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Original poster

If you had twins, what did you pack...

52 replies

SleepingStandingUp · 29/08/2019 22:44

in your hospital bag?

Google is telling me 20 baby grows and 20 vests. Does this seem excessive?? Also did you get tiny baby or just new baby? Or do i wait til a bit closer and see what size they're predicted to be? I'm only 21 weeks so too early to call re size but they are mono di twins so expected to be no later than 36 weeks

OP posts:
rededucator · 29/08/2019 23:05

20? How long do you plan on being there?! UK?

Original poster
SleepingStandingUp · 29/08/2019 23:16

Well that's 10 each, and apparently new babies sick up their milk a lot... Yes UK. I'm assuming if I'm 36 weeks it might be a couple of days in transitional care to establish feeding at best? If I have C Sec or their earlier maybe a little longer but I think prob best to assume 1 or 2 nights?

First born was in 13 weeks and was naked for the first 4 so I'm clueless

OP posts:
Gamorasgran · 30/08/2019 08:33

I had mine at 39 weeks so they weren't teeny tiny (around 6lb each). I had a planned section and was in for 2 nights.

I think I brought in about half of that tbh and didn't get through it all. They weren't sicky babies though so I didn't have too many episodes - their emissions were very much focused southwards.

I know I packed way more than I needed though

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Original poster
SleepingStandingUp · 30/08/2019 11:07

Wow that's impressive, I've pretty much been made to believe that if I get to 36 weeks great but I won't get much further. Can I ask what kind of twins they are?

Husband declared we can take in a few and he'll just wash them each night. Pointed out he won't want to come from hospital, sort out DS then wash and dry just a dozen babygrows. Plus he won't be with me for 16+ hours in between so still needs to leave me with lots.

He's such a first time Dad 😂

OP posts:
Hope257 · 30/08/2019 12:59

I had my mono di twins at 32 weeks, they were in special care for a month. I had only packed a couple of outfits for each of them, which turned out to be far too big for them. If all goes well you won't be in hospital long enough to go through 20 baby grows! Just be aware identical twins usually come early and tend to be smaller. I had so many clothes they didn't wear until they were 6 months.

MontStMichel · 30/08/2019 12:59

One of mine was 7 lbs 4 oz, so not a tiny baby; the other was 5 1/2 lbs - born at 37 weeks!

DownToTheSeaAgain · 30/08/2019 13:01

Nothing. They were two months early!

incontrolofmyownlife · 30/08/2019 13:02

I only had one baby but packed 3 x vests and 3 x sleepsuits and had more clean at home.

So you could pack 6 of each? Then if you need more your DH could take the dirty stuff home and just bring clean the next day? That's what we did, as I was in for 3 nights Smile it worked well.

SinkGirl · 30/08/2019 13:11

I had my twins at 35+1, they were straight to nicu and incubators and I had to order preemie clothes for them as tiny baby drowned them. Having MCDA twins they’re not going to let you get past 38 weeks and I think the TAMBA guidelines say 37 or even 36 weeks is best now.

I’d get tiny baby, a couple of packs of vests and sleepsuits, you can always get more easily. Very unlikely they’ll be big enough to fit newborn right away. If they’re smaller than that they’ll probably be in incubators so no clothes. And at my hospital the nicu had tons of small baby clothes for those who needed them.

For the PP who scoffed, I only know one twin mum who spent less than 4 days in hospital with them, most were longer.

Longlivepenguins · 30/08/2019 13:20

Nothing. I was in such a shock at even having twins (I'd only found out 6 weeks before I went in to labour - long story). They were in incubators the first 2 weeks and then I dashed out and bought 2 baby gros when twin1 was due to be discharged. Everything available - rural area - was too big for months and the Internet didn't exist back then. Most of the first few months they wore t-shirts and nappies (up to their armpits!) or baby gros with rolled up sleeves and the legs cut off at the ankles 20 sounds an extraordinary number to me!

SinkGirl · 30/08/2019 13:22

Also I think pampers offer free tiny nappies to preemies now - worth checking if they are small :)

SinkGirl · 30/08/2019 13:23

If you do need preemie clothes, Asda are fantastic and come in really small sizes with poppers so they open flat and are really affordable. Don’t get ones with Velcro, they suck!

If you can find them, zip up sleepsuits are a god send.

Longlivepenguins · 30/08/2019 13:25

Oh and I was made to leave the hospital after 2 days so my most vital item was a kid's inflatable ring to sit on to get back to the hospital every day on the bus to feed them. I was stitched up badly and sat on the ring long after they were discharged. Despite my abject failure to clothe them properly until I got back to civilisation, they are both very stylish now!

SonEtLumiere · 30/08/2019 13:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mollycoddle77 · 30/08/2019 14:15

I had mine at 39 +4, so just slightly smaller than average. As you say, there is no predicting when they are going to come out and what size, so I wouldn't buy 20 sleepsuits in a specific size. Presumably you will have people around you, your DH? Family? Who can bring more supplies when you need them. So I would buy a few in different sizes and then wait until they are here. All the best, you are in for an adventure Grin!

SinkGirl · 30/08/2019 15:26

Also, find your local twin club - I guarantee there’ll be people selling tiny baby / newborn vests and sleepsuits in bulk for a few quid / giving them away. You can take a few of each size but have a stash at home. These sizes are generally worn for such a short time they’re often in excellent condition.

Cauliflowerpower · 30/08/2019 15:48

I took about 5 outfits each and left more of everything at home (for the babies and for me) on the spare bed just in case I needed more things. then I could just say bring this or that and DH could. I had them on the Wednesday night 36+4 and went home Saturday morning. No special care needed . They were 4.5lbs and 5.5lbs and needed tiny baby. but wait until nearer the time... You might need just regular! Congratulations!

Take your own pillow, OJ and Fybojel.... they are my top tips!

Cauliflowerpower · 30/08/2019 15:49

yes to twins club - saved my sanity and made loads of friends.

Bobbindobbin · 30/08/2019 15:51

Mine were born just before 30 weeks a total out of the blue shock. The stuff in my bag was way way too big. Congratulations Flowers

Pengweng · 30/08/2019 15:54

Congratulations!

I think i took about 5 or 6 outfits per baby. I bought newborn stuff which was fine for one of them but the smaller twin was only 4lbs 12ozs so my MIL went out and bought tiny baby nappies and some tiny baby clothes for her. I had them at 37+4 so not that early. TBH i went on mat leave at 30 weeks as everyone told me that i would probably have them at 35 weeks and i was sooooo bored i packed and repacked my bag a million times.

One of the midwifes gave me a tip though for baby grows that are too long. If you put a pair of socks over the top of the baby grow it stops them from kicking their feet out of the baby grow and also keeps their tiny feet warm.

lyralalala · 30/08/2019 15:59

I took 4 sets of vest/babygrow each.

I also left a bundle (I think about 12 sets) at home in ziplock bags - 1 vest, 1 babygrow & 1 pair of socks per bag. Made it easy enough for ex or my Nana to grab a couple of bags when I needed more.

Allyo19 · 30/08/2019 16:54

No twins here, but for csection pack some peppermint oil capsules. The trapped wind after the op is pretty uncomfortable. (Section itself was great though)

Gamorasgran · 30/08/2019 17:20

Twins are aces it must be said.

Just on how long dh was allowed to stay, we were given a side room due to the 2 baby thing and space on the regular ward which meant as long as he was quiet dh wasn't kicked out until 9 (allowed in at 8am). If no special care requirements then maybe worth asking (although we had no other dcs to think about so may not work for you)

Also all of our newborn bits were supermarket so he can always pop out and get more if needed. Oddly all our gifts were for 3-6 m old so they could grow into them.

You may not need the same size for both -Dd2 was a tiny bit under 6lb but is a very petite build whereas dd1 was and is a long big biffer even though she was less than half a lb heavier. So one was in tiny and one in newborn. Mine are non id though so I guess it's more reasonable for ids to be the same build?

My nct twin class experience was awful btw. Not one that near to me (was in London at the time) and I was discouraged from joining my standard local one as 'you won't have much in common with the others'. TAMBA was better.

SinkGirl · 30/08/2019 17:24

Yes, my twins were in different sizes until a year old (both boys but one had IUGR). We had all these lovely matching outfits in the same size they never got to wear at the same time (we make up for it now though - I’m a sucker for a co-ordinated twin outfit 😂)

Original poster
SleepingStandingUp · 30/08/2019 18:12

Just be aware identical twins usually come early and tend to be smaller that's why I'm stressing, it isn't like DH can be guaranteed to walk into any shop and pick up tiny baby or preemie sizes so I want to be prepared by 28 weeks

Having MCDA twins they’re not going to let you get past 38 yeah I've been told I diction of C sec at around 36 weeks if I'm still pregnant

Given you have previously had one early I would wait until quite late to buy babygrows
but wait until nearer the time...
Tbat isn't going to help if I go into spontaneous labour though.

If you can find them, zip up sleepsuits are a god send.h?

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