okay we all ask this so many times, sorry ladies.... But i'm wondering what 3 things were the most important to you those first 6 months? i get lots of suggestions from moms of singletons and i'm sure some of those things are great but i want to hear what a MoM needs!
Re: top 3 items for MoM
Diapers! (NB size and size one depending how big they are.) Some kind of Diaper Genie (we liked the Diaper Dekor a LOT), diaper wipes. Buy on AmazonMom.com.
For us, an overnight nanny 3 times a week. We are not wealthy and probably can't afford this monetarily but I think it saved our sanity, which is priceless. You have to let go of control a little and realize that another person (whom of course you've gotten to know a bit, etc) can feed and change diapers as well as you. For us, or at least for me (who needs to sleep or goes quite literally insane or shuts down) the nanny has been a blessing. We're hoping in the next few months the kids might sleep more and we can cut her her hours. In my book, its $$ well spent. I'd rather pay for her for 2 months than go to Cancun or something. But its not for everyone, I understand that. Some women/men do great on little sleep. I don't.
That was 3 already but: 1 or 2 bouncy chairs, a swing (my little snug a bunny is wonderful), a rock n play, basically stuff to stick them in so you can pay bills. Don't worry about clothing cuz people give you more than enough.
And of course car seat, stroller etc.
Happy for you!
1. Ergo carrier
2. white noise machine (we used a CD of waves on repeat)
3. tandem nursing pillow (if you plan on BFing)
This for me as well...only in the reverse order
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For the babies...Swings (2 of them), some sort of carrier (I have the Bjorn), and Boppies. I got two boppies...so wonderful to have if you have to bottle feed them either formula or expressed BM at the same time.
Meals stocked up in the freezer, coffee and dark beer (for lactation inducing purposes of course)
As for gear...our (1) Chicco Keyfit 30 carseats are amazing, our (2) Baby Jogger city select stroller is the only thing that makes going out possible (especially alone), (3) a good carrier (we loved our moby for the early days and now prefer our Beco Gemini), (4) my breast friend twin nursing pillow.
I could not live without all of those but the following are high on the list too: Rock-n-play sleepers, medela PISA pump (to get a great supply going), Nikon D5000 camera, Skip Hop duo deluxe diaper bag, "Mothering MUltiple" book by LLL, and cloth diapers.
Sorry for writing a freakin novel!
After 2 years, Injects, PCOS diagnosis and 2 IUI's, we were blessed with our beautiful twin girls!
Baby Girl #3!
Free or hired help so you can sleep - and you will be so tired that you will be able to sleep at any hour of the day, so if someone volunteers to watch the kids from 10am-Noon, say "yes'. trust you, you will pass out in bed any time of day.
pre-made freezer meals
2 boppies
2 bouncy seats
1 carrier (Moby Wrap)
1 swing - we only needed 1, both kids loved it, but only needed to use it for 1 at a time.
Enough bottles so you are not washing all the time
Dr. Brown Mixing Pitcher so you can make big batches ahead of time and just pour as needed. or if you have to make "special" formula mixture (higher calorie count or mix BM with formula), you can do it in the pitcher.
Multiple pacifiers so you have 1-2 in each main room.
Swing - both my babies LOVED the swings. They were lifesavers.
White noise machine - set to the womb sounds, they still go to sleep with this.
Moby - both babies fit in it (front holds) until about 4 months. I'm too scared to throw one on my back without help, so we just use it for one baby and put the other baby in a carrier on my H. Still useful though, even at 9 months!
I also second the coffee choc and wine
FP Rock n Play sleepers, miracle blankets, swings
Those were what kept my girls sleeping at night!! Bouncy seats were also helpful as I used them to bottle feed the girls at the same time.
Cut the Crap - Weight loss journey of a Few Fat Chicks
Meals - be it pre-made by you and frozen, or brought in by family/church/friends. Our church had people bring meals 2x a week for 2 weeks and with that we had enough food for the whole week because people made SO much.
Swings. I'm not particular - if it swings it helps calm my girls down.
Moby wrap or other carrier. For me it helps even out the weight vs carrying a baby, and helps my back not feel as bad. I don't put both of them in it, but I know it's possible.
boppies
good swaddle blankets - we used miracle blankets but i've heard great things about A&A
Dr. Browns mixing pitcher
after that... swing & a cool mobile either on the changing table or in a bassinet & bouncy seats