The list author says: "Knowing what to buy when you're having twins can feel a little overwhelming. I was fortunate to have a trial run with my oldest child to see what worked and what didn't. These have been the go-to products for my twins in the last year.
* Buy less than you think you need. With twins you won't go out as much as with one baby and you'll eventually want to have as little gear as possible. Think travel gear - lightweight, multipurpose and compact fold.
* Hold off on buying a full stroller until the babies are out of their infant seats (6-10 months) and use a double Snap N Go in the meantime.
* If you're out with twins, have two options in the car if possible - a twin stroller and a single snap-n-go with an Ergo carrier, for example. Double side-by-side strollers do not fit in many places, especially doctor's offices or between parked cars.
* Strollers - If you'll be running errands, shopping at the mall or traveling, the Maclaren Twin Techno or Baby Jogger City Mini are good options. If you spend most of your time outdoors, at the beach or at the park, the Bob Duallie is ideal. To avoid buying two, opt for a multi-purpose stroller that can handle a little of both - indoor and outdoor use - like the Baby Jogger City Select.
* Beware of inexpensive monitors. Sound quality is good and you'll hear baby's every breath, but so will your neighbors and anyone with a similar monitor. Pick one with digital transmission, ideally one with video that will let you see what the babies are doing, not just hear them.
* Check out your local warehouse club for baby items. You may find Subscribe and Save + Amazon Mom give you better deals on diapers, wipes, baby food and liquid formula, plus you'll save time and gas money having everything delivered to your home.
* Skip the Pack n Play – it’s too small with twins. A large play yard is more practical (see below). Hang a diaper holder on the outside and with a waterproof pad, you have a changing station."
"Top rated all-purpose everyday stroller for twins or different age kids. Seats can forward facing (stadium seating) or can be reclined fully rear facing. Huge basket, great canopies. Can be used with 1-2 car seats. Seats fold almost flat, frame stores very compactly. Handles grass, snow and small tight spaces easily. The 2011 model has deeper, firmer, more padded seats."
"Expensive but worth every penny. Folds flat for travel. Self propelled by baby, can be used for sleeping, playing or eating with three positions. Machine washable cover. My babies adore these and two fit, folded, in the City Select stroller basket when we go to playdates. So cool."
"This portable crib sets up in less than 30 seconds and is longer than a regular pac and play, so you'll be able to use it longer. The mattress is comfortable and baby will sleep well as there are no bars in the middle. I use this as a third crib when one twin is too fussy or sick and I need to bring her to another room."
"Folds into a small tube 30" x 6" x 6", stows easily anywhere at home, in the car or while traveling. Becomes your second set of hands if you need to bring a stroller & babies up and down stairs safely or just plain hold them while you do whatever. Two of these fit in the City Select stroller basket. Comes with tote & shoulder strap."
"The niftiest baby product you've never heard of. Folds to the size of a coffee can. Attaches to a chair or to you for feeding time; to a twin mattress for naps on the go. Gives you an extra pair of hands so YOU can have dinner or work on the computer. Great quality too."
"A three season weather cover with warm lining and security pocket. Fits the City Select perfectly and can be adapted for the BOB Duallie. Does not work on Maclaren side by sides."
"Includes reviews and ratings for almost all baby products on the market. The must have guide for parents before shopping for baby items or making up the baby registry, guaranteed to save you at least $250 or your money back."
"A good all-around stroller for twins, most suitable for ages 0 - 2 yrs (past that age it gets harder to push). Has a deep recline and rain cover. Folded, it takes up the back cargo area of a minivan, lying flat."
"Top rated all-terrain stroller for twins, fairly lightweight and compact for a jogger, as side wheels pop off. Look for black wheels for beach use (no rust). More suited for ages 1-4 yrs as it's super easy to push heavy kids with it. Best for use outdoors, it's too long to use indoors easily. Folded, it takes up 3/4 of cargo area in minivan with little room for much else."
"One of the best and roomiest diaper bags around, with a wide comfortable strap and lots of pockets for both baby and mom and dad. Comes in dozens of colors, plus the cover can be changed easily to fit your mood or style. The stroller hooks fit both side-by-sides and tandem strollers."
"The ideal video monitor for twins. Pan feature lets you go from one crib to another with just one camera; zoom; night vision; volume adjust & flashing lights. Batteries in the monitor hold charge for a long time. Place a second camera (sold separately) next to playard, or wherever else you need it in the house. Monitor allows viewing with up to 4 cameras."
"One of the best monitors on the market, it picks up your baby's every sound. Volume can be adjusted and flashing lights will show when baby's crying as well. Does not interfere with electronics; cannot be picked up by neighbors. Monitor batteries last a long time too."
"Buy just one box of newborn diapers at first, newborns grow fast! Fold over the front and secure so that the belly button can dry. Place some vaseline on baby's bottom or a thin film on the diaper to prevent diaper rash. Ceck out subscribe & Save and Amazon mom for 30% off retail and 2-day free delivery."
"A great trash can for the nursery that uses regular kitchen bags. Good size for multiples, discreet so it fits any decor, locks so other children and pets can't open it. Cleans easily with soap and water. Available in black."
"Great to have around for feeding (as a bib under baby's chin), burping, under baby's head in the crib to protect sheets, in bottom of baby tub to prevent slipping."
"A rented Medela hospital pump is your best bet for twins (your insurance might reimburse you). This is a good backup to keep at home and/ or your diaper bag - easy to use, gentle, very efficient and works with all Medela bottles."
"Ready-to-feed 8-oz bottles of liquid formula - enough for two hungry babies. Just attach nipple for middle of the night feedings or keep in your diaper bag for easy feeding on the go. Twist top lets you use as much as you need, save the rest up to 2 hrs room temp or 48 hrs refrigerated."
"A good detergent for washing baby clothes, diapers and all the family laundry, especially if your babies have sensitive skin. Cleans baby stains very well after just one wash in warm water, better than Dreft and less $$."
"The sleepsack replaces blankets, which can be a hazard for young babies. Available in cotton or microfleece, which is light enough to use all year if you have A/C. Use footed PJs in the winter for extra warmth."
"Skip the full size stroller for the first 6 months. You won't have to wake up sleeping babies to get them into the car or into a stroller. This frame is very light and compact and holds two car seats with ample storage underneath."
"Snugrides are top rated, lightweight and work well with many strollers. Look for one with a boot for three season use or get one without and simply use a blanket tucked around baby. These seats are larger and wider than the Baby Trend Flex Loc."
"In winter, look for carrier covers that snap on top of the car seat like a shower cap. Sleeping bag type ones can interfere with the harness in a crash and compress -safety experts do not recommend them."
"The most comfortable carrier around, it's favored by hikers and can hold toddlers up to 40 lbs and can be used for hours. Use with an Ergo infant insert #2 for babies 0-4. Does not interfere with baby's hip development like carriers that hold babies legs together do. Can be used while nursing, has a head cover for privacy."
"This playard will keep you sane. Enough said. Put little toys on each corner to create play stations. Place soft interlockable tiles underneath (run a pen around the inside and cut to size to keep babies from moving it around and cover with a large quilt. Best with two extensions."
"Use with playard to make a good-size area for you and your twins, with lots of room to play and sleep. Put down soft rubber tiles, cover them with a large washable quilt, put an activity mat on top and toys on each corner and you'll have a safe environment to keep the babies happily playing or sleeping."
