Comments on: Your Registry Cheat-Sheet http://www.hdydi.com/2009/08/your-registry-cheat-sheet/ Moms of Multiples Tell it Like it Is Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:03:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Janel http://www.hdydi.com/2009/08/your-registry-cheat-sheet/comment-page-1/#comment-5624 Janel Sat, 08 Aug 2009 18:33:20 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=3187#comment-5624 Things I couldn't have done it without? Swings. Jumpers. Bouncers. Pack n plays. I got most of these second-hand as hand-me-downs, as borrows, consignment sale finds, or as gifts. So, I'm happy to have rarely had to spend full price for any of the bigger ticket items that have short life span. The other thing that I have now that I wish I had had when they were infants? Milk Maid Bottle Props. Breastfeeding did not work for me (a big ticket item I, unfortunately, did invest in - at least it went to a good friend who could use it) so my kids were bottle babies from the start. The amount of time we spent positioning towels/ receiving blankets/ pillows, etc. so that we could feed two babies with one parent was insane. Found them at a recent consignment sale. Instantly knew them for what they were and snatched them up. No looking back. Bottles that our 9 month old babies were desperate to try to hold buy bad at holding are now easy for them to hold, and when they get tired of holding them it's still positioned correctly. I would even suggest them for singleton moms who use bottles. The ability for you to snuggle the baby, and for the baby to hold their own bottle and go at their own pace while feeding is just so worth the $15 price (and hey, I got them for under $6 for two). .-= Janel´s last blog ..<a href="http://polychrome-baby.livejournal.com/41048.html" rel="nofollow">The Payoff</a> =-. Things I couldn’t have done it without?

Swings. Jumpers. Bouncers. Pack n plays.

I got most of these second-hand as hand-me-downs, as borrows, consignment sale finds, or as gifts. So, I’m happy to have rarely had to spend full price for any of the bigger ticket items that have short life span.

The other thing that I have now that I wish I had had when they were infants? Milk Maid Bottle Props. Breastfeeding did not work for me (a big ticket item I, unfortunately, did invest in – at least it went to a good friend who could use it) so my kids were bottle babies from the start. The amount of time we spent positioning towels/ receiving blankets/ pillows, etc. so that we could feed two babies with one parent was insane. Found them at a recent consignment sale. Instantly knew them for what they were and snatched them up. No looking back. Bottles that our 9 month old babies were desperate to try to hold buy bad at holding are now easy for them to hold, and when they get tired of holding them it’s still positioned correctly.

I would even suggest them for singleton moms who use bottles. The ability for you to snuggle the baby, and for the baby to hold their own bottle and go at their own pace while feeding is just so worth the $15 price (and hey, I got them for under $6 for two).
.-= Janel´s last blog ..The Payoff =-.

]]> By: Vicky @ thecitycradle http://www.hdydi.com/2009/08/your-registry-cheat-sheet/comment-page-1/#comment-5579 Vicky @ thecitycradle Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:18:32 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=3187#comment-5579 One of my favorite infant twin products has been the Podee feeding system. If you will be bottle feeding and especially if you will have many solo-baby feedings throughout the day, this will save your life! It is a hands-free feeding system that works somewhat like a "beer hat" except for babies. The long straw attaches to the bottles and then your baby can suck just like they would a binkie and it frees you up from having to hold the bottle for them. Plus the straw system helps out with any reflux issues. I was surprised to never see this product recommended on any twin sites before my babies were born. It has allowed me to feed both babies at once, by myself, without much trouble! I would recommend it to any new multiple, bottle feeding mom. .-= Vicky @ thecitycradle´s last blog ..<a href="http://thecitycradle.com/annoyance" rel="nofollow">Annoyance</a> =-. One of my favorite infant twin products has been the Podee feeding system. If you will be bottle feeding and especially if you will have many solo-baby feedings throughout the day, this will save your life! It is a hands-free feeding system that works somewhat like a “beer hat” except for babies. The long straw attaches to the bottles and then your baby can suck just like they would a binkie and it frees you up from having to hold the bottle for them. Plus the straw system helps out with any reflux issues.

I was surprised to never see this product recommended on any twin sites before my babies were born. It has allowed me to feed both babies at once, by myself, without much trouble! I would recommend it to any new multiple, bottle feeding mom.
.-= Vicky @ thecitycradle´s last blog ..Annoyance =-.

]]> By: Sadia http://www.hdydi.com/2009/08/your-registry-cheat-sheet/comment-page-1/#comment-5578 Sadia Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:47:36 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=3187#comment-5578 If you're planning to nurse, especially if you'll be working outside the home, I'd recommend considering going off the beaten track and mentioning to folks that you'd appreciate gift cards to stores that sell nursingwear (motherhood.com, mynursingwear.com, milkface.com). Since my husband had to go overseas when our girls were 5 months old, the swing was an extra pair of arms. We couldn't have survived without two swings. Don't bother registering for clothes. People will give you plenty anyway (mostly matching!), and hand-me-downs are a good thing. I ended up needing six bulb syringes: 1 per child for home, school and diaper bag. A good pair of baby mail clippers is a must; I still use the Parents one my boss gave me. If you'll be bottle-feeding, consider registering for a few bottles of a variety of brands. You won't know what each baby likes until they start eating! My hubby and I chose not to register for a breastpump, and then wished we had. He ended up rushing to Babies R Us when the girls were a few hours old and I hadn't seen them yet! If you get a convertible crib system, be sure you have all the pieces!! By the time we got around to buying the rails to turn our gorgeous cribs into twin beds, they weren't making them any more. Fortunately, we got beds as hand-me-downs, but the multi-decade investment we thought my Mum was making turned out to be someone else's Freecycle win! I'm sure I could come up with a ton more, but I'll leave it at that. .-= Sadia´s last blog ..<a href="http://rodrigueztwins.blogspot.com/2009/07/matchy-matchy.html" rel="nofollow">Matchy matchy</a> =-. If you’re planning to nurse, especially if you’ll be working outside the home, I’d recommend considering going off the beaten track and mentioning to folks that you’d appreciate gift cards to stores that sell nursingwear (motherhood.com, mynursingwear.com, milkface.com).

Since my husband had to go overseas when our girls were 5 months old, the swing was an extra pair of arms. We couldn’t have survived without two swings.

Don’t bother registering for clothes. People will give you plenty anyway (mostly matching!), and hand-me-downs are a good thing.

I ended up needing six bulb syringes: 1 per child for home, school and diaper bag. A good pair of baby mail clippers is a must; I still use the Parents one my boss gave me.

If you’ll be bottle-feeding, consider registering for a few bottles of a variety of brands. You won’t know what each baby likes until they start eating!

My hubby and I chose not to register for a breastpump, and then wished we had. He ended up rushing to Babies R Us when the girls were a few hours old and I hadn’t seen them yet!

If you get a convertible crib system, be sure you have all the pieces!! By the time we got around to buying the rails to turn our gorgeous cribs into twin beds, they weren’t making them any more. Fortunately, we got beds as hand-me-downs, but the multi-decade investment we thought my Mum was making turned out to be someone else’s Freecycle win!

I’m sure I could come up with a ton more, but I’ll leave it at that.
.-= Sadia´s last blog ..Matchy matchy =-.

]]> By: Jamie http://www.hdydi.com/2009/08/your-registry-cheat-sheet/comment-page-1/#comment-5577 Jamie Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:13:40 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=3187#comment-5577 Invest in a good stroller. Think about what your lifestyle is now and get a stroller that will match it. Lightweight and the snap n go are great, but will they ultimately suit your needs when they are older? or will you be purchasing another one down the road. We considered when and where we would be going with the kids. What will you need to carry with you ... so how much storage capacity do you need. I personally always need a spot for my diaper bag, glasses, hand sanitizer, purse, and of course at least two drink holders for me ... plus more ... I like to have my hands free but want the convenience of having "stuff" I may need ... I hate having to leave an activity because I didn't have something. Lastly, I was told by a number of people that the stoller I was considering was too heavy (37lbs) but when you are carrying 2 babies 5-7lbs each in their carseats I didn't think it would be a problem for me and it wasn't. Invest in a good stroller. Think about what your lifestyle is now and get a stroller that will match it. Lightweight and the snap n go are great, but will they ultimately suit your needs when they are older? or will you be purchasing another one down the road.

We considered when and where we would be going with the kids. What will you need to carry with you … so how much storage capacity do you need.

I personally always need a spot for my diaper bag, glasses, hand sanitizer, purse, and of course at least two drink holders for me … plus more … I like to have my hands free but want the convenience of having “stuff” I may need … I hate having to leave an activity because I didn’t have something.

Lastly, I was told by a number of people that the stoller I was considering was too heavy (37lbs) but when you are carrying 2 babies 5-7lbs each in their carseats I didn’t think it would be a problem for me and it wasn’t.

]]> By: Diane http://www.hdydi.com/2009/08/your-registry-cheat-sheet/comment-page-1/#comment-5576 Diane Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:51:08 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=3187#comment-5576 1) Consider a White noise machine or nature sounds machine. I used this to block out household noise and provide a soothing sleep environment from day one. It can also come along on travel to re-create that sleep environment on the road. I don't know how moms live without these things (but I know that plenty do, somehow). 2) TWO BOPPY PILLOWS- a twins must have, period. And more if your home is multi-level. 3) At least 2 of these must have: "ultimate crib sheet" by Basic Comfort, it attaches with snaps, OVER your regular crib sheet, is easy to remove, wash and change. This is a lifesaver , it is a "Quick Change Sheet, Mattress Pad, Super Absorbent Pad, and Waterproof Pad. Elastic straps that snap/unsnap easily without removal of bumper guards or having to completely strip the crib to change the sheet. " 1) Consider a White noise machine or nature sounds machine. I used this to block out household noise and provide a soothing sleep environment from day one. It can also come along on travel to re-create that sleep environment on the road. I don’t know how moms live without these things (but I know that plenty do, somehow).
2) TWO BOPPY PILLOWS- a twins must have, period. And more if your home is multi-level.
3) At least 2 of these must have: “ultimate crib sheet” by Basic Comfort, it attaches with snaps, OVER your regular crib sheet, is easy to remove, wash and change. This is a lifesaver , it is a “Quick Change Sheet, Mattress Pad, Super Absorbent Pad, and Waterproof Pad. Elastic straps that snap/unsnap easily without removal of bumper guards or having to completely strip the crib to change the sheet. “

]]> By: Jessica http://www.hdydi.com/2009/08/your-registry-cheat-sheet/comment-page-1/#comment-5575 Jessica Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:12:01 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=3187#comment-5575 I would skip the pack n play. Mine just collected crap. Only buy one swing at first. I have one of those said babies who didn't like the swing. And only one baby likes the jumper. Let me second the "don't buy 2 of the the big, temporary things"...someone gave me 2 excersaucers, and I can't wait to either give them back or pass them along. Make sure to register for the "next size up" stroller after the snap n go. You don't realize when you need the bigger one till that day comes (ie, we were going to the zoo- how are they going to see the animals facing me? Quick, take it out of the box!) Gets lots of onesises in bigger sizes- DONT register for soap, etc. You never know which one will give your baby a rash. Then you are stuck w/5 bottles of babywash you can't use! I would skip the pack n play. Mine just collected crap.

Only buy one swing at first. I have one of those said babies who didn’t like the swing. And only one baby likes the jumper.

Let me second the “don’t buy 2 of the the big, temporary things”…someone gave me 2 excersaucers, and I can’t wait to either give them back or pass them along.

Make sure to register for the “next size up” stroller after the snap n go. You don’t realize when you need the bigger one till that day comes (ie, we were going to the zoo- how are they going to see the animals facing me? Quick, take it out of the box!)

Gets lots of onesises in bigger sizes-

DONT register for soap, etc. You never know which one will give your baby a rash. Then you are stuck w/5 bottles of babywash you can’t use!

]]> By: Nicole http://www.hdydi.com/2009/08/your-registry-cheat-sheet/comment-page-1/#comment-5574 Nicole Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:26:55 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=3187#comment-5574 I would get a pack n play - it works as a portable crib, changing table, play area and storage unit. .-= Nicole´s last blog ..<a href="http://sotorrifictwins.blogspot.com/2009/08/two-for-twosday-getting-big.html" rel="nofollow">Two for Twosday: Getting Big</a> =-. I would get a pack n play – it works as a portable crib, changing table, play area and storage unit.
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..Two for Twosday: Getting Big =-.

]]> By: WhatACard http://www.hdydi.com/2009/08/your-registry-cheat-sheet/comment-page-1/#comment-5573 WhatACard Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:59:42 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=3187#comment-5573 I'd be careful with the underseat mats...I believe they're not recommended as they can decrease the effectiveness of car seats in a crash. We haven't used them, and don't have problems with the seat getting dirty (well, of course with crumbs, but not mud or dirt). The mud and dirt get on the backs of the front seats once the kids' are older, turned around and have legs that are long enough to kick the front seats...now those back-of-the-front-seat protectors are a good idea (and not a safety risk!) My must-have that you didn't mention is the book Baby 411. It's such a great compilation of all the basics. Maybe not the most in-depth on any topic, but perfect for all those late night "is this normal" questions :) .-= WhatACard´s last blog ..<a href="http://whatacard.blogspot.com/2009/08/odd-twin-moment.html" rel="nofollow">An odd twin moment</a> =-. I’d be careful with the underseat mats…I believe they’re not recommended as they can decrease the effectiveness of car seats in a crash. We haven’t used them, and don’t have problems with the seat getting dirty (well, of course with crumbs, but not mud or dirt). The mud and dirt get on the backs of the front seats once the kids’ are older, turned around and have legs that are long enough to kick the front seats…now those back-of-the-front-seat protectors are a good idea (and not a safety risk!)

My must-have that you didn’t mention is the book Baby 411. It’s such a great compilation of all the basics. Maybe not the most in-depth on any topic, but perfect for all those late night “is this normal” questions :)
.-= WhatACard´s last blog ..An odd twin moment =-.

]]> By: Anna http://www.hdydi.com/2009/08/your-registry-cheat-sheet/comment-page-1/#comment-5572 Anna Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:08:36 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=3187#comment-5572 Under the car seat mats were a must for us. The reflux is worst in the car seats. It's been a messy seven months. We've only bought/requested one of most things to see how they like it, then if it is a hit we get a second. My babies aren't fans of the swings. I think we have used them only a few times. Under the car seat mats were a must for us. The reflux is worst in the car seats. It’s been a messy seven months. We’ve only bought/requested one of most things to see how they like it, then if it is a hit we get a second. My babies aren’t fans of the swings. I think we have used them only a few times.

]]> By: Lisa http://www.hdydi.com/2009/08/your-registry-cheat-sheet/comment-page-1/#comment-5571 Lisa Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:40:56 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=3187#comment-5571 Swings! I've heard there is such a thing as babies who don't like swings, but I've never actually seen said babies. I had two very good swings, which I'm not sure how I would have survived without. I didn't borrow stuff, but I did collect a ton of stuff from Craig's List and my local MoMs sale, so the nice thing has been being able to resell everything at almost the same price. I would buy car seats new as well, and we had the same issue with the Chicco's that I liked. We got the Gracco Safe Seats which go up to 30 pounds and fit in a double snap and go, and we've been happy with them. The double snap n go, is a good addition too. .-= Lisa´s last blog ..<a href="http://ferrariflies.blogspot.com/2009/08/milk-valanche-thats-what-jeff-says.html" rel="nofollow"></a> =-. Swings! I’ve heard there is such a thing as babies who don’t like swings, but I’ve never actually seen said babies. I had two very good swings, which I’m not sure how I would have survived without. I didn’t borrow stuff, but I did collect a ton of stuff from Craig’s List and my local MoMs sale, so the nice thing has been being able to resell everything at almost the same price.

I would buy car seats new as well, and we had the same issue with the Chicco’s that I liked. We got the Gracco Safe Seats which go up to 30 pounds and fit in a double snap and go, and we’ve been happy with them. The double snap n go, is a good addition too.
.-= Lisa´s last blog .. =-.

]]>