I am probably being redundant but here is my two cents: su

****Most important book for a twin mom is BABY WISE. It is the bible to getting into a routine and having sanity with twins. I highly recommend it. I modified the structure a little but it works. I plan to get TODDLER WISE. Almost all twin moms know this book and swear by it.

Double Stroller (We also got 2 single strollers)-I tried a bunch. I love my Combi Twin Savvy-Side by Side. DH likes our Peg Aria (i thought I loved until I bought the Combi. The combi is more compact and I need compact b/c I drive a neon. Also I am not one to want a moving truck each time I go out. We also got a Graco Duoglider used it 6 times and sold it to my friend with no regrets.

Play gym-we got a cheap one and it was great-they don't need much bells or whistles and I switched out toys that I had using the plastic rings.

2 Car Seats-I got the Graco snug ride. I was happy with it but my boys started to get uncomfortable as they got bigger. (I only used the infant carriers until 6 months, the boys hated them we then got the convertible carseats and could take long trips with them being happy)-Convertible car seat is the Evenflo Triump-love it. Dh pick out a different for his truck but took it back for a triump boys like it better and the straps are tightened from the side which is easier for people who have trucks.

We bought 2 extra car seat basis (actually we bought 6 total-2 for DH and 2 for mother in law)

2 pack n plays-initially they fit in one but that lasted a mere 4-6 weeks. I still use my packnplay for nap time. Boys share a room but during nap time to get them to nap I have to separate them. My friends got the elaborate packnplays with all the trimmings but I bought the cheap version and I am happy I did my friends did not use the changing table for very long.

1 swing-one boy liked the swing and the other did not. I got the ocean wonders but I think any swing would do.

A play mirror for the kids to look at themselves. I got this miiror that was a fish. When you touched it, it would respond with a song or bubbles.

Bibs-One I recommend most is the bib with a huge pocket so you can use it when the get older to catch the food. Also you can spray them off and put them in the dish washer to wash.

1 learning chair with lights and what not. I got the Leap Frog Learning Chair. Until about 6 weeks ago my boys still wanted to get in it and play, they were 9 months. I had to retire it b/c the boys also liked to use it in different ways and the ways they were coming up with were dangerous.

2 Cheap Bouncy chairs (cost about 14$ each)-a necessity for when you are starting rice cereal and baby food.

Sleepers-We spent almost the whole time in Sleepers until they were about 3 months. We went through alot of them.

Kiddapotimus-it is the special swaddle blanket that has wings-with velcro so you can swaddle easily and teh swaddle does not come undone-DH never could swaddle without it the "special" blanket-I give these as baby gifts now.

Stationary Kick toy-it has lights and plays music when the baby kicks the toy. When they get older you can put them in sit and they hit the toy adn music adn lights come on. We bought the Kick and Whirl adn I would not suggest that one, it is hard to turn on and supposedly the balls will fall down but they dont you have to pull them off. We bought a different one for my motherinlaw's house, it was cheapr and the boys like it alot better.

***Pampers Sensitive Baby Wipes-the only ones that would not give my boys a rash-I still use them.

Thick Bath Towels (at least 6 of them) and thin wash cloths

Mylecon, Mylecon, Mylecon, Gripe Water, Tylenol, Baby oral gel, Teething Tablets, Boudreuox's Butt Paste, Brush, Comb,

Cloth book, Chew toy, (my boys liked this red, black, and white Octopus from baby love and a vibrating star)

Baby Einstein bedtime lullaby, Wiggles, Raffi CDs with a CD player

Jumper- we got the Hop n Pop (which they liked after about 6 months and the JUMPEROO (which they LOVED), We also got a door way jumper and both hated it. It became an accessory for our carpet.

Stationary Walker (we got the one that has a table of activities and the walker is attached to it and allows the kid to walk around the table. WE have since taken the walker off and the boys play at the activity table.

Baby Monitor-Rechargable, DH hates the monitor, I love it. I would not buy an elaborate one-no need your mother's hearing kicks in. I have the Phillips one. I think pottery barn sells it but I got it for 20$ at a discount shop. I read in the Baby Bargains book that is was the best buy with very little interuptions. I have to agree when I compare mine to my friends.

**Humidifier-you should have one in the room running throughout the year.

Mini Frige-especially if you have a 2 story house. I was breastfeeding-well my boys would not latch so I pumped and bagged for 4 months. We would put the bags that would cover the night in the frige, I also put what I pumped during the night in the frige. I pumped each time I fed.

Bottle Warmer-probably you would need if you are doing what I did with the feeding. I did not use it after we switched to formula.

Newborn hats.

Sponge bath mat

Diaper Champ-you can use regular plastic bags. The diaper genie requires you to buy te special bags.

Changing Pad with cover

Blankets

Sheets (at least 2 sets)

Changing Table organizer

Booster/Infant Chair that attaches to the kitchen table with 3 levels so you can tilt it. 2 High chairs take alot of room.

Baby Gates

Burp clothes-they were good for catching the spit up and also they liked to chew on them.

Things I got that I probably did not need:
Infant Bath Tub-A waste of money
Pacifier holders
High Chairs
Infant Car Seats (however, The boys were premature and I had to have Infant Car Seats in order for them to leave the NICU).

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Micah


Tyson (3), Ryder (10mos), Wyatt (3)

We used two swings with both sets of twins and b oth babies took naps a t the same time.
We also had (and still have) two travel pens/play yards, so every baby has their own space when we go on trips or to the beach, etc...

Caution: I would NOT recommend "foam letters or numbers to bite on" as they present a choking hazard even before the babies grow teeth!

Thanks guys!

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This is a great list... thanks!!

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how many daipers will i go through with twins

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Re: Diaper counts---

You can count on a minimum of 8-12 diapers per day, per baby.

Playing it fairly "safely", having 24 a day on hand/at the ready is a good idea!

Best wishes to you!

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Cheryl
Mommy to Darren and Sarah (born 9-5-2001)


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This is what we learned - as anyone with children especially twins knows - you appear like you know what you are doing and really hope for the best.

We made the - lets call it what it is - mistake of putting them in seperate bassinettes when we brought them home. What did we know - you get bombarded with all this endless advice especially if you know twins - treat them like individuals/treat them like twins/ find a balance/blah blah blah. So we thought maybe they would like their own space. hahaha. No, turns out they miss their natural pillow. For three weeks we got no sleep til someone with twins said put them back together - aaahhhh zzzzzzsleep.

We started with two bassinettes but really used one til they couldn't sleep in that together. Then we got one of those packnplay things and they still sleep in that - recently we had to lower it,they grow so fast :-( We have a crib upstairs too. So if you an up/down get furniture for both floors.

We used two bouncy seats for double spoonings, two sit in toys like an exersaucer and a musical slider, mine never liked their swing, two car seats obviously, one play gate area, one changer but necessary with a csection, one diaper bag, one baby monitor, one double stroller, we have one front pack and one single stroller for when I'm by myself sometimes that double stroller can feel like an SUV, two changing areas with the up/down always stocked in wipes & ointments and two bath seats for double bathes.

As for gift suggestions - Diapers, Wipes, Formula. LOTS & lots. You will find that people will naturally buy you clothes because they love the idea of twins. The other stuff will just help you out so much more than anything else they can buy.

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Angela