Preparing for twins as a toddler mum

[LorelaiGilmo]

I have a 21 month old daughter and have just found out I'm expecting twins. Due date is September but they'll likely be here in August. My daughter will be 27 months.

I was feeling relatively prepared for a second baby as we kept everything from our first... but now it's all flipped on its head.

Any advice welcomed. Do I need two of everything? Or just the essentials like car seats.

We have an uppababy vista which I'm not overly keen on using as a double for twins. What's the best side by side that can also accommodate a buggy board?

So many questions... I could go on all night. I'm very excited but feeling quite overwhelmed at the moment.

Thanks in advance ❤️

Congratulations OP!
I haven't had twins but my brother has and one of my close friends.
The bugaboo donkey would be my first choice, the bugaboo buggy board also has a seat attachment so your daughter could sit down if she gets tired. Theres lots of great condition ones on FB marketplace if you didn't want to buy new.
When they are tiny they often like to share a crib or bassinet of the pram so you might only use one the first few weeks.

Congratulations! We found out today we are having twins which will be due end of September when our son will be 2 years 3 months. This was a complete shock to us and I am trying to process it! I feel excited but also terrified. Like you, we have the Uppababy Vista. We had everything sorted in preparation for 2 so need to rethink!! How are you feeling? I am absolutely exhausted and only 7 weeks... Would love anyone's advice too!

Thanks for the messages guys I really appreciate it ❤️

Massive congratulations to you too! It's such a shock isn't it.

I have really struggled this time (after having basically a symptomless pregnancy with my first). Constant nausea and tiredness. I was signed off work for 2 weeks at around 7 weeks and it was the best thing I could've done.

I think we're going to get the bugaboo donkey and I've seen bundles that come with car seats and isofix bases. I thought about converting the vista but I'm not keen on stacking newborns and I want that to be available for my daughter if the grandparents want to take her out.

Trying to think of every eventuality is hard. I've read that you actually don't need 2 of EVERYTHING so we are going to work with the one baby best, bouncer, and swing to begin with and see how we get on.

Congratulations! And to @journeytomum too!

I had a gap of 2 years 2 months between my eldest and my twins - they're now 6 and 4 and it's an age spread that works really well in terms of them all playing together, days out suited to all of them, etc.

Agree that there isn't much you need two of. A twin feeding pillow is useful though, regardless of how you choose to feed.

Do check that you car can fit 3 car seats because there aren't many than can, especially if they're all Isofix seats. We ended up buying a Ford S-Max and are pleased with it.

Finally, look into the charity Homestart - they have volunteers who help families in a range of challenging circumstances, and multiple births is on their list of criteria. They linked me up with a retired woman who'd had twins herself, who came to us for 2 hours a week for literally anything I wanted help with - an extra pair of hands to go to the park, watching the kids so I could have a bath, pitching in with the housework to help me get on top of it, etc.

Thanks, it's so useful to have your insight from real experience!
We definitely need a new car as our tiguan only has 2 isofix points. I'm leaving that up to my partner and he's happy about that!

Can you recommend a specific feeding pillow? I am planning to combi feed and have looked a few but they all seem quite different.

I combi fed too. My feeding pillow was like this one but I've got to admit, I didn't realise there were different kinds!

https://direct.asda.com/george/baby/baby-feeding/breastfeeding/kinder-valley-twin-nursing-pillow/050297557,default,pd.html?cmpid=ppcgeoreor----dskwid--dm&utmcampaign=pla::HomeBAUU-PerformanceeMax&utmsource=google&utmmmedium=cpc&gadsource=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA0PuuBhBsEiwAS7fsNS4HUPqWoxBEFxyL8EmCCymBsw5CoZu00ESycBmQp7rIAqkhNYesBxoCzEsQAvDBwE&gclsrc=aw.ds