My Twins prep shopping spree was a bust... I could benefit from your experience

BabyVDM · October 2013

First question: Mini Cribs?

So we have a small house, and the nurserty is the smallest room. I could fit 2 full size cribs in there but basically nothing else. I have been contemplating the "mini crib" which is slightly smaller (only the width of a twin bed). In fact they convert to Twin beds. The thing is, that I'm not sure that the kids will be able to stay in them long enough before I can convert them to twins and let them sleep in a regular bed (with barrier of course). What do you think? Has anyone used the mini cribs?

2nd Question: Diaper bags?

Did you get a "Twin" diaper bag, or just use a regular sized singleton diaper bag? I was looking at them and the seemed a bit small for 2 babies. Would love to hear your experience.

3 Question: Clothing Size

So, I read and have been told that twins average about 5.5lbs at birth. So I went out and bought enough onsies and pjs etc for the kids to last a few weeks after they are born. Just freaking out a bit because I bought them all in Newborn sizes. I am worried that even if they are 5.5lbs will they out grow the newborn size so quickly that I have just thrown a bunch of money out the window. I only have about 6 outfits each and maybe 8 or so onsies each. I will have to buy more ofcourse. Just wondering, for those who's babies are here already, what was your experience and knowing what you know now, what sizes would you buy in prep of their arrival?

I aoplogize if this is one of those repeat FAQ posts. I haven't found an earlier one.

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tiffwedd · October 2013

We have a very small room for our boys as well and went with 2 full size IKEA cribs. They are not bulky at all, don't take up a ton of space and we have them in an L shape. We were still able to get a tall dresser and changing table in as well also from IKEA.

Regular diaper bag worked fine for us. I found that after the first couple of trips out with them we didn't as much stuff as I thought we would.

Mine were both 5lbs when they came home and they were out of newborn size pretty quick and stayed in 0-3 for quite awhile.

Congrats and good luck!

LottaLattes · October 2013

If you need to economize on clothes, onesies are pretty much sufficient, and maybe a couple pants depending on your edd. I didn't go out a whole lot except to the doctor until about 6 weeks. I use a backpack for a diaper bag which works fine and also have two Ikea cribs (which are nice as they don't have a bunch of ornamental side wood so they are compact...and cheap!)

ntdane · October 2013

I'm a STM but still expecting my twins. I can't answer the diaper bag question (though we are looking at the backpack versions w/insulated pockets for bottles) but I do have some input on clothing size. DS was born at 6 lb 13 oz and he did wear newborn clothes at least a month or so, which was longer than I had expected. 0-3 month things lasted quite awhile. Are you having a baby shower thrown for you? If so, I wouldn't worry too much about stocking up on clothes ahead of time. People can't resist the cuteness when it's one baby and I can imagine some would go even more crazy with two

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shaunah816 · October 2013

I have a twin sized diaper bag and have loved it so far. Now that the boys are 12 months I'm finding it annoying to lug around since it's so big, so I may downsize. But it was great for the first year.

As for clothing, my boys were big for twins (6.7 and 6.3 at 38.4 weeks), and the first week they were too SMALL for newborn clothes, but we made it work (a friend with preemies gave us a few preemie sized onesies and they helped stretch our supply). They stayed in newborn clothes until they were 9 weeks old. So you'll definitely be fine with newborn sized. I wouldn't buy any preemie clothes until/unless you know they'll be really early, or if you give birth early you can send a relative out to pick up some preemie outfits.

SWA80 · October 2013

My boys are 7 weeks. A regular diaper bag has been fine for us so far. For clothes, it just depends so I wouldn't buy any more. My boys were 4lb 3 and 3lbs 5. They did a little NICU time but the smaller still needed some preemie clothes when he came home. The larger has already outgrown newborn and is on to 0-3. They grow so fast I wouldn't buy too much of anything. My boys have already more than doubled in weight!

mrsmac08 · October 2013

I originally had a typical size diaper bag and ended up getting a larger one later on. I just didn't feel like I had enough room in the original bag.

My 2 1/2 year old twins are still in their full size cribs but have plenty of room, so like PP, I would expect the mini ones would last a while.

We mostly used 0-3 clothing. DD was 8 lbs and DS was 6lbs 9 oz, so they didn't fit in newborn for long.

BeckyP005 · October 2013

I can't help on anything @BabyVDM but just had to say I'm SO very happy for you!!! Good luck and have fun (try to) on all the shopping

bumpuser924057 · October 2013

I had big twins (7lbs12oz and 7lbs2oz) and they still swam in NB clothes for the first few weeks and didn't get into 0-3 solidly until about six weeks.

kellibelle0417 · October 2013

We also have the ikea cribs. We have the petunia pickle bottom abundance (bigger) boxy backpack and love it. Our twins are now 11 weeks and wear 0-3 and 3 month sizes. They were 6.11 and 5.12 at birth (born at 37.3 weeks), dropped 12% in weight. They wore premie for a couple of weeks then on to newborn. You really do only need onesies, pants and footed Jammies. We were at home most of the time and they grow so fast.

rac717 · October 2013

I have a regular diaper bag and it has far too much room. I actually leave it in the car and just bring a tiny bag with changing pad that folds up, 2 diapers, wipes and some pacifiers when I go out. I figure if I need more, I can always get it out of the car but honestly, how much stuff do you possibly need?

Cribs, mine were in the pack&play for the first 6 months. They're now in the mini cribs and will stay there until they get converted into the twin bed with sides, prob around 2 years.

As for the clothes - totally depends. I bought a bunch of NB and they were far too big the first month so wound up getting preemie stuff. YOu don't need many clothes in the beginning so don't worry too much

staceymack · October 2013

I have a twin diaper bag. They're only 2 months old, and we only leave the house for doctor appointments right now. It has more than enough space and room to grow with them.

My girls are preemies. At 2 months my smaller baby is still in NB but she's about too long for NB. I have a whole stack of onesis that we never used. We like the button up sleepers. They hate it when we put clothes on over their heads.

JodiAriel · October 2013

I use a JuJuBe Prepared which is huge but I CD so I always feel like I don't have enough room.

As for the clothes, my girls were born at 6lbs 9oz and 6lbs 13oz and we worn NB size for at least 10 weeks. I got a ton of clothes though from my local MoM swap. There is two local here, one is a true swap, just take what you need and bring the outgrown clothes the next time and the other is like a tag sale but for both pregnant MoM get in first so they get first dibs at all the clothes. They usually have gear and stuff too. The only thing I wouldn't buy are car seats, you never want to buy a used car seat

Mrs.Guz · October 2013

We have a twin diaper bag. And its probably too big for us. But I tend to be an overpacker/overpreparer so I wanted to make sure I held everything I may need.

Mine were 6#2oz and 5#3oz at birth. They are now 6 weeks old. They are both just now fitting into NB. I bought a bunch if NB and preemie clothes on consignment for a steal. I didn't want to spend a lot of money since I didn't know how big they were going to be. I also got a lot as gifts. Including some preemies. So, I'd quit buying clothes for now. If you need to get your fix, buy 0-3 month and up.

jcath · October 2013

I'm no help on cribs - the girls have a nice sized room. I do have a friend that has two children 15 mos apart and they fit two regular cribs and a chair in a room and took the door off the closet and used it as open storage - I think they put the changing table in the closet. When mine were little I had a change station set up in the living room which worked well

Bags - we had the skip hop duo deluxe and it was fine but have moved to a regular backpack. I wish I had bought a nice diaper bag backpack to begin with. Don't worry to much b/c you won't be going out that much in the beginning

Clothes - my girls were both 6lbs 12 oz so and were still small in newborn sizes and wore them longer than I thought. Zip up sleepers were lifesavers - don't buy the snap up kind but you don't want to snap all those snaps...twice!

BabyVDM · October 2013

Thanks everyone! I feel like I might not have goofed up too too much.

I'm not planning on buying any more clothes until after they arrive, I mean there's just no way of predicting how big they will be or how fast they will grow. Just was worried that I'd have nothing right when the time comes. FTM jitters as you can well imagine.

We looked at the Ikea cribs, they are our back up option. They are still rather large though. I mentioned putting the cribs in an L-Shape like @TiffWedd described to DH. He pointed out that the only way we could do that would be to have one crib on the outside wall and it would be chilly. So looks like Mini Cribs are still in the running. I'm glad at least one person was able to respond that they use them and it's been working out.

BabyVDM · October 2013

BeckyP005 said:

I can't help on anything @BabyVDM but just had to say I'm SO very happy for you!!! Good luck and have fun (try to) on all the shopping

@beckyP005 - Thanks so much! I've been lurking on the TPR board, but have been staying quiet. Still thinking about you!

jennifire7 · October 2013

We have IKEA cribs also and they are very minimalist and definitely fit in small rooms. We used a lot of 0-3 months clothes during the first few months and even used a decent amount of preemie clothes for the first few weeks. Mine were 4.3 and 4.14.

JKGymnast · October 2013

Check out the Okkadots diaper backpack. I am 19 weeks and just got this the other day... It was about $70 on amazon. I think the backpack option is the best way to go with twins. Good. Luck!

xladybassx · October 2013

I am in your same situation with the small nursery. We actually took some measurements and realized that if we put in 2 full size cribs we will not be able to fit a changing table or open/close the closet. For that reason, we are going to be getting mini cribs. We don't have them yet so I can't tell you how I like them, but from all the research I have done I believe they will be plenty big enough until my girls are ready for a toddler bed. This is the one we are getting: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001RI89K2?vs=1

BabyVDM · October 2013

xladybassx said:

I am in your same situation with the small nursery. We actually took some measurements and realized that if we put in 2 full size cribs we will not be able to fit a changing table or open/close the closet. For that reason, we are going to be getting mini cribs. We don't have them yet so I can't tell you how I like them, but from all the research I have done I believe they will be plenty big enough until my girls are ready for a toddler bed. This is the one we are getting: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001RI89K2?vs=1

@xladybassx this is our first choice. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002ZG7JQK/ref=pd_aw_sbs_2?pi=SS115

I can't help worrying that they will grow out of way too early to be in a twin bed. But suppose no way of seeing that future.

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