A thousand thoughts and questions will swirl in your mind when you hear that you are having twins. You wonder if you will need two of everything, whether there is any special equipment you will need to buy as you realise that what works for a single child may not apply when you are expecting twins. A good place to start is to make a twin essentials checklist and tick what are the must have products for twins. The next thing to keep in mind is what you will need as soon as the twins are born and what you will not need until they are older. Here’s a list of the quantity and type of things to add to your twin baby registry list which will give you a headstart.
Sleep Accessories
- You will definitely need 2 cribs and it’s best to buy those that convert into toddler beds so you won’t have to buy them separately.
- 2 mattresses as each crib will require its own mattress. They should be durable, firm and stain-resistant.
- 2 bassinets are a great option as babies love confined spaces as it reminds them of their mother’s womb or if your twins don’t take to their cribs.
- 6 fitted sheets for the cribs and organic cotton sheets are the best option as they are soft and of a good quality. This ensures that you always have clean sheets.
- 4 swaddles as they will keep your twins warm and comfortable so that they sleep well.
- 4 thick blankets which can be used to cover your twins or to place them on the floor for tummy time.
- 4 light blankets which you can use as a light swaddle, burp cloth, breastfeeding cover or as a shade to keep the sun out of their eyes when they are out in the stroller.
- 4 pacifiers which they might need to soothe themselves. It is best to get different coloured ones so that they don’t get mixed up for your twins.
- 4 sleep sacks if they don’t like swaddles as it keeps them warm. They come in different textures depending on the season.
- A white noise machine as it will help your twins sleep longer as it drowns out sudden sounds that may startle them. An alternative to this is a regular fan or downloaded music on your phone.
- A baby monitor is a must if you want to check on your twins without opening the door or if your room is far from their room. The monitor can be placed next to you and you can check on them conveniently.
Diaper Change Accessories
- A changing table is a must and one with drawers to store clothes is the best. You can also get one with shelves to hold wipes, diapers, wipes and other essentials.
- 1 changing pad for the changing table. They are usually waterproof and some have a safety belt to buckle your babies so they don’t roll off.
- 3 changing pad covers which are like fitted sheets to go over the changing pad.
- 1 diaper pail and diaper pail bags preferably with odour control so that it doesn’t smell.
- 2 boxes of newborn diapers preferably in the smallest size as twins are generally small.
- 1 box of wipes
Bathing Accessories
- One infant bathtub is enough as you can only bathe one baby at a time. It’s best to get one with a hammock type mesh top so that they don’t slip in.
- 14 to 20 washcloths for the baby body wash.
- 4 hooded towels that cover their heads and keep the surface that you lay them down on dry.
- 1 toddler bathtub which you will need when they are about 9 to 10 months old and can sit on their own.
- A bathtub faucet cover when they move to an actual bathtub so that they don’t slip and hit their head on the faucet.
- Bath toys to make bath time fun like foam letters and waterproof books.
- Shampoo and body wash preferably that doesn’t sting their eyes.
Bottle-feeding
- 12 bottles for formula or expressed breastmilk.
- Bottlebrush
- 2 drying racks for the bottles
Breastfeeding
- Hospital-grade double electric pumps as they are more efficient than regular ones. Make sure you get a double one to cut pumping time by half.
- 2 sets of pump parts so you don’t have to worry if one set is unwashed or broken.
- Hands-free pumping bra
- Lanolin cream to apply on your nipples before and after nursing prevents soreness and cracks.
- 16 to 20 burp cloths that look like cloth diapers for spit ups.
- Twin nursing pillow for feeding both twins at the same time and saves you a lot of time.
- Extra nursing pillow cover in case your twins soil it.
- Insulated bottle tote to keep your expressed milk fresh. Breastmilk storage bags as they are more convenient to carry than bottles and are essential if you plan to freeze and store breast milk.
Eating Time
- 2 high chairs as each baby will need their own. You can also go for a portable booster seat if you want to use a dining room chair as a high chair.
- 4 sets of baby food storage containers which are preferably stackable for convenient storage and are designed for freezing as well.
- 16 bibs
- 4 plates and bowls for eating solids.
Clothing
Ensure that you mention that they should be in new-born size.
- 14 onesies
- 8 long-sleeved onesies
- 10 footed zip pyjamas
- 14 pairs of socks
- 6 pairs of pants
- 6 pairs of shorts
Baby Gear
- 2 infant car seats are the most important baby gear to get so go for the best car seats for twins after sufficient research. They should be safe and also shouldn’t be so heavy that you struggle to carry both together. If possible, they should be compatible with the stroller you buy.
- 2 baby carriers or wraps so that you can strap them close to you. They are snug and help them sleep in a comfortable position. They’re also convenient for walking if you want to avoid using the stroller.
- Double stroller or twin baby strollers that come either side-by-side or tandem
- One diaper bag that’s roomy with compartments and if possible insulation for bottles.
- 2 swings as they can help your twins fall asleep.
- Baby bouncers are great to dock the twins when you are busy or if you want to bottle feedings both together.
- 2 Boppies or one twin Boppy as it is a comfy, squishy place to place them just to hang out.
Toiletries
- A pair of nail clippers
- Nose sucker for when they have the sniffles.
- 1 tub of diaper cream
- Vitamin D drops especially if you are breastfeeding.
- Comb
- Thermometer
With your twin essentials checklist ready, you know exactly what are the must-have products for twins to get right away, how many you’ll need, and the things you can buy later.
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