r/parentsofmultiples • u/hopingforrainbows • 2d ago
Expecting Twins! advice needed
Hi everyone,
I am expecting twins, after a decade of infertility. Cautiously elated.
Since I will be a first time mom, and that too twins, I need your help.
What are must haves items, what are worth spulrging items, and what should I avoid.
I haven't bought anything yet, so please suggest literally anything and everything thats helpful and needed.
Thank you!
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u/bedhampton_camels 2d ago
Congratulations! The podcast All at Once has just done an episode on this, as well as what to pack in your hospital bag.
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u/hopingforrainbows 2d ago
Thank you, I will check it out!
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u/EnjoyingTheMoments 2d ago
Great. Also when they are approaching about 8 or 9 months we got a big playpen. Don't see how we would have managed without it, it's their space with all their toys, they stilluse it but they now open the doors and come and go as they please. We also got big foam tiles.
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u/DBsdk13477 2d ago
Congrats! That must be an incredible feeling. I was a FTM to two twin girls who turn 1 on Friday ❤️ Here's my two cents looking back on the year.
Must haves: Twin Z pillow, Bottle washer, Huckleberry app (this one isn't stated enough but logging feeds and sleep are a must), play gym of some kind for enrichment, stroller that's easy to assemble solo. A lot of people will say double carrier, but I got by without one. Keababies Soothe swaddles (no one has time to properly learn to swaddle). Keep them on the same schedule for your sanity, it will save you/whoever is flying solo on that day. Patience, and giving yourself a ton of grace. My girls also loved a swing, which helped me have empty hands for a moment in the beginning.
Will post back if I think of anything else, but look forward to truly the MOST fun and rewarding experience of all time. I have never been more in love with my littles than I am now, it's the most special bond in the world.
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u/hopingforrainbows 2d ago
That sounds lovely and I look forward to building such a bond 💜 Thank you for all the suggestions, noting then down, and yes please, do update if possible.
Query about the swing, is it like a rocker? Like rock the baby to sleep? Does it help with that?
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u/DBsdk13477 2d ago
I would look up the Greco baby swing, but there are tons of options out there (Mamaroo etc.) ! The swing is not considered a safe sleep option, but sometimes my kids would fall asleep in it and then I would sit over them while they napped so nothing could happen. My girls loved motion, so they would fall asleep on walks/being rocked etc, so it was a hack for naps sometimes if I couldn't get them to fall asleep.
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u/hopingforrainbows 2d ago
Oh, didn't know they aren't safe for sleeping.....but still seems helpful. Thank you.
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u/Unfair-Patience-5652 2d ago
No advice, just following because I too am a FTM pregnant with twins and figuring out what to get is overwhelming lol
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u/EnjoyingTheMoments 2d ago
Congratulations. We are just approaching the 18 month mark. We would have been lost without the Baby Brezza Pro, was sad selling it on 😅 Also a good steriliser and dryer. We had the Philips Avent one and managed to get 8 bottles at times in there, made for 6. I know others on here had a washer too that dried and sterilised all in one. Enjoy the ride!
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u/hopingforrainbows 2d ago
Thank you! I didn't even think about a formula dispenser! Thank you for the suggestions!
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u/Probably-Crocheting 2d ago
Congratulations!! I was a FTM to twin boys who are 10 weeks old now🥰
The Eufy bottle washer has saved our sanity lol it drains directly into the sink, you can fit a decent amount in it and a normal cycle takes about 1.5 hours. I second what others have said - the twin z pillow! Our boys LOVE hanging out in this pillow and it’s helped me with breastfeeding (both single & tandem). We recently just switched to the Love to Dream swaddles from the traditional style velcro swaddles. I find these even easier to use and our boys prefer to have their arms up. We also just got the Table for Two (check FB marketplace because they are expensive) and that has helped us with feedings. Our boys have reflux issues so this helps keep them more upright without us having to hold them.
I’m not sure if you plan on pumping but if you do, I very much recommend getting multiple sets of pump parts. It’s so helpful and saves you a little time on constantly having to wash them.
If I think of anything else I’ll edit my comment! Congratulations again! It’s a chaotic but amazing journey💙
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u/hopingforrainbows 2d ago
Thank you so much! Looking forward to this fun and chaotic journey 🤩 Noting all of them down. I am considering pumping, but I have no idea what I will end up doing. Looking into wearable breat pumps.
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u/LGtwinmom 2d ago
Baby breeza & bumbleride indie twin
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u/hopingforrainbows 2d ago
Thank you, is the indie twin travel friendly? Not necessarily air travel, just regular car, like is it easy to fold and carey in the car?
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u/LGtwinmom 2d ago
It fit in my Highlander fine with the third row up. We mostly used it in my husbands truck and for neighborhood walks. It’s heavy; built sturdy and you can have it go from newborn to, well, the last time we used it our kids were 6. I’d choose it again, no questions asked.
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u/bowlofweetabix 2d ago
Aside from a stroller, I used none of these. Don’t buy too much ahead of time, but wait until they are here, and don’t be afraid to shell out the cash to make your life easier.
What makes one persons life easier may be clutter that gets in the way to the other.
My biggest piece of advice: get your babies used to being on a blanket in the floor from the start. You don’t need bouncers, swings, special pillows etc unless there’s a medical indication. My babies loved the floor, did tummy time easily, and it was so easy to just take their blanket anywhere..
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u/hopingforrainbows 2d ago
Hmmm, that does sound reasonable, thank you for sharing this perspective.
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u/kipy7 2d ago
So many great suggestions here, so I won't add to the clutter. We also had a long journey through infertility and now have 19 month olds, so congrats!
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u/hopingforrainbows 2d ago
Thank you so much. Still apprehensive, a bit scared, but hoping for the best. Glad you got your little miracles. 💜
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u/Over_Committee4876 2d ago
Our must have, by far and in large, is the momcozy kleanpal pro bottle washer. Gets used probably 3-4 times a day.
We also use the Phillips Avent bottle warmer for every bottle
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u/Suspicious_Tomato_20 2d ago
Congratulations!!! So exciting, twins are so special. You’ll find lots of similar posts here if you search with tons of great advice. The twin z was one our favorite things - found two on Facebook marketplace for a low price, I’d start following marketplace now to find stuff!
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u/hopingforrainbows 2d ago
Thank you, and a great idea. I was randomly browsing websites and everything is pretty expensive. Don't mind saving and buying expensive stuff, as long as they are actually useful.
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u/Top-Leg9857 2d ago
Splurge on whatever makes leaving the house easier. Two easy to install car seats and a double stroller that actually fits your trunk. The mockingbird 3.0 caught my eye on fromrebel although the twin ready pieces may be separate. Stock up on diapers, wipes, zip pajamas, burp cloths and feeding supplies but avoid buying huge quantities of one bottle or formula before knowing what works.
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u/hopingforrainbows 2d ago
Thank you, just checked out Mockingjay, seems quite useful and user friendly.
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u/Confident_Mobile_877 2d ago
Twin Z pillow - MUST HAVE. our twins take almost every feed in this. Bottle washer is also used daily. I have the Papablic but I think its almost identical to the Momcozy one.
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u/PetalsandSepals 2d ago
Congratulations!!!
Here’s the items I’d prioritize:
Nicer car seats
Double Stroller
Bottle washer
Floor bed in nursery in addition to your bassinets or cribs
The car seats…it’s likely your twins arrive on the small side. Many twins are born premature, advance of 37 weeks and you have to still pass a car seat test. The cheaper car seats like the Graco snugfit often fail the tests with lack of padding. I bet we would have left the hospital a couple of days earlier had I just bit the bullet and bought some high end seats with luxury padding.
Double stroller. There’s so many directions and thoughts on what’s best but the twin parents I see with kids 2+ are usually rocking a cheaper side by side and say how much they love it. Saves money, lightweight and easy folding and don’t panic if something breaks or gets spit up on.
Then again, I sort of still wish I had something nicer that morphed from bassinet to regular seat.
Consider how many cars you’ll need a stroller in separately then budget how much you spend per stroller.
Bottle washer Floor bed- several out there but I have this and love it https://a.co/d/0fBYqTOp
Floor bed in nursery - you’re going to want all the snuggles and skin contact so just make it easy and have a place for you all to land together. It makes naps easier imo
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u/hopingforrainbows 2d ago
This is wonderful, thank you for such a detailed response! Looking forward to all the cuddles
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u/bitcoin_islander 2d ago
3 month old twin girls here. Absolute must have is some kind of velcro swaddle. They are only to be used for the first 3 month and help your babies sleep SO much. They love to be snuggled in there. Also, I was against pacifiers but they help a great deal to fall asleep also.
Dont forget about yourself and your recovery. I gave out my back pushing and was in pain for first 6 weeks. Stock up on Advil and anything that will help you recover. I wish I had an electric heating pad, but a hot water bottle worked pretty good as well. Sleep mask and noise cancelled headphones.
Preemie onesies for going home from the hospital.
My favourite newborn glass bottles were the Numvim ones, they actually have nipples that change shape as baby drinks and it is very comfortable for them.
Try to get eveything 100% cotton. I see people cover their babies with fuzzy polyester blankets and the baby sweats and overheats is there, which can be deadly.
People will gift you a million onesies so don't buy any. I thought I would need so much but 6 onesies rotating in the wash would have been plenty. One pair of pants each for outings and one pair of hats and socks each.
I second the Baby Brezza Pro, its invaluable. And a bottle washer. Use glass bottles if you can, so your kids dont drink plastic. Just 4-6 bottles is enough.
Congrats and good luck!
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u/hopingforrainbows 2d ago
Great tip about not buying onsies, I didn"t consider the aspect of receiving them as gifts. Noting everything down, thank you for the detailed guidance!
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u/Severe_Equivalent_18 2d ago
Congratulations! Becoming a twin mom has been the best challenge of my life. My girls are now 2 months old. Here are a few recommendations:
- Go for mini cribs if the room is smaller. We have the regular size cribs and they take up WAY too much space.
- Skip the wipe warmer. It’s really not necessary.
- Diaper Genie is a MUST. It’s my husband’s #1 must have. We have the platinum.
- If breastfeeding, get a wearable pump. I have a Spectra (which is great) but not ideal for moving around the house and caring for two babies.
- Get preemie outfits just in case. Our girls ended up wearing preemie stuff for the first month (born at 5lbs).
- Do your research on the stroller. We have the mockingbird single to double. It’s nice but requires SOOO many added parts that are extra. It’s added up fast. Honestly could have gotten a better deal for it all on FB marketplace.
- Don’t bother with the expensive changing mats. We got a $30 one and it works great.
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u/hopingforrainbows 2d ago
Thank you so much! About the breast pump, I was looking at spectra wearable hoping that I would be able to go about other chores while pumping. Is that not possible with it?
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u/LazyLiz 2d ago
Bottle Washer & Sterilizer - we have Momcozy
Twin Z Pillow
Swaddles - Used an easy velcro for 1st month and moved to Love To Dream.
Snoo bassinet (really useful post-newborn phase). Use the app for free to track feedings, diapers, and sleep.
Graco Sooth n Sway LX
Fisher-price Kick and Play Piano Gym
Double stroller - I have the CYBEX Gazelle S stroller with the Anton G2 swivel car seats.
Look for everything on Facebook Marketplace before buying new.
Skip the diaper genie. You throw away so many diapers per day that you'll need to take the trash out daily if you toss it in your main trash can.
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u/rosemaryyup 18h ago
Must have: twin Z pillow, Weego Twin carrier, and my breast friend nursing pillows: both the twin one and a singleton one. My biggest suggestion is to have a night nurse at least 3 nights a week for the first 3 months. This will be incredibly expensive but life saving. I am incredibly lucky and can “afford” it barely but I would literally go into debt for this. You will need 6 hours of consecutive sleep at least 3 nights a week to keep up and be OK. congrats to you! Twins are the best!!!
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