The one thing I should stress, get Amazon Prime and Google Shopping Express memberships. This is the best advice I have for you, it's awesome getting stuff the same day you order it without having to run out to get it.
If you have any questions not covered here, feel free to ask me.
Feeding & Cleaning
- Dr. Brown's Bottles - you're going to want a bunch of these - I recommend 1 newborn set of per baby. They're the best we've found for drinkability and they have multiple nipple flow levels for age.
- Dr. Brown's Mixing Pitcher - if you're using formula even to supplement, get this. Mixing formula is hell without it. Again, 1 per baby will be helpful as they get bigger and start eating more.
- Microwave Sterilizer - I'm really happy with the one in the link but there are a bunch of well rated ones. This has made life a lot easier and in a powerful microwave is ready in 12 minutes.
- Drying racks - With 2 or more babies you're going to be shocked how much space for drying you're going to want. My beautiful minimal kitchen has been transformed into a massive drying zone. My setup includes a staging area of a standard kitchenaid dish drying rack and tray along with a bottle dryer and green grass drying rack. All 3 were bought at separate times.
- Bibs - get a lot, babies are sloppy eaters. Get ones that are fabric with liners for the newborns.
- Double breastfeeding pillow - This seems okay for breastfeeding but where it really shines is putting the kids in with blankets and propping the bottles in their mouths. Amazing multitasker!
Caretaking & Diapering
- Bath seat - we've tried a few different things but so far, the simple bath seat in our tub is the best option. It's small and is stored easily. I can't find the exact one we have, it's probably discontinued as it's a hand-me-down but it's similar to this one.
- Desitin - I don't think I need to explain this but it's great.
- A+D - Another obvious one, we apply the Desitin and then this for a water barrier.
- Baby Powder - Despite the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, we use this since we're 1, careful and 2, not morons. Seriously, don't make it rain baby powder and you'll be fine.
- Diapers - We've tried a bunch, Pampers worked well but were pricy, we found Huggies leaked on both babies, Honest Diapers were pretty good but even more pricy. We've settled on Kirkland - low diaper rash risk, great absorbency and the best price around. Also I can get them delivered next day on Google Shopping.
Bedding & Blankets
- Receiving Blankets - You will need a billion of these. Seriously. The first month you'll be shocked how many you need on an average day. They swaddle, they wiped they guard, they hold, they're really the greatest thing on earth and you can use 2-3 at a time. We have muslin and cotton but use primarily the cotton since they're better for keeping them warm.
- Cribs - We have 2. At 3 months one is for the babies and one is for extra stuff.
- Heavier blankets - You'll want these to cover them after they're swaddled. Get a bunch because you'll see how great these are for multiple applications.
- Portable Bassinet - These are great, we have 2 of them and they're great for leaving them temporarily (not in fall risk situations) and they're amazing changing stations.
Car Seats and Strollers
I did a lot of research into car seats and strollers. My goal was to get seats small enough to fit comfortably in my existing car and strollers that were functional but also reasonably portable.
- Car seat - the GB Asana35
- Small footprint
- Light
- Load leg
- Great internal padding for side impacts
- Click-in Stroller - Baby Trend Double Snap and Go
- Straps the car set in nicely
- Good storage
- Quick fold and unfold
- Con: good for flat, smooth surfaces - don't offroad or plan on hilly walks.
- Real Stroller - Double BOB Duallie Fitness
- Very mobile, good turning
- Stable
- Will some day be good for running, going to the beach, etc.
- Infant Rocker - these have been a godsend. We have 2 and it's where they spend a lot of time between feeds. Both babies love them and it keeps them reasonably calm.
- Cradle Swing - we have one of these and it's great when the rocker chair isn't enough.
Toys
Not much in the way of toys yet... mostly books, play mats and noisy or visual stimulation.
No comments:
Post a Comment