Tell me about your MoM must haves!

ShopperKristi

I am expecting twins in September and am a little bit mind-boggled over the whole baby gear thing.  For example, do I need two swings, two bouncers, two rock n plays or can I get by with just the rock n play?  We live in a townhouse so we're trying to keep it to the necessities so we have room to walk around!  I know it is probably different for all babies but what items did you have that you absolutely couldn't live without?

Also looking for recommendations on strollers (I saw it in the FAQ's but not many responses?) - I was thinking of the Snap and Go at first but wondering about the next step?  Or should I forgo the Snap and Go and get a regular stroller that can hold baby seats? 

Thanks for your help ladies!  I looked to see if this has been posted recently and didn't see it - if it has could you post the link for me?

tiffanymuegge

Here's what I found to be the necessities...

2 Boppies - used when I had to do feedings by myself.  Set in front of them and gave them their bottles.

2 Bouncers - I had two different ones and they alternated them.

1 Swing - and thank goodness.  DS HATED it and never ONCE used it!

1 RNP - only DD used it during some naps

As far as strollers, we started out with a DSNG.  It would have worked PERFECTLY if DS would have ridden in his infant seat, but he HATED it too!  (He was quite the unhappy baby...reflux, colic...)  At about 4 months, we moved from the DSNG to the Baby Jogger City Mini and LOVE it...however, it's not really all that easy to maneuver through clothes rack at the mall, so we bought a Kolcraft Contours Tandem for the mall, which is great, but a pain to have to put seats on and take off at every stop...

Every stroller is going to have its pros and cons...I read a lot on here about the Baby Jogger City Select and after all the money I've shelled out for the 3 strollers I've already bought - I could have just went ahead with the BJCS - but who knows, I use both of mine now pretty regularly...just depending on where we are and what we are using it for.

 

Ames0299

I am interested in the response to this too.  We have our stuff from DD, but are doubling up on what we know will be used.

Although we have purchased a couple things, I am interested in others.

 I did find a swing that serves as a bouncy too.  For space reasons we purchased it, as I figured they are usually in one or the other anyways.  It's made by Graco.

I bought a Chico double stroller with infant seats yesterday off Craigslist for an awesome deal!  

emschott

So far my must haves are 2 RNPs, my twin Brest friend nursing pillow, and my rocking recliner.

aattebury

I'm new to this MoM thing, but what I've found helpful in these last two weeks is the Boppy Newborn Lounger. It's like an extra set of hands for me right now.

I have 2 bouncers which I haven't used a lot yet, but imagine I will when they're bigger. And have 2 RnP's which I've used for both bed and naps a few times, but I'd guess we could've used 1 and been fine.

I also have the Chicco double stroller that fits their infant carseats, its really nice, but wish I had also got the snap n go. The Chicco is huge and takes up most of the trunk.

My other must haves right now are a video monitor and miracle blankets! 

naflmj

The advice I got was to get one of everything aside from necessities and then see what they like. DS could give or take the swing so we just have one but 2 bouncers (because we were given one extra). We got 2 rock n plays because we plan on them sleeping in them. If we didn't have a stroller loving toddler, we would have gotten a snap n go and then tried different strollers to see what we liked when the time comes. A lot of people love the City Select.

ShopperKristi

Thank you all for your posts - this is great advice and I finally feel like I can start my gear list!

I have also heard great things about the City Select stroller but the price just seems so high!  I'm trying really hard to stay on a budget so I can stay home once babies get here but I may just have to bite the bullet on that one! 

SLPMel

If you have a Moms of Multiples Group-see if you can hit up their consignment sale!  I was so happy with the things they had-we picked up a great jumperoo for more than half off-they had strollers, bouncy seats, swings, etc.  You may want to get a new one for the first-but if you want a second, you might look there.  My MoM's group even has a classified section online.

 

We loved our Halo Sleep Sacks, RnP's, Dr Brown's bottles, Swing that could plug in.  We only had one bouncy seat-one big swing, and one smaller seat.  

We haven't used out Pack N Play very much.  

We have one jumperoo and one exersaucer.  

They also LOVE the Kick n Play Piano that FIsher Price makes.

Bumkins bibs for when they start eating-they are so nice-and often are on Totsy.  

 

Good luck!

ShopperKristi

tiffanymuegge:

 so we bought a Kolcraft Contours Tandem for the mall, which is great, but a pain to have to put seats on and take off at every stop...

 

I was looking at this stroller on amazon and it got good reviews - I'm curious about taking the seats on and off - do you have to do that to fold it down?  I didn't see other reviews mention it and it does sound like a pain!

jcath

I agree with the pp about waiting until you see what the babies like and don't like.

I think our rock-n-plays were invaluable and we had those ahead of time.  My girls hated the bouncy, loved the swing. We started out with one of each and borrowed a second swing and put the bouncy in the basement. I also started with one front carrier and borrowed a second. They were lifesavers for fussy evenings.

For strollers I went with the DSNG and the Baby Jogger City Mini.  It's worked well for us. 

We've also gotten alot of us out of our activity mat and I wished I'd bought a larger one b/c both the girls don't really fit under it now. 

ColleenS629

My advice is to register for 2 of anything you might need 2 of but only open and set up one before the twins come. This is what we did... that way if only one twin like the swing, the RnP, etc. we could return the second. As it turns out, both of our twins ended up addicted to the swings and the RnPs so we did need both. 

We got 2 boppys, swings, infant-to-toddler rockers (pretty similar to bouncers but they can be used longer), RnPs, PnPs, bumbos, high chairs... I can't think of anything else right now...

We got 1 exersaucer, jumperoo, activity mat, superyard.

 Go with the DSNG first. It's so convenient and light-weight (which you will need especially if you end up with a c/s. I can't comment on the next stroller yet... I have a couple that I got at a consignment sale so I can figure out what kind I like best. I wanted a SBS but I don't like the one that I have (Peg Perego). For a tandem, I have a Contours stroller that I like pretty well so far. I also got a Tike Tech jogger that I haven't used yet but hope to use to bring the babies to the beach.

CRYSTAL24K

I am a SAHM.  I had help with my boys for about 7 weeks.  After that I was on my own.  I absolutely could not live without the -

Baby Newborn Lounger - Life Saver!!!

Changing Table (Don't laugh some of my friends bypass this item.)

Arm's Reach Cosleeper - so helpful especially after having a c-section.

Small Cooler with Ice Packs - I have always needed to supplement my BM with Formula.  I make the formula that I need to get me through the night and the first morning feeding.  This way I don't have to measure powder and pour out water several times a night.  I did not plan on using formula but my supply is just not enough for my voracious eaters.

Pacifiers-  I was dead set against them.  The first week that I was alone with my boys I found myself digging through the random pile of baby items that we received from the hospital just to find one tiny little piece of silicone. Soothies saved my life.  I only use it when I feed them and occasionally when they have difficulty falling asleep.  I am only one person and not coordinated enough to feed 2 newborn babies at once.  I don't feel bad anymore since my dentist gave pacifiers to his children too. I plan to drop them cold turkey when they are between 4 and 5 months old - the pacifiers not my boys - LOL.

Aden + Anais Gauze Swaddle Cloths-  To this day I have to swaddle my boys.  If I do not swaddle them there are just arms and legs flailing about and the movement wakes the baby up who is doing the kicking, punching and stretching.

Bottles- Open mind about what works.  Nuk bottles have the only nipple that Lucas will take.  Dr. Brown is the only thing I will give to Elais (aka Sir Leaks A Lot) because he spits up all the time. 

Burp Cloths and Bibs - If you think you have enough - you are wrong.  You always need more.

All the best to you!

ShopperKristi

ColleenS629:

My advice is to register for 2 of anything you might need 2 of but only open and set up one before the twins come. This is what we did... that way if only one twin like the swing, the RnP, etc. we could return the second. As it turns out, both of our twins ended up addicted to the swings and the RnPs so we did need both. 

LOVE this advice!  I don't think I would have considered that - thank you!

rmcrae

As far as strollers go...this is my $.02.  LOVE the Baby Trend Snap N Go Double. So much cheaper than the standard snap and go's.  Plus I have found it incredibly easy to use, lightweight and maneuvers like a dream.

I went cheaper on their snap and go because I always wanted to get a double jogger and that are so pricey.  So now that they are 8 months, I just got the Baby Jogger and LOVE IT!  My husband was so against the double snap and go but even he admits it is so much easier to use than our first daughters snap and go.