What are the must-haves and best-buys for twins?

[HeatherB]

My sister is pregnant for the first time, expecting twins this summer. While there are plenty of books on parenting twins with all sorts of lists of "what to buy," I'm wondering what natural parenting mamas think are must-haves for parenting twins.

So, what would a mama need if she's breastfeeding, cloth diapering (with a diaper service that provides prefolds, only), etc.? What are essentials for mama, babies, and sanity in those early days?

Also, what are the best-buys for things like double-strollers and baby carriers? My sister lives in an urban environment that tends to be snowy in the winter, and neither she nor her husband drives, so they'll need practical ways to transport twins when going out.

Thanks!
HeatherB

[HeatherB]

Any thoughts? Or current ideas for must-haves for baby, period, and we'll just multiply by 2?

[P.J.]

FYI there is a Parenting Multiples forum here, you're sure to get more of a response there:

http://www.mothering.com/community/forum/list/158    

[HeatherB]

I tried that, first.

[osker]

I would recommend the Moby wrap. You can wear both of them at the same time in that with some practice.  Also, if the stroller is going to be her main mode of transport I would suggest one of the really incredibly pricey double ones. Without car seats she'll need one that starts at birth.  I always dreamt if I had twins I would get the Mountain Buggy with the Double Carrycot.. *swooon*   The Bugaboo is also coming out with a double in April.  There's the double Bob that I've heard is pretty nice as well, but doesn't have the bassinet option.  Definitely something with a bassinet option for both babies, something with big puffy wheels, and, in my opinion, side to side rather than back and front, just works better for me.

Also, she needs a really comfy set up for breast feeding as that is all she will be doing for about six months (or at least it will feel that way!)  A friend of mine with twins got a camelback that sat on the back of the sofa while she nursed because she didn't have any hands to drink water while nursing.

The larger, more square boppy type pillow, My Breast Friend, maybe? seems to be preferred by BF moms of twins. 

She should also have a local moms of multiples group that she can join. They often have listservs of "stuff" and events as well as local support.

Congrats!

[lunarlady]

Contests! I'm not a twin mama myself, but I would recommend a number of wraps in all sizes, or good one size wraps that she can use. Many pocket dips can double as wraps, or can be stuffed with a pre fold to help baby stay dry.

I second a good stroller. I love ones that carry two in one footprint, like a Phil and Teds or the new britax ones. Not perfect when they are itty bitty, but wonderful from 6 months on and so much easier to manuver than a limo classic double.

I would suggest one crib only (not two) until they decide if they need two. And (or) a full size cosleeper if they are going that route.

A high quality brestpump might be a sanity saver. My friend always nursed one at a time while pumping the other side. That way sometimes somebody could give a bottle while she slept. She struggled trying to do both at once because one had a bad latch.

Happy shopping!

[HeatherB]

I *love* the Camelbak idea! Genius!

Thanks so much for the input so far! Keep it coming!

[jasper28]

My twins are 3 1/2 now, but the best 'lifesavers' that I had included, an awesome stroller, a great breastpump, a mommy's helper to come over in the afternoons, and a good coffee maker ;)

I had the double snap-n-go which is great for the early days. Then, I got the phil and teds stroller when they were a little older. Using the infant carriers as long as possible is mandatory when you have two little ones.

I had an ergo baby carrier and then I usually had the other baby in a stroller. There isn't a great two-baby wrap/sling/carrier out there because they are just too heavy.

I had the medela pump-in-style and simple bottles. Don't mess with the fancy multipiece ones when you are making bottles everday. It's just not easy.

Only one crib worked for us until they were nearly 8 months old. We then co-slept or took turns at night. My twins never ended up on the same scheduler. I have a night owl and an early riser!

Two bumbo seats -- two high chairs or boosters  -- but only one baby bath :)

Good luck! Twins are definitely a challenge, but a fun one.

Jas

Mom - 6, 3, 3, and 1

[SeattleRain]

I have two friends with twins who love the Bumbleride Indie Twin and another who really likes the City Mini Double. I have a City Mini and I adore it. It's lightweight, easy to fold and the seats lay all the way flat, making it suitable for birth and up. That being said, it is most convenient for twin mamas to use their infant seats for as long as possible so I'd get a double snap and go. You can often find them on Craigslist. I think Chicco makes a double stroller that accepts both carseats also so that's something to think about, I really liked my Chicco carseat.

[osker]

If they don't drive there's absolutely no reason for them to buy car seats for the babies. Skip the car seats altogether, in my opinion. We live in the city and have to store our car seat in E's tiny closet. It takes up a ton of space and just never gets used.  Get a stroller that lies all the way back and definitely don't buy car seats just for the stroller. There's just no need.

Oh, and definitely register for stroller buntings for the winter! A truly wonderful invention for cold urban travels!

[HeatherB]

Thanks for all the ideas! I'm glad to hear about various strollers. I'm not sure if they need an inflatable tire, i.e., Bob, or something like the Bumbleride or City Mini. I also have a Maclaren twin that I could give them, but I keep thinking she might need a jogger...?

Osker, I would *love* to know how you do things without cars! I live in a non-pedestrian city and so it's entirely foreign to me. They do use cabs here and there as well as buses and trains. I feel like they will need seats, at least for getting home from the hospital (she's not a candidate for home birth ), and for getting places by cab. But they do a LOT of walking, including for groceries and such (though she'll be depending on grocery delivery more and more). Anyway, I feel like they probably need a *really* good stroller as well as easy-to-install seats for the times when they have to use them... But, yeah, storage may be a real pain!

[osker]

We do grocery delivery once every other week for most of our food, and then tiny trips to the store in between if necessary.  We don't actually use the car seat when we take a taxi, but we didn't start riding in a taxi until E was around 4 months.  We use a Mei Tai and hold her tightly.. we only ever take short trips, so we feel okay about it.. I guess..  She's not allowed to stay in her stroller on the bus, it's against the law here, so we don't take the bus very often since we like having the stroller these days. 

She should check laws in her city and think about her plan for bringing the babies home, she may really not need the car seats, or she might have to have them to leave the hospital (in which case I would encourage borrowing them from friends).