Coaching Your Twins
Parenting twins isn't easy. We talk with mother of twins and parenting coach Gina Osher.
Below are items that we at The Twin Source love because of their brilliance, practicality, quality, and (in one case) ability to get our flabby butts back into shape. This list will evolve as we continue parenting and researching. Rest assured that we believe and trust in these products.
This article is organized into a series of anchored sections:
Nursery Essentials • On The Go • Scheduling Secrets • For Mommy • Time & Money Savers • Play
We ♥ Nursery Essentials
Must-haves for your twin nursery that we have tested and approved. This list will be constantly growing, so check back often.
Fisher-Price Space-Saver Swing
We love low-to-the-ground space-saver swings because, well, you are going to need two of them and two swings can take up a lot of space! The swings are great because you can alternate between holding the babies and letting them play in the swings. We attached different toys to the swings and changed them up quite a bit so the babies had variety.
It’s important to remember, though, that you don’t need two of everything! A newer offering from Fisher-Price that can be a great alternative is:
Fisher-Price Newborn Rock 'n Play Sleeper
This chair/cradle hybrid is essential during the newborn days when everyone in the house needs as much sleep as possible. Approved for sleep as well as play, the deep and structured seat provides a cozy nook that babies just love! The cradle-style base rocks gently with your hand and slows gradually without a motorized rock function that can be loud or unnatural. With a $50 price tag and a small footprint, this is a miracle product. For use up to 25 pounds.
Aquatopia Turtle Bath Thermometer
This little guy is an honest-to-goodness lifesaver! He simply floats around the tub ensuring that the bath water for your tots is never too hot or too cold and always just right. He takes away the worry of scalding your little ones.
Tip: Get the tub water closest to the highest acceptable temperature according to the turtle (he will beep when it is too hot). This way, while you wash your babies they are always warm and comfortable, even as the water cools.
You will need two of these bath seats for when your twins can sit up on their own. It’s a great way to have them in the tub together and a time-saver you will be craving when they are ready for the big bathtub.
This inflatable rubber ducky is not only precious, but it works great! It is excellent for traveling because it folds down very small when not inflated.
Fisher-Price Space-Saver Highchairs
We keep two of these inexpensive, portable highchairs in our cars so that when we show up at a restaurant with the twins, we never have to wait on a booster seat. Plus, they are great if you don’t want to make a big highchair investment in general. They are space savers and convert to booster seats down the line.
Mustela No Rinse Cleansing Fluid
Frankly, all Mustela products are great. They are of the highest quality and smell delicious. But they are a bit expensive. One product in the line that we can’t live without is the No Rinse Cleansing Fluid. In the beginning, you won’t be giving the little ones baths every day because it will dry out their skin. This cleansing fluid is fantastic for the days in between. You can simply apply it to a cotton swab and wipe their faces and other parts.
Mustela Vitamin Barrier Diaper Cream
Jessica, a member of The Twin Source's Consumer Research Team and a mother of three, says this cream is probably her favorite baby product. Her son had only one diaper rash in his life, which Jessica believes was caused by using a different ointment from a friend. "The Mustela Vitamin Barrier Cream healed it in one application," she says. What's more: "Neither of my other kids has ever had a diaper rash. Ever."
Mustela Foaming Shampoo for Newborns
This product really, really works wonders on cradle cap!
Aquaphor carries fantastic AND affordable products. Their diaper cream is not as thick as other diaper creams, yet it is thicker than petroleum jelly. The Aquaphor website has information about its use as a healing agent. This all-around useful and helpful product is also sold in a great travel size for the diaper bag. Aquaphor's "Gentle Wash & Shampoo" bath soap is amazing as well. It is extremely gentle and the fact that it is a 2 in 1 formula saves valuable time when bathing two babies.
We have found that having white noise playing in the nursery during rest times can act as a soothing trigger to help the twins realize that they have entered a sleep/quiet time within their schedule. Ocean Waves is a great choice, but there are many other options. White noise is particularly helpful if you live in a small space where the twins might hear you in another room while they sleep or in a big city where street noise can sometimes be disruptive.
Gentle Naturals Baby Eczema Cream
We have found this lotion to be one of the best for your babies with tender dry skin. It is great for winter months. You can find it locally at Target and other drugstores. Or buy it in bulk online!
NoseFrida the Snotsucker is a great product for clearing a stuffy nose. Ever since Melanie, a member of The Twin Source's Consumer Research Team, switched from an aspirator to the NoseFrida, her son has not had any ear infections. Previously, he chronically suffered from ear infections and was constantly on antibiotics. The NoseFrida was developed by a doctor. It features a non-invasive approach where a tube is placed against the child's nostril (not inside) and parents use their own suction to draw mucus out of the child's nose. Disposable filters prevent any bacterial transfer. The NoseFrida is easy to clean, dishwasher safe, and BPA- and Phthalate-free.
Some of the most beloved and most used items in Twin Mom Carrie’s nursery are the amazing OXO Candela Nightlights. The design is simply brilliant: These night lights are portable, so you can safely carry the soft LED light with you as you prepare for a night feeding or when you check on your twins. The light is dim enough that your slumbering babies will not wake but bright enough so that you can see clearly without having to turn on harsh, bright lights. And when it comes time to potty train your tots, they can cart these night lights to and from the bathroom safely with a feeling of security in the dark.
Aden and Anais Swaddle Blankets
These swaddle blankets are made out of muslin and large enough (47” x 47”) to allow room for a really good swaddle. When you are no longer swaddling your babies, you can use the lightweight blankets during summer walks or while sitting on the deck in the back yard. Bonus: The blankets come in super-cute patterns!
These bibs are so versatile and very absorbent. They seem to dry in record speed. The bibs are contoured and large enough to cover a parent’s shoulder for burping the baby, but they also have a single snap to convert the burp cloth into a bib. This is particularly helpful while traveling. Burpy bibs come in cute patterns and can match your Aden and Anais swaddle blankets when you are out on the town!
When you’re feeding two babies several times a day, it can be tough to coordinate dishwasher uses with your needs. You may have to wash bottles by hand to stay on top of things. This drying rack can accommodate bottles’ many small pieces. OXO also has coordinating bottle brushes.
This is a simple bouncy seat. It is lightweight, so it is easy to pick up and move to different parts of the house. The best part about this product is that it folds flat for traveling or storing. With its very simple design, it is a breath of fresh air and a step away from all of the other products that vibrate, sing, and spin.
Nursery Essentials • Scheduling Secrets • For Mommy • Time & Money Savers • Play
We ♥ On The Go
We fell in love with these strollers, and below are the reasons why. We will add to this list—discerningly, of course—as we find other strollers that exceed our expectations.
This stroller is tough. Engineered for the outdoors, it is fantastic for navigating city streets. It also converts into a jogger, which is probably its best asset; if you are active, you will not need to buy two strollers (one for strolling and one for running). The quality of every part is excellent. It does not wear down. We know firsthand that it is worth the investment.
Want to see the BOB in action? Take a closer peek via our You Tube demo:
Baby Trend Double Snap-N-Go Stroller
In the beginning, this is the main stroller you will need. It’s basically just a frame on wheels that you can drop your twins’ car seats into and become mobile. The process of getting your little nuggets into the stroller, you ask?
The first question many new parents ask when they see this Snap-N-Go wire frame contraption is "How does it work?" Check out our YouTube demo to find out:
City Select Double Stroller by Baby Jogger
This front-to-back, streamlined stroller accommodates car seats and grows with your tots. It has seats that recline to accommodate the littlest babies and that later adjust upright for toddlers. This stroller has 16 different positions.
Nursery Essentials • On The Go • For Mommy • Time & Money Savers • Play
We ♥ Scheduling Secrets
Those babies are going to need to be on a schedule to preserve the sanity of everyone in the household. We truly love and support these authors. Their publications got us through the toughest days.
"Twelve Hours’ Sleep By Twelve Weeks Old"
By Suzi Giordano
To say Twin Mom Carrie swears by this book is an understatement. It works, period. If you believe in scheduling your twins, this method is realistic and gentle and will bring sanity and structure for you and your babies.
"Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child"
By Marc Weissbluth
A must-read for new parents or parents struggling with tough sleepers. Dr. Weissbluth explains that fussy babies and kids are often simply over-tired, and he provides an actionable plan to teach babies and children of any age how to sleep—so you can sleep too!
Nursery Essentials • On The Go • Scheduling Secrets • Time & Money Savers • Play
We ♥ Mommy!
It's not easy. You can do it, and you will feel better and be a better mother for it. These motivators and products have helped us along our wellness journey.
Tracy Anderson
We love Tracy! The reason is simple: If you want to get your body back, her Post-Pregnancy Workout is top-notch. We love the soothing music and beautiful production. There is an element of calmness to Tracy’s direction that is truly comforting during a time when you need it most. You can do this workout in the privacy of your home, at the time that is most convenient for you and your twins. Have confidence: If you dedicate yourself to this workout along with a cardio routine, you will see results.
For more thoughts on how to start feeling and looking good, check out The Twin Source’s Getting Your Body Back section.
Medela Tender Care Hydrogel Pads
Originally, gel pads were developed for burn victims whose skin was so delicate and damaged that it needed constant soothing coolness. Thank goodness for the person who thought to apply them to the very sensitive skin that takes a beating during the earliest days of breast-feeding. These pads provide instant cooling relief and literally begin healing the skin immediately so that you can have a painless and joyful breast-feeding experience.
Nursing covers are a wonderful new addition to the baby gear market. The pretty covers available in a variety of patterns by Bebe au Lait allow you to nurse anywhere you go, with style and modesty. The patented Rigiflex neckline allows for ventilation so babies can breathe easily and remain cool as they feed and so moms can maintain eye contact with them.
Nursery Essentials • On The Go • Scheduling Secrets • For Mommy • Play
We ♥ Time & Money Savers
As a parent to twins, you truly need every second of every day. These products and businesses save you time and money. It’s as simple as that.
Diapers.com is, hands down, the most important time-saver we have encountered for new mommies of multiples. The site allows you to place your orders without leaving the house. If you spend more than $50 (by planning bulk orders for diapers and wipes), shipping is free and it usually takes two days at most for delivery.
Costco
Costco is one of the best places to purchase formula for your little ones. It’s very hard to beat the prices, and buying in bulk means you save time by not having to go to the store as much.
Target’s generic brand rarely disappoints, and the diapers are a standout product. Priced at sometimes less than half of what you would pay for brand-name products, up&up diapers are a gem—especially for twin parents who are going through up to 20 diapers a day. While they are fairly basic, with no licensed characters or other “frills,” these diapers do the trick! They do not leak or rip, and they stay just as dry as most name brand diapers.
Nursery Essentials • On The Go • Scheduling Secrets • For Mommy • Time & Money Savers
We ♥ Play
Simply amazing toys for your twins.
Tegu magnetic wooden block sets are a must! This simple spin on a standard block offers a world of imagination and fun for little minds fast at work. The blocks are beautifully smooth and made from sustainable wood. Tegu products are conceived in the classroom through creative play and allow each child to develop holistically. Creative play allows children to create something by themselves, which builds up their confidence. More than just toys, Tegu products help Honduras and its people in two major ways: Tegu plants sustainably harvested, tropical hardwoods in the country as a result of Tegu product purchases (more than 18,000 trees have been planted to date), and Tegu supports the effort to educate the children of Honduras through a Days of School program.
The day you return to work is without a doubt going to be tough. The Twin Source has resources to help ease the transition.
Overwhelmed by the thought of registering for twins? Check out The Twin Source’s Registry Guide, plus a list of products that we love.
Tuesday #TwinTip: In advance of #Thanksgiving we share tips for navigating #family gatherings w. your infant #twins: http://t.co/0lK25kM8Nf 2339 days ago from Hootsuite
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