Twin Baby Gear Must Haves to Make Life Easier: 2021 Update
Head to any baby store to start shopping for twins and your jaw will drop as you see item upon item, shelf upon shelf, loaded with thousands of baby products. Not only can having new babies be expensive, but the quantity of gear can take over your home. So, what are the twin baby gear must haves to make life easier?
FYI this post includes affiliate links, for which I may earn a commission, at no cost to you, to help with the maintenance of the site. I only include products that I truly feel can help twin moms. Also – be sure to follow the latest safety standards and recalls and only use products that meet all safety standards.
To start, the trick that experienced moms know is that you simply don’t need all that twin baby gear.
While some pieces of twin gear are essential, others you can get by without (like the list of what not to get two of for twins). Luckily, we’ve done the research and have collected the Essential 15. If you’re having multiples, this is sure to save you both space and dollars.
Wondering what to buy for twins and how many of each? Check out our Ultimate Minimalist Twin Baby Registry! It’s the twin essentials checklist that walks you through how to prepare for twins on a budget, and what twin gear you don’t need to double.
Also, be sure to check out The How to Thrive with Twins Program™. It’s for new or expecting twin parents only launches a few times a year, so be sure to get on the wait list now (you can get on by downloading the twin registry checklist above). It covers a huge gear section, plus sections on twin sleep, twin feeding, getting through the early days with twins, coping tips, getting support, twin activities, and so much more.
Without further ado, here’s the list of what to buy for twins – your twin essentials checklist!
A safe sleeping area is essential for your babies, and nothing is better than a crib, so there’s no wonder two mini cribs tops the list of twin baby gear must haves to make life easier. While bassinets may seem ideal in the beginning, they last for such a short time, and are not ideal space-wise for twins.
Another big question is do you need two cribs for twins, or can your twins share a crib? While technically they can crib share, there are some concerns with it.
First, two babies will quickly outgrow one crib, so you’ll need two cribs eventually. Would you rather worry about ordering, assembling, and outfitting a crib with two little babies next to you, or get it done during your twin pregnancy?
Secondly, and most importantly, anything in the crib can increase the risk of SIDS. For me, it just wasn’t worth it to have something a baby’s mouth could get pushed up against, even if it was their sibling’s belly. I chose two mini cribs for our newborn twins. I ended up putting them in our guest room, so I could sleep in there with them, and feed them laying down at night.
A double stroller is one of the must haves for twins. One of the least debated twin gear items from moms of multiples is a stroller big enough for 2 kids (or even 3!).
Unfortunately, double strollers are one of the most expensive twin baby items out there. But trust me when I say, it is worth it. If you ever want to leave the house, you’ll need a twin stroller. I even wrote a full post about what my opinion of the best double stroller for twins is.
Another tip is to get the car seats that click into the stroller. When you’ve been out for a drive, and both babies have fallen asleep, the last thing you’ll want to do is wake them to transfer to the stroller. My vote (after hours and hours of research) goes for the Baby Jogger City Select, which allows multiple configurations, and a toddler board if you have a toddler in tow.
Another must have item for twins is a baby swing. You’ll need something to place your baby in when you need a free hand, and the motion can be soothing. But an expert tip is that you don’t need to double everything for twins. Even if your first baby loved the swing, don’t be tempted to get two of the exact same model.
For starters, one baby may not enjoy it, making it a waste of your hard-earned dollars. For another, why not get two different products, so once one baby tires of the swing, you can swap them into a different product? These models from Fisher Price were my go-tos, and have given me hours to tidy up, make meals, and yes, maybe enjoy a hot coffee every now and then.
If there’s one thing I wish for every new twin mom (or every mom, for that matter), it’s sleep. Beautiful, precious, precarious sleep. Therefore, it’s a no-brainer that products that can help with sleep be on this list.
Remember the environment babies are used to – the womb is a dark, noisy, cramped place. As they have very little space, they’re used to sleeping with their limbs tight against their bodies.
That’s where swaddling comes into the list of best twin baby gear. It’s the practice of wrapping your baby, so their arms are snug against their body. However, babies have a way of getting out of blanketed swaddles, and that can increase SIDS risk. Luckily, there are products like Woombie Sleep Sackson the market. Just one zip, and they’re done. Just remember to switch to the open-arm version once they’re able to roll over.
Next up on the list of twin baby gear must haves to make life easier is to consider getting soothers.
Controversial? Maybe. But do yourself a favor, and get a couple of soothers for your twins anyway.
When you have fierce, screaming newborn twins in your arms just won’t go to sleep, a soother can give you one more option to help them stop crying (also check out my 20 ways to get your twins to stop crying). With my twins, one would reject the soother, and the other would wail until she got it when falling asleep.
And what about the so-called nipple confusion? While they say it’s a possibility, I have yet to hear of a single baby for whom a soother made them not want to breastfeed (though I’m sure they do exist). Again, it’s just about having options on hand when things get hard. And for $5, Soothies Soothers are the perfect option.
You might not think a fan would make the list of twin baby gear must haves to make life easier, but hear me out. Many people would put a white noise machine in this slot, to help baby sleep.
However, a good-quality standing fanis multipurpose, can be used for years to come, and has the added benefits of temperature control and air circulation – both factors that experts say can help reduce SIDS risk.
Here at Twin Wining, we’re all about double-duty, and finding products that can benefit families for years to come.
Again, blinds may seem to be an odd thing for a twin baby shopping list, but hear me out. What is the one thing that will help you enormously over the first year with twins?
Sleep. And blackout blinds are a way to help not only your babies, but also mama, sleep.
If you already have beautiful curtains or blinds, even better; there are great options that can fit easily under your existing drapery. My personal favorite is the flexible, adjustable, low-cost paper blackout blinds. Yes, paper! You can cut them to any width, they work on curved windows, and they won’t break the bank. Just ensure you attach them securely, and you’re all set.
Let’s get real. Your diaper bag will likely replace your purse for the first year of your babies’ lives.
Aside from going to the office, you’re unlikely to head many places without babies in tow (sorry mamas, it’s true). It’s for that reason that the diaper bag was one of the few pieces I wanted to splurge on.
This diaper bag from The Honest Co.has been my go-to bag. It’s an evergreen style that doesn’t immediately scream “baby”, and could work well as a work tote in the future. Just throw in a laptop, and you’re set!
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9. Cube Shelves
Again, another unexpected piece, but a pretty amazing one. When you’re pregnant with twins, you’re going to need to start thinking of at least one new piece of furniture to hold their clothes. When our first baby came along, I got all into the Marie Kondo way of folding clothes, so they stand upright and you can see each item when you open the drawer. Upon finding out we were having twins, however, the thought of meticulously folding clothes for three kids (plus ourselves) went out the window. There was just no way.
Enter, cube shelves. To take advantage of vertical space, we bought a 5×5 cube wall piece, which was a huge space saver, taking up far less floor space than a dresser (#VerticalLiving!). It also gave us the added benefit of no longer folding laundry! I can’t bold that big enough. You literally just throw all pants in one drawer, all onesies in another drawer, etc. Seriously mamas, do this. It’s one of the biggest things on the twin baby gear must haves to make life easier
There are numerous reasons to not invest in a changing table (lack of space, not usable for years to come, etc.). So what we chose, was awaterproof changing pad, that can be taken anywhere in the house. I personally do almost all of our diaper changes for our twins in the living room, so it couldn’t be better. It slides under the couch, and can come out in an instant wherever you may need it. This version even comes with a built-in scale, which allows you to track your babies’ weight gain! And the fact that it doesn’t have covers to wash and can even be hosed down makes it the way to go. Every 30 seconds of time saved counts when you have twins.
I’ve gone back and forth on whether you need a twin baby carrier. We have two and rarely use either, so I recommend not purchasing until after your twins are born, until you see if it’s something you wish you had on hand. Some babies simply don’t need a carrier, especially when you have a double stroller. But if one of your twins gets fussy, having a baby carrier or two on hand can turn us mamas into octopuses. Two extra hands while baby holding can go a loooong way. If you do purchase, go for a convertible one which can carry baby both forward facing and cuddled into your chest.
Yes, this will take up space. Yes, it will be bold, bright, and clash with your meticulously arranged décor. But I can bet when you’re dealing with bored twins, you’ll be happy to have it on hand. Again, some moms can get by with just one, as having different stations helps babies avoid boredom. But having an activity gym play mat in the room will actually give you free hands. When you have twins, this is amazing!
For any twin mom who even thinks about pumping, do yourself a favor and get a hands-free double electric pump.
With twins, time is a precious luxury. Trust me, you won’t want to be pumping one at a time, and you won’t want to have your hands manually pumping when there are two babies screaming for you. A hands-free breast pump is one of the best products for twins.
Whether you use those hands to change baby diapers, or to message friends on your phone and sip a coffee, you’re going to want those hands. Medela is a well-known breast pump brand, and their double electric version is a great mix between cost and function. If you want to splurge (or if your insurance covers the full cost, like mine did), consider the fully portable version that you can strap to your waist and go.
Next up on the twin essentials checklist is a double breastfeeding pillow. As a twin mom, if you’re planning to breastfeed, you’re going to want to do everything possible to set yourself up for success. Breastfeeding multiples is not a walk in the park, mamas!
That’s why getting a great breastfeeding pillow like the Twin Z pillow can be great. It includes a backrest for mom when feeding, and can be used as a baby holder once babies are bigger.
Something as simple as a night light can make a big difference when it comes to nighttime feedings. If you’re room-sharing with your kiddos, it means you never have to worry about adjusting the lights to pick up your babies and feed them.
And when babies get a little older and start rejecting going to sleep in their crib, this means the risk of having them fully wake up during the night decreases. This option is a great, beautiful one, that can fit into your nursery decor seamlessly.
When Should You Start Buying Baby Gear for Twins?
When should you start tackling your twin essentials checklist? Really, you can start any time in your twin pregnancy. As the average length of a twin pregnancy is around 36 weeks, just be sure you don’t wait too late into the third trimester to purchase your twin gear.
A best rule of thumb is to have your shower in the late second trimester, and fill in any gaps shortly thereafter.
Also remember you don’t need to buy everything up front. I’m a big fan of only buying twin gear you KNOW you’ll use. Everything else can be loaded into your online cart. Many a twin mom among us (myself included) have purchased lots of baby gear that was never used.
The Twin Baby Gear to Make Life Easier
Hopefully these twin baby gear must haves to make life easier have helped set you up for success. There are so many other pieces that can be helpful, but these are the gear for twins that can be real game changers.
Want to know what those other pieces are? Our Ultimate Minimalist Twin Baby Registryhas it all! It’s a free, downloadable, printable checklist for those minimalist mamas among us. Many registries claim you need everything under the sun. But if you’re looking at what items you can get by without (at least to start), this list is where it’s at. Get it here.
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