Shopping for twins - a starter list to get you on your way

Shopping for twins and preparing and planning a twin nursery, buying cribs for twins, looking for twins baby gifts and twin shower invitations, we've got it all covered for you. Here's a shopping list of ideas to help make your life easier . If you get prepared now for shopping for twins, it will be easier to handle all the ups and downs of feeding, bathing and bedtimes. See below for a list of things you'll need to bring to the hospital.

Some things you'll need now as you prepare, others you will need as the babies grow and their needs change. Start with doing an inventory of what you DO have already and go from there. Buying 2 of everything can really add up when you're shopping for twins !

You may want to print this page to give ideas to those who may be wanting to have a baby shower for you . Some people really aren't sure what to buy so it might help to have a ready list for twins to show them ! Diapers are always welcome though!

Check out our free stuff for twins page!

Twin Baby Shower Invitations

Ideas to help out those wonderful people who will plan a twin baby shower for you!

Twins Baby Gifts Ideas

Unique and creative ideas for the best twin baby gifts around.

Planning Your Twin Nursery

Planning for and decorating a twin nursery can be a lot of fun!

Twins Birth Announcements

Time to let the world know that your twins have arrived. Shop our selection of unique twin announcements.

Choosing a Twin Nursing Pillow

Whether you are breastfeeding or bottle feeding your twin babies, you'll need a great twin nursing pillow.

Cribs for Twins - top parent choices

You'll need to decide where your twins are going to be sleeping!

Diaper Bag for Twins - see our top picks!

You'll need a BIG one , but you probably don't need two of these.

Shopping for Twins - coming home from the hospital

Now for bringing the babies home from the hospital - you will need two car seats - the rear facing bucket ones ( these are more portable when your babies have fallen asleep then the big ones, and possibly little head huggers to hold their little heads while you travel. Some hospitals won't let you leave unless you have these ( rolled up towels or receiving blankets work as well.) If your babies are premature then you'll definitely need a way to hold their little heads stable while in the car.

You'll want to have a selection of soothers or pacifiers on hand - some babies won't take any, some have a very strong preference to which one they like so use trial and error here and go shopping for different ones until you know.

DIAPERS! and more diapers. You'll need to decide if you want to use cloth diapers - if you do you'll need at least 4-5 dozen to start. You may also want to consider a diaper service and have a diaper pail, as you may find you are doing a lot of laundry! If you are choosing to go with disposable diapers, then you'll need to always have at least 2 bags on hand. My advice here is to start buying one package of diapers every time you go out shopping until you have a wall of diapers ready ! It helps with the cost and you will not believe how many you are going to go through. Don't buy too many in the smallest size either as babies grow surprisingly fast and all of a sudden those won't fit anymore.

I would suggest having baby shampoo and soap, Tempra or infant tylenol, diaper cream or ointment on hand as well.

The more you can buy ahead of time, here and there the easier it will be on your wallet !

Shopping for twins - Twins Clothing and Layettes

Clothing or layette shopping list for twins Keep it simple - you'll want at least 5 t-shirts or onesies for each baby and at least 5 sleepers as well. If you are having identical twins then you may want to look into color co-ordinating them - one color for each baby. Little caps or hats are a good idea too especially if they are at all underweight. You'll need at 3 receiving blankets each, and 1 heavier warmer blanket. As much as little matching outfits with socks and pants and hats and shirts etc are adorable - they are NOT practical for newborns and you'll probably get some as gifts. Use those for cute photoshoots and let your babies stay warm and comfy in their sleepers. It will be easier on you. Snuggly warm sleepers are the best way to go !

Newborn babies will sleep anywhere really so don't panic over not having two cribs for twins all ready. Ours spent a lot of time sleeping together in a Moses basket for months! It was lightweight and portable and they really enjoyed sleeping together. At night our twins slept in a Co-Sleeper which was the best thing I had ever seen for a nursing mom ! It was like a pack-n-play - except it attached to the side of my bed securely so that they could sleep right next to me within arm's reach. If you are using a crib - you may find the babies sleep better at least initially being together in the same one. They're so small as newborns they really look sort of lost in a big crib alone. If you are buying or receiving a second-hand crib - make sure that it meets all the safety guidelines. I would recommend a brand new mattress though for SIDS prevention reasons.

Add to your shopping for twins list - one baby monitor, one smoke alarm/carbon monoxide detector for your babies room.

Shopping for Twins - other items to consider

Breast pumps are something to look into if you are planning on breastfeeding your babies. Many hospitals rent them or you can consider purchasing one. There are many on the market now. You may need one to help increase your milk production, to have some on hand for bottlefeeding if dad or others want to help , or if one of your babies remains in hospital longer than the other. I used just a little manual Avent pump which was amazing just to make sure my breasts were emptied fully and to help feed my daughter by syringe for a while to bring up her weight.

Bottles - if you are planning on strictly using formula, you'll need up to 24 bottles, nipples, rings and caps per day on hand, so look into a sterilizer ( unless you have a dishwasher with the sanitize option. Also look for a good bottle warmer as it is not recommended to warm babies bottles in the microwave.

twin babies, shopping for twin babies

Shopping for Twins - the 'Must Have's' list

Infant Swings
- two of these for sure! I could not have managed at all without our swings - they weren't fancy , they didn't even match, but in the evening especially was a chronically fussy time for our twins and those swings saved our sanity !

Strollers for Twins
- again - if you ever want to be able to leave your house - start shopping for a stroller that will suit your needs. It is a must have for all twin parents! I know that Perego, RunAbout and Baby Jogger have strollers for twins - there seem to be more coming out.

Look for one that is well constructed and able to last for years as your twins grow. There are side-by-side models which is what I chose - it's more of a 'jogging' stroller - carries weight up till 100lbs and had a large triangle footrest in front that my 3 year old could sit on when her legs got tired. Love the stroller! It is wide though - folds in half for storage or travel and will fit anywhere that is wheelchair accessible.

There are others that have two seats facing each other, some with one behind the other, some that have removable carseats. Again, ask around to other parents of twins to see what they like and consider what you will be using it for.

I use mine for walks outside - taking two babies to a shopping mall however I got them there wasn't my idea of fun. Plus there's nowhere to put anything once you're there so you can't really shop anyway!

Bouncy seats - light, portable, great for bouncing one while feeding the other and can be used for early solid food feedings !

A big comfy recliner or rocker. These are soothing for everyone and a must for parents of twins! When you're shopping for twins, don't forget about mom ! If you are nursing your babies you will probably be living in one for a while so make sure it is roomy enough for you and 2 babies, rocks gently, is washable ( trust me on that one !) . You may find you'll even be sleeping in yours before the babies come and certainly catching naps in it afterward.

Some other items to consider putting on your list for shopping for twins are bumbo seats, play pens, highchairs, a changing table ( although the floor works great too , and there's no danger of baby rolling off !), and infant carriers - oh - and a crock pot if you don't have one ! It really all depends on you but this is just a shopping list for twins of ideas of things you'll need during the first year.

Shopping for Twins and Packing for The Hospital
For the Babies

bunting bags or snowsuits if it's winter
2 car seats
2 hats or caps for little heads
2 layettes or infant sleepers
2 undershirts
2 pairs of socks and/or booties
2 receiving blankets
2 head huggers for the car seats if your babies are small
2 pacifiers

For Mom

insurance card or hospital registration papers
written birth plan
personal toiletries -soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste , toothbrush, deodorant,lotion, razor
hair band or scrunchie
Bathrobe
candies or mints for your mouth
glasses if you wear them - some hospitals don't allow contact lenses while a woman is in labor
change of clothes to go home in
snacks
music - ipod etc
nightgowns( not the nice ones - they may get stained
Slippers
nursing bra
pillows or blankets from home
panties ( again - not the nice ones!)
long sanitary napkins ( the hospital will probably give you some but you may want your own)
socks
hand massager or tennis ball for your back

Special extra things

list of phone numbers of people you want to call
phone card for long distance
heavy stock paper if you want baby footprints taken
cell phone
camera
video camera
books or magazines
small gift for other children you may have

Shopping for Twins - First Aid Kit
- diaper rash ointment
- saline nose spray
- thermometer
- medicine droppers
- infant tylenol
- Pedialyte
- bandages
- baby nail clippers
- cotton swabs
- gripe water