As soon as you find out you are having twins, you may feel overwhelmed by all the preparation ahead of you.

Often parents expecting twins buy way more than they will actually ever use.

Before you create your registry for your twins, read this.

We have compiled a complete list of the essential must-have items you will need during your twins’ first year. These items should be included in any registry.

1. A lightweight double frame stroller

A double frame stroller is the first item for twins you will want to purchase.

It is designed to allow you to snap your twins’ car seats directly into a lightweight stroller frame. This is important because your twins will spend much of their first six months sleeping and growing.

By simply unsnapping your car seats from their bases in your car and snapping them into the stroller frame, you will be able to take your twins on outings without having to wake them up.

We recommend using the lightweight double stroller frame, instead of a complete stroller system because the frame is much lighter. You will not need the seats in a traditional stroller, so don’t bother carrying around the extra weight.

Once you figure out which car seat you want for your twins (our list of recommended car seats for twins is here), you will either need the Baby Trend Snap N Go or the Joovy Twin Roo Plus (plus adapters). Read more about each one here.

Product details:

Recommended weight: 5lbs to 40lbs

Lowest price: Amazon

Price: $75.34

While not all car seats will fit, all the car seats we recommend will fit into the Baby Trend Snap N Go without any attachments needed.

Eventually, your twins will no longer fit comfortably and you will need either a larger everyday stroller or an umbrella stroller. We reviewed hundreds of strollers and created a list of our recommendations in this article.

Below we discuss the next item you will need to have before your twins are born.

While you certainly won’t need to purchase two of everything, you will obviously need to buy two car seats.

2. Two safe newborn infant car seats

The first type of car seat you will want for your twins is designed specifically for infants.

The carrier portion of the car seat can be removed from the base, which will remain in your car. By removing the car seat from the base, you will be able to let your twins continue to sleep and will not need to wake them up by removing them from the car seats.

All the car seats we recommend are compatible with the Baby Trend Snap N Go double stroller frame.

The Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 LX Featuring Trueshield Technology is our number one recommendation for newborn infant car seats. It is Graco’s safest car seat yet. It has received 4.7 out of 5 stars from customers on Amazon.

Product features:

★ Adjust handle with one hand, leaving your other hand free.

★ Silent Shade canopy easily and quietly adjusts without disturbing baby.

★ InRight LATCH system for a one-second LATCH attachment.

★ 4-position adjustable base lets you customize fit to your vehicle.

★ Easy-to-read level indicator helps eliminate installation guesswork.

3. Two convertible cribs

The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages parents of twins to have them each sleep in their own crib. That practice has been shown to reduce the incidents of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

The Delta Children Emery 4-in-1 Convertible Baby Crib is an awesome choice. As a 4-in-1 crib, it is the only bed your twin will need for years to come.

Product details:

Colors: Comes in dark chocolate (shown), grey, and white

*It is also available as a mini crib. If you have a smaller room for your twins, you may want to purchase two mini cribs.

Price: $189.99

Lowest price: Amazon

4. One portable Playard or pack-n-play

Sometimes called a portable Playard, pack-n-play, or bassinet, a foldable crib will be an important item for twins to have before your twins arrive home.

This will be the place you lay your twins down to nap throughout much of the day. During the day, many parents have this crib in the main sitting room. At night, many parents bring this crib into their bedroom.

In the early days, your twins will feed a lot. Most new babies feed every 1-2 hours for weeks. Having this crib right next to the bed makes these frequent feedings much easier.

The Baby Trend Twin Nursery Center is more than just a portable crib. It comes with an organizational basket and removable bassinets. 

5. A comfortable double breastfeeding pillow

Breastfeeding twins is one of the most intimidating aspects for expecting and new moms of twins. While it can seem scary and you may even doubt whether you will be able to breastfeed your twins, we have found most who want to, can.

We have written a helpful article on how to breastfeed your twins successfully.

The most important item you should have is a comfortable double breastfeeding pillow. It will make the learning process and the daily feeding of your twins so much easier.

The My Brest Friend Supportive Nursing Pillow For Twins 0-12 Months, Plus-Size is our #1 recommendation. Unlike other double breastfeeding pillows, it has a velcro strap that secures the pillow around your waist. It is also firmer than the other pillows, which will be extremely helpful when you are helping your twins first learn how to breastfeed.

Product features:

★ Easy to wash, zip off cover – Your twins will spit up. The cover comes off easily and can be washed and dried in your washer and dryer.

★ Adjustable back support – Encourages better posture during breastfeeding, alleviating strain in your back, neck, and arms.

★ Adjustable fit for most sizes – Large design is big enough to comfortably support both twins during breastfeeding.

★ Large multipurpose pocket – Handy pouch keeps your maternity supplies within easy reach

★ Secure wrap around design – Adjusts to fit most sizes, My Brest Friend surrounds your body securely, for the ideal position, providing the best support for mom and babies

★ Lactation experts approve – My Brest Friend is proud to be the top choice of lactation consultants and birthing hospitals

*Note: For bottle-feeding and general “hanging out” purposes, we recommend you use infant bouncer seats. We have included our favorites below.

6. Two safe bouncer seats

One of the absolute must-haves as a parent of twins is a bouncer seat for each twin.

The Fisher-Price Infant-to-Toddler Rocker is our favorite choice for bouncer seats. These seats are comfortable, well-made, lightweight, and adorable.

Product details:

Colors: 8 Colors and patterns to choose From

Price: $29.00-$69.99

Lowest price: Amazon

These seats can be used for many purposes. They are the perfect place to bottle-feed your twins. Simply sit your babies in the seats, strap them in, and feed.

Babies love to be held. Holding one baby for hours a day can be tough enough, but holding twins can often be impossible. We often placed our twins into these bouncers, strapped them in, and gently rocked them with our feet. Often the gently rocking put them right to sleep and allowed us to get a much-needed break.

These bouncers are also a great, safe place to put your twins if you need to go to the bathroom or get something to eat.

Unlike a large bassinet or portable Playard, these bouncers can easily be taken into the kitchen, bathroom, porch, yard, or anywhere else you want to go.

7. An organized diaper bag

Initially, you will want a diaper bag that has a lot of smaller compartments to help you organize your twins’ items. It should also come with an insulated compartment for bottles, a changing pad and a baby wipes container.

The Bag Nation Diaper Bag Backpack is an awesome backpack for parents of newborn twins. It has tons of pockets designed to hold diapers, bottles, wipes, clothing, toys, and more. It comes with a large changing pad and can be worn as a backpack so you can get it completely out of your way.

Product features:

★ High quality – Water-resistant twill polyester (stronger than cloth), non-fraying stitching, and strong zippers mean you’ll have a diaper bag backpack that lasts for years.

★ Lifetime warranty – Buy with confidence, we stick by our products and customers no matter what. Our outstanding support team is only a message away.

★ Connects to most strollers – While it is an extremely comfortable bag, it can also easily and conveniently connect onto almost any stroller.

★ Organized functional compartments will save you hassle – LOTS of awesome pockets! As parents, we have a lot of baby items we must carry and find at a moment’s notice! From diapers, clothing, bottles, and more! The 14 organized pockets, including 4 insulated bottle pockets, and pockets for wallets and keys.

★ Hands-free and comfortable to wear – This backpack allows you to carry all of your essentials while having both hands free. The padding on the back and shoulder straps make sure this is super comfortable to wear for any length of outing. Built-in stroller straps can hook onto any stroller, as well.

★ Gender-neutral, unisex design – We love the fact that this bag will not cause anyone to feel uncomfortable. Men and women alike can feel comfortable trading this bag back and forth from one caregiver to another.

★ Baby wipes case, changing pad, and other accessories included – Two packing cubes are also included to help organize clothing for each twin. There is also a wet/dry bag which is awesome for soiled clothing. There is a waterproof changing pad, so you can change diapers anywhere and a baby wipes case with its own easy access side pocket.

8. A reliable baby monitor

Baby monitors allow you to check in on your babies without entering the room and possibly waking them up. Today’s baby monitors do much more than that.

Baby monitors can monitor the babies, room temperature, breathing of your twins, and even be used to soothe them using lullabies or your own voice.

Some parents choose to buy a baby monitor with two cameras, while others get one monitor that can view both cribs at once. In our review of the best baby monitors for twins, we have included both one and two camera options.

Our #1 recommendation for a baby monitor for twins who share a bedroom is the Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Baby Monitor with Interchangeable Optical Lens.

84% of the customers who reviewed this baby monitor gave it either 4 or 5 stars, it is a very safe choice.

9. Baby wraps and carriers

Having a comfortable carrier is essential as the parent of twins.

There will often be a time when at least one of your twins wants to be held.

While there are a few carriers designed for twins available, we rarely found a time when both twins had to be held at once.

The two types of carriers we suggest you invest in are the wrap and the carrier.

Our favorite wrap for carrying newborn babies is the Ergo Baby Wrap by CuddleBug. It allows you to essential swaddle your baby against your body. It is versatile, comfortable, and effective.

Once you are past the newborn stage, you will need a carrier with a lot of back support and cushioning on your shoulders. Trust us, babies are heavy.

The Ergobaby 360 All Carry Positions Award-Winning Ergonomic Baby Carrier is our favorite versatile baby carrier.

Product details:

Colors: Comes in 16 colors and patterns

Price: $104.95- $160.00

Lowest price: Amazon

Product features:

★ Comfortable and ergonomic as baby grows: Easy to adjust bucket seat supports your baby in an ergonomic natural “M” position in all carry positions from baby to toddler.

★ Comfortable for you: Exceptional lower back support with a wide wraparound waistband that maximizes comfort especially post C-section. Extra padded shoulder straps help evenly distribute your baby’s weight.

★ All carry positions included: Face baby in or out. Wear on the hip or back as baby grows (~4-36 months/12-33lbs or start with newborn infant insert ~0-4Months/7-12lbs, sold separately).

★ Custom fit: Easily adjusts to fit multiple wearers from petite to larger body types (waistband adjusts 26-52″, shoulder straps 28” to 48”).

★ Thoughtful design: Easy breastfeeding & UPF 50+, tuck away baby hood for sun and wind protection; machine washable.

In summary, these are the 9 most important items you will need to purchase before your twins are born. While there are many other smaller items, you will find useful, these are the essential items any new parent of twins will need.

Comment below and let us know what you think of this list.

The post 9 Must-have Items for Twins appeared first on TWINS Magazine.

Once you have twins, you find yourself in the company of twins, twin parents, or family members of twins more often than you expect. I wish that had been around more often before ours arrived because though I read all the articles, many books, and listened intently as my doctor spoke, I never fully knew what to expect. That’s my goal here: to give those who are in my 2019 shoes today a clearer picture of what it’s like to carry, birth, and begin life with twins. 

Looking back, it was a very wild journey from the moment we found out we were expecting to life with our babies today. Even as I sit here organizing my thoughts around isolated events, I am in awe. 

As I attempt to share the most memorable and unique parts of our experience, I want to preface here that I am not a medical professional—I am simply a mother trying to care for two babies at once—and that there were many other symptoms I experienced while pregnant and thereafter, but those outlined here were specific to having twins, or at least I was told they were. 

Carrying Twins 

Extra doctor appointments were part of the package. 

I had standing appointments with my regular doctor, appointments with an MFM, and regular nonstress tests—sometimes all on the same day, and often on different days within the same week. We developed really great relationships with the staff. 

37 weeks was the goal. 

A twin pregnancy is different from a singleton pregnancy. Everything is measured gestationally, meaning a full-term twin pregnancy hits sooner than a singleton. It’s as if I was “at capacity” sooner, which makes sense since there are two occupying the space, not just one. Needless to say, we didn’t make it to 37 weeks. 

On that note, I had this irrational fear that my stomach was going to turn into the shape of a watermelon on its side, but our bodies are absolutely amazing. Worrying about these silly things is so not worth the stress, especially when you’re about to welcome two beautiful babes. 

My doctor requested I work from home after a certain point in my pregnancy.

It’s a high-risk pregnancy, and though it’s easy to lump that into one big bucket, the term can actually mean a lot of things. In my case, I worked in downtown Chicago, and my fear was that, if my water was to break while downtown, surrounded by traffic, chaos, and spectators, it would be an emergency, and they worried I wouldn’t make it to the hospital in time. Once I hit 34 weeks, my doctor requested that I no longer make the trip downtown, though she wanted me to start this sooner. My doctor was very laid back and had a cool approach to everything, so I trusted her request was strategic. This did not sit well with my employer at the time though, and I was asked at the tail-end of my last day in the office to “reconsider” working from home, being told that I was one of the many women who have had a “high-risk pregnancy” and that I was still six weeks out from a full-term 40 weeks. “We’ve all been through it” were her exact words. Her lack of understanding that a full-time singleton pregnancy is different from a full-term twin pregnancy proved how unqualified she was to request such a thing from me. Bottom line: your doctor knows what’s best for you and your babies. 

The chance of developing preeclampsia is higher with multiples—and it happened. Twice. 

I kept hearing the word “preeclampsia” knowing it was a concern. But, until this time in my life, I didn’t really have a lot of knowledge about this condition—minus the fact that Kim Kardashian had it. Honestly, it’s a bit of an anomaly. They don’t really know everything about why it happens, but it’s believed to be related to the condition of the placenta. In the case of our mono-di twins, we had two babies sharing one placenta (hence identical!), and you can imagine the amount of stress that puts on one support system. 

Once I was in my third trimester, I experienced preeclampsia without knowing it. I had a pounding headache, and when I went to pee for the 100th time while at the doctor’s office, I saw silver flecks floating all around me. I didn’t realize these were the “spots” everyone was constantly asking me about, so I chalked it up to being hungry and low sugar. I ate some cookies, and we went home and carried on. A few weeks later, I’m 35 weeks pregnant, at a nonstress test appointment with my husband, laughing casually about nothing, when a nurse walks in and says they’re calling a doctor in because my blood pressure is elevated—the most telling sign of preeclampsia. They delivered our babies the next day. 

Delivery is typically the solution to preeclampsia, but occasionally it rears its ugly head again. Days after I delivered, I was planning my release from the hospital, and my blood pressure began to rise again. After monitoring it for a while, they resorted to their last resort: magnesium. For 24 hours, I was bedridden as magnesium was pumped into me via an IV and exited through a catheter. This is less than common, and waiting nearly a year to welcome your two babies shouldn’t be out shadowed by the fear of this happening. 

Delivering Twins 

I planned for a natural birth, but mentally, I prepared for a C-section. 

Let me first say that I didn’t picture myself having a C-section or a natural birth in a chair with my feet planted in stirrups; I actually found the most comfort in the idea of water birth. But once I found out I was having twins, I knew that was out of the question. 

Baby A called the shots here because her position ultimately determined what kind of birth it would be. And for me, with every ultrasound, Baby A was in a different position, making it hard to get comfortable with one birth plan over another. To know her today is to realize how fitting this fickle behavior was (God, I love her).

A C-section is actually a pretty peaceful experience. Don’t let the fear of it muddy the experience of welcoming your beautiful babes. I wondered where my thoughts would go while I was laying on the table, conscious during surgery. My husband gently rubbing my hand kept me present and focused on him instead of what was going on behind the curtain. I highly recommend this. 

Life with Newborn Twins 

Preemies and time in the NICU. 

Our babies arrived at 35 weeks and 2 days. One came home after 7 days in the NICU and the other spent 10 days there. We were lucky to bring Baby A home on the same day that I was discharged, but it was certainly tough leaving our sleepy Baby B behind. The wonderful nursing staff took amazing care of her though, and it helped me retain my sanity throughout the entire process. Now, who do I blame for all of the extra energy this kid has today because I’m starting to think there’s a connection between her wildness and her extended stay in the NICU. I’ve got a bone to pick with someone. 

A visit with a lactation consultant was so worth it. 

Breastfeeding and pumping were difficult and often painful, but we got there. I often felt like I was ready to throw in the towel (and it’s ok if you do), but a visit with a lactation consultant made all the difference for me, especially because she herself was a mother of twins. Everything changed for the better after one hour with her. Ah, the power of empathy. 

There are no two-for-one deals, especially with insurance and diapers.

We are still paying off medical bills today, and we hit our deductible before our babies were born. 

On the diaper front, Costco is king, and I encourage any mom expecting twins to ask for as many diapers in various sizes as possible before their arrival. 

Sleeping together was encouraged. 

We were encouraged to have our babies sleep in the same room, whether that was our room or their own. In consideration of SIDS, we opted to have two bassinets in our bedroom until they were old enough to move to their own room with a sound machine. Living in the city, we had limited space, and though we had two mini cribs set up, they ended up sleeping in one side-by-side since they were so itty bitty and barely moved throughout the night. Now that they’re older, we recognize that they’re very different sleepers; we joke that one sleeps to rest, and the other sleep to recharge. One is up with the sun and the other needs a little more time. Regardless of their sleeping style though, it’s common for them to sleep through each other’s outbursts, but it’s also common for them to wake one another up when they’re being silly at odd hours. This has led to us separating them at nap time and often in the early hours of the morning. 

Nighttime is a nightmare in the beginning.

It’s no secret that a newborn baby keeps new parents up all night. Well, take that singleton schedule and double it because the nights are doubly terrible. Sorry, sometimes the truth hurts. The good news is that things will normalize. For us, routine started taking shape around month 6, and though we met a few sleep regressions over time, extended sleep was eventually a regular thing. 

Structure is everything. 

We utilized Babywise to try to establish some routine in our home, but no matter how organized (or borderline OCD in my case) we were, two new babies brought two new layers of chaos to our home. They don’t care if you were up twenty minutes ago with their sibling, they’re hungry now! Stick with the routine, and order will follow. Sort of. 

It’s ok to ask for help. 

All parents have their own personal arrangements, so caring for the babies will obviously look different for everyone. I am fortunate to have a partner who went into this chapter fully expecting to do half (oftentimes more) of the work, including middle-of-the-night feedings. Ultimately, we worked out a schedule. He got up with the babies until around 3 a.m., after which, I took over; moving myself and the babies into the nursery, handling the remaining wakeups, and allowing my husband to get some sleep. This worked for us because, in the end, we both felt like we were getting extended sleep. My best advice is, if your partner is getting parental leave (and I sincerely hope they do), experiment with sharing the middle-of-the-night responsibilities. Your body is going through so much after delivering a human—physically, mentally, emotionally—and you deserve a little break here and there. Even if this shared time is temporary, the extra help and rest will be invaluable as you recover. 

It’s also ok to ask for space. 

I was warned about people touching my belly without my permission, but I never expected half the attention having twins would bring me. In fact, I can’t recall a time when a stranger touched my pregnant belly, but I can certainly recall every time someone approached to gush or peek at our newborn twins. It certainly makes you feel a little extra special, but the discomfort quickly set in for my husband and me. Before we knew it—without our permission—people were in our personal space, pushing back the covers that shielded our babies’ faces for a better look. 

Other than your new babies, you don’t owe anyone anything immediately following birth. Texts can wait, work emails can absolutely wait, and visits from family and friends can wait. This time is precious and short-lived. Soak it in. 

“Everybody falls in love differently.” 

This was exactly what I needed to hear during the weeks following the birth of my twins, and I was fortunate enough to have a close friend (already a momma) who checked in on me often, especially my mental and emotional state. Not just that, she asked questions that allowed me to simply answer yes or no, rather than having to explain myself. I thought I would have this instant connection the moment I saw my babies, as they do in the movies—my husband did—but all I experienced was exhaustion. As a new mother, you give and give and give. Having someone reach in rather than having to reach out made all the difference when I was experiencing the baby blues. My best advice here is to assign someone close to you to check in on you post-delivery, especially someone who can empathize with what you’re going through. They know what you need to hear and how little effort you want to put into explaining yourself. 

Babies change everything. x2. 

This is nothing short of an understatement. 

General Ah-ha’s! 

The million-dollar twin question. 

No, they don’t run in either of our families because identical twins are not genetic. 

I’m not the exception. 

My pregnancy was rather uneventful (thankfully!), and I had a lot of natural exercises built into my years of living in the city and taking public transport, but that didn’t stop me from experiencing some Braxton Hicks around week 25, and preeclampsia before and after delivering, or the baby blues. I thought I would be able to withstand more, especially early on, but by week 14, I was feeling winded by a simple walk. 

For those expecting, it’s okay to be honest with yourself and others about how you’re feeling—physically, mentally, and emotionally. PPD is a real thing, and I hope you’ll talk to your doctor if you think you may be experiencing symptoms of it. Shoutout to those helping to normalize the conversation around mental health. 

No one knows what it’s like to have (or be pregnant with) twins except for the parents of twins. 

There’s a lot of unsolicited advice that comes your way no matter what you’re having, but having this phrase said to me when I was roughly 7 months pregnant was so profound, and it’s lived in my mommy brain ever since. It’s a solid motto to replay in your head when someone says the wrong thing to you. 

Fostering individuality is important. 

It’s cute to dress twins alike—we’re certainly guilty of this—but we always try to keep in mind the two different people we’re helping to shape. From the very beginning, we could tell a difference in personality, and though they’re very yin and yang, I always try to keep in mind the people they will grow into and how I, myself, felt when I was an adolescent and teenager. I want to make sure that when they get there, neither one feels like they’re simply part of a matching set. 

Little efforts go a long way when you’re feeling overwhelmed as a new parent. I hope this snapshot of my experience helps to provide some insight and perspective into what it’s like welcoming multiples, and that it offers those expecting, and those adjacent to those expecting ideas for how to support new twin-parents-to-be.

The post What I Wish I’d Known Before My Twins Arrived appeared first on TWINS Magazine.

The problem is, most new parents have no clue what items are necessities. The minute they set foot into a baby store, they get overwhelmed and start to panic. Before you know it, they’ve scanned 10 pages (front and back) worth of baby items, most of which will never leave the box.

To make things easier on gift-givers and moms and dads alike, we’ve rounded up the best gifts for new parents they’ll actually use.

Convertible Car Seat

Out of all the baby gear new parents will need, a car seat ranks at the very top of the list. In fact, you’re not even allowed to leave the hospital without one. With the right car seat, parents can feel confident driving their bubs around town even above the typical 10 kph dad speed limit.

Our pick: Britax Marathon ClickTight

The Britax Marathon is one of the highest safety-rated car seats and features a unique ClickTight installation system that uses your car’s seat belt. God knows how much blood, sweat, and tears we’ve all shed struggling with the LATCH system on most car seats. Now safely securing your little ones in the car is as easy as buckling a seat belt whether in a front-facing or rear-facing position. The only thing missing from this car seat is a cup holder (sold separately). 

Crib

Some parents prefer to keep their baby in a bassinet or co-sleep for the first few months. But once the baby outgrows the cradle or when parents have had enough of the little blocker hijacking their sexy time, whichever comes first, a crib is a necessity.

Our pick: Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib 

This eco-friendly and non-toxic crib has a stylish and open contemporary look that is guaranteed to make a statement in any room. Choose from a variety of solid or two-tone colors and four adjustable mattress positions, perfect for vertically challenged moms. Once the baby can get out of the crib on his own, the Hudson easily converts into a toddler bed and a daybed for each stage of your child’s growth.

Crib Mattress

A top-quality mattress can help provide a safe, comfortable resting environment and help the baby sleep better and longer so you too can sleep like a baby; or better yet, like a dad who can sleep through a baby screaming in the middle of the night.

Our pick: Newton Crib & Toddler Mattress

The Newton Crib & Toddler Mattress has one of the highest safety ratings. It’s 100% organic, hypoallergenic, and chemical-free. This two-stage mattress is firm enough for an infant yet cushy enough for a growing toddler. The patented Wovenaire® core is zipped into a breathe-thru (machine washable) cover, which provides maximum airflow, reducing the risk of SIDS. However, complete peace of mind comes with a hefty price tag, but totally worth it in our opinion.

Muslin Swaddling Blankets

Muslin is a magical multi-use material no parent should be without. This soft, stretchy, warm, and breathable fabric can be used as a blanket, burp cloth, sunshade, nursing cover, change pad, even a towel.

Our pick: Aden by Aden + Anais Swaddle Plus, 4-pack 

This Aden + Anais adorable 4-pack ensures you always have a security blanket for every situation. Whether you use it to swaddle baby to sleep or wear it like a supermom puke cape, the multifunction muslin is one blanket to rule them all!

A Compact Stroller

After the first few months of living in the mombie apocalypse battling a hungry, stinky, ankle-biter, most moms come out the other side victorious, ready to finally take a shower and face the new world. A compact stroller is the perfect set of wheels to travel with a baby around town or on a plane.

Our pick: Gb Pockit Stroller

The Gb Pockit is the world’s smallest folding stroller. It’s sufficiently compact to fit into a plane’s overhead compartment and folds and opens easily with a push of a button. The stroller comes newborn-ready and can accommodate children up to 55 lbs! Other great features include a comfortable reclining seat, a large sunshade, and a storage basket. 

An Ergonomic Baby Carrier

A baby carrier is another convenient way to get around when you can’t put your newborn down. Not only that, but having baby snuggled up next to you can help relieve colic, increase bonding, and lull baby to sleep. 

Our pick: ERGObaby 360 Baby Carrier

This ergonomic carrier keeps the baby seated in a comfortable frog-legged position, which promotes healthy hip and spine development. It also provides maximum comfort for parents, whether they wear baby front-inward, front-outward, on the hip, or on the back. The adjustable, velcro waistband offers extra support and the built-in hood protects the baby from the elements and provides privacy when nursing in public. 

Portable Change Pad

Parents change an average of 2200 diapers a year! That’s a lot of poop explosions and golden showers to contend with. A reliable, portable change pad can help make clean-ups quick and effortless while providing a soft surface for the baby.

Our pick: Keekaroo Peanut Diaper Changer

The Keekaroo is a soft changing pad made with a durable outer shell that is water-resistant, slip-resistant, and non-toxic. The diaper changer can securely rest on top of a dresser or table and doesn’t require any covers or additional pads. Just wipe it down after a diaper change, and you’re done. It also has raised edges to prevent babies from rolling off as well as a safety strap and comes in many fun colors. 

Baby Bottle (that closely resembles breastfeeding)

A breastfeeding mother may want to give her baby a bottle from time to time to share some feedings with dad or to escape for a few hours to sniff candles at Bath and Body Works. Whatever the reason, a bottle that closely mimics the breast can help with the transition.

Our pick: Comotomo Natural Feel Baby Bottle 

Mama didn’t raise no fool! Babies can easily tell the difference between a mom’s nipples and bottle nipples. With the Comotomo bottle, babies get a feeding experience that closely resembles breastfeeding, with a soft, squeezable bottle and naturally shaped, slow-flow, silicone nipples. The wide nipple base helps babies form a tight, vacuum seal similar to breastfeeding, and the dual air vents prevent colic. Plus Comotomo is BPA, PVC, and phthalate-free, and super easy to clean.

Double Electric Breast Pump

For moms who plan on transitioning baby to the bottle because they’re returning to work or need the occasional “me time,” a breast pump is essential. Trust us, there is nothing worse than having to ask your husband to milk you; kind of a MOOOd killer.

Our pick: Medela Sonata Smart Double Electric Breast Pump 

This new breast pump from Medela is an ultra-quiet, innovative double electric smart pump that automatically adjusts suction to ensure you’re pumping consistently and efficiently. Moms can also easily track feedings by connecting to the MyMedela app on their smartphone and get access to helpful lactation information and other valuable content to help moms achieve breastfeeding success.

The Best Car Seats for Twins

A Multifunctional High Chair

Unless mom and dad want to spend the first few years of parenthood battling each other for the title of who wore the baby food best, a high chair is a no-brainer. Although babies won’t be eating solids for the first 5 months or so, some high chairs can double as infant seats.

Our pick: Peg Perego Siesta High Chair

The Peg Perego is a multi-function high chair that grows with the baby from infancy to toddlerhood. The soft padding and five reclining positions. It keeps babies happy and comfy through playtime, cat naps, and meals. And the chair has nine height positions allowing the baby to eat at the table with the rest of the family, with wheels that automatically lock for safety. There is also plenty of room to store extra bibs, burp cloths, and clean clothes in the storage net.

Digital Thermometer

Fevers are a common occurrence with babies and young children and can sometimes require medical attention. Having an accurate thermometer that you don’t have to stick in your baby’s butt isn’t just a nice-to-have but can also be a lifesaver.

Our pick: Kinsa Digital Smart Thermometer

The Kinsa Digital Smart Thermometer takes accurate readings in seconds and can sync with your smartphone, so you can conveniently keep your family’s health information on hand for doctor’s appointments or emergency hospital visits. Even more, the thermometer includes a fun bubble-popping game to distract older kids and put them at ease.

A Nasal Aspirator

When a baby is stuffed-up, it’s hard on both the child and the parents. They’re irritable, cry a lot, and have trouble sleeping. And that’s just the mom and dad. Unfortunately, a box of tissues won’t fix the problem. Until a child learns to blow his or her nose, they’ll need assistance in blasting those pesky boogers away. In comes the nasal aspirator. 

Our pick: NoseFrida “The Snotsucker”

Before nasal aspirators, parents had to suck the snot out of their babies’ noses with their mouths! NoseFrida, aka the Snotsucker, was created by a doctor who was probably sick and tired of doing snot shots. So out of necessity, he came up with this simple but highly effective long blue plastic tube that you place the tip inside your baby’s nose, while you suck the boogers from the other end. Don’t worry, the disposable filters prevent any rogue snot rockets from blasting down your throat. Yeah, parenting (wait for it) sucks sometimes.

Are there any other products you think parents shouldn’t live without? Let us know in the comments.

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