We're having twins - help!

SmileyMiley_2

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Seaxwyn

HI there

Big congratulations! Having twins is wonderful.

I have twin girls, now 13, and two younger children. Certainly it's exhausting in the early days, but so worth it. As they get older having twins is possibly less hard work than having one in some ways, as they entertain each other and you don't have to spend so much time thinking of ways to amuse them.

I haven't read all the replies so others have probably said it all but.... twins don't need to cost you much. I used washable nappies and breastfed the twins. ALL their clothes and equipment was second hand, I honestly bought nothing new.

They had an old-fashioned second-hand pram when they were tiny, which was great as they always slept when they were in it, so I walked everywhere. I used a single buggy and a sling (both second-hand of course) when I didn't want to take the pram. My mum then bought me a basic McLaren double buggy, which lasted until they were 3 and no longer needed a buggy.

We had a small Golf, which was fine until the 4th child was born and we did then buy a people carrier.

Honestly you dont need to worry about the money side until they get much older. I must admit that the school shoes and school trips are a headache now.

SammySue

My Twins are nearly 18 now and after reading everybody's posts, I can see there is a lot of good advice out there.

Tamba and the local twins club are good things to join, as recommended. My husband is a twin too and always hated being referred to, with his sister as "the Twins". We made a concious decision not to do this but you will find that people invariably do.

Just a minor thing. When I was potty training my two, I bought them different colour pottys. Big mistake, as it meant that they would only use their own coloured potty, which meant I always had to take them both out with me, if I went anywhere.

Good luck with it all!!

spanglesugar

I'm also pregnant with twins - due mid-Oct, so I know what you're going through!

We've decided to keep the pram we used for our first son, and they can share it until they get too big, then we'll get a double buggy. The reason we've decided this is because so many double buggues aren't really suitable from birth, and those that are cost a fortune. That way we can buy a cheaper double buggy and save a bit of money.

They're also going to share a cot until they're too big.

TAMBA will get you discounts in a few useful shops, but to be honest I was a bit disappointed when I saw the list as quite a few are not chains - they're small stores in places I'd never go to. I'm glad I joined TAMBA though, for the support and advice you can get, particularly on their message board.

Ask round in chain stores about discounts. I did, and found out I can 20% discount in Jojo Maman Bebe, and you don't need to be a TAMBA member.

My midwife has offered to put me in touch with other mums of twins for advice, but also ones who she knows are looking to sell loads of stuff. She also said that Home Start may be able to come and give some help around the house once they babies are born.

It might be worthing contacting your local college of further education, who will probably be running a childcare course. They often want families with twin babies to host a student for a placement. That would certainly mean an extra pair of hands!

My hubby has been an angel and bought me a dishwasher and a bigger fridge - both of which will be essential once the babies arrive!

SwanSue

:j
haven't had twins myself - I am one though and other sibling was 18 months behind us, so mum did have her hands full - want to recommend you look at your local freecycle group (www.freecycle.com) I have got a number of great things there and pass on unneeded items to equally appreciative others - you can also post "wanted" listing for things you may need - our local group in London borough of Lambeth has over 5,000 members so lots of scope for circulating useful items among people for free...hope this helps you

squashy

blondepoledancer wrote: »

I have 2 words for anyone.... WASHABLE NAPPIES!
I know, extra washing, drying, yada yada yada. Honestly, when your waashing machine seems to be constantly running is an extra load every 2-3 days really a problem? You only need to wash them at 40 degrees anyway. Buy the right ones and they dry fast too, and don't use fabric conditioner either!
I have spent in total about £250 on nappies (including wraps and accessories bucket, flushable liners etc)and my son is now 20 months old. I intend to have another and the council will give me £30 for using the ones i've already got.
For anything good quality 2nd hand try your local NCT sale, or preloved.co.uk. I've bought some of my nappies 2nd hand but unfortunately eBay have stopped the sale of them, shame it's a big market! Maybe i should set something up??

I agree, saves a packet. Some companies offer discounts for twins, try www.thenappylady.co.uk for starters.

Also, look into the Sure Start Maternity Grant if you are on Tax Credits or any benefits. The threshold is that you need to be awarded a rate of at least £546 per year in Child Tax Credits (or £1091 once your baby arrives). If you qualify you will get £500 per baby, ie *£1000*! Don't forget to take into account the effects of any drop in income if on maternity leave.

fiona_wyatt

Hi

Congratulations - I have 10 year old twins and a 12 year old and so know how you feel. I was also shocked and thought of all the expense & hard work etc but it is worth it!

I agree buy what you can 2nd hand or freecycle including toys, you can get some great stuff. Friends offered/lent lots of things too. I hired some things from a local twins group - this was also a great life saver as I attended it when I was pregnant and learnt lots of tips especially re: dealing with eldest child when the twins arrived and breast feeding. I'm sure I wouldn't have suceeded at this without the support of a friend I made at the group. I found out as much info as possible before they were born including the birth. Leaflets from "TAMBA" - twins and multiple births association may be useful.

I also had a student studying nusery/child care from the local college on work experience. The first one who was in her first year (when my babies were 4 weeks old & she came 4 days a week with very little experience) was not such a good idea but the 2nd one (in her last year and came only 1 day a week) was a god send and meant we could go swimming etc and she's still a friend and great for babysitting!

I started off with a 2nd hand double pram but only tended to use it as a cot in the day downstairs and then bought a new side by side buggy which owed us nothing by the time they'd grown out of it. I would recommend getting this at the start. Unfortunately buggy boards weren't around then but would recommend one as I often had to carry my toddler and push the buggy!

I had 2 play gyms, one door bouncer and one walker so I could alternate them and they would watch each other.
Probably the best bit of kit we bought (also 2nd hand) was a play pen which opened up so we could cordon off an area for the babies to play in (once crawling) and an area for my toddler to prevent his games being spoilt.

Started off with a standard highchair used for our first child and hired another from the twins group but found these took up loads of room so bought 2 fold up seats with a tray that go on standard dining chairs. These were great as fitted against the table taking up less room, adapt for a child to sit at the table when older and fold up for travelling/storage and so are great when visiting friends etc. Wished we'd bought these first. Still have one for when friends babies visit.

Best bit of advice I was given was to accept whatever help is offered so my mother-in-law cleaned my toilets and my aunt cleaned my kitchen floor which with my first I would have felt that I'd have failed but with twins I felt I could accept the help.

Make sure you stop and take time to enjoy them because time will fly! So enjoy!

TASHMA

Congratulations - I don't think you can go far wrong with Asda's baby clothes. There packs of vests, babygros, socks etc are so cheap. Even things like hooded towels, shawls and fleece blankets are too (and lovely). (Love Tesco too but haven't been in ages). Shop about, I think you would be surprised what you can get for your money.

Wishing you a happy and healthy pregnancy!