Twins: Essential Gears to Make Life Easier

I am a stay at home mom of identical twin girls who are currently (Sept 07) almost 3 months old and a son who is 2 ½ years old. Life is very busy. I don’t have family around to help me on a daily basis, so I have

If you were like me, there was no twins in my family so I had to idea what I needed. I already have a son, so I have one of everything, but do I really need 2 of everything? From experience, you need 2 of some things, and with others, you’ll do just fine with one.

Breastfeeeding Pillow – this is a must! If you set yourself up in a couch, you can place one baby in one corner, and the other in the opposite corner while you sit in the middle and set yourself up. Then you can get your babies onto the pillow without help. It even allows both your hands to be free if you want to have a TV controller in your hand, or if you need to use the phone. A regular breastfeeding pillow is not going to work for twins. http://www.twinstuff.com/store/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=29

Baby Carrier/Wraps – 2, so that Dad can have one when he’s home. I use the Ergo with Infant insert.   Ergo can grow with the child up to 40 lbs, but unfortunately, even if I absolutely love it, it was not comfortable for my hubby who is 5’11”. He is too tall for it and where the hip part of the carrier is supposed to be on the hips, it ends up on his tummy.
http://www.myfavoritebabycarrier.com/accessories.html#infantThe 
http://www.myfavoritebabycarrier.com

Double Stroller – side by side or tandem.  I use the Graco DuoGlider Travel System. I love this stroller. While testing it at the store, a woman came up to me and warned me that it was hard to push. But being that it was the only one of it’s kind in the store, we went ahead and purchased it. We have no trouble with it at all. It’s very easy to push, very easy to fold and unfold.
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2330952&cp=&pg=2&f=Taxonomy%2FTRUS%2F2255957&sr=1&origkw=graco+stroller&kw=graco+stroller&parentPage=search

Carseats  (the ones that will go with the stroller) 

Bouncer – with vibration. Great for bottle feeding both at the same time.
http://www.toysrus.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=bouncer&origkw=bouncer&f=Taxonomy/TRUS/2255957&sr=1

Swing – in case one prefers the swing better than the Bouncer. This is also great if your little ones have reflux, as it keeps them upright.
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2266242&cp=&sr=1&f=Taxonomy%2FTRUS%2F2255957&origkw=graco+swing&kw=graco+swing&parentPage=search

Arm’s Reach Bassinet – get the regular sized one (not the mini), it fits twins perfectly. It goes beside your bed for easy access for breastfeeding. The 4th side of the bassinet is lower so you can see your babies without having to prop yourself up. It has a lot of pockets all along the sides, great for keeping diapers, wipes, extra clothes, etc.
http://www.armsreach.com/original_cosleeper.php

Pack & Play/Playards – it can be placed in the 1st floo. You can place the twins there for sleeping and it has a changing table available. Once they outgrow the bassinet part, it can be used a playard.
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2305579&cp=2255983.2256188&parentPage=family

Backpack Diaper bag – it allows both hands to be free when you’re out.  I found one by Columbia that is great. It doesn’t make my back hot, and it has plenty of zippers and hooks for whatever I may want to attach to the bag for easy access.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/002-4544790-5440001?initialSearch=1&url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=diaper+bag+backpack

Medela Breastpump – You have to have a hospital grade double breastpump. Chances are your twins/multiples will spend time in the NICU and so you will have to pump milk at home. This pump stimulates let down and in 10 minutes, you can empty your breasts. I use the Pump In Style.
http://www.medela.com/NewFiles/pumps_personalUseElectric.html#Limited_edition

Avent Bottle Sterilizer – If you are supplementing with formula, this is great to have to sterilize the bottles. You just put 7 oz of water and put it in the microwave for 2 minutes after washing it and you’re done.
http://www.avent.com/uk/en/sterilisers_express_ii_microwave_steriliser.php

Twin Table – I don’t own this, but I am seriously thinking about it when the time comes. It can double as a feeding table, and an activity table for your twins. http://www.tuffware.com/infants/tottables/2seater.html

Bumbo – This has been a hit with a lot of moms and it’s even more of a hit with twins! If you need them upright and of course can only hold one at a time, this comes in very handy. A friend got me one, and it’s great. I have ordered a second one because it has proven to be very helpful. Your babies need to be able to control their head a little bit before using this.
http://www.toysrus.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=bumbo&origkw=bumbo&f=Taxonomy/TRUS/2255957&sr=1

I have included a lot of things on this list, you don't need to buy them all at once. Some essentials must be ready before the babies' arrival, like carseats, but others you can buy them as you need them. Also, some merchants give discounts for twins and/or if you purchase 2 identical things. Stagger buying things so that it doesn't turn your monthly budget upside down.

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