Opinions for things for twins/triplets

Hi Ladies

So my quest for advice begins! Better sooner than too late I say! (we are expecting triplets so your help will be appriated as I will know more or less what to do)

SO DH and I are just thinking about what would be more practical for us, so Im asking your ideas/opinions what suited you best. I think we would get a better understanding of what will be better for us. We dont want to just buy because its nice but more because its practical and necessary.

I might be posting a new thing everyday...

The first thinsg I want to know about it nappy bags. How many of you twin mommies got the normal nappy bag or rather a backpack to put all babies things in whengoing out with babies if need be?

Also, friends of ours had triplets and their triplet pram did not fit in the car, they landed up trading their car in for an even bigger one. DH and I have just recently got ourselves a bigger car and really do not want to trade it in just becaus eof a pram.

Now the triplet pram I think is a bit clumsly, you need a code 747 to drive it! So I thought it would be more practical to get a twin pram and a single pram, that way they both fit in the boot. I doubt I will be going out on my own with the trplets anyway, so Dh can push one and I can push the other if we go out. Also if I really need to go out when they are still small, maybe I can use the Kangopouch and twin pram if I really have to? Also if going to friends houses or something I think the 2 smaller pram will be best fitting rathe rthan the triple pram.

Finally, is it bad to put baby's car seat on the front seat of the car. Im not sure if all 3 will fit at the back, if I could put one on either seat at the back and one in front, it would fit easier and I could sit in the middle at the back, I would be able to see to all 3 babies if need be?



Sorry for all these things, but your input will help us alot!

Triplets how exciting!

If you have a car with airbags, you can only put the seat in the front - facing backwards - if you can turn the airbags off...

Good luck and i'm sure the other ladies will be able to help with the other questions...

Oh my word Triplets yay congrats & welcome to the forum!!!
I am so excited for you!

i think your reasoning for the single pram and twin pram is a fab idea! Also if you happen to be out with just one of the babies you have a pram to suite..

Regarding the car chairs yes you can put one on the front seat as long as the airbag is decativated. I had Kayla on the dront seat until she was 10 months old when she went into the front facing seat and I put her at the back.

Oh please post regular updates i am dying to follow your journey!

Thanks Haze and Eileen, I actually remember turning off the airbags in our old car when I had my niece in it (it was a 2 door). I will have to find out where to turn off the air bags on this one.

this is really exciting ... congrats again ...

You can go to your car's dealership they should not charge you. I have a VW and just had to sign a concent form for them to do it.
Must actually go get them put back on

If you have a renault - there is a key you slot in the door to turn it off

Wow, congrats! Hope you feel welcome and that we can be of some help!
Re the car seats, some cars fit all 3 in a row (we have a 4 year old as well as the twins so we have 3 car seats as well). You will just have to check the car and the actual seats. I would really advise you to get car seats with bases so that you can just clip in the seats each time, it seems a simple thing but it makes life much easier!When the babies are around 9 months to a year you will need to upgrade to forward facing seats, however often 3 fit in next to each other ont he back seat as well (we have a Honda FRV, and I have seen it work in the larger Renaults and Versus as well).

I think your idea of getting a twin and single is a good one, it works well for us with the 3 kids too. A good one is the Maclaren and single prams, they fold up the smallest and are the lightest. We also have the Graco Duorider but it does not go through standard size doors - good for outside though. I also very much like the Jeep tandem stroller, however I have promised not to but another pram!

You could certainly have one baby in a sling and the other 2 in the pram but I would keep that as emergency back-up plan - these babies get heavy fast!

Oh, about the nappy bag, I have a large bag (i splurged at Nine West - they actually make a very nice one) with back-up clothes, wipes, nappies ect, but when I go out a only take 'emergency rations' with me - a small bag with 2 nappies, wipes and cream. I have very seldom needed to go back to the car for the big bag and I find this way to be much easier and lighter. Of course the bottles go separately in bottles warmers.

The other ladies will also let you know that you will have to prepare yourself for the dreaded multiple comments from strangers - it can be hilarious the things they will ask you, and you even more with trips!

Anyway, hope you are keeping well, and all the best!

Hey .... First of all a big congrats on the trips, and secondly welcome - hope you will find lots of support and help here.

Regarding the pram... i would also go for the twin pram with the single pram - you will NEVER go out alone in anyway with all three - there will always be someone with you like hubby or parents so there will be enough hands to push 2 strollers.
I also agree with Paulae about the MacClaren - its nice a small. I have the PegPerego Aria twin which fits through most doors and we have used it since the beginning - its also light and but i dont think it folds as small as the Maclaren.

About the nappy bag - i loved the idea of a backpack but my hubby went behind my back and bought the normal nappy bag which you hang off the shoulder (Caboodle bag), and i had no choice but to use it. Later on a friend said she has 3 of the Caboodle backbacks (brand new) and she gave me one.... And i realized VERY quickly that the backpack is much smaller than the normal bag and all the stuff for the twins does not fit into the backpack.
So ... the normal bag is better. In the beginning you seem to have more stuff to take with you like more nappies, extra clothes, extra receiver blankets etc and the bag gets full quite quickly.

Carseats, i am with Paulae on that one as well. The click-in seats works really well where the base is fixed in the car and the seat just clicks into the base. That way you can take the car seat (snug&safe) out when babies are asleep and you dont need to wake them.... In the first 3 months you will also still be able to carry them in these car seats when going to the doctor, clinic etc. After that the kids get too heavy and the prams are a much better option.
And if you get the click in bases, then fitting the one child in the middle with a click.... would also be much easier than trying to strap a safety belt every time you put the seats into the car!

Good luck and please feel free to ask any question that comes to your mind! Even though you think its a stupid question - we have all been there and would gladly lend a hand!

Thank you ladies!

I have taken notes about the prams, guess we have some major shopping "around" to do especially with the nappy bags and car seats, I think what might just be the best option is before purchasing any car seats to ask the assistant if we could fit them to see if they fit. The click in seats will be best (actually didn't know they made other, thought that was standard as it makes alot of sense). We would have to try the bases to see if it fits.

Im just concerned about putting the one car seat in the middle at the back as the seat bet is not the same as the others, it is one that just goes over the waist, especially being in the middle it wouldn't be as secure (nor safe?). Could I be wrong, I'm thinking that the waist strap from the car seat goes into the base to secure it and then you would normally put the chest strap over the car chair.

Paulae, I'm somewhat looking forward to the comments, yet dreading them a whole lot more, not sure how I would react, probably why I have already told myself I wont be going anywhere alone (not only because I wont be able to)but also for back up!

How did you react to these comments? I think some people can be so ignorant at times, it is quite sad actually.

At first we tried to respond politely but sometimes it gets too much. There are even some people who will stand staring at the girls and discuss them in front of us, but ignoring us completely! Other favourite remarks are "Are they twins?' "are they boys/boys and girls/girls' - no matter what they are wearing! Of course there is also: 'Are there twins in your family" and some people sommer start asking about fertilitly treatments! Nowadays i keep my head down - less eye contact means less comments!

Re the car seats, not sure about how the bases strap in with the seat belts, ours are in witht he isofix. However, I am sure that the seat belt should be OK, but the store will be helpful with that. Keep in mind htat some stores give discounts for multiples, including Baby Boom, check before you buy - it does save some money!

HI

best of luck with your trips (I can't even imagine??) line up lots of help is all I can say.

next get ready early cause 32 weeks is term with trips and many come earlier.

have you joined SAMBA cause they have trip moms who can give you specialist advice.

Personally if you can afford it I would try get a trip pram second hand just incase ( as well as the single and twin prams) you do want to go out on your own (cabin fever!!).

I would also get bouncy chairs as they are invaluable for feeding adn just proping them up to watch you or thier siblings. I found it helped when I had to bath them on my own and they were too small to bath together I would put one in a bouncy chair next to me while I bathed the other. Also they are great for soothing more than one baby at a time.

I had a one shoulder nappy bag which was fine for both boys stuff. actually it is when they are bigger you take more stuff. My DH and I used the Kango pouches alot. I saw overseas you can get a twin kango I would order that.

next: upgrade your medical aid!! first year with babies is expensive
especially with premies.

also organise with your company about maternity leave and sick leave should you end up on bed rest.

I will think more about what you may need.

Thanks Kerry.

Looks like DH and I are rearranging more in our life than expected!

The Dr's did warn me from day 1 that I need to be prepard from 28w up til 34w maximum for term, so I am aware somewhere between then, I am nervous for when they are born and will more than likely have to be in NICU.

Haven't thought of feeding chairs properly, I did think of the bumbo's but the bouncers would more practical probably in the sense that I can use them for much longer and baby can sleep in it ect, whereas bumbo baby can just sit, I'm thinking the bouncers and maybe the feeding chairs that hook on the tables?

I have joined SAMBA, I am going to their seminar this weekend, should be fun. I am actually looking forward to it.

DH and I are on the highest option at the moment for MA, but we have asked for a consultant to come in and chat to us as I want to know everything, we might take a top up option just in case, but first want to see what our option includes.

Hmmm, work, they have already interviewed someone in my place I went in to speak to them and told them that if bedrest has to happen that I can work from home, I have also asked them to consider an extended maternity leave or even to work from home permanent, I am hoping that they would consider it. A colleague of mine is currently on ML and thats why they interviewed someone (so they say), they are just worried she hands in her resignation when she returns as we work close together. I will have to take each day as it comes with regard to bedrest and ML.

I hear some ladies say they dont have time to bond with their baby (singleton) in 3/4 months ML, I am concerned that if babies are in NICU for quite some time that to get them into routine and really begin to enjoy them will be time for me to go back to work, so hoping my bosses will hear consider the options Iv opened to them.

I read someones posts a little while ago about outfits for babies in hospital, do they put babygrows on premies?? I haven't seen it before, so just curious, would it be necessary to pack them in hopital bag, or maybe just 2 /3 each to start with?

It depends on the NICU (I think it will be worth your while to visit the NICU at the hospital where you will deliver). The sisters will tell you what you need to bring. Some NICU's use their own stuff, others let you bring your clothes. If they go into open incubators at first thay will not be wearing anuthing, only when they go into closed ones or bassinets will they wear the premie outfits. My twins were bron at 34 weeks and spent 20 days in the NICU, so tiy will probably need to make peace with the fact that you will spend some time there. Most of the ladies here are NICU veterans (except for lucky Eve!) and will tell you that it can be very distressing, especially leaving them behind when you are discharged. But it actually flies and before you know it they are home and keeping you well occupied!

PS bouncy chairs are good!! Very useful, like Kerry said.

Hi there

Welcome to the forum & congrats on the forthcming triplets - how exciting! I'm just coming in at the end here and I think most things have been covered by the other ladies.

My daughter was in NICU for 3.5 weeks and my son for 5 days. The whole time they were in NICU they only wore the hospital clothes. The only time they wore our clothes was when they came home. Make sure you have prem clothes for them to wear then - you probably won't get give prem clothes - I found lovely prem babygrows in Ackermans which both mine wore for quite awhile. I had quite a positive experience with the NICU and asked the staff there loads of questions as they really are the experts. I learned way more from them than I did at Ante Natal classes.


I had 1 bouncy chair which was great but in the beginning when they started solids I would put them side by side on the lounge table in their car seats and feed them like that. Also when they were tiny and both screaming for bottles in the middle of the night and I only had 1 pair of hands I would give them their bottles like that as well.

I am sure SAMBA will give you lots of tips as well at their seminar.

Good luck!!