Expecting multiples can be overwhelming. Preparing for multiple babies take some research too. A friend of mine recently gave birth to triplets, 2 girls and a boy, and managed to carry them until week 35 – almost at full term!!! As soon as she found out about the triplets, we were excited and anxious at the same time. She already knew how things would be like raising one kid at a time (she also has a 4 year old), and wanted to be as prepared as possible going in, so I did a lot of research with her on the topic. Here are tips she found helpful:
Begin reading and researching what you’ll need, both for equipment and supplies and for support
The best place to start is with your local parents of multiples group. You’ll find support from parents who have “been there, done that.” We will share what worked for our families and what did not, encourage you and welcome you into the world of multiples.
Layette
- Onesies, 6-8 per baby
- T-shirts, 3-4 per baby
- One-piece outfits or two-piece knit outfits, 5 per baby
- Sleepers or knit gowns, 5 per baby
- Blanket sleepers or sleep sacks, 2-4 per baby for cold weather babies
- Homecoming outfits, 1 per baby
- Small bibs, 4-6 per baby
- Sweaters, 2 per baby
- Hats, 2-4 per baby
- Booties or socks, 3-6 pairs per baby
- Snowsuit or bunting, 1 per baby
- Receiving blankets, 4-6 per baby
- Blankets, 2 per baby
Supplies: Diapering
- Cloth diapers (home laundry), 6 dozen
- Cloth diaper service or disposable diapers, 70-90 per baby per week (note: number of diapers used decreases as babies grow)
- Plastic pants (pins also) or diaper covers for cloth diapers, 6-8 per baby
- Large diaper bag
- Small diaper bag (for quick trips)
- Diaper pail and liners
- Wipes
- Rash crème or ointment
- Portable changing pads, 1 per diaper bag
Supplies: Bedding
- Sheets, 4 per crib
- Waterproof mattress cover, 1 per crib
- Mattress pads, 2 per crib
Supplies: Feeding
- Nursing or feeding pillow
- Burp cloths
- Lap pads, 4-6 per baby
IF Bottle Feeding
- Bottles, 6-12 per baby
- Blender for mixing large batches of formula
- Formula
IF Breastfeeding
- Breast pad
- Blreast pump
Supplies: Bathing
- Bath tub
- Baby shampoo
- Body wash
- Baby lotion
- Hooded bath towels, 2-3 per baby
- Washcloths, 2-3 per baby
Supplies: Grooming and Medical
- Baby nail clippers
- Comb and brush
- Baby laundry detergent
- Digital thermometer
- Bulb syringe
- Medicine dropper
- Liquid acetaminophen
Nursery Furnishings
- Cribs, 1-2 (can share for the first 3-5 months since multiples often find comfort sleeping together)
- Change table, 1 or more (rimmed tables are safest; change stations on each level of the home help; some parents prefer the floor and a changing pad)
- Dresser
- Rocker
- Clothes hamper
- Baby monitor
- Flashlight or night light
Equipment and Miscellaneous Items
- Infant or convertible car seats, 1 per baby
- Bouncer seats, 1 per baby
- Swings, 1 or more (essential for some babies and not for others)
- Stroller
- Headset and/or cordless phone
- Sling or soft baby carrier, 1 or more
- Head supports, 1 per baby
- Pacifiers, several!
- Notepad and pen (for notes on schedules, nursing times, wet diapers, etc.)
Decisions: Bottle and/or Breast Feeding
Breast versus bottle—it’s not a contest but a personal decision.
Breastfeeding:
- Eliminates formula costs and preparation time
- Rest and proper nutrition are vital to keeping milk supply up
- Some women alternate breasts between each baby while others “assign” each baby a breast
Bottle Feeding:
- Family members can help feed babies
- Gives Mom more freedom
- Is costly
Many parents of multiples opt for a combination of breast and bottle. The key is to find WHATEVER WORKS FOR YOU!
Decisions: Diapering
You can choose between buying disposables, using a cloth diaper service, laundering cloth diapers at home or a combination. Some parents prefer the soft, cottony feel of cloth diapers for their babies, while other prefer the convenience of disposables. Once again, the choice is yours!
Disposable:
- Cost the most
- Babies remain dryer so fewer diaper changes required
- Can have delivered
Cloth Diaper Service:
- More frequent changes but keeps babies cleaner
- Delivered to your home
- No rinsing required
- Dirty diapers picked-up
- Volume discount for large quantities
Laundering Cloth Diapers:
- More frequent changes but keeps babies cleaner
- Least expensive option
- Requires more time
Decisions: Strollers
What kind of stroller you’ll need depends a lot upon how you plan to use it. Strollers generally fall into three categories: tandem/inline, side-by-side and jogging, each with its advantages and disadvantages.
Tandem/inline:
- Designed as back to front, face to face or convertible
- Good for navigating narrow spaces
- Some can be used as double travel systems
- Often long and heavy
- Not all seats may recline the whole way
- Leg room can be cramped
- Not all views the same for the children
Side-by-side:
- Designed as umbrella or complete strollers
- Very easy to push
- Children both have good view
- Seats may be narrow
- Some are difficult to maneuver through doorways
- Often for babies six months and older only
Jogging:
- Designed mostly as wide side-by-sides, although a few in-lines exist
- Made for vigorous exercise and off-road travel
- Not all appropriate for indoor use
- Often for babies six months and older only
Look for a strong, well-made strolleróparents often keep multiples in strollers longer than singletons because of safety issues. Check out ease of use, wheels, safety straps, brakes, balance, padding, back support, the view each child has, legroom and storage space. Find out about the availability of replacement parts. Also consider whether or not the stroller will fit in your vehicle without a roof rack and how easy it is to load and unload it.
Self-Care
Your arrival home with your new family is an exciting event but remember you also need rest—try to keep visiting to a minimum. Don’t forget to take time for yourself and your parenting partner and to communicate your needs to others. Now is not the time to be shy about asking for what you need. Despite all your joyful feelings, you will be especially tired during those early months as you adjust to the demands of living with multiple newborns. Change and fatigue can fuel blue days when you feel lonely, isolated or inadequate.
Make sure to include the following to make your life easier:
- Pre-cooked freezer meals
- Schedules
- Sense of humor
- Help from others
- Company of other parents of multiples
Just remember: parents who are reasonably well rested—and flexible about their changing lifestyle—will feel better about both themselves and their multiples!
