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Twin newborn essentials

10 replies

Sallywiththegoodhurrr · 12/08/2017 10:37

I've recently found out I'm expecting twins---- (Shock) so I've naturally started worrying about what we need to buy.

We have other DC so I know what babies need and what's a waste of money etc but what do you really need for twins?

2 cribs or can they share a cot in the early days for example? And anything that's been a life saver?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
TwinkleTwinkleLittleEtoile · 12/08/2017 11:01

Mine shared a cot in early days. Firstly next to each other, then at opposite ends.

I found two bouncy chairs invaluable. I managed to bottle feed both at the same time by sitting on the floor with one bouncy chair on either side of me. And if you bottle feed, a Tommee Tippee machine is really good. I know there's been some controversy recently about mould, but mine was fine.

If you'd like to breastfeed, I'd advise getting a proper twin feeding pillow. I had a Peanut and Piglet one, and I'd not have managed without it.

A decent pushchair is essential. I used the Uppababy Vista. The carrycots are safe for overnight sleep, so I kept them downstairs and used them for daytime naps instead of buying Moses baskets.

Also - cleaner, night nanny, tumble dryer. You can probably manage without all of these, but if you have the money, they're really handy. Maybe instead of gifts for the babies, people could club together for some help for you. Some of my friends did this. I got an occasional babysitter for the babies when I was in the house so I could spend time with my oldest.

There's a few Facebook groups for parents of twins - look for Britain's parents of twins and Multipals.

Good luck! It's hard work having twins, but it is lovely.

SnugglySnerd · 12/08/2017 11:03

I was going to say 2 bouncy chairs too. I feed mine in them.
I've found it helpful to have different coloured bottles so they don't get mixed up. One baby has more milk than the other and it was useful when one was poorly to avoid spreading it.

I'm bound to think of more later.

exhaustedtwinmummy · 15/08/2017 09:08

Yep...two bouncy chairs were essential. We borrowed moses baskets and bought new mattresses as it didn't seem worth spending lots of money on something used for short period of time. We used flask method rather than perfect prep...Couldn't bring myself to spend money on something I could basically do myself.

Middleoftheroad · 15/08/2017 09:12

Congrats!
yes two bouncy chairs were invaluable
Mine shared a cot at first
we had different bottles too
one baby bath/bowl
we used nipper and later phil and teds buggy (went through 6 others too)
shared all clothes but mine non id so no need to identify each one!

exhaustedtwinmummy · 15/08/2017 09:21

Ours were winter babies so we got a tumble drier too. Endless washing! And if people ask you what you need, say nappies. We were lucky enough to get lots of small gifts when they were born and because people were buying for two, you get lots of stuff!! Some gave us a little something plus a packet of nappies or wipes. And I have found Aldi nappies to be best for both of mine. Very few leaks and cheaper!
Lots of muslin cloths too.

Taytotots · 15/08/2017 09:25

Mine shared a large cot which we side-carred to the bed so night feeding easy. Twin feeding pillow useful for feeding both at same time. Baby carrier/sling lets you carry both - we had a weego twin one but that got uncomfortable after a few months. There are a few new ones on the market now (twingo etc) or you can use various combinations of single carriers (maybe ask sling library if interested). We had a homestart volunteer for a couple of hours a week who was great - might be good to give time with older ones or just take a break. When they got older we had a twin bath seat so I could bath two at once on my own. Good luck!

moggle · 15/08/2017 14:06

Thanks everyone and thanks OP for starting this thread! We already have one DD, twins due in Jan, and I hate wasting money so am trying to get everything second hand which means I've already started searchin ebay. My list for things to buy before they're born (mostly based on mumsnet threads like this!) is:
Infant car seat and base (friend has promised us theirs, yay)
A second baby bjorn bouncer
A second stretchy wrap sling
Swaddle cloth type things (didn't need it with DD but need everything in the arsenal this time)
Morrck or similar car seat blanket (again never used with DD as picking one blanket up off the floor wasn't too big a deal...)
Dummies, so many dummies
Few more gro bags
Two buggies (both off ebay, one baby jogger CM double and one baby jogger Select to click two car seats onto), two phil and teds cocoons for when they're newborn in the double
Feeding pillow (got a harmony twin pillow for free off FB already, woop)
Double electric breast pump (will probably hire from hospital) and some new teats for the bottles we've got. We cannot afford to get in the same situation we did with DD where she became a bottle refuser...

For later on
Another cot, they'll hopefully stay in DD's cot for a while, first in our room and later in their own.
A nice big playpen!!!!!!
Maybe another Ergo or another carrier that will double up with our Ergo.

Thanks for the twin carrier ideas - had no idea they existed. Quite a few people have asked us what we'd like as a gift when they're born so that could be a good one.

HeartburnCentral · 15/08/2017 14:58

We're expecting twins too! Exciting once the shock wore off Grin

I'm looking at buggies at the moment. We want one which takes 2 carseats, side by side & parent facing for the first while. I think the Mountain Buggy Duet is one of the only one ticking most of the boxes for us. It is expensive but so are most of the other ones.

During the day, I will keep them in a travel cot (with raised base to avoid too much bending) and the night time, I'm thinking of using older dc's cot bed with a divide (heads towards the centre - feet towards either end). Cellular Blankets for the cot.
I got a baby bath with a plug hole for my older dc and it's really useful for draining afterwards and avoiding accidental flooding when emptying it!
Pick up offers on nappies and wipes where possible.
Advice from Mums of older twins is to try and get both babies on the same routine (wake same time, bed same time, feed same time etc) so it makes it easier to manage and get some rest.
Pop over to the thread for twin Mums to be on the multiple births board (called 'twins due Jan 2018' -some of us are due a bit earlier or later than Jan) and you'll find lots of advice and everyone is sharing their journey. Smile

exhaustedtwinmummy · 15/08/2017 15:39

I don't know if I'm in the right area for anyone (south east) but I am looking to sell a mountain buggy duet. Have raincover, carrycots and footmuffs. Also have a large playpen. Is it best to put a post in the for sale ads with details??? This probably isn't the right place to mention items for sale.

HeartburnCentral · 15/08/2017 21:00

exhaustedtwinmummy I would jump at the chance but unfortunately no where near you Sad. Post on the thread for the m2b expecting twins in Jan on multiple births board and I'm sure you'll make a sale. There is a locals board and classified ads

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