Planning for twins can be overwhelming, but figuring out what is essential, what is convenient to have, and what you can skip can help you prepare the nursery with a bit less stress. You may not need two of everything, but you will need two of some things. A well planned nursery can make it easier for you to adjust to having two newborns in your family.
Types
Typical baby gear includes cribs and car seats, strollers, bouncy seats, high chairs, swings and exercisers, as well as clothing and diapers. Changing tables, rocking chairs, and diaper bags are other common baby items on the must have or might want list. You'll need two car seats and cribs, but may be able to get by with just one of other items.
Function
Consider whether you'll be using two of an item at once. When caring for newborn twins, you'll need somewhere for one baby to rest while the other is being changed or fed. You may find that having one swing and one bouncy seat is adequate, suggests Jamie Moore at TwinsToday.com, but be flexible and prepared to do some extra shopping or borrowing if both babies prefer the swing.
Misconceptions
When buying clothing for your newborn twins, you don't need twice what you would for one baby. According to Rebecca Moskwinski, executive vice president of the National Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs, you should plan on one and one-half times the amount of clothing a single baby requires. If you expect both a boy and girl or don't know the gender of your twins, choose gender neutral newborn clothing. Add just a few gender specific outfits to round out the babies' wardrobes.
Considerations
Think about your home and lifestyle when making choices about what you need for the baby. If you have a two-story home, you may find it helpful to have a changing table upstairs and downstairs. Whether you breast or bottlefeed, a feeding pillow can be a big help with twins and you may want a larger rocker recliner instead of a glider rocker and footstool combination, suggests PregnancyToday.com.
Potential
Shopping for twins can be expensive. Take advantage of annual Mothers of Multiples sales, consignment and resale shops, or borrow from friends when you can. If your budget is especially tight, you may find that you can put both babies in a single crib for a while, reports TwinsList.org. Some baby retailers offer a discount to parents having twins. This can be especially valuable for big ticket purchases times two, like cribs or car seats.
