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Must Haves for Baby Twins

4/7/2016

14 Comments

 
**updated in 2020: rock 'n plays and similar products have been recalled - DO NOT purchase these second hand, they can be dangerous**
US Japan Fam's Must Haves for Baby Twins
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
US Japan Fam recommends
"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
US Japan Fam recommends My Brest Friend and Twin Z for tandem nursing and feeding twins.
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
US Japan Fam loves WeeGo Twin Carrier for baby twins.
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
US Japan Fam loves TwinGo Carrier for tandem babywearing!
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
US Japan Fam loves StrollAir MyDuo 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

US Japan Fam loves the Babyhome So-Ro 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
US Japan Fam loves Milestone Cards for twins!
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!!
14 Comments
Haylie
4/12/2016 04:57:09 pm

Stroll air was great until a piece came out and one of my infants fell on to ground while crossing the street. The customer service was so horrible I fought and fought to get a replacement and finally gave up. Horrible company. Horribly made. I hope to save some family from a petential injury. It was beautiful though.....

Reply
Heather @ US Japan Fam link
4/12/2016 05:07:15 pm

OMG Haylie that's really scary!!! I'm so sorry to hear that happened and also that you had no luck with their customer service! Have you tried them on phone, e-mail, and social media?? >_<

Reply
Haylie
4/21/2016 09:27:02 pm

I wrote them back and forth for over 6 months. I also tried to dispute the charge through my AMEX to get my money back and return it 7 times but they lied and had it closed every time.

Agata link
5/31/2016 03:14:11 pm

Hello Haylie,
You have posted comments like this quite a few times on social media. You say that your stroller was purchased 8 years ago. We did not even manufacture My Duo 8 years ago. First model was released in 2010 (6 years ago). We have NEVER had any disputes from AMEX (as a matter of fact, we don't even accept AMEX), I suggested that you have a wrong company and asked to email us some proof of purchase and you said "it doesn't matter anymore", however, you keep posting comments like this... May I know why???
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Agata

Reply
write my essay link
4/13/2016 03:19:45 am

It's looks like really funny to сope with twins, but I understand about difficulties, and wish you good luck and joy with your babies:)

Reply
Lacey
5/30/2016 06:34:43 am

Are you aware that stroll Air is using this blog post to promote their product (5/30/16)

Reply
Hillary
6/9/2016 10:03:41 pm

We have 4 year old twins and I must say the Stroll Air Duo was the best purchase we made! They were born at just about 5 lbs and we used the stroller from then until they were nearly 4 years old!
We were so impressed with it every time we used the stroller and, being in the city, it was wonderful!
I love your list but I had to comment on the stroller for sure! That double cradle is pretty awesome though!
Also, the only thing I will add (and you are probably well aware of this since you already have a toddler) but in response to all those who say 'oh it gets better when they turn _#_'...it doesn't get *better* it just gets different!
Enjoy the Chaos!

Reply
Agata - StrollAir link
6/10/2016 09:34:51 pm

Hello Hillary,
You have no idea how I appreciate your comment! Thank you so much for taking the time from your busy schedule to write this! It is much appreciated. :)
All the best to You and Your Family!
Sincerely,
Agata - StrollAir.

Reply
Kayla
6/13/2016 09:56:10 pm

Do you work for this company? I'm just curious because the way you are approaching this customer- regardless of what she claims has or hasn't happened , is very unprofessional.

Agata link
6/13/2016 10:24:16 pm

Hello Kayla,
I would love to approach the claim differently, but the claims are only over social media. We would love to find some kind of resolution and research it further, but our customer service has never been contacted, even though we asked. If you have any suggestions how I should approach it, I would be very grateful.
Sincerely,
Agata - StrollAir.

Reply
Talitha link
7/9/2016 05:42:43 pm

Multiplicity Magazine is an amazing digital publication geared directly toward parents of multiples. It aims to help parents not just survive, but thrive on their journey with their twins and more! Check it out...www.multiplicitymag.com.

Reply
Robin D
7/26/2016 11:43:27 pm

Table for 2 is an amazing tool for bottle feeding two babies at the same time.

Reply
Micha
5/29/2019 05:44:45 am

I watched your twin video and I’d looked at the weego carrier but wasn’t convinced. Your video made me buy it straight away without hesitation haha! That will be me in a few months!

Reply
Top Rated Baby Gates link
12/7/2020 12:07:10 pm


So nice to hear from you on my blog, Hayley! You might be interested in a TEDx talk I did - Down Syndrome makes a surprising appearance in it!

Reply



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    I'm a NYC metro area mom blogger living in NJ with my Japanese husband & our 3 kids (twins plus 1).  This blog is chock full of product reviews, family travel guides, and giveaways galore! It's also home to Bay Ridge Families, and several guides focused on kid-friendly activities and guides to South Brooklyn, Hudson Valley, and New Jersey, as well as family-friendly destinations beyond the NYC area (check the menu bar!)

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