Multiples
Stroller and registry advice!
Hi All!
I'm expecting twins in December and am lost when it comes to choosing the right stroller! I'm in between the Contours Elite and Chicco Cortina and I'm not sure which is the best for twins to grow into. I really like the price point and would like to stay within the $250-400 range. They both seems so heavy and long when closed and I'm worried I'll have difficulties when I'm out and about. Is tandem the way to go or have you found that a side by side is best?
Also, I would love to hear what your absolute must haves are? i.e. Best rockers, high chairs, bottles, baby carriers, etc. These are my first kids and I don't know anyone else with twins.
Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Re: Stroller and registry advice!
As for registry I used everything!! The things I didn't have double of we just switched off with and that worked fine! Single: swing, rock n play, pack and play etc. double: high chairs, bumbo seats etc.
Must Haves:
Diapers, diapers, diapers... For days...
Diaper cream, lotion and wipes
A little first aid kit with nail clippers
I second above and love the fisher price space saver high chairs!
Bottles with all different flow nipples (I ended up having to experiment a lot and wasn't able to get them to breastfeed)
Some kind of double carrier or a wrap that works for that (shopping would be so much easier!)
Boppy pillows saved my life, but I know that they make a double one and that would have been crazy awesome
Baby monitors
I loved my swing ..... great to rock one and have alone time while the other was content in swing
Lots and lots of burp cloths !
Lots of blankets/swaddles
Lots of onesies!
We now use the Contours Options with the babies (13mo now). Given the options, I'd go back and get the "elite" version, because the bottom is quite hard to get at. The thing is huge. I highly recommend making sure it fits in your car before committing. Babies R Us will let you take strollers to your car and make sure they fit. I'm not sure about other stores. There are a couple annoying things with it, but for the price and the fit, we got it. Pros: My 4 1/2 year old can still fit in either seat, which was a major plus. Most of the strollers didn't leave room in the back. That being said, DD is tiny for her age, and the twins are big, but it should last longer than other like strollers. It comes with one infant carrier holder. You could purchase the second one instead of doing a snap n go type thing. The price. The sun shades are awesome, and it's nice to be able yo flip the seats around. Cons of the contours: it can only be folded up when both seats are forward facing in the full upright position AND the wheels are facing forward. It doesn't come with trays. You can get them through Amazon for about $25 each, but definitely plan for this extra expense. There is a tiny, terribly a designed single cupholder for the parent, and many aftermarket cupholders don't fit, do plan on spending another $20 for that. The brake keeps slipping down and clicks the entire time you're out with the stroller.
Must haves: changing table and diaper pail. 2 cribs. Waterproof mattress pads, especially if one of the babies spits up a lot! At least 4 fitted sheets, prefferably more like 6 of them. If they're in separate rooms away from you, 2 monitors that don't interfere with each other... And add in another changing table and diaper pail. If you want to save money in the long run, there are diaper pails out there (like the diaper champs that we use) that use regular garbage bags instead of refill things. If formula feeding, we used 2 rock n plays for them to sit in, and it saved my sanity. Swings and/or bouncers. 2 pack n plays for travel. They can be the plain and simple versions without the changing tables and other bells and whistles. In fact, you can only use most of that stuff in early days, so then you're stuck storing all the extra parts forever. Sleep sacks or swaddle wraps are great. Lots of bottles and a large size bottle drying rack. Some sort of jumper toy or excersaucer for when they get older. I strongly feel that one of these is enough. 2 high chairs. Car seats! If you live in a cold climate, showercap style car seat covers. You skip the winter coats completely and use them. They are plenty warm enough. Borrow what you can. So much baby stuff can only be used for a few months!