Twins and Minimal Nursery Purchases

[Brunette]

Hi Ladies, I am pregnant for the first time with twins. It's very early days, only 10 weeks, and I am very superstitious so don't want to buy any equipment until a lot later on ...

But having said that, we are on a very strict budget and would really appreciate some advice on the absolute essentials needed for a nursery, bearing in mind, as I said that we have twins.

I have heard how important a good pram is.

Also, from what I have read on BB most ladies suggest simply hiring a baby capsule until a rear-facing seat/booster seat is needed.

Other than that, all I was thinking about was two cots, with or without those small mattresses inside them (?), a change table, and a plastic bath.

What do I really, really need? All comments and help very much appreciated

[ss_storm]

Can you visit some garage sales in your area? A friend of mine had twin girls, she managed to pick up almost everything she needed from one garage sale where they had twins so had two of everything anyway!

I'd probably suggest getting a rocker/swing for each of them. Can you try Vinnies/Salvos for blankets/wraps and some clothes? The baby stuff they have is usually in great condition (most 2nd hand baby clothes are great because they never wear them for long) and it's cheap.

Check out prices for hiring baby capsules but TBH you might just be best buying them both a reversible car seat (from newborn - toddler) that way you aren't paying for capsule hire as well as a car seat later on.

[allycat06]

Ebay was (and still is) my best friend when buying baby things. You can get some barely used or really good condition stuff for great prices. I buy most of DS's clothes off ebay as I don't really see the point in buying new things when he grows so quickly, I've got some really nice bonds, pumpkin patch etc sometimes for as little as a $1. I second what PP said about the carseat, just buying 2 convertible ones will save you money in the longrun.

[human bean]

Congratulations on expecting a double bundle I agree with what everyone else has said, and I can see how having atleast one rocker/bouncer or swing might be handy if having to wait turns etc As for a bath, you can get away with bathing in your laundry tub or sink, so you needn't have to buy a bath if you really want to save money. DD grew out of her plastic bath at 6weeks and I'm so glad we were given it and didn't spend $ on one! Keep an eye on your local papers too for cheap things when parents are cleaning out once their little ones have grown up. Good luck!

[black_rose]

I agree eBay will become your best friend, I get bulk lots of clothing and sometimes there are things with the tags still on them. A bath isn't necessary, use the sink or hop into the bath with them, they grow too fast so it's only of use for a month.
You want a pram that is easy to push, steer and get through shopping aisles easily. The capsules are about $70 for three months to hire, but good convertible seats can last a long time, just make sure that you can check they will fit in your car.

[Mum2Romone]

Obviously pram and carseats are a must . buying 2 convertable ones will save you time/money. They last for years.

Somewhere for babies to sleep, we used a moses basket until our son was 6mths old. but we bought our cot when pregnant,

Swings or rockers a must til they can move around...

Check out ebay for bargains and twin strollers etc. also for clothes, coz they grow soooo quickly Goodluck with the pregnancy

[HotI]

You might want to check out a twin feeding pillow. my mate with twins loved hers!

[Brunette]

Thanks so much ladies. Your comments have been a big help and have pointed me in many different directions now for places to look - and things to buy.

Can I clarify one thing: what is a convertible car seat? So not a capsule, but a car seat that will fit babies and face backwards and then when they're a bit bigger can be turned around to face the front?

Pls excuse my ignorance

[*Ali*]

Have you heard of the the Baby and Kids Markets? They are run in NSW, WA, VIC, SA QLD, ACT & TAS if you google them you will be able to get more specifics from their website. It is a market dedicated to preloved baby and kids items and it is awesome. I went to the WA one on Sunday, and got a stroller for $50, some baby grows for $2 each etc- they are really worth checking out.

[human bean]

D'oh Ali I forgot about the one on the weekend! Yep Brunette the kids markets are great - good recommendation - just get there early as they are always busy here!

And yep the convertible car seats go rearward facing for bub, then forward facing when they are older. Bigger cost to be begin with, but you will get longer use out of them. And remember to wheel and deal when you do go to purchase anything at a baby store, we always took cash for our big items and bargained them down.

[Traveller]

My twins shared the same cot for the first few months. It helped them settle, and negated the need for a moses basket or small mattress insert as a standard cot is just the right size for 2 babies side by side. I was in a very small house and did not have room for 2 bouncers, so used my pram for putting them down for daytime plays, etc, but 2 bouncers would have been wonderful. A good pram is a must, I always bought cheap or 2nd hand ones and so far am on my 3rd, I would have been cheaper investing in a really good one at first.

A good breastfeeding pillow will help you a lot, especially for night feeds. That said, I fed my babies one at a time as it was easier for them when they were learning how to do it and nicer for me as I got one on one cuddles with each baby.

A comfortable rocking chair is great for night feeds (and you may be doing a lot of them) and also a flask so you can have a hot drink when you are up in the night as it will help you settle back to sleep faster.