Experienced MoMs...I need some help!

ekberlo · February 2013

I'm a first time Mom...and I'm having triplets. I'm EXTREMELY overwhelmed. Part of that is because the hubster is deployed and will miss the entire pregnancy. The other part of it is...I have NO clue what I would need for one baby, let alone for 3!!! We're starting our registry now...but other than cribs and car seats...I don't know what I need 3 of and what I can get away with less of...and the more I think about it, the more I freak out!

Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated!!!

Jen0204 · February 2013

First of all, congratulations!

A lot of what you'll want more then 1 of completely depends on your babies. Mine hated the bouncy seat, but both loved their swings, so we ended up with two swings. We had one exersaucer and one jumperoo and would just switch them out. I would register for one of each of the big things - swing, bouncer, jumperoo, exersaucer, etc. - and then see how it goes and what they like. Most naps at home were done in the swings for 6 months, but some babies hate them.

We got 2 rock n plays and I loved those things. They're really light and we used those to have them sleep in our room so we could put them to sleep in the rock n plays in the living room with us, then pick up the whole rock n play with the babies in them and carry them to our bedroom when we went to sleep. The height was perfect next to our bed that we could roll over and rock them or pop in a pacifier if they fussed. We also had two Bumbos and used those fairly often, and we have two Fisher Price Space Saver high chairs.

chickaboo1974 · February 2013

First congrats, secondly breath-

As for gear at first what we had double of was the obvious--- cribs, RNP,car seats, boppy pillows,and bouncy chairs (they loved these since they could see what was going on around them). As time went on we got two high chairs, two swings(were gifts- but my guys HATED as in screaming bloody murder if they were in them) and two bumbo seats. When they were old enough we had one jumper and one exersaucer- it was pretty clear that they LOVED the jumper and tolerated the exersaucer- so we got rid of the exersaucer and bought a second jumper. If you want to register for three- just take one out of the box at a time to test them out- if all three love then three it is if not take back the unopened ones for store credit.

If you are breast feeding you should get a electric double pump-and don't go crazy buying one type of bottle- both my guys took different bottles. Once you find one that works you can always buy more.

Then there is always clothing- but most people love to buy newborn clothing as gifts- my guys stayed in mostly the Carter's sleep and plays for the first 3months- but we were also in lockdown since they were preemies and it was RSV season.

hayleydeee · February 2013

First of all, take a breath. I was told early on that all you really need to bring babies home from the hospital are car seats, blankets and maybe some diapers. It made me feel better to remember that! The baby gear industry is so huge, and it can be very overwhelming.

The only things we had multiples of were car seats, bottles, cribs and Rock-n-plays. We did end up with 2 doorway jumpers because they LOVED them so much. Also I have a double BJCS stroller that I used even when they were infants.

We had one Bjorn bouncer, one swing, an Ergo carrier, a co-sleeper, a changing table, a baby bathtub, a Boppy, a Bumbo seat, a diaper pail, a high chair (and one booster that straps to a regular chair) and a Pack-n-play. All of those were handy to have, but totally NOT necessary. Plus they are bulky and it's a pain to have to climb over so much stuff to get around your house. Is was a lot of gear... too much!

Less really is more IMO. Things like the baby tub got little use (because we just used the kitchen sink). To help keep it simple, ask yourself "would my grandparents have used this product for their children?" You don't need much. DD's favorite toy as a baby was a wooden spoon!

Some products I loved were the Swaddle-me's, the zip sleep-and-plays (snaps are a pain on a squirmy baby), Zutano Booties (the BEST) and solid color pacifiers (the clear ones are too hard to find!). Pre-fold cloth diapers make the best burp cloths and are very handy to have around. Don't bother registering for cute little baby clothes, stuffed animals or blankets at all. People will likely give you more of those than you could ever use! There are a lot of things (like baby towels and wash cloths) that you can use the adult versions of just fine.

You might also try browsing the listamania lists that people put together on Amazon for baby gear ideas.

Congratulations on your pregnancy! I'm so sorry to hear that your husband can't be there. Both of your sacrifices for our country is appreciated Hang in there!

myheromyworld89 · February 2013

Congrats!!!

I know it can be really overwhelming but just take everything in strides. Here are something to think about.

Cribs: Some MoM's get by with crib sharing but that can only last so long so you'll eventually need 3. Crib sharing is also considered a SIDS risk once they start moving around.

Car seats: Of course you'll need 3 of these but what type of car seat is going to depend on whether or not you plan to use car seats out side the car at all, like in a stroller. I only have twins and carrying two car seats back and forth from the car can be such a hassle, especially the heavier they get. Convertible car seats may make more sense for you because they stay in the car and you only have to buy one and it will last you for years. Down side is you can't use them in strollers, but you may not be able to find a triple stroller that allows for 3 infant car seats anyway.

As far as swings and bouncy seats go it really depends on your babies, and odds are they'll switch it up on you every few months regardless of what you get. I would suggest two bouncy seats and two swings.

Bouncy seats: I would recommend getting something that has an element of entertainment to them. I got the Snug a bunny bouncy seats and while they're really cute and aren't a huge eye sore in our house they don't really do anything that keeps baby's attention.

Swings: We got the Snug a Bunny swing that matches our bouncy seats and we do really like it. It plugs in so you're not constantly changing batteries and its just all in all been a good swing. I would also recommend getting a travel swing. They're great for over night stays, my twins even slept in it and the bouncy quite a bit when we would travel so we didn't have to always bring PnP's. If you get a travel swing I recommed the Disney Baby lion king or finding Nemo swing thats made by Bright Starts. It folds up almost flat and has lasted us quite a while with a lot of use.

High chairs: You won't really need them until they're between 4 and 6 months old and start taking baby food. But when you do need them I recommend the Fisher Price space saver chairs. In addition to them being cheaper then regular high chairs they take up so much less space.

Bottles: We use the Playtex Nursers and love them but whatever bottle you choose to use I recommend getting at least 8 4oz bottle and 8 8oz bottles per baby. Most infants are on a 3 hour feeding schedual to begin with so 8 will get you through the day with out having to wash them. Ours were mainly formula fed So at night before we'd go to bed we'd wash all the bottles fill them with formula and leave them on the counter that way through out the night and day when we had to feed them all we had to do was fill the bottles with water and we were good to go. If you're pumping, wash all your bottles before you go to bed and when you go to make bottles to feed the babies pull out a bag of breast milk to put in the bottles and let it get to room temperature until your next feeding.

Good luck! Hope some of this helps.

ETA: Spelling

ougrad1 · February 2013

I would do a swing or two and a rock and play-that way you can rotate the babies out.

Pump and/or bottles (I used Dr. Browns bottles but, lots of little parts you may not want to deal with)

Diapers. Lots of diapers.

1+tripsmom · February 2013

I don't have time to do a full answer now but will once the babies go to sleep. Congrats and breath is what I wanted to say now.

1+tripsmom · February 2013

Ok I have time to answer. I have been where you are when I found out I was expecting triplets my husband was getting ready to deploy thankfully his job was able to help him and he was not gone for long. For things to start with you will need 3 carseats you want ones that have a low weight in case they are small. We also went with 3 cribs. My kids slept in the rock and play for the first few months anyway. We had 2 swings and a 3 bouncers but I would not do that many if I could do it again. I would have the 3 rock and plays they were a life saver. You will need 3 high chairs later we went with space saver options. When they are small though you just needs the carseats some where for them to sleep, bottles and diapers lots and lots of them, and some clothes. Feel free to message me if you want for any questions or anything.

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