Twin Essentials {my favorite gear for the first 3 months}
Our identical twin boys turn three months tomorrow, and… what’s that? Yep, you heard me right! Identical. We went ahead and did Twin Zygosity testing to find out for sure- I was just dying to know. I’m still floored because although everyone else (except for Primrose) mixes them up constantly, I never have.
Honestly, you could blindfold me and hand me a baby and I could identify him in two seconds flat.
They look quite different to me. But Andy feels more justified now when he comes home, scoops up a baby, and asks, “So who do I have?” while he plants a kiss cheekside. :)
I know some of you are expecting twins, so I thought I’d take a minute to tell you about the gear that has been most helpful to us so far.
Calling these “essentials” is a bit of an exaggeration. But Andrew Pudewa tells me to come up with good strong titles, so I’m sticking to it. ;)
Also, in the interest of full disclosure, there are Amazon affiliate links within this post. When you use one of those links and make a purchase (of anything, in fact- not just the item I linked to), I get a little kickback from Amazon- play money that I get to spend however my little heart desires.
All that to say, I’d love it if you used them- Mama wants a new pair of Danskos. ;)
So… here we go! In no particular order…
(Some links are affiliate links.)
1. The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
This first one isn’t twin specific- it’s just the best breastfeeding book on the market, period. I’ve spent nearly 4 years breastfeeding, all put together (and counting!), and I still refer to this book constantly. If you are planning to breastfeed, you need it.
2. Mothering Multiples: Breastfeeding and Caring for Twins or More
I read a slew of books on multiples while pregnant, and this is probably the only one I would suggest purchasing.
Most books on multiples seem to be geared toward brand new parents.
They are probably immensely helpful to first-time parents who are expecting twins, but they have little to offer someone who wants the nitty gritty on how caring for twins is going to look different than caring for a singleton.
This one has come in handy more than once, though, and I’m glad I have it.
3. A nursing pillow (or two)
I have two, and I like them each for different purposes. I’ll give you the low-down on each so that you can decide for yourself which one will meet your needs best.
Honestly, I wouldn’t want to do without either of these, so if you can spring for it you might want to get both. Hear me out:
My Brest Friend Twins Plus Deluxe Nursing Pillow
What I love about it: It makes tandem nursing easy- there is actually a bit of an indentation in the top of the pillow that makes it easy to adjust one baby without worrying that the other is going to roll right off.
Also, I can tandem nurse and have both hands free. This is important because in the wee hours of the night I like to listen to lectures on classical education while playing Angry Birds. (Come on, it’s not that weird.)
What I don’t love about it: The velcro. It gets hair and other unidentifiable objects stuck in it. That back support thing is helpful, but it really needs to be higher- I feel like I have to hunch over a bit while nursing.
It’s also hot. If nursing twins isn’t already sweaty business, this thing is covered in fleece and I often feel like I’m sitting in an oven while I’m using it. I may appreciate this more in the winter months, but in the summer it’s less appealing.
Twin Z Pillow
It’s a nursing pillow as well, but I like it best for other things:
What I don’t love about it: I find it a bit more awkward to tandem nurse on than the Brest Friend. Although the back support is fabulous and it’s definitely not the sweltering oven that the Brest Friend is, I can’t nurse hands-free with the Twin-Z.
I have to support the babies’ heads all throughout the feeding. Because of the back support, I choose this pillow if I’m going to sit on the floor to tandem nurse. Otherwise, I pretty much always choose the Brest Friend when it’s feeding time.
What I love about it: This pillow has been a lifesaver for the boys’ reflux. We are able to easily prop them after feedings, which is essential. They really like sitting in it, and I find myself putting them there rather than in the bouncy seat.
We also use it for tummy time- the little boost it gives makes tummy time much more interesting- they can see what’s going on around them instead of constantly jamming their poor faces into the floor.
You can see even more uses for the pillow (including bottle-feeding) at the website.
4. Swaddling Gear
My first four babies weren’t big into swaddling, but the twins have made a convert of me. They looooove a good swaddle, and still prefer to be swaddled whenever it’s time to sleep. My go-to swaddlers are Woombies. They look like straight jackets, but they. Are. Awesome.
I bought mine from the Woombies Clearance Bin, because it’s “Buy 1 Get 1 Same” there, and that’s exactly what a twin mom wants, right? Two that match?
I put my little guys into their Woombies every night at bedtime, and they have slept so much better at night ever since.
For daytime swaddling, I tend to use Hudson Baby Muslin blankets. They are so much easier to swaddle a baby in than receiving blankets are, and I love how light they are.
They stretch just enough to get a good swaddle going on, and the waffle texture makes them soft and cozy.
These will likely be my standard baby shower gift from here on out, for twin and singleton moms alike. Every new mama needs them.
5. Swings
I’m not going to recommend any brand of swing in particular, but you do need a swing. Actually, you need two.
I never had a swing for any of my first four babies- we lived in very small spaces for our first three, and then by the time we had Posy, I knew there would be enough arms to pass her around, and I preferred baby-wearing.
My dear friend with twins told me we’d need them this time around, but still we didn’t have any when we brought the twins home from the hospital.
Two weeks later I went begging that same friend to lend me hers (thanks Chris!). They get used every day.
Enough said.
6. Joovy Twin Roo Car Seat Stroller
This thing is the family workhorse- I use it every single time I leave the house.
I love that it’s not super-long like a regular twin stroller. I love that the car seats snap right in. It’s easy to get in and out of the car, rides smooth, and is easy to push.
It’s just a win all around- I’m so glad we bought it.
More essential than anything else on this list: a good man who struts with all the confidence in the world while pushing twins and slingin’ a breastfeeding pillow over his shoulder.
Even better: a man who can do it with a passel of children and a smile on his face. :)
7. Car Seat Canopies
I bought these for the obvious use of protecting the babies from sun and wind, but the real beauty of these bad boys? They keep strangers from getting all up in your babies’ business.
Have twins, and you become the Center of Attention wherever you go.
If it was just a little hands-off oohing and aahing it would be one thing, but things never end there.
I’m sure they mean well, those ladies at the supermarket checkout, but they have hands that have been rubbing dirty carts, shaking people’s hands, wiping runny noses, and touching who-knows-what-else.
Then, without asking, they reach those hands right into the baby’s carseat and touch the ONE THING EVERY BABY PUTS IN HIS MOUTH.
And then, while rubbing all those germs over your tiny baby’s soft hand, they sweetly coo and go on about how precious your babies are, but all you can think about is the Scarlet Fever they have infected your babies with by their mindless ogling.
The cure? Car seat canopies.
They work! People will still ask to see your babies, of course, but the key is that they have to ask. This way you pull back the canopy just enough for them to get a little peek (but not wide enough for them to reach in and distribute said Scarlet Fever).
You smile and enjoy all the compliments about sweet cheeks and bright blue eyes, and then velcro closed the canopy and go on your merry way.
It’s brilliant, really.
8. Twin Zygosity Testing
If you are pregnant with twins, know this: the first question you will get for the rest of your life is, “Are they identical or fraternal?”
People are curious, that’s all there is to it.
Honestly? You’ll be curious, and it’s not as cut and dry as you might think.
My twins had two sacs and two placentas and yet they are identical. How do we know? We forked up a hundred bucks and swabbed our boys’ cheeks.
It’s as simple as that, and it will quell your curiosity if you are like me and are just dying to know everything you can about your new little sweeties.
Luv the article, I’m grandma and my son will be going from 1 toddler to 3 twins due this October.
I would like to prepare myself for the best way to assist them.
Any advice on things I need to have will be greatly appreciated.
Great full
Marie
Are their special car seats that have to go with the stroller or does any car seat fit?
Thank you! We’re expecting twin girls for Christmas. I’ve been looking at various items and contemplating how necessary they are.
I know exactly what you mean about germs. In my area whooping cough has made a tremendous come back and I’ve had arguments with family over whether or not they were going to get their tDap updated. Those that are fighting it have already been told that they will not get to be around the babies until they do.
I was thinking with twins and letting them wear those matching hair accessories that you can get from https://hairclippy.com/baby-hair-clips would be something that I would be so jealous with.
Just a question about books. Did you find a book on nutrition during your pregnancy helpful? I would like to avoid an early delivery and NICU stay if possible but am finding it so hard to eat in the first trimester with twins.
Protein, protein, protein! Lots of people have found the suggestions from the Brewer diet helpful: http://drbrewerpregnancydiet.com/id32.html
Thank you, Kortney! It is all so daunting.
Sarah, the picture of your boys in the Twin Z pillow is about the cutest things I have ever seen! I have never seen that pillow before. Your boys are cute!
first id like to say that your boys are very handsome. Now that thats out the way,i think that you’re a great writer(one writer to another) your down to earthness and humor was just right. I could read your blogs/post all day. Great info. . . thank you much. My twin girls are due March 13, 2017. They also are in separate sacs with their own placenta. Their dad and i both reeeeally wanna know if they are identical,and you sharing your story gave me hope that maybe just maybe we could have identical twins. Because whats the fun of being a twin otherwise. Thanks, and keep writing ill be reading.
Praying for you through that last stretch of twin pregnancy! :) So happy to meet you, Faren.
Thanks for the recommendations-very helpful. We have 3 children and found out last week we are expecting twins-so much to think about. I had been wondering about nursing pillows, swings, and had not considered the stroller, but it looks handy.
Thanks so much! I have 2 girls 4.5 and 2.5 and expecting twins (waiting until birth to find out sex) due Sept 2016. And was wondering how on earth am I going to nurse tandem in public…like I did with the singleton pregnancies. Is it really that different or if Im committed – anything is possible!? Lol
Your stroller, can you use any click car seat in it? Or do you have to use certain type?
Thank you so much for sharing! We have 4 boys and decided to try “one more time” for the girl. (expecting it to be another boy ;-) ) But we just had our first ultrasound and discovered twins! We’re shocked and overwhelmed. Twins don’t run in our family and we never used fertility treatments so I thought it was impossible. We are pros at having babies and caring for them…but twins!? It’s unknown territory and I’m scared! I appreciate any tips and advice I can find. I enjoyed ready yours. Thanks again!
I am purchasing most of your suggestions for my daughter, expecting twins in June. I am going to attempt to make the Twin Z and wondered if the material inside is a poly- fill or more like the bean bag beads? I appreciate your hints and tips. Looking forward to being a first time Grandma!
Thanks,
Dianne
More like poly- fill. :) Congratulations!!
I am expecting twins and a woman with triplets made some great recommendations, I have the city select stroller not the joovy and I love it, boppy loungers just like the pillow recommended but separate incase you want to move one. And they have these bottle props on Easy that seem handy. Also I was told the breast friend pillow is the best as well for feeding. Good Luck!
Im having my first pregnancy and its Twins !!!!!
Super exciting, Mary Ann. Congrats!!!
Great suggestions! All of them! My sister is having twins in a couple months and I want to get her that stroller! My question is, is it made for a specific kind of car seat or is it pretty universal? She bought a twin stroller a few weeks ago but you had to buy the particular brand of car seats it was made for. Just wondering what kind of car seats you used.
That stroller works with a certain kind of Chico and Graco carseat– I can’t remember which, but the Amazon listing might say. We used Graco car seats and liked them a lot.
cut to length line
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Praise God for your beautiful children and wonderful manly husband.
I look forward to sharing this post with a friend who just had girl twins. They are her number 6 & 7.
can’t stop laughing. :) LOVE THIS
Gracious what a fun post to read and I’m not even pregnant! Ha! Your comment about tandeming middle of night with classical lecture and Angry Birds, oh the image gave me an out loud hoot! You are a fun sweet mommy that I hope somehow someday we can meet IRL!!!! And tell Andy he is a rock star dad for sure. Oh and one more and ;) you are SO right about the scarlet fever!
Hi Sarah – I love this post. The car seat canopy is great! You are thriving, as are the twins. Great job!! I shared your recommendations here: http://homeplacehomeschool.blogspot.com/2013/10/five-favorites-making-of-champion.html?m=1
Thanks for this post! A friend of mine shared it with me. :) We are expecting di/di boys by November 29. (So … any day now maybe?? I am 34 weeks now and feeling HUGE!) I was eyeing that Mothering Multiples book and just bought the Brest Friend pillow.
Identical! Whatdayaknow, certainly not the first time I’ve been wrong. ;-)
So glad you know too, cuz you just gotta know!
Your list looks great. Where were you when I was having my first kids almost 30 years ago?! Or, more importantly, when my sis had twins 29 years ago…….. ;-)
Identical after all! Great post for someone expecting twins. You’ll laugh I’m sure, I had a dream the other night that I’d had the baby and I had quadruplet boys!!!! Woke dh and told him (why not he gets to share the joy;) he said it probably meant I am having a boy and the 4 thing was my 4 boys in a row. maybe.. I’m only having a singleton I know (when it’s not the middle of the night and I’m more rational)
Love the pics, fav is the one of the boys peering over their pillow, a framer that one.
sooo helpful Sarah, especially since I keep feeling like I’m back to square one, going on no.s 4 and 5 with these twins. I keep thinking, “this is how I normally do it, but will it be the same?? I have two questions: first the nursing in public thing: do you have a nursing cover, and do you find that it gets the job done pretty well in keep you covered for two, or do you need to ‘take extra measures’ to make sure you’re not showing? Also, do you think it’s worth the money to buy a good quality stroller? I have a friend who offered a used double Graco stroller, and I’m wondering whether I need to spend the money on a good one, or whether I really won’t be going very far with 5 kids, two being new twins? thanks!!!
I love the picture with Posy’s hands on their heads. That is so awesome they are identical! I heard once the Olsen twins are not identical and I always thought they were.
That pillow looks so neat! We just found out we will have our fifth little one in June, and this baby and my current baby will only be 13 months apart. Maybe a pillow like that would come in handy when they want to be next to each other…or maybe this little one could be two little ones!?
I just found your blog and I’m so glad I did. I’m 30 weeks today with boy/girl twins! My hubby and I were going back and forth about the twin z pillow and you’ve convinced me to get it (if I don’t win -what an awesome giveaway!).
I was wondering about the book you mentioned second. Would it still be worth having if you were only planning on breastfeeding for a few weeks?
Your boys are so sweet and seeing them makes me so excited to meet our little peanuts!
No, I wouldn’t buy the second book if you’ll only be breastfeeding for a short time. I probably would buy the first one, however. That is definitely the more helpful of the two. :)
My favorite is #7 & I loved how you described it! So true!
Identical!!! How exciting! :) And I absolutely love that picture with Posy. Too cute!
Not going to enter the giveaway because this baby in utero is definitely a singleton. I hope a mom expecting twins wins it though, because it look so so great.
Also, I feel very stupid and quite the naive mother of 5, soon to be 6, but what do you do with that stroller once the babies are out of infant seats? Are there toddler seats that snap in it? My babies were all fat and out of infant car seats very early, so I’m thinking strollers like that are sort of a waste?
No, you’re right- this stroller is only useful as long as the babies are in infant seats. And I’d be inclined to agree with your take on it being something of a waste if it wasn’t so darn useful! I think my mindset as far as gear goes has shifted from finding things that will be of use for the longest time to finding things that will just help us survive! :) I wasn’t sure how much we’d actually use this stroller, but we do- constantly!
Oh I agree about those swings;)
But my favorite part of this post– Andy lugging the nursing pillow! Oh my goodness I laughed out loud. When I had my twins, I attached myself to my nursing pillow in a very serious way- that thing went everywhere with me. And then when they got a little bigger, my friend, whose twins were a couple months older, would meet me at the park and whatnot and she always, without fail, would bring two exersaucers–yes, those gigantic things– everywhere. At first I giggled but then realized how genius it was when her crawling twins were strapped in, happy, and she could push her toddler in the swing:)
Genius, yes! All that minimalist I-don’t-need-all-that-baby-gear mojo goes out the window with twins, I think. Because yes! I actually DO! :)
Even more genius: The “Go-Pod.” It’s a “saucer” that folds up like a canvas chair, into a little pouch with a shoulder carrying strap. Had mine in the yard sale stuff, and it’s the first thing I pulled out when I found out another was on the way! I didn’t give a whit what people thought of me taking the saucer places (well, it annoyed me that people thought it was funny), but with the Go-Pod, I actually got compliments on how cool and useful it was!
http://www.amazon.com/Go-Pod-P7002-in-Pistachio-Color/dp/B005ESDKL4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1382117537&sr=8-3&keywords=go-pod
They have such cool things nowadays! Oh, I sound sooooo old. Crum.
A friend has identical twin girls and she told me to tell you that identical twins aren’t 100% identical (especially to mama). Her girls have noticeable differences. (Honestly I can’t tell them apart though, lol!)
Hi Sarah! You can tell Andrew Pudewa you’re such a good writer that even old ladies read your advice on baby gear just for the entertainment factor. The pictures are all wonderful of course but I especially love the one of Posy and her babies! Love! The one of Andy is great too (at first glance he looks like the green thing is on his head) and had us thinking of the Handy Dandy Fold Away Baby Emergency Travel Kit (and the Float-A-Boat and the Slug-A-Bug …). You didn’t tell us where to get one like him so clearly he must be heaven-sent. And So Glad y’all are saved from Scarlet Fever! Brilliant indeed. xo
I love the Posy photo bomb! I’m sure it’s only the beginning in a very long career of photobombing!
Hahahaha! I’m sure you’re right! :)
Where I am not expecting let along expecting twins, the information you provide is fantastic. Thank you for sharing so much with the rest! And that pic of your “confident” husband…that is freaking awesome!! Love it :) Have a great weekend and a blessed Sunday!
Identical twins! :) Love the pics of those boys. Especially the one where Posy was getting in on it.
Thanks so much for all the great recommendations. I have one swing, but it looks as though I might want to borrow another one! And the twin Z pillow looks SO handy, especially for tummy time as you said. I laughed when I saw the pic of Andy with the nursing pillow slung over his shoulder while pushing the twins – that’s great!
Thanks for the chance to win the Twin Z pillow!
Identical! That’s exactly what I was checking in here to see–if you had found out yet! How exciting and fun! But they never will be identical to their mama! Glad you got the swings (swings=sanity). The stroller looks amazing. And, oh, the germs! Ack! It amazes me how some people are so oblivious to this–not just in their own homes, but in stores! My kids are never more prone to coming down with a sniffle or sore throat than after a day of many-errands running, in and out of stores and a restauraunt! My new find: Fragrance-free foaming hand sanitizer. Not messy and works in a pinch and you don’t have to do the whole “six-kids-trek-clear-across-the-store” bit to the bathroom to get everyone washed up.
LOVE the pics, and love your most essential gear–that husband. You are blessed there and you know it! :-) Prayers continue for you to find your “groove” and get a little blessed sleep and rest. But, oh! Just look at all those beautiful faces you’re surrounded by every day! What a gift!
Thanks for this. It is a great resource!