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**updated in 2020: rock 'n plays and similar products have been recalled - DO NOT purchase these second hand, they can be dangerous**
In celebration of our twins' half birthday, I'd like to present you with the products I deem must-haves for baby twins - the things we simply couldn't have survived without! I'll also throw in a few which may not be *essential* but are fun to add to your baby registry or splurge on if you have the budget! Ready, set, GO!!!
Twins Prep Book & Classes
"What To Do When You're Having Two" will educate you on how to eat for three and get through your pregnancy, what to expect at the birth, how to tandem breastfeed or bottle feed, create schedules, interview pediatricians and nannies, you name it!! While you're at it, check out author Natalie Diaz' awesome website, Twiniversity, and in-person and on-line twins prep classes!
Tandem Nursing / Feeding Pillow
There are 2 awesome pillows out there for tandem feeding twins. Mothers tend to be divided over preferring one over the other, so I really can't say definitively that one is better. Personally, I preferred the My Brest Friend Twins Feeding Pillow but only because I found the height of the pillow higher and better for me. The Twin Z Pillow (see my review here) is the other beloved one, especially if you have a c-section or are bottle feeding. It also doubles as a baby lounger, and has built-in back support for mama.
Newborn Twins Baby Carrier
For newborn twins, some parents are able to figure out how to tandem wear using the Moby or a woven wrap. This mama? Not so much. For me, the WeeGo Twin Carrier was a lifesaver. Seriously. (Check out my "Life With Newborn Twins" video featuring the magic of this carrier!). The WeeGo is good from 3 pounds until they're about 6 months, however I found that once they hit 10 pounds each I couldn't use it anymore. I never got it to fit right and it hung from my shoulders quite painfully... still, when both newborns were screaming and they'd been fed and changed, this was often the only thing I could do to get them both quiet and asleep!!
Tandem Baby Carrier
For older twins, or even a toddler and baby, the TwinGo Carrier is amazing!!! You can wear them as 2 separate carriers (one for mom and one for dad, let's say), or remove one set of shoulder straps and hook them together so you can wear one child on the front and one on the back. They also have great pocket storage allowing you to forgo the diaper bag! Check out my full review here.
Stroller for Twins
Strollers all have various features which may or may not be what you are looking for. Many twin parents will go with a twin snap 'n go followed by a Baby Jogger City Select, or something like that, because they get the job done and are budget-friendly. But my family had some unique requirements. Being city dwellers with a toddler, newborn twins, and no car, I needed a stroller that had infant-compatible reversible seats, and preferred side-by-side over tandem alignment. The ONLY stroller out there that fit the bill was the StrollAir MyDuo. (If you're thinking Bugaboo Donkey works, no... it's not infant compatible - you have to use the bassinet until baby is 6 months or so). Overall, we LOVE LOVE LOVE our StrollAir!!! You can use with 2 seats (good for infant or toddler), 2 car seats (with universal adapters), 2 infant bassinets, or any combination of those! You can get standard never-flat tires or upgrade to the air-filled tires for a smoother ride (what we have). It's really an amazing stroller!! We also purchased the Englacha X-Rider sit/stand toddler board which has been a GREAT add-on, and later used the Lascal BuggyBoard Maxi+ with Saddle (which doesn't have as sturdy a seat but is easier to take the seat off while out and about to use as a stand board, or to pull the whole thing up and out of the way when not needed). The StrollAir MyDuo comes with 2 plastic rain covers, but we prefer the Manito (see my review here).
**2020 update note: StrollAir's newer version of the MyDuo is the TwinWay, and their tandem version of that is the Solo to Tango a great stroller that goes from single to double! Evenflo Pivot Xpand is another single - double converting stroller that we loved. Video reviews and demo's below!!
Twin Cradle
Eventually, unless you plan on one giant "family bed," you will need your twins in their own separate cribs. Some choose to go straight there from day one, others wait a month, six months, a year... It's up to you! You can start them off in co-sleepers or cradles, sharing a crib, or whatever, but one really unique option is the Babyhome So-Ro Twin Cradle (see my full review here). It rocks smoothly and has the babies' heads slightly elevated (good for reflux) and when they grow out of it at around 6 months it flips to the side and becomes a storage shelf (or a fun bartender's nook as some friends advised me!!)
Photo Props
I prefer BB Blocks (wooden numbered blocks) for weekly and monthly photos, but Milesone Cards have a twin-specific set with cards such as "We came home today" and "We smiled at each other for the first time today" which are really fun to use and keep (if you ever find the time to put together baby books for them)! They also include a set for each individual baby because let's face it, they will hit most milestones such as rolling over, sleeping through the night, and crawling at different times.
Crib Mattress, Cover & Sheet Savers:
Best Swaddles:
Soothing & Pacifiers:
Diapering
So there you go, my must-haves for twins! As far as diapers and toys and bathtime and all that, they need pretty much the same products as a regular singleton baby. I took the advice I received at my Twiniversity prep class which was to get one of each and get a 2nd after we're home and decide we NEED another. For example, we started out with two auto-rocking Rock 'n Plays (which they slept in for the first month - BUT THESE ARE NOW RECALLED - DO NOT GET ROCK N PLAYS even second hand!!!), and decided after a few weeks to go ahead and get a 2nd Baby Bjorn Bouncer and Fisher Price Swing. We still have only got one exersaucer, one play mat, one Bumbo seat, and one activity seat, and I just kind of rotate them through those! We also have one baby bath because I can only bathe one at a time, HA! You will most likely eventually need two cribs, two high chairs, and if you drive, two car seats.
My final piece of advice is to search for your local Mothers of Multiples group. You can save a TON by buying all of these products used and/or selling them used after you're finished with them!! This tip and many others are offered in my article "How to prepare for having twins" - check it out! Did I miss any great twin-related products? Do you have some I should check out for older twins? Share in a comment below!!
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When you grow a human in your belly, things change. Some things are temporary and some are permanent. From stretch marks to hair loss, many women struggle with low self-esteem over their new "mom bod," and this saddens me greatly. To me, each tiger stripe is a reminder of your most wonderful accomplishment. That remaining "baby bump" brought life and completed your family. So, acknowledge your imperfections, stay fit and eat mindfully, but embrace your mom bod for what it is: beautiful, strong, loving, and amazingly awesome!! With the help of a few mom friends, I've put together the following video to encourage moms to love themselves and their bodies. I hope you'll help the #MyMomBodIs movement by commenting below and sharing this blog post and video! Thank you!!
Originally posted onMommy Nearest
Most of us are very aware that what we consume while pregnant will pass through to our baby in the womb—that's why we do our best to eat well-balanced meals, take vitamins and stay healthy. But did you know that what you consume while breastfeeding could be causing problems for your baby (and thus yourself)!? I chatted with food and wellness educator Ebeth Johnson, aka The Breastfeeding Chef, to talk about breastfeeding nutrition and its effects on mother and baby. She experienced first hand how changing your diet while breastfeeding can eliminate things such as colic, cradle cap and eczema.
Not having enough milk is a huge concern for expecting and new moms. Are there certain foods that will help maintain or build the quantity of milk produced?
​The best way to increase your supply is to put your baby on your breast as much as possible, pump after feedings, and make sure you’re drinking plenty of water—you’re hydrating yourself and the baby. Beyond that, there are various lactogenic foods that will increase the milk supply of breastfeeding mothers, however they effect each woman to a different extent. Most women can see the impact of lactogenic foods within 4 to 7 days of consistent use, though some will experience changes within 48 hours. Foods that will help your supply include green leafy vegetables (especially kale, collards and mustard greens), oats, barley, carrots, hemp seeds, sesame seeds, flax seeds, quinoa, figs, sea vegetables, nutritional yeast, fennel, almonds, macadamia, cashew, walnut, ginger, and garlic. Just be careful—using a few lactogenic foods over and over will cause them to lose their effectiveness. Instead, eat a variety of lactogenic foods over time.
On the flip side, are there any foods that could decrease milk production that breastfeeding moms should avoid?
​ Actually, yes, there are many anti-lactogenic foods that can decrease a breastfeeding mother’s milk supply. Such herbs and foods include peppermint, sage, parsley, rosemary, thyme, coffee, black tea, green tea, chocolate, soft drinks and carbonated beverages, citric acid, vitamin c supplements, tomatoes, paprika, and citrus fruits. Some women may consume a small amount of anti-lactogenic foods and experience major effects while others may eat large quantities and experience no effect at all. My suggestion is that you avoid these foods for the first three to four weeks after birth.
Colic is common, but a pretty horrific thing for new parents to deal with. When you have a colicky baby who screams all evening, you’re often told there is no cause or cure and you just have to wait it out, for months. What’s your take?
​ My own research revealed that colic may be caused by contractions of immature intestines as they try to digest food or by gas trapped in the intestines. Since it seems the issue resides in the digestive system, this suggests that the maternal diet may have something to do with its cause and can perhaps have the ability to relieve or soothe its painful effects. If you have a baby with colic, the first thing I suggest is to remove all dairy products from your diet—dairy is the number one dietary cause of colic and may take up to 14 days to completely leave your milk and stop causing challenges for your newborn. You might also consider decreasing consumption of or eliminating other common triggers including wheat, refined sugar and flours, gluten, chocolate, peanuts, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, onions, garlic, and even too much fruit (especially peaches, plums, grapes, strawberries and pineapple). At the same time, consume caffeine-free teas that contain catnip, dill, fennel, lemon balm and cinnamon (these can help relieve the painful cramping of colic as well as ease digestion for both you and your baby) and consume foods high in magnesium. Colicky babies secrete more magnesium in their urine due to their high level of stress. This magnesium needs to be replaced because magnesium deficiency leads to muscle spasms, like those experienced in the gut of colicky babies. Above all, hold your baby more—colic is linked to emotional upset that can be soothed somewhat by skin to skin contact and nursing on demand.
How about eczema? Is that food-related as well?
​It can be. Infants with eczema most often get it as a response to formula or something their mother ate that came through breast milk. The most common food triggers of eczema are dairy, wheat, corn, soy, citrus, wheat, eggs and bananas. You’ll want to consider eliminating those as well as increasing your intake of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids and zinc. Some zinc rich power foods are ground raw sesame seeds, raw pumpkin seeds, adzuki beans, raw sunflower seeds, wild rice, edamame, shitake mushrooms, tahini and kale. In the meantime, massage your baby twice-daily with one tablespoon flax seed oil, one capsule of borage (220mg) or primrose oil (500mg).
Let’s talk cradle cap. It doesn’t seem to bother the babies, but it’s pretty tough to see your little one’s scalp covered in this gunk. Do you really think it’s the result of what the baby (and mother) is ingesting?
​Yes! Cradle cap is often associated with an intolerance to formula or a food in the maternal diet. One of the most common dietary causes of cradle cap is milk and dairy products, however eggs, wheat, nuts, peanuts, shellfish, soy and corn are also usual suspects. My suggestion is to remove all dairy and eggs from your diet, increase your consumption of magnesium, zinc, biotin and essential fatty acids (hemp seeds, flax seeds, walnuts, and cod liver oil), and treat the cradle cap topically (massage with oil, leave on overnight, and rinse and gently rub with a warm wet washcloth in the morning). If cradle cap persists, try eliminating another possible dietary cause listed above.
What foods should be increased or avoided for reflux?
Add foods that are soothing to the digestive tract, including ginger, aloe vera, melon, fennel, asparagus, green beans, leafy greens, root vegetables, brown rice, pseudo grains, and fresh papaya with the seeds. Make sure you’re getting enough calcium, magnesium, potassium and B12. Avoid trigger foods like chocolate, mint, citrus, raw onion, caffeine, carbonated beverages, alcohol, dairy, and fried and grilled foods.
Have you treated any of your baby’s ailments through an elimination diet? If so, let us know how it went below.
Just because you're pregnant or breastfeeding doesn't mean you can't look and feel beautiful... stunning... and simply fahhhbulous!! But you'll need the right clothes. I recently wrote about maternity wear rental with Bella Gravida, but how about your sleepwear and underwear? Sure sure, you can just wear your hubby's oversized tee to bed. But wouldn't you rather wear something super cute, comfy, practical, and *gasp* sexy!?? If you answered YES, then I'd like to introduce you to You! Lingerie!  Photo credit: You! Lingerie All of their bras, sleep and lounge wear are pregnancy and nursing friendly - that means they're comfortable, supportive, and convenient (with easy access for breastfeeding). On top of that, they're seriously stylish. I don't know about you, but it can be hard not to feel frumpy during pregnancy and the postpartum period, but You! Lingerie is here to help unfrump your bump! I recently got the Ashe Maternity & Nursing Tank and Rosette Super Mom Super Tired Maternity & Nursing Pajama Set and I'm totally in love. Funky colors, super soft and stretchy, what's not to love!? The nursing clips work perfectly, and the Tank has cute little bows on them which is super cute!! They both have inner-shelf / built-in bras, but personally I like my milk monsters to feel super duper supported, so I wear these with a bra on (which you really can't see, so it's a non-issue in my book). The two-layered-look tank on the left has a kind of pleated baggy front which will highlight your beautiful baby bump but is also great for hiding any postpartum muffin top you might be sporting. Not saying I have a muffin top... not saying I don't... but it's a nice feature, as is the fact that you can wear the straps straight or criss-crossed on the back!  The red "super mom super tired" tank set said "hand wash only" and I was like ohhhh heck no... I don't do "hand wash"! Ain't nobody got time for that! But before throwing caution to the wind and tossing it in the laundry basket I decided to do a quick test to make sure it wouldn't bleed. But it did. BIG TIME. I rinsed it out in the cold water for a good 5 minutes and the water kept turning pink. So, yeah, they're serious about the hand wash thing but it's such a cute shirt, I'll just deal with it. Though I'll be extra careful to not get spit-up or other wash-necessitating things on it! (The leopard pants and the black/pink tank on the other hand did fine in the wash, phew!) OK, now that we can agree that You! Lingerie has some awesome stuff, are you ready for some awesome news?? The grand prize winner of my "Get Your Sleep On Giveaway" will receive a Maternity & Nursing Chemise from You! Lingerie's Sprinkles Collection (pictured below). The winner can choose size and color. Head on over to the giveaway (running February 15-25, 2016) to enter to win this and $300 worth of awesome sleep-related products for babies, toddlers, and mamas!!  Disclaimer: Although I did receive this product free of charge, all thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased.
Sleep... We could all use more of it, am I right!? There are a bazillion and one products out there claiming to help you or your kids sleep longer and better. Do they all work for everyone? Nah. Are they all safe? Unfortunately, no! You gotta do your research and listen to your gut. In the meantime, you're in luck because I've put together a fabulous giveaway of sleep-related products for the entire family! YAY!!! The jackpot is valued over $300, here are the prizes one lucky winner will receive:
QuickZip is a game changer in the bedding department, revolutionizing how we change our sheets! QuickZip is a two-piece fitted sheet, so once it's on the mattress you simply zip the top part off, launder, and zip back on - it couldn't be easier!! Our Grand Prize Winner will receive one Crib Premium Starter Pack (base + 3 zip-on sheets - $79.99 value) and our 2nd place winner will receive a Twin Premium Starter Pack 200 Thread Count (base + 2 zip-on sheets - $89.99 value). Check out my personal review and demo video!
You! Lingerie carries bras, panties and sleepwear for pregnant and nursing mothers. All are comfortable, supportive, convenient for breastfeeding, and seriously stylish! Our Grand Prize Winner will receive a Maternity & Nursing Sprinkles Chemise in her choice of size and color, a $48 value. Check out my personal review here!
Achieve with Carolina is a Certified Pediatric Sleep Specialist who helps parents solve a multitude of sleep issues, from multiple night wakings to creating a schedule to toddlers not staying in their beds. Our Grand Prize Winner will receive a 15-minute phone consultation with Carolina, as well as a copy of her new children's book, "Goodnight Melanie. Good Morning Corey!" in which Melanie Melatonin and Corey Cortisol teach Crabby Cornelia how to be a Master of Sleep!
Provided by Saira of Bath Time Fun, our Grand Prize Winner will receive a Disney Sofia the First Costume Nightgown ($49.99 value; Size 2, 18-36 months), featuring a satin bodice, glittering organza peplum and puffed sleeves, and screen art appliqué. Great for sleeping, playing dress up, or even for Halloween!
Provided by Allaya at Babydroppings, our Grand Prize Winner will receive Graco's Sweet Slumber Sound Machine ($44.99 value), featuring 12 high-quality soothing sounds, jack for mp3 player / iPhone / etc, soft glow nightlight, timer, and easy control buttons!
Bitta Kidda provides unique children's sleepwear with built-in lovies, which help babies learn to sooth themselves but cannot be lost, tossed out of the crib, or become a suffocation risk! Our Grand Prize Winner will receive one BittaSack ($44 value), with a choice in color and size (for babies 10-36 pounds). Check out my personal review here!
Cloud B has been providing products that help families sleep better and live healthier for over 13 years nationwide and in over 42 countries! Our Grand Prize Winner will receive one of their Stay Asleep Buddies ($30.95 value), interactive and plush pals that teach toddlers when to sleep and when to wake, using gentle melodies and glowing lights. Check out my personal review here!
Barefoot Books, founded by mothers Nancy Traversy and Tessa Strickland in 1992, is a publishing company providing award-winning children's books worldwide. Our Grand Prize Winner will receive a $15 credit to shop through Barefoot Ambassador Alison DuBois-Eker.
Revelae Kids produces innovative products for kids, from their Yummi Pouch reusable food pouches to their Sudsy Dough moldable soap! Our Grand Prize Winner will receive one Revelae Kids Blanket Pouch ($14.99 value), in their choice of blue, pink, lavender, or lime.
Now that you're familliar with the prizes, what are you waiting for?? Enter in the Rafflecopter box below for your chance to win!! ( Open to US residents ages 18 and over; ending at 11:59 PM EST on Feb 24, winner will be contacted via e-mail on Feb 25 and have 24 hours to respond before another winner is chosen).
Life as a new mom is... up and down and all around crazy town! Am I right? Check out the fun video I made highlighting the highs and lows of life with a newborn! (Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube Channel!!) If you're a fan of Shark Tank, you may already be familiar with the Twin Z Pillow, a nursing pillow designed especially for breastfeeding twins. But did you know the makers of the Twin Z have recently created a pillow for nursing a single baby? It's called the One Z Pillow and if you have a baby or one on the way, you need to know about it!  The One Z Pillow, like its Twin Z predecessor, is super comfortable for mom and baby, with a very unique back support built in. It's quite a different feel from the current forerunners in the breastfeeding pillow market, and now that I have tried it I really wish it had been available for me with my son! This thing is really amazing!  On both the One Z and Twin Z Pillows, part of the pillow kind of flips up and acts as back support, making it like nursing on a cloud. SO comfortable!!! The minky cover is also seriously luxurious and feels really nice for mama and baby. Of course it's not just for nursing, you can use them for bottle feeding as well, for baby loungers, and for tummy time! But these pillows are not limited to that... before the baby arrives, you can use these as pregnancy support pillows, and after your nursing days are over, these pillows make for great toddler chairs, allow for super duper comfy book reading in bed (or on the floor, or anywhere), and more! The One Z and Twin Z Pillows come in regular or waterproof, the covers have several colors to choose from, and they also offer personalization of the pillow (can you say AWESOME baby shower gift!??). If you have one baby, you can get more info and buy the One Z Pillow here (or on Amazon). If you have twins, you can get more info and buy the Twin Z Pillow here (or on Amazon). Disclaimer: Although I did receive this product free of charge, all thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased.
Looking for an all-in-one maternity, nursing, and pumping bra? BeliBea to the rescue!  I recently got my hands on the Nourish by BeliBea and here's what I'm especially loving about it:
 I only pumped a handful of times with my son, but this time around with twins I'm expecting to have to do it a lot more. Tandem feeding at home sounds hard enough, but trying to do it while we're out and about? Forget it! Feeding them one at a time? That would take forever!!! So, I expect I'll have to pump and bring bottles with us anytime we leave the house for more than a couple of hours. Le sigh. On the bright side, having an awesome bra like this one by BeliBea that allows me to pump hands free will be a major help!!! Want to check it out yourself? Nourish by BeliBea retails for $49.95 on BeliBea's website and Amazon, and don't forget to follow BeliBea on Facebook and Twitter! Disclaimer: Although I did receive this product free of charge, all thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased.
Eating healthy is important, and especially so while pregnant. But it's not always easy! Pregnant women find themselves with insane cravings and aversions, as well as increased nutritional needs. Prenatal vitamins are pushed by most care providers and even recommended for women to start while still trying to conceive, since consuming enough folic acid during the first few weeks following conception seems to be vital for preventing spina bifida and other severe birth defects. But what if I were to tell you that you could avoid the scary horse sized gag reflex inducing prenatal pills for a powder that is equally nutritious and actually, dare I say it, DELICIOUS?? Well, you can!! I give you: Mamamlicious!!   Mamalicious is the first ever protein powder formulated specifically for pregnant women, and really packs a nutritious punch into a yummy drink! We're talking 11 grams of protein, 800mcg of folic acid (100% DV), 5mg of B6 (200% DV), 30mcg of B12 (375% DV), 255 mg of calcium (25% DV), and even probiotics! And that's before you mix it into 8 ounces of milk, a Greek yogurt smoothie, or your beverage of choice! The protein base is whey, but they even have a vegan option for you vegetarians / vegans out there! When my midwife mentioned that I need to be consuming 175 grams of protein A DAY for the duration of my twin pregnancy, I felt extremely overwhelmed and frustrated. How can I possibly get in that much protein?? Especially when dealing with morning sickness and severe lack of appetite. It felt like a losing battle, on a daily basis. I tried a couple of protein drinks I found at the grocery store, but each swig was rather repulsive and they did not go down smoothly. And then I discovered Mamalicious. One scoop, together with 8 ounces of milk provides me with 19 grams of protein. What's more? It's freaking delicious!!! I'll be honest, for my taste the vanilla and vegan chocolate are alright, but the chocolate one is, in a word, AMAZING!!!! No joke, it would fit right in at Jamba Juice, Starbucks, Shake Shack... you get my point. Actually, Mamalicious should really try reaching out to be carried as a supplement at those types of shops!! I wonder what they would say if I walked up and ordered "a tall caramel light frappuccino, oh and hey can you throw a scoop of this in there?" handing over my tub of Mamalicious! HA! Actually... I may have to try this, just for the sake of research of course... Will Mamalicious provide you with all of the nutrition you need during the long nine months of pregnancy? No, of course not. You still need to do the best you can to eat a smart and well-balanced diet. Nothing beats nutrients that come from fresh whole foods! But if you're struggling, as I am, Mamalicious sure is a (delicious) insurance policy to help you know you're doing everything you can to keep yourself and your baby as healthy as possible! You can purchase a 14-serving tub of Mamalicious on their website or on Amazon for $39.99. And don't forget to enter to win 2 tubs (a 1-month supply) of Mamalicious in the flavor of your choice in my $500+ value Best for Your Bump Giveaway, running April 15-28. Disclaimer: Although I did receive these products free of charge, all thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased.
I'm so excited to work with Green Scene Mom on yet another awesome giveaway! Each of the items in this giveaway's jackpot is the recipient of a Green Scene Mom Award, celebrating eco-friendly product design and creative innovation. This fabulous 2015 Winter Awards Giveaway is sponsored by the winning brands, and one lucky mom will win them all!  The jackpot will consist of all of the below items. For more details on each of the items, click here or on the individual links below. This is an amazing eco-friendly gift set, valued at $750!
Enter in the Rafflecopter box below... GOOD LUCK!!! |
 
About ME:I'm a NYC metro area mom blogger living in NJ with my Japanese husband & our 3 kids (twins + 1), focusing on fun and honest product and travel reviews, helping busy parents find the best for their families! Find what you need in the menu bar or search section above! 
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