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Best Travel Crib for Twins? Hands Down It’s The Joovy Room²

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Best Travel Crib for Twins

Traveling with babies and toddlers is always interesting.  First, you have to plan the actual trip.  How will the baby do?  What can you do as a parent to make your baby more comfortable and able to pass the time while you’re traveling?  But then there are other considerations, namely, all the gear that you have to pack so you can travel with the baby.  Think playpens, strollers, portable changing tables, etc.  If you have twins, the planning is likely to double.  However, if you choose the best travel crib for twins, you get a lot of your travel gear in one purchase.

Best Travel Crib for Twins

Now that more people are having twins, the market has exploded.  Lucky for us as buyers, that means there are many choices available, but you really only need one that is superior to the rest.

Joovy Room²

Hands down, the best travel crib for twins is the Joovy Room².

This product comes with a thick pad for the bottom as well as a soft, fitted, waterproof sheet.  This playpen can accommodate children from newborns to those 35 inches tall, which means you’ll be able to use it for several years.  (The manufacturer asks that you discontinue use when the child can climb out.)

Pros

There are many pros with the Joovy Room².

Spacious

This portable playpen is bigger than standard pack n plays, which makes it ideal for twins.  In fact, it’s nearly 10 square feet in size and can easily accommodate two children.

Additional Features

The Joovy Room² has wide mesh on all sides, so you can more easily see your children.

It also comes with a storage bag that you can use when traveling with the Joovy.

Finally, it has two wheels on the bottom to allow you to easily move the Joovy Room².

Twin Nursery Center Bassinet Playpen Accessory

For newborns and infants, you can purchase the Joovy Twin Nursery Center Bassinet Playpen Accessory.

Best Travel Crib for Twins

This handy accessory turns your playpen into the perfect portable crib for twin babies.  It includes:

  • Bassinet,
  • Bassinet divider (so each baby has their own separate space to sleep in), and
  • Changing table (which sits on top of the bassinet area)

For convenience, the changing table flips to the side when not in use.

The bassinet holds up to 30 pounds, which means the twins can use it until they weigh 15 pounds each.

Cons

Although twin parents love the Joovy Room², it does have some drawbacks.

Heavy

Because it is large and comes with a high-quality, thick mattress, some parents say that it’s heavy.  A few even say it’s too heavy to travel with.  However, that is a minority of parents.

Bunching Sheet

Other parents complain that after the sheet has been washed a few times, it has the tendency to bunch and not fit as snugly as when it was new.

Why the Joovy Room² Is the Only Twin Travel Crib To Consider

There are many twin travel cribs on the market, but since the Joovy Room² is superior to the rest, it’s the only one you need to consider. It beats the competitors in several aspects:

Affordable

The Joovy Room² is $179.99 no matter which retailer you buy from. The Joovy twin nursery center bassinet playpen insert is an additional $99.99. For the price, you get a twin travel crib that is approximately 50 percent bigger than others on the market. In addition, the shape is square rather than the typical rectangular shape, giving your children more room.

Flexible Buying Options

Some other twin travel cribs on the market include the twin bassinet as part of your purchase. You can save money if you need the bassinets because the set is about $50 cheaper than buying the Joovy Room² playpen and bassinet accessory. But not everyone needs the bassinet accessory. If you simply need a travel playpen, the Joovy Room² is cheaper and bigger than the competitors.

Excellent Reviews

Read reviews on Amazon, and you’ll see that customers give the Joovy Room² 4.7 out of 5 stars. Specifically, 85 percent of customers give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Where To Buy The Joovy Room²?

The Joovy Room² is available on Joovy’s website, Amazon.com, and Walmart.  As of the writing of this posting, all three are selling the Joovy² for the same price: $179.99.  Also, shipping times are comparable between the three retailers.   Joovy’s website says they ship in 2 to 5 business days.  Amazon also ships in 2 to 5 days and Walmart offers a similar shipping time.

So, where to get it is up to you.  Here are three main options, click on the price in each table cell to buy the crib.

JoovyAmazonWalmart
Price: $179.99Price: $179.99Price: $179.99

Joovy is not available on costco.com.

Don’t forget to use a cash-back credit card – but keep the balance paid off.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for the best travel crib for twins, consider adding the Joovy Room² to your baby registry or buying it.  This product will continue to serve your family for several years.

Read More

Discounts for Parents of Twins and Multiples

What I Love Most About Having Twins!

Tips on Buying Gifts for Twins

What Are the Perks of Having Twins?

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Many people think of having twins and immediately think of the negatives.  Twice the expenses at once, twice the chaos. . .But these misconceptions only tell part of the story.  Many moms of twins share that there are incredible perks to being blessed with two babies at once.

The Perks of Having Twins

Perks of Having Twins

There are many benefits of having twins that most people don’t think of.  Consider these.

Double the Tax Deduction Instantly

When you have a new baby, you qualify for an additional tax deduction, but with twins, you immediately get double the tax deduction!  That can make quite a difference on your yearly tax return and can help pay for some of the extra expenses twins incur.

One Pregnancy—Two Babies

If you have easy pregnancies, you likely won’t care about this perk.  However, for women who struggle through pregnancy with morning sickness and discomforts, this can be a true joy.  One pregnancy, but two babies!  If you only want two children, you could reap all the rewards of having two kids but only struggle through one pregnancy.  Yes to that!

Built-In Friends

The Perks of Having Twins

Photo by Jelleke Vanooteghem on Unsplash

My cousin has twins, and she said the first year was extremely difficult.  After that, though, she felt that she was luckier than other moms because her twin sons each had built-in playmates in one another.  While many kids when they’re young rely on their parents to keep them entertained, she said her boys did that for one another.  She enjoyed watching their “twin language” develop and the way they played with each other for hours.  No play dates required.

Share Clothes

If your twins are the same sex, they can share clothes.  This gives them twice the wardrobe at the same price as buying clothes for singletons.

Easier Homework Time

When you think of the perks of having twins, you likely don’t think of homework time.  Yet, if your twins are in the same class and have the same teacher in elementary school, they both have the same assignments due.  Rather than looking at two or three different sets of homework as you would if you were mom to two singletons, the twins will get the same homework, making your job as homework assistant easier.

Discounts for Twins

Did you know if you have twins you can get discounts at a surprising number of places?  My cousin said that she received discounts on daycare when she registered her twins.  A quick search on the web shows that many, many companies offer parents of twins discounts for all sorts of items from mattresses, to formula, to sleeping pods.  The list goes on and on.

Sure, you’ll be paying more out of pocket when you make a purchase times two, but you may save more overall compared to buying twice with singletons because you get a discount.

Final Thoughts

While it is true that by having twins you can face double the expense at one time, there are also many perks of having twins that save you money and time.

Read More

Tips for Approaching Parents of Twins

What I Love Most about Having Twins

Tips on Buying Gifts for Twins

 

 

Tips for Approaching Parents of Twins

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Having twins requires a special parenting styleAs I have mentioned many times — I’m a Mom of twin boys and I absolutely love it! I have never minded the attention that has come because of our double blessing. I think most parents of twins agree that it’s fun (as long as you aren’t in a big hurry) and you get to talk to a lot of nice people.

When the boys were babies, people would stop to talk to us wherever we went. I suppose it’s hard to miss someone walking by with a double stroller that contains two precious, rosy cheeked babies. Some of the most common questions we were asked – and still get – are:

  • Are they twins?
  • Are they identical?
  • Which one was born first?
  • Do twins run in your family?
  • How far apart are they?
  • What are their names?

I honestly don’t mind answering questions about the boys — and I haven’t really been offended by any we’ve been asked (not yet anyway). Some inquiries seem a tiny bit personal, but I have those types of answers all prepared. I’m a people person – and I’m also pretty easy going – so it hasn’t ever bothered me too much. My husband used to get a little annoyed with the “Are they twins” question when the boys were babies. He always wanted to say “No, they are triplets but we left one at home.” He never said that though. Of course, now when people ask us if the boys are twins – I don’t really blame them because they don’t look a like. Actually, A. is usually an inch and a half, to two inches taller than N. — always has been.

The fact of the matter is, twins and other multiples are fascinating to a lot of folks. They were always interesting to me, and I guarantee you I asked some silly questions. This is why I thought if I gave you some information about twins — it could help you out when approaching these families.

Facts about twins

Here are is a quick fact about twins that you might find very helpful — especially if you don’t know a lot about them.

What is the difference between fraternal and identical twins?

Our boys are fraternal, which means are as different as any other set of siblings — they just happen to be born at the same time. Fraternal twins occur because of a double ovulation; two separate eggs and fertilized separately. Sometimes when people stop us to ask if the boys are twins, they seem surprised and say, “Well, they don’t look alike.” Not all twins look alike they can actually look very different. One such example would be boy/girl twins — now that’s different! I know some people who have b/g twins who get asked frequently if they are identical — I think I may have asked this question myself before. The answer is always no and here’s why.

Identical twins are a result of one egg and one fertilization — what happens is, the egg  splits. These twins will look very much alike because they share the same DNA. This is why b/g twins can’t possibly be identical. When identical twins are infants – and even as they grow – it may be very difficult for people to tell them apart. However there are certain markings, mannerisms and other subtle differences that can help. Of course, it is important t remember that just because these twins look the same on the outside; they are still different people.

Questions and Comments to Avoid

Even well meaning people can make comments without thinking things through. Some of the most common comments that parents of twins get – and you should avoid saying – are:

“Looks like double trouble.”

If I had a nickle for every time I heard this, I’d have enough money saved up to send both boys to college. People say it because it’s a catchy rhyme I guess — but I would suggest saying something like “Looks like a double blessing” or “You’ve got double the joy.” These positive comments go over much better with parents of twins. I have had people say these things to me and I appreciated it.

“How do you do it?”

To which I say — “I just do it.”

“Better you than me!”

Yes — I agree!

“Oh, he must be the smart one.”

Uh…yeah…they are both very smart, thank you very much.

“Your kids are both cute, but she is much prettier.”

This wasn’t said to my kids — but a stranger did say this to a twin mommy friend of mine. I was shocked when she told me, but what made it worse was that her six year old girls heard the whole conversation. Since that time I have read several posts from other moms who have had the same experience. The sad thing is – many times – it’s family members who will say it and even do so in front of the kids.

“Did you have an IVF (in vitro fertilization) done?”

Before I answer, may I ask how your children were conceived?

“Do twins run in your family?”

Yes, and usually in different directions…haha! I actually just saw this on a t-shirt but I’m totally using this next time someone asks. This question is a more polite way of asking someone if they used fertility treatments to conceive their twins. Before asking this question, I recommend getting to know the person a little better first.

As I said before, I know people mean well. We’ve all said silly things – without completely thinking things through – at one time or another. I know I have done it many times. Nobody’s perfect…

Got twins? What are some things you wish people knew about them? Don’t have twins but have a question you’ve been wanting to ask?

What’s Your Parenting Style?

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Having twins requires a special parenting styleSo — there I was minding my own business, when all of a sudden I stumbled upon a parenting article written by Mayim Bialik. If you aren’t familiar with her name, you might know her from the movie Beaches and the TV show Blossom. She wrote a blog post which caught my attention; Why I don’t don’t force my kids to say ‘please’ or walk on schedule.

What? She doesn’t make her kids say please? But why? I was immediately sucked in and began to read.

I read a lot about parenting

Now, I have read a lot of parenting books, blogs, and the like. If I’m going to be 100% honest, I’ll tell you that some of it confuses the heck out of me. One book says to do things one way, and another says the complete opposite.  So I take what I think is helpful and I leave the rest by the wayside — or lock it up my subconscious to pull out at a later date if needed.

Right after reading Mayim’s post, I thought to myself “Well, there is absolutely nothing I will take away from that article!”

I guess her parenting style might be attachment parenting combined with what some call slow parenting.

What my parenting style is NOT

I knew even before the boys were born, that attachment parenting was not for me. I’m not saying that there is anything wrong with it — it’s just not my style. I’m sure there are some fantastic attachment parenting — twin parents out there, but I am not one of them. It’s hard enough to get sleep with one newborn but if you are demand feeding, co-sleeping and sling wearing twins, triplets or more? That could be tough. Plus, I have yet to see a comfortable sling for twin parents. Does this look comfortable to anyone here? You decide…

Found on Amazon.com

In relation to the slow parenting — I honestly don’t have the patience for it. I promise that I am working on taking it down a notch. I’m not a hyper scheduler or type A personality which helps, but it is hard! As I’ve mentioned before my kids dawdle like crazy!

Another thing that I just can’t get on-board with, is not reminding your kids to be polite and that includes sharing. Sorry Mayim, if I see you in the park and your kids want to play with something my kids have — my children will be asked by me, to share with your kids. I don’t care if  your kids share or not, but mine will. I will always encourage my children to say please and thank you; just as my Mom and my grandparents encouraged me to. It’s polite. People who go out of their way do to nice things or give you something, deserve to be thanked. It’s common courtesy. If you are a courteous individual, you will be successful in whatever you do, because people appreciate being appreciated.

Some people have said that Mayim’s methods are extreme. While I don’t think her style would work for me I, wouldn’t say she’s extreme. Would one say that the Amish are extreme? Probably not, they just live simply and Mayim parents simply (though I wouldn’t think it would be simple at all. It sounds like a lot more work to me). In other words, she parents organically — meaning she goes with the natural flow and follows her children’s ques. You will not find any TV watching, Leapfrog game systems, or other automated learning toys. I honestly don’t know how she does it. She notes that she still nurses her her 2yr old on demand; which includes feeding every two hours during the night. Wow! I think Moms who breastfeed are the bomb! I wasn’t able to – but I have much respect for those who do – but every 2 hours? That has got to be messing with everyone’s REM sleep.

After reading Mayim’s article it got me thinking, “What is my parenting style?”

My parenting style

For one thing, I need my sleep too much to do what she does. Maybe that makes me selfish, but I am a much more patient mom –  and all around better person – when I have had enough rest. That’s why it was important for me to develop a routine (or some will call it sleep training) for the twins. I am happy to report that they are no worse for the wear. In fact, they are excellent sleepers (like their momma). At almost 4 years old, they still take a 1-2hr nap everyday — and no, it doesn’t have any impact on how they sleep at night. The boys were sleeping through the night (6hrs) without waking up at around 3 months old. They did have one very late feeding around 11pm — and then would sleep until 5 or 6am. I had them on a sleep – eat – wake schedule and it worked beautifully for us. It wasn’t too strict but it was a routine that helped all three of us get through our day.

I guess my parenting involves a mixture of things. I’m not really a natural parent but I there are some things that might be considered natural parenting – like making all of the boys’ baby food – but then there are other things – like using disposable diapers – that would cancel that out. I do let my kids watch TV but I limit what and how much they watch. PBS is our best friend because of the educational programming; minus the commercials.

I am probably more overprotective than I should be; I’m trying to loosen up a bit now that they are getting older. I do worry about them getting hurt or something bad happening to them if they are out of my sight. I am working on not hovering though. I am starting to realize that if they use scissors and cut themselves, they’ll probably be more careful next time. So if I warn them not to do something several times and they just keep doing it, that must mean they need to learn the hard way, to get it to sink in. It makes me sad when my children get hurt, disappointed, or upset but it’s just part of life. I try to remind myself that orotecting them from everything is not only impossible, it also won’t allow them to gain life skills they need to survive in the world. Again, this is something I am working on.

I do use time-outs, I don’t spank my children, and on occasion — I have been know to yell to try to get their attention. Which by the way, rarely works.

I guess there isn’t really a label for my parenting style — or even Mayim’s for that matter. We are both moms, who are following our own instincts. We both love our children and want them to be happy and well adjusted. We are both working hard to encourage and support our children so they can live their best life.

Even though she and I parent differently, I did take away something from her article — that I should back off a little. I need to step away, take a deep breath, and let the boys play and explore without intruding on their natural learning. When they are fighting instead of just “fixing” whatever is happening, I should allow them to work it out (ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, but the crying and whining can be really hard to listen to).

There are a lot of things I’ll keep the same. I’ll still always remind them to share and of course, to say please and thank you.

So what is your parenting style?

Discounts for Parents of Twins and Multiples

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having twins is expensive!Having twins is wonderful but it is also pretty expensive!  Well,  having children is expensive but when you are blessed with two or more babies at one time, things add up really fast. The good news is there are several companies who understand this and are willing to give parents of twins and higher order multiples a break. Some companies will send you freebies or really great coupons. Be aware that in some cases, you will be asked to provide the babies’ birth certificates, to prove that you do have multiples.

Here is a list of discounts parents of multiples can receive and for even more money saving tips check out my post on tips for buying for twins. I will do my best to update this list from time to time but you will definitely want to check with each of these companies to make sure they are still offering their multiple birth programs, discounts or freebies. If you know of a multiple birth program that is not listed, please let me know I’d love to add it! 🙂

American Baby Magazine

(possible) Free 1yr Subscription

When I called I was told that you just need to enter your name, due date and number of children and when they see you are expecting multiples you will get the discount. I don’t know for sure if this works but it’s worth a try and if it doesn’t automatically apply the discount I would call customer service 1-800-678-1208

Please let me know if you do try it and whether it works or not. Thanks!

Babies R Us

10% discount to parents of multiples (in-store)

This discount applies when buying two or more large items such as, furniture, high chairs, swings, pack-n-plays, strollers (I am told this also applies to a double stroller), etc. Be sure to ask before making your purchase since these discounts can change at any time.

Baby Depot

(part of Burlington Coat Factory)

20% discount on anything in the baby department when you buy two or more identical items.

This could be a substantial savings, especially if you are buying furniture. Be sure to ask in your local store about the discount because discounts can change and possibly vary by region.

OshKosh and Stride Rite

Provides discounts for parents of twins, as do many other national retailers.

Carnation Good Start Formula

The Carnation Company will send you six containers of its formula. Send a copy of the babies’ birth certificates to: P.O. Box AW, Wilkes Barre, PA 18703. Address it “Attention: Nestle Infant Nutrition.”

Pampers

Call 1-800-726-7377 to request a freebie package as part of their Pampers Multiples Birth program. They’ll also send you coupons.

Luvs

Call  1-800-665-3257 for a freebies package from the Luvs Multiple Birth program. You’ll get coupons for diapers and wipes and product samples.

Huggies

If you call the Kimberly-Clark Company at 1-800-Tel-Scot, you will be sent free mailing labels to send in your babies’ birth certificates. Then you will receive coupons for free diapers.

(I recommend contacting all three companies. I used all three brands for the boys. Luvs were my favorite because they worked well and were the least expensive but I used pampers or huggies at night because they both carry and overnight diapers which help prevent leaks)

McNeal Consumer Products

(The makers of Tylenol)

Free welcome packs for your twins
Call 1-800-962-5357 ( option #5) and make sure you tell them you have multiples.

Tomy ~ First Years, Learning Curve, Boone and more

(Free baby gift package)

You must submitt a birth announcement, birth certificate or some other proof of multiples by fax or mail.

1-800-533-6708 ph | 1-563-875-8263 fax

Tomy

Attn. Multiple Birth Program
2021 9 St. SE
Dryersville, IA 52040

Once the kids are older you’ll want to ask if there is a multiple child discount for preschool, lessons (swimming, art, music), and sports. Most will automatically offer it but if they don’t be sure to ask.

I hope this has been helpful. Please pass it along to anyone expecting twins! 🙂

What I Love Most about Having Twins!

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TwinsI love having twins! People always ask me if it’s a lot of work and I say, “Sure it is, but it’s worth it.” They truly are a double blessing. Here are some of the best things about having twins.

A Baby for Everyone

One of the first things I loved about having twins, was that they were easy to share. After the boys were born, my Mom and Mother-in-law were so happy that they each had a baby to hold. When people came to visit, there weren’t any awkward, “quit hogging the baby” moments — because there was usually one up for grabs.

Some new mothers feel like everyone is holding their baby but them; or that they only get the baby when they need to be fed or starts crying. Not so much with twins — I am happy to report that I got lots of baby holding time and so did all the other people that love them.

Two Bald Baby Heads with Toothless Grins

Some of my favorite moments of the day, were when the boys would wake up from their naps, or first thing in the morning (especially if they slept in). As soon as I would hear them making cute baby noises; I would go into their room. That’s when I would see the cutest little bald babies smiling at me, with their adorable toothless grins. I loved that!

Rinse and Repeat

Having two infants at the same time was a little intense. The best twin advice I received was “What you do for one, do for the other.” This saved me so much time and frustration. It took a little while for us to get in the groove of things but once I remembered that advice – and put it into practice – things flowed much more smoothly.

They ate at the same time, I changed their diapers at the same time (whether the other one needed it or not), I put them down for a nap at the same time, and as soon their sleep schedules began to sync, life got a tiny bit easier. Plus, I got really good at doing things, because I would do it once and then immediately do it again. Except feeding. I always fed them at the same time, otherwise I wouldn’t have had time for anything else.

Built in Best Friend (wrestling buddy)

My boys always have a playmate. Of course, that can also work against me when they are fighting — but if you have more than one kid it’s bound to happen. When they were newborns, they didn’t really look at each other much but they loved to be side-by-side. One would lay their head on the other’s shoulder or they might hold hands. It was so adorable!

Now that they are older, they have inside jokes, they giggle and chat before falling asleep and again when they wake up, they make up all kinds of fun adventures and work together to achieve a common goal. They are also more confident when experiencing new situations, because they have each other.

Twins Community

I am part of a wonderful community of twin parents. You know how motorcyclists wave at each other as they pass on the road; it’s kind of like that for parents of twins. We might stop to swap stories or just give each other a knowing smile. We share a common bond and it’s always nice to talk to other parents of twins. I especially enjoy meeting twins who are grown-up. They provide fantastic insights.

2-for-1 Deal

It took awhile for my husband and I to have children. We always said we were going to have two; we just didn’t know it would happen at the same time. Sometimes, I wish I could have experienced two pregnancies but I am very thankful for the one I did have. I got two babies and only had to go through labor once — that’s a pretty good deal. Plus, I have two very healthy little boys. I couldn’t ask for more than that.

People Tell Me I’m a Supermom

This is always nice to hear and I really appreciate when people take the time to tell me this. It’s very sweet. Truth is, I think there are a lot of Supermoms (and Dads) out there, who work very hard for their children every day. That’s what being a parent is all about – no matter what hand you are dealt – a good parent will just do what needs to be done to care for their child or children, no matter what.

I once had a lady say to me, “You have twins? Wow! I don’t know how you do it. I have one three year old and it’s insane. I would have killed myself if I had twins.” Yikes! Better me than her I guess.

The Same but Different

My boys share a birthday, they both love superheros and fire trucks, and the both love their dog but they are really so very different. For one thing A. will eat just about any fruit on the planet but N. really only likes apples and grapes (thankfully he’s not as picky about veggies). Before they were even born, A. was pretty chill and N. moved around like a wild man. After they arrived — A. was pretty chill and N. was a wild man.

They don’t look alike, they don’t dress alike and they certainly have different ideas about things — but at the end of the day they are best buddies. If they are apart for any length of time – as soon as they see each other – they are so happy to be together again.

There’s really so much to love about having twins! There’s double the hugs and double the kisses. There is no feeling in the world like holding a sleeping baby in each arm. Sometimes, I still try to carry them both for old times sake, but it’s getting much more difficult.

I am so thankful to be a mother of twins. It has been an amazing experience so far — and the adventure has just begun!

The blessings of raising twins, certainly outweigh the challenges.

Do you have twins? What do you love most about having them?

Double the Blessing — Double the Stuff; Tips on Buying for Twins

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TwinsAs I have mentioned before — I am the Mom of twin boys. Because of this, I get asked all kinds of questions. Here is one question that I get asked quite often by people who are either expecting twins or those who are just curious:

Does having twins mean you have to have two of everything?

Since money and space are a common concern for people expecting twins – thankfully – the answer is no. Certainly, there are things that you should have two of but there are many things where having just one, will suffice.

At the end of the article, check out our recommendations for some of the best online shops for baby furniture and supplies

Bringing Home Babies

It’s always a great idea to be fully stocked on all supplies – and ready for action – as soon as the babies arrive home. Having all the essentials and first aid supplies is a must but you can hold off on some of the bigger items until later (swings, high chairs, exersaucers, etc.)

Parents of twins do need to keep plenty (and by plenty I mean, imagine what you think might need and triple that number) of the following items on hand; bottles, wipes, diapers, and formula. Other things that are really important to have a lot of are; onsies, sleepers, burp cloths,love and patience. Trust me when I tell you that running out of any of these items, with two unhappy babies yelling at you is not – I repeat – not a good thing!

Things you need to have two of:

Car Seats

These are an absolute must. They won’t even let you leave the hospital, without seeing them properly installed in your car first.

Double Stroller

There are some great infant seat/double stroller systems out there. Do a lot of research and that will help you decide which one might work best for you. To get started you’ll want to ask other parents of twins, read reviews, and take them for a test drive.

We had an in-line stroller and later bought a side by side light weight double stroller when the boys were about a year old. Both had their advantages – like keeping the kiddos contained; and their disadvantages – like not being able to squeeze through narrow spaces or the ablility to take out clothing racks in department stores.

Cribs

Most twinfants do enjoy sharing a crib (or at least they seem to) but opinions differ on whether that is actually safe or not. Once they start moving around and rolling over, parents are strongly advised to put them in their own crib because one could roll over on the other and cause them to stop breathing.

Our boys slept in a crib together for a very short time. They couldn’t roll over but somehow N would scoot himself on his back (maybe kicking his feet or something) and end up using A’s belly as his foot rest. Neither seemed bothered by this arrangement but we separated them soon after this started — they actually slept much better on their own.

Baby Carrier or Sling

I loved our baby carriers, though looking back I probably would have purchased a sling as well — for around the house. The carrier was just too bulky to use while trying to get things done.

The carriers were great when my husband and I would take the boys out and about. We could hold them close (so people didn’t lean in and breathe all over them). Plus, we didn’t get people constantly stopping us to ask if they were twins — not that I minded that so much, but when you are in a hurry it can be a little frustrating.

High Chairs

These of course aren’t needed right away, but they are necessary. A friend of mine – who also has twins – advised me to get high chairs which would fit on our dining room chairs.

This was a fantastic idea for us because our kitchen isn’t very big and having two high chairs would have taken up a lot of space. We found some nice ones and then my Mom bought some very simple, plastic ones that were great for travel. They were light weight and didn’t take up too much space; which was nice.

Two Sets of Bottles

We started with glass bottles and that made for a lot of extra work. They were nice though, easy to warm up and store in the fridge but lots of washing, especially in the beginning.

I later moved to the Playtex bottles and liners (*money saver* Target makes liners that fit these bottles for much less than the Playtex ones) not very “green” of me I know — but it sure was simple and saved me a lot of time.

Potty Seats

Potty training twins isn’t easy but having two potty chairs in the house will make it a tiny bit easier.

Things you may need two of:

Diaper Genie or Diaper Pail

You really only need one of these but if you have a split level house it might be more convenient to have one on each level.

Baby Swing

You might be fine with only one of these but if both babies really love them — you’ll probably want two.

Bouncy Seat

Our boys loved these. I would put the babies in them and it made it easy for me to transport them to any room in the house. Some babies don’t like them though, so if you get one and they both like it, you can get another one later.

Exersaucer

These were fantastic and the boys loved playing in them. They would also interact and play with each other when I would put them in them side-by-side.

Bumbos

My boys didn’t use these for very long before they figured out how to escape — but they were fun to have.

One will be just fine:

  • Changing Table
  • Wipe Warmer
  • Vaporizer (unless they are in two separate rooms)
  • Nursing Pillow
  • Activity Mat
  • Bathtub
  • Night Light

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If you have any questions about twins, or would like to see a post on a specific topic relating to twin parenting let me know!

Do you have twins? What items to you get two of and what did you only need one of?

Tips on Buying Gifts for Twins

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Twins can be tricky for buying presentsWhen buying gifts for twins – often times – people are confused about what to get. Do you buy a gift for each child or one gift for both? Do you give them both a card, or is one card just fine? If your child is invited to a birthday party by one twin, do you need to get a gift for the other one? These are questions – that I honestly never thought about – until I had twins. Buying gifts for twins can be a daunting task for some but it really doesn’t have to be. You just need to keep a few things in mind as you plan your shopping trip.

Twins Are Not Clones

Just because two people share a birthday and may look exactly alike; doesn’t necessarily mean they enjoy the same things. A good rule of thumb is, unless they have requested the exact same item; try to get them something different. If they have the same interests, you can always get them something similar but maybe a different version. Keep in mind that it’s not about spending a lot of money. You know the saying, “It’s the thought that counts,” well — that really is true. When you take the time to personalize the gift – by learning what each child’s individual interests are – you make them each feel special and important.

Now, let’s talk about cards. Do you really need to get a card for each child or can you get one card and address it to both? If the card contains a gift, doing a card for each child is the best idea; then you can write a special message to each one. Also, think about it this way – if the children were not born on the same day – would you be sending separate cards for each? If the answer is “yes,” then you’ll want to give two cards.

You Don’t Have to Spend a Lot

Twins spend a lot of time with each other; so give them the gift of some one-on-one time with you. Scheduling a special outing of some kind with each twin, is a great way to honor each one’s unique personality. Maybe one twin loves animals and one loves airplanes — one weekend you can have an outing to the zoo with the animal lover and the next weekend you can go to the air museum with the other child.

Another fun thing you can do is to take a day for each twin — make their favorite lunch and do an activity of their choice. It might be playing a board game or video game, looking at old pictures, a trip to the park or the library, or whatever else they want to do that day. It’s nice for each one to have a little time, when they don’t have to share or compromise. Of course, those are good lessons and just a part of life but for twins — they have been doing that from the beginning. It’s really is nice for them to have things their way, even if it’s just for a few hours.

Twin Birthday Parties

Do you need to buy a gift for each twin, if your child only knows one of them? This is something I honestly never thought about. Since our boys are in the same preschool class, they share all of the same friends, but often times – as twins get older – they are placed in different classes in school and may develop friendships with kids, who their sibling doesn’t even know. If your child is only being invited by one twin, it will usually be noted on the invitation. Many times the parents of the twins will also write on the invite that you shouldn’t feel obligated to bring a gift for the twin, who your child doesn’t know.

It is definitely a nice gesture to bring a little something for the other twin even if your child doesn’t know them very well, but certainly not necessary.

I hope I was able to clear up any questions you might have about giving gifts to twins. If you have any questions comments or ideas to share, I would love to hear them!

Have you ever bought gifts for twins? Any advice I missed?