If you have twins can you answer a question for me please?

[Pinkkahori]

What would you say the most useful thing you had in the newborn weeks?
My lovely friend is expecting twins and I would love to get her something genuinely useful.
I have 2 children myself but was thinking there might be something I just haven't thought of.
I haven't considered budget yet as I have some time to save so any ideas welcome.
Thanks.

[mammmamia]

I would second bouncy chairs or a giant play mat as you simply have to have somewhere to plonk them down.
Also mine napped in their Babybjorn chairs until about 14 months, it was the only way I could get them both to nap at the same time for a while.
My mum bought me packets of Tesco bakery chocolate chip muffins. I ate them during the night when I was feeding. Helped me to get through it but my teeth were messed up for a while!
I also had this double bath seat from mother care which was brilliant when they could sit up, used it for ages.

[SleightOfMind]

Someone got me a weekly cheese delivery which was a tiny chink of wonderful in the tunnel
As Sidonie said, the good things are subjective but a t- shirt/tea towel/framed print with:

Yes! They’re twins
Ho, ho, double trouble indeed!
Yes, I do have my hands full.
I’m not telling you if they occurred naturally or not. Don’t ask.

If they are B/G, you could add:

They are a boy and a girl. No, they are not identical.

[HN42]

An unlimited supply of flapjack or cereal bars were something I appreciated my mum buying in for me when she visited in those early weeks, I was starving at 3am every night after being up for multiple night feeds and they were good for giving me a little bit more energy to get through the long nights with my twins in the early days.

[sidonie1]

I don’t think it’s much different for twins as with a single birth. Chocolate/meals for the parents and cute outfits/mussies/ or Jojo voucher for babies. I know with my twins I was delighted to have a Jojo voucher gift as i wouldn’t have splashed out myself on nice clothes with so many other financial responsibilities. I heard other twin mums swear by various things I wouldn’t have particularly found useful. All very subjective.

[helhathnofury]

Mine are 13 now and first year a blur, but v pillow very handy for feeding, whichever way she choses. Know you said dont live close enough, but extra pair of hands for cuddles while I could do bit of my own housework (would have hated friends doing that), and gives mum a bit of space even if it is chores.

[sparklynight]

I second the Amazon Prime membership or something like a Tesco grocery delivery saver plan - it is just impossible to get out of the house in the early days.

I would personally steer clear of the perfect prep machine as if she's breastfeeding it will have been a waste of money! Similarly with a breastfeeding cushion - I did a lot of research before choosing the one I wanted so she may want to pick her own one. An alternative would be a twin sling - I just loved mine in the early days.

[gettingalife]

Well, it was 20 years ago now, but a 'v' pillow was my saving grace. Great for breastfeeding or for sitting up when bottle feeding. And a changing table so I didn't have to keep bending over as I changed them (which was relentless!). And nappies in abundance! I wish I'd had such a lovely friend as you when I had mine, she's very lucky

[coldlocation]

Good bouncy chairs, more muslin cloths than you think you could possibly need, an extra nappy bucket, clothes without poppers... But company, someone to make coffee with, someone to come to the supermarket with me, someone to take ds1 out for a bit, someone who took away and processed a couple of laundry loads for me these where the things I really really appreciated.

[snowsuit]

A night nanny. A cleaner. A million burp cloths. Bouncy chairs. And taking them for an hour so she can sleep.

[twincessesmummy]

Twin Z feeding pillow, I didn't end up breastfeeding but it was a great little seat for the girls to sit in.
Also if you have a family member of friend that can make you some freezer meals it will help you a great deal as we never got round to cooking.

[Pennywhistle]

I breastfed and would have been eeayannoyed if you’d given me a perfect prep. I’d also have preferred to choose my own cushion.

However we were bought a giant playmat with baby gym which was awesome and two amazing baby rocker/bouncy chairs which more or less saved my life.

The other great present were baby sleeping bags. They are expensive to buy for two so gifts were very gratefully received.

[MerryMarigold]

Oooh yes, really comfortable pj/ lounge set. I have a black one that can pretty much pass for a tracksuit so if postie knocks I don't need to feel obviously in night clothes.

[rach01pink]

I would say some lovely comfy pyjamas because some days she won't want to get dressed..... Some strong delicious coffee for getting through the day..... 2 bath seats so she can have a shower and put the babies in the bath.... Six million muslin clothes and anything sweet or chocolatey :) xx

[Pinkkahori]

Thanks everyone.

[Potplant]

Baby bouncers were the most useful thing. I can barely remember what most people bought but can vividly recall My friend coming round with two carrier bags full of sandwiches, snacks and fruit (those meal deal things). I was starving, and even making toast took too long.

I've no idea what a perfect prep is though.

[countryhomes]

Someone to sit with them whilst you go to bed for a couple of hours is the best thing ever. No stuff could match sleep.

[Runandbecome]

Baby Bjorm bouncers so they can feed themselves their bottle lying back when they're old enough. Lasts well beyond 12 months old.

[Beyondtheshore]

Amazon Prime subscription! Life saver when it’s so difficult to get to an actual shop.

[mummyhaschangedhername]

Honestly, my early days were just a blur. I think just company, a real friend prepared to listen.

I realise given the distance that isn't practical, but just being there on the phone would have helped me.

Mine slept together as they didn't like being apart, perfect prep wasn't around I don't think (they are 6 now) ... I didn't really lack stuff, but I definitely struggled being able to get out and having company.

Sorry, probably not the most useful reply.

[Baubletrouble43]

have broken down at 3am many a time when doing fifth pyjama change of night.... I had pukers.....

[TheSecondOfHerName]

I did use poppered babygros with the singletons. With the twins, all those poppers after every nappy change just felt like the final straw.

[Baubletrouble43]

Yes TheSecond; poppers are the antichrist!!! Our twins have been in two piece pyjama sets for a long time now. I now hate poppered babygros with a passion!

[MerryMarigold]

I bought myself an extra freezer for the basement before I had twins. V useful!! Is there a 'Cook' near you, really really nice frozen meals but could get her a voucher so she can just buy when she needs.

[fabulous01]

Twins ...and ivf

That was me

My best friend lives 2 hours away and for me a spa day but do you know it you turned up with food, tidied her house even once and let her sleep for an hour she would love you forever

Tell her it is chaos, she will get no sleep for years ... but she wouldn’t swap it for the world