Now that we have talked about what baby gear you need for twins, it’s time to talk about all the other fun stuff you will need for the precious pair.

A basic layette for twins (Layette-basic wardrobe and bedding for a newborn)

This would apply for the smaller sizes where they are mainly wearing simple soft outfits, i.e.  0-3, 3-6 and maybe 6-9.  You likely could get by with a few less of each in the newborn size since they will move through it fairly quickly. A few preemie outfits will probably come in handy also. My twins were 6lb 3oz and 6lb 13oz at birth and wore the preemie size for a couple weeks.

14-16 Basic onesies

12-14 sleepers

Gowns-This depends on your preferences. Some people love them and some don’t. They are great for easy night time changes.  Get a couple if you think you will like them.

8 pairs of soft cotton pants

2 hoodies or sweaters

20 pairs of socks

12 Soft simple hats

6+ Blankets (you will get plenty as gifts)

2-4 Swaddling blankets-We LOVED the large square flannel blankets for swaddling. We used the Swaddle Designs brand (in the picture above) but they would also be easy to make. They are 43″ square flannel with finished edges.

10 Bibs (unless your kids are big spitters/droolers). We did not use these as much as we expected to.

20-25 Burp rags (I like to use the rectangular cloth diapers and found these endlessly useful)

A couple pairs of the little mittens-These keep babies from scratching their face. (You can also use socks for this instead).

Soft soled leather shoes-Like Robeez. You can find similar shoes for cheaper at Target and other places. Great for keeping their feet warm and don’t fall off easily. They also don’t inhibit foot growth and development.

Waterproof lap pads. These are a little bigger than the size of a phone book and are wonderful to put under your babies buns when you change them so that you don’t need as many changing pad covers in your rotation. I get ours at Target under their Circo brand.

2 Changing pad covers

2 Bassinet or co-sleeper sheets

4 crib sheets-Two for each crib after they begin to sleep separately

2 mattress covers

Other little things

Binkies-Start with a couple and buy more if your babies like them. We like the Mam brand.

Thermometer (Some hospitals will send you home with them)

2-Nasal aspirators-We loved the Nuby brand that comes apart to clean and found them at Walgreens. I like having one for each baby.

Fingernail clipper

Dirty laundry container-We used a small rectangular garbage can with little handles on the side.

Diapers-Disposable or cloth. Twins use a lot of diapers and using cloth is a wonderful way to save money. Possibly start with disposables and then when things subtle down consider the switch to cloth. I fully recommend them.*See below for more information on sizes of disposables.

Wipes-Unless I get a great deal elsewhere, we use the Kirkland brand at Costco.

Baby wash

Diaper cream

Baby Tylenol

Feeding- Depend on how you plan to feed your babies, here are some things you might need.

Bottles-We liked Dr. Brown’s BPA free version

Bottle scrubber

Bottle drying rack

Breast Pump-I used the popular, but expensive Medela Pump in Style

Breast milk storage bags

Lansinoh cream-Great for soreness from nursing

Nursing pads-I liked the washable Gerber ones. The disposable ones can really add up.

Nursing cover-Try Etsy for some cute affordable ones.

Dishwasher caddy-Holds all the little things in a cage-like container so they don’t go flying around.

Things we did not use much of

Baby lotion

Little shoes-When our kids started walking they wore a size 4.

Things to consider

If you twins are the same gender, you will likely be able to get away with buying a bit less of clothes.  Since they can share the same stash and one may be more of the “explosive” while the other does not need as many clothing changes you might need a few less in your rotation.

If you have boy/ girl twins you will get more use out of some clothing items if they can go on either baby.  While it is very fun to have gender-specific clothes for each of them, it does not matter what color some items are and it is easier to organize,  dress, and do laundry if you just have some basic white pieces.  Go for gender-specific sleepers and outfits, and neutral socks, onesies, etc.

Regarding diapers-When we were using disposable exclusively, we used the newborn size for a bit, then onto size 1 for about a month, then spent awhile in the size 2, and then a long time in size 3. If you are asking for diapers as gifts don’t get a huge stash of the tiny sizes as you may not be able to go through them (sometimes you can exchange them though for bigger sizes if that happens).

This list can be easily modified for triplets or more.  Enjoy preparing for your babies and let me know if you have any questions. If you are a parent already, feel free to leave a comment about your favorite  layette or other small baby items that you loved having.

This is a Public Service Announcement!

This morning as I was preparing for family pictures I decided to look for that one missing hat I needed to reach Gymboree Matching Bliss (G.M.B.) (don’ t judge me, I used coupons).  I figured I should look in the diaper bag to make sure it had not been shoved in on some recent outing.  As I was pulling things out of my very full bag I was surprised by the lack of importance of the things I was carrying.  The bag was full, but there was nothing very interesting in it. (Kind of like, “The lights are on but nobody’s home”).

That is until I reached the bottom.  I was hoping to find a cupcake hat, and what I found instead would frighten anyone…..”WHAT THE  PETUNIA PICKLE BOTTOM IS GOING ON DOWN HERE”?  The further I got down I was realizing things were starting to become attached to each other by magical mystery sticky stuff.  Then I found something even worse…..the black fuzz of death! MOLD, yes, mold.  Now it was not as bad as last time…..yes there was a last time (and I don’t want to talk about it)….but the black fuzz of death is never a good thing.  I am not sure how it happens,  I am a fairly clean person, I try and never throw nasty stuff in my bag, everything kinda has its own spot and has a bag to go into…..How could this be happening again? Maybe it is because my bag is really deep and can hold tons? Not sure.

But, it’s a good thing my bag is washable! So, inside out it goes on a gentle cycle cycle with mild soap after a good scrubbing with an old toothbrush.  After that it will get a rotisserie treatment in front of a fan.  It will be as good as new (sort of) tomorrow.

Let this serve as a reminder to dump those bags occasionally!

Am I the only one that has had a  gross experience that gives new meaning to the word “grab bag”?  Hope not!

Now where IS that cupcake hat?

Here is a buying guide in honor of our close friends who just found out TODAY that they are having boy/girl twins!

Deciding what you need for twins can be a tricky thing.  Its hard to know what you need two of and what items you can just get by with one of.  After having twins myself and being a baby gear fanatic, here are my thoughts on the combination of gear that worked best for us.  You could definitely get by with less, but you should be able to easily save LOTS by buying “used” and borrowing when you can.

(2) Infant car seats with bases – My choice is the Graco Snugride.  Easy to find, good safety ratings, many color options in a variety of price points.  This is one of the few things that I would recommend buying new.

(2) Cribs – Pick a finish you will be happy with for years.  If you have more children, you will want to still love your crib.

(2) Mattresses – Yes, you have to buy them separately from the cribs and YES, they can be pricey.  Get an inexpensive one, but not the cheapest one you can find.  Many kids also sleep on these throughout the toddler years either as their crib converts to a toddler bed, or as the mattress in their new toddler bed, and you will want it to be comfortable for them and last.

(1) Changing table or changing table pad to go on top of a safe surface.

(1) Regular swing – I like the ones that look like little nests that can go back and forth or front to back. My pick is one of the Full Size Fisher-Price Cradle Swings.

(1) Small portable swing – These are great because they can be moved around the house easily and can even be used as a place for the baby to just sit safely even when the swing is not on.  We loved ours and even took it when we went places (like a friends house for dinner). My choice is the Fisher-Price Take Along Swing in “Woodlands”.

(1…or 2) Bouncer – Great “chill” spots for babies to rest, nap, or watch their surroundings. My pick is the Fisher-Price Soothe n’ Play Bouncer in “Woodlands.”

(1) Activity mat – We loved ours and used it endlessly.  Perfect for twins because they can lay under it together or have tummy time and face each other. My choice is the Baby Einstein Baby Neptune Ocean Adventure Gym or the less expensive Infantino Lil’ Lion’s Happy Hangout Activity Gym.

(1) Entertainer – These are those big fun things that kids sit in the middle of that have little toys and activities attached to the tray all around them. My choice is the Baby Einstein Discover and Play Activity Center or the less expensive Bright Starts Bounce-A-Bout Activity Center.

(1) Jumper – Some are free standing (my first choice) and some hang from a doorway (which work great if you have a doorway with a jamb somewhere near your central living space).  First choice for free-standing jumper is the Fisher-Price Jumperoo in “Precious Planet.

-It’s great to have one entertainer and one free-standing jumper because they can play side by side and can switch back and forth between the two for some variety.

(1) Baby bath – These don’t need to be very expensive.  I like the ones that have the little net that can be suspended in the bath for babies when they are little. My choice is The First Years Sure Comfort Newborn-Toddler Tub.

(2) Highchairs – Features I love: wheels, removable tray inserts that can be washed in the dish washer, easy-to-clean waterproof seats. My choice is the Fisher-Price Rainforest Deluxe Highchair.

(1) Boppy – I did not find these supportive enough for nursing, but loved them for cozy spots for the babies (especially when they were swaddled).  Start with one, and if you love it, get a second.

(1) Stroller – A stroller that holds two baby carriers that I love is the Kolcraft Contours Options Tandem Plus. Our favorite stroller as our kids got bigger was the BOB Revolution Duallie. Can’t say enough about the BOB. If you prefer a light weight side by side, I would recommend a Maclaren.

(1) Diaper Bag – For twins I recommend a backpack bag (or one with a long shoulder strap that you can wear across your body) with plenty of room.  Your arms will be full enough from the babies to use them to hold a bag.

If you plan to have the babies sleep in your room (which I highly recommend for your sanity) you will either need to have one of your cribs in there temporarily for them to share, or get some sort of place for them to sleep.  I LOVED our Co-Sleeper.  For twins you will need the original size (not the mini).  Ours slept in the Co-Sleeper together in our room until they were 6 mo. and then moved into their nursery and shared a crib, and later moved to their own cribs after they were more wiggly.

If you plan to be staying somewhere overnight sometime within the first 2(ish) years you will greatly appreciate having 2 pack n plays.  I would recommend a basic one.  For most people who already have a bassinet, changing table etc., the other features aren’t necessary.

Other great things if you can afford them:

(1) A wrap or sling for wearing one of the babies when they are little (you can wear both babies in one Moby wrap when they are still tiny) and an Ergo (or 2) for when they get bigger if you find you enjoy wearing them. We have used our Ergos endlessly!

Some sort of a chair that rocks easily. Gliders are perfect for this and can often be found “used” for a great price.

A nursing pillow made for use with twins – These are wonderful if you plan to nurse because they have a lot more support and are made with enough surface area to feed two babies at once. My choice is the EZ-2-Nurse Twins pillow.

(1) Bumbo

Baby Monitor-If you have a larger home or anticipate needing one of these. they can be nice to have.

This list is huge, but don’t get overwhelmed.  As I said before, you can find many of these things used. Craigslist is a great resource for baby gear.

Important tip:

Make sure that anything you buy used or borrow is in good working order and has not been recalled.

As my kids get older I am realizing that I need to be much more intentional with my parenting.  We are out of the “infant survival stage” and into the “young toddler stage”.  I don’t want to wish down the road that I had made better use of my time with them.  Many days have gone by and I wished I had read them one more book, taught them another skill, or trained them rather than just occupy them.

Here are some of the things we are working on at 18 months.

• Holding my hand nicely and walking with me to the next activity (diaper change, hand wash, etc) rather than just picking them up and taking them there or having them go limp because they don’t want to transition.
• Coming when I call them over to me.
• Sharing my lap.
• Working on our attention span while reading.
• Pretending with food and cooking.
• Sitting on the furniture rather than standing.
• Using coloring crayons and colored pencils. (Holding them better, using the right side, switching between colors, learning how to make all sorts of lines and scribbles)
• Sharing (this will be a continual lesson).
• Very early skills of dressing themselves (helping me pull their shirts over their head, putting their arms in their jackets).
• Keeping all their food on their trays.
• Easy puzzles.
• Going on more walks around the neighborhood without a stroller to practice walking together nicely and following directions.
• Using words like “under,” “behind,” “close,” and using colors to describe where and what objects are and then asking them to give them to each other or bring it to me.

Any tips for me?

What are you working on with your kids right now?

Cheryl at Twinfatuation asks, “What memories make your mid-week wonderful?”

As I was looking through my older pictures I found these gems from the babies first trip to the beach (age 6ish mo).  It was on this trip we discovered our favorite beach access.  It has a little nicely paved driveway and you can drive your car right on to the beach.  As new parents we were thrilled that we could get out of our car and be ON the beach.  No hiking down necessary.  When the kids are done you just wipe off your feet,  get in the car, and drive away.  When the kids were little we also loved to be able to put them back in their car seats when they were needing a familiar cozy place.  We would leave their doors open and let them enjoy the view while we sat in the front seat in quiet and stared at the ocean.

Other reasons I love these pictures…..

• It was their first time wearing their little hats from papa that we LOVED.  I just actually packed them away last week.

• It was also their first time wearing their Hanna Anderson outfits I had been anxious to get them into.

• (I also remember thinking that the hats did not match with their outfits, but that did not stop me.)

Go check out Cheryl’s site to see other people who are getting in on the fun today!