What do i need for twins and what is a false economy?

[neonrainbow]

I'm 14+3 with twins and have started to collect some stuff from selling sites but before i go over the top i think i need some guidance on what i actually need and how much. Also what was a waste of money for you and what was a life saver? So far I've got 2 moses baskets, a play mat/gym, one bouncer chair, about 30 baby vests (tiny baby and 0-3) and a twin feeding pillow. I have no idea what babies actually need and what is nice to have. I'm planning to try breastfeeding but am aware it may not work out.

Perfect prep machines are amazing if formula feeding especially with twins I would imagine!

I noticed in your first post you has tiny baby and 0-3. You will probably need newborn clothes inbetween. My dd was in tiny baby for a month but 0-3 swamps her. She's just about out of newborn and into

Congratulations!

The perfect prep is FRICKING amazing! I couldnt breast feed my two and it's one of the best things we bought. Takes all the stress away about temperature and timings!

Two sugglebundles - means you can carry them both about the house easily and at the same time (and rock them to sleep)

A downstairs changing station is a must!

Isofixes in your car to immediately fix the car seats in rather than fannying around with seat belts!

A massive play mat they can both fit on with movable play arches so that you can move them about as the babies grow. We have wooden ones which we hang all sorts of toys from.

I agree on two bouncers!

Sleepyheads are awesome if you want to co sleep. We also had the arms reach co sleeper attached to our bed which was amazing until they grew out of it (5ish months) - but this can be turned into a playpen and a travel cot for later use!

Good luck! It's a brilliant journey!

Btw- in case you haven't bought a pram yet.

We have the egg twin system. Carry cots, pram seats and car seats all fit with the one frame that is folded up with the flick of one hand!!! Plus it looks super stylish and will fit into most cars.

We have the worlds tightest front door so we can't have the luxury of a side by side pram.

My mum, who has various arthritis issues, loves pushing it about as it is so light and smooth.

Two change mats, one for upstairs and one for downstairs. And maybe like a storage box downstairs to hold all nappies, wipes etc so it's easily accessible.

If you can i would buy the 6 bottle plug in steriliser. I think we used to have 12 bottles and sterilised 6 (3 feeds worth) at a time.

Definitely two bouncer chairs. And one swing.

Stock up on infacol, teething gel, calpol for first jabs now as its not always easy to get to the shops when you're suddenly desperate for something.

A video monitor...I had a sound one originally but then had to get a video one when they were a bit older as they used to jump in each other's cots etc. So instead of buying twice id go straight for the video monitor.

Two bath seats.

Good luck, twins are hard work but amazing.

Thanks everyone making notes of all of this! We have a ford focus, happy to look at other types of pram but not keen on side by side as we also have a stupidly narrow front door. With a tandem we can leave the pram on our front path while we get the babies in but a side by side won't get up the path. Happy to look at other brands, my parents are paying for the pram so the icandy etc is out due to cost. Phil and ted is coming in at just under £800 with the double pack, raincover and car seat adaptors. I didn't know egg did a double so will look into that.

Just one point (I don't have twins, just nosy ) the Ikea cot beds are just cot sized, so they last until about 2 years. They don't convert to toddler beds which will last until 5 or 7. The sides just come off. Check dimensions if that is what you are planning.

I've changed my mind on ikea cots anyway they look like little prison cells! Thank you for the tip though i need to be careful that they do convert whatever i get in the end.

Things I bought for mine and didn't use:
Wrap carrier- two babies are really heavy and awkward to carry
Cot divider
Nursing cushion
Clothes- you have loads already even without a dryer.
Good luck!

Congratulations! Having twins is the best adventure in the world!

My essentials were two cot beds, a good double buggy. We also had two singles for when DH was with us and manoeuvring a double buggy is a pain, two car seats, two bouncy chairs, A really big play mat (tricky to find) or two small ones, a steriliser and somewhere to change your babies (and dispose of nappies) both upstairs and downstairs.

We never used a bath seat, didn't have a tumble drier and I actually have no idea what a swing seat is!

Just another word on the buggy issue - we had a combi we2 which was fantastic. It is a compact side by side and has a unique folding mechanism where it folds in half again. Difficult to explain so I've attached a picture. It was fantastic and very reasonably priced and saw my twins right through from birth to no longer needing a buggy.

Oh and I will probably be hung, drawn and quartered for suggesting it but podee hands free feeding bottles saved my sanity once they were a few months old.

Good luck!

If you're not already a member of Tamba- become one. Then you get 10% off at mothercare where you can buy all the big ticket items!!

Also join your local twins group!

I had twin girls 20 months ago and already had a 20 month old at the time. We invested in a good double buggy with compatible car seats and a good sling. It was expensive but has been a life saver. I have really valued being able to get out and about with them and still use both daily 20 months on. I love the sligo (ergo) as it feels like I get a bit of special one to one time with each of them.

I breastfed my girls for the first year and can second the fb group above, its awesome. We got a double cushion but i never used it, always preferred one at a time- was physically overwhelming for me otherwise.

Congratulations, its without doubt hard work but equally incredibly special!

I agree about feeding one at a time. I never fed mine together. I know some people manage it, but I felt I was missing out on that 1:1 time if I did. You'll find your own way though.

Sorry for hijacking the thread, but so helpful to read everyone's tips! Thank you! howcanikeep can I be nosy and ask what pram you bought? We have a toddler the same age gap as you had. We have an out n about side by side as our first two were close in age too but we are deliberating over whether or not to look at ones that are car search compatible etc for ease. A tricky decision and obviously an expense but sounds like you feel it was worth it! Did you use a buggy board as well? Thanks in advance!

I'm not a parent but read another thread about distinguishing identical twins. On MNetter said they had painted the toe nails on each child different colours and then each always had at least one item of clothing with "their" colour. (Just something to think about if you are buying clothes?)

I think mine are probably non id but if they do come out looking the same I'll have to think of something!

No probs surf, we got a baby jogger city select with the maxi cosi car seats, a buggy board and the isofix bases. It was a bloody expensive afternoon but im so glad we chose it. The early days were hard work and this was a big help. I could manage shopping and school run for my eldest and just transfer the seats across. Also because they were small we have only recently stopped using those car seats. Although they still sit in them for their milk and bedtime story!! I thought my toddler would cope with walking but it was so unrealistic, she often sat in the pushchair then I had a twinny in the sling. Good luck!

I'd second joining the Breastfeeding Twins & Triplets UK group - they are amazing! I have no more or less sleep than with a singleton as I tandem feed all the time. The group are a hive of information and experience - you can BF two!

YY to 2 x bouncy chairs, 2 cot beds, 2 changing stations!
We have got lots of stuff second hand - clothes, playmat, toys etc. Twin selling groups on Facebook are great for picking up clothes bundles etc.

Bath supports

www.kiddicare.com/p/Angelcare_Soft_Touch_Bath_Support_-_Aqua.htm?product_id=561729&utm_source=pla&affiliate=KC-google-shopping&gclid=CISxp5mpxM8CFYgYGwodmBAA2Q&gclsrc=aw.ds

The cheapest "twin thing" we bought and by far the most useful. It leaves you hands free meaning you can bath both on your own.

Good luck!

The beauty of the footmuff is that it catches all the little things babies 'drop'. Some of them also are somewhat water resistant. Whilst it's a good idea to have some clothes ready in advance, keep in mind that many people will give you these and pretty blankets and small toys presents so don't built up too much stock.

Go for it with breastfeeding - you may find it ok, I did but I'd already done it with DC1.

Phil and teds were great for us, lots of narrow doors etc round here.

My big advice would be to buy 'just in time' - like supermarkets do with stock when they have little storage! Don't buy two cots until you need them, don't buy anything Until you need it imminently - and get rid as soon as grown out of.

One cot is fine for a start, one Moses basket for 'storing' babies in the living room ;-)

Also clothes wise my top tip is baby vests and baby leggings - not baby grow with poppers all up the legs. Two poppers under the bum only> whip the leggings off, change nappy, whip leggings on again. Babygros with feet are a nightmare with loads of poppers and as either too long or too short for their legs. You can even get leggings with feet in which are ok too.

Also I had a problem from DC1 and I used to chuck them both in together until about six weeks - top and tail like the king of hearts!

Pram not problem !

No twins here, but might I suggest a biggish freezer if you don't have one already? Or start saving for one.

Just to say if you have no room for a tumble dryer the heated clothes airer from Lakeland is fab - dries a huge load of washing in 24 hours and much cheaper to run. My twins are 8 mo now and we are yet to succumb to buying a tumble drier :)