- My schedule. I created a form where I could easily track bowel movements, how much they were drinking, etc. Made doctor's visits less chaotic as otherwise I would always forget who did what. I can email you the form if you want.



Best of luck! I found out at 21 weeks too. What a crazy fun surprise it was!

Jennifer - posted on 11/19/2008

I have twin girls that just turned 8 on Monday...they sure do grow up fast! We had 2 of everything when they were little, all except a swing. One of my daughters was colic and she loved the swing, the other one didn't care for it. They first slept in the same crib, we just put up a divider and then when they started rolling over we moved them to their own cribs. Congrats!

Amy - posted on 11/19/2008

Mine slept in the same crib until they started rolling over.

Emma - posted on 11/19/2008

Deffo not got them same outfits, want my boys dressed as individuals but thats just personal choice xx

Emma - posted on 11/19/2008

We're unsure about getting the carriers /car seats with handles as have already got two rearward and forward facing car seats from birth to 4 yrs, amy get two for out and about but think we will play it by ear. Good advice about bein in same crib/cot, had thought about that but wasn't sure about wether they wud overheat or not! Thanks for all the ideas xx

User - posted on 11/19/2008

HI! I have three year old twins and we had two of everything! I'm sure it wasn't necessary, but it helped. They did sleep in the same bed for a while, but as they got older, we put each in her own crib. Personalities were developed and one liked to sleep...the other loved to wake her sister up. Different cribs, same room. Now they are in the same bed again. When they were newborn and getting up alot at night, they were in pack -n- plays, one on my side and one on my husbands side of the bed. WE had a swing leftover from my first baby and we had two bouncy seats, two papasans, two jumper things. It always helped to put them in front of each other, especially as they get older. They seem to entertain each other...still do! It's alot of work, but so much fun!

Amy - posted on 11/19/2008

congratulations!!! I have 15month twin girls and I only had one swing and decided to by a second( portable swing )it sits low to the ground but you can take with you and doesnt take up much room:) I had one bassinet and they really didnt use it that much. Bouncy chairs I would get two and play yards when there older and you stay away from home. good luck:)

Randi - posted on 11/19/2008

I have twins who are about 1.5 months old. (We also found out at 21 weeks, what a surprise, huh?!) Our babies are still really little, so obviously I only know for sure about some of the items, so far. We will have our girls in the same crib until they outgrow it or keep waking each other up. We will also have 2 highchairs. Otherwise, we're trying to get by with one of most things - pack-n-play (maybe add a second when they're older?), swing, bouncy seat, exersaucer, etc. Generally, with those fun extras, you can always put one baby in one thing, and the other in another thing.

Heather - posted on 11/19/2008

I have twins who just turned three in August when they were babies I didn't buy two of everything what I noticed with them was that they didn't always like the same thing so I bought one of each thing ie bouncy seats, swings, ect. My two even shared a crib from the day they came home from the hospital till they were 6 or 7 months old. They slept better that way they started sleeping 6 hours a night when they were just a month old. I used a double stroller that held the car seats too so that way it grew with them just make sure the stroller isn't extremely heavy. The carriers are a lifesaver esp when you start going out to eat. I breastfed both of mine exclusively so if you decide to go that route and have any questions feel free to ask

Elizabeth - posted on 11/19/2008

Congrats! Get ready for a ride of a life time. They will be such a blessing. I have twins that are 21 months old. I had one boy and one girl. I highly recommend two bouncy seat they are get if they have reflux, If you have room we bought a feeding table online from a whole sale store that sells to day cares. It was a big success. I also recommend two excersaucers, when they get older. It was a life saver when I needed to cook dinner.

Emma - posted on 11/19/2008

Congrats! I am 32 weeks pregnant with twin boys, this is my first pregnancy and am just so excited. We have tried to get organised and loved buying two of everything but at the same time tried not to go too mad! We have just stuck to two of the main things like highchairs, bouncers, cots, car seats etc and then a wardrobe full of clothes! Lol! Such an exciting time, good luck! xx

Natasha - posted on 11/19/2008

Oh and i forgot, we bought two bassinets and they hated them, after two weeks of haveing total crying night we tried putting them in a crib together and they have been sleeping great since, 8 months and still in the same crib, we do have another crib just incase things change!

Natasha - posted on 11/19/2008

Congrats!!!! Your gonna love it!!! We didnt get two of everything simply because it is so expensive. We did get a few different kinds of things such as different rockers. One thing we did invest in is the sweetpeace swing by graco, it was a major life saver! My boys didnt really like that same things at the same time, so all worked out well. One of the only things we did buy two of is bumbo chairs, but we bought them when they were about 4 months old. Hope this helps a bit! And congrats again!

User - posted on 11/19/2008

wow.. congratulations... i pesonally don't have twins but my cousins are twins... there will be some things you need to double up on.. moses baskets, car seats, cots when they are older.... but things like swings and bouncy chairs.. i'd say buy one of each then alternate the babies in them... hope that helps..

Trish - posted on 11/19/2008

p.s. congratulations!

Trish - posted on 11/19/2008

i dont have twins- but i do have 5 kids and the best swing i have bought is the fisherprice full size rainforest swing. it is so durable. my daughter Avaree is almost 15 months and still uses it.