Twice (or Three Times) the Fun: Tips for Moms of Multiples

I learned this tip from my triplet friend mom. When going out with young kids, take a portable potty wrapped with a plastic bag and kitty litter inside it. If and when the deed is done, simply pull the plastic bag out and throw away. -- Kim, 32, from UT

I have 2 year old twins. Bathing them alone when they were smaller was a challenge. Rather than purchase two pricey bathing seats for the tub, I used two inexpensive plastic laundry baskets. I put one baby in each basket and the two laundry baskets fit easily in the tub (one behind the other). It kept them and the water more contained. Since they sat in a smaller amount of water, it was less dangerous. Now they have graduated to the whole tub and I use the laundry baskets for laundry. -- Heather, 35, from NJ

My children (daughter 21 and twin boys 20. 11 months apart) are all grown now but when they were little I would wash clothes and not fold them. Each of the kids had a box that the clean clothes would go in.

I also joined a twins club (Macomb County Mother of Twins) we would meet one a month and discuss any issues/concerns we were having with our children. We also had a lot of Mom to Mom sales and outing with the children and husbands. It helped me get through the hard times. -- Marcy, 41, from MI

I have twins, boy and girl and a 2 year old. When the twins were on a every 2 hour feeding, we boiled the water and put it in a thermos. We left the thermos and formula and plenty of clean bottles on our dresser. So at night we did not have to walk all the way downstairs to warm the water up so we could mix the formula. It worked out great for both my husband and I. -- Maria, 34, from NY

When twins are little and just starting solids, always feed with one bowl and one spoon if no one is sick. This is so much easier than feeding with two spoons and two bowls. Do not think you need to purchase two (or three or four, etc) of everything for your multiples. You will need two swings or bouncy seats but not two of every toy. Don't get into this trap! -- Kimberly, 36, from FL

Each Sunday, I select their outfits for the week and place them in a 10-slot hanging shoe bag inside their closet. That way, onesie, outfit, and socks are grabbed quickly! Also, I have 5 changes of unisex clothes in ziplock bags pre-packed in their daycare diaper bag--if a change is needed for either the boy or girl, an entire outfit is available. The number cuts down on how many times I week I have to remember to bring extra clothes.

I am the mother of twin 15 month old boys and the best time saver I have implemented recently is an assembly line for dressing. In the morning, everyone gets their pajama top taken off in the crib and the new shirt for the day put on while still in the crib. Then the bottom is removed as part of diaper changing and the clean diaper and pants for the day put on. It is much easier to change and dress the boys before they get too squiggly and excited by the new day.-- Jennifer, 34, from GA

I am a stay at home mom of one year old twins that keep my hopping every minute of the day. The best tip I have for mothers of twins that can't seem to get out of the house on time in the morning is to dress your babies the night before in whatever outfit you want them to wear the next day. It saves on laundry (no PJ's to wash), money (not as many PJ's to buy), and lots of extra time in the morning! -- Heater, 25, from PA

I have a sleep-saving tip: For nighttime feedings, if one baby wakes and the other sleeps, still prepare two bottles. After feeding the first, if you have to, wake the second. This method is better than feeding one, getting in bed and 10 minutes later having to get everything ready to feed the other. There are endless benefits to keeping your multiples on the same schedule! -- Pam, 30, from WI

I have 1 year old twin girls. During our recent teething episodes, when they don't have good appetites and just want something to chew, I purchased bags of frozen dark sweet cherries and peach slices. I cut them up into bite size pieces and they love gnawing on the frozen fruit, and it's healthier than popsicles. -- Tiffany, 30, from MI

I am the mother twin boys who are 2 1/2 years old. I save money on their clothes by buying clothes at garage sales and mom to mom sales and I also sell their clothes. I use plastic bags from the grocery stores to discard diapers. A lot of people made quilts for them so instead of buying expensive bedding sets I use their homemade quilts. I use coupons at the grocery stores and I stock up on certain items (diapers, wipes, cereal, etc..) when they are on sale. To save time I have them on the same schedules for napping and eating. It is almost impossible to save time when you have multiples, you just learn to go with the flow. -- Michelle, 32, from MI

As a mother of twin boys, my best tip is find and join the local Moms of Twins group. Not only for the clothing, toy and equipment sales they have but for the support. I learned from my group what I really needed two of and what I could use only one of. We had stroller days which helped me learn to get out and manage with two babies.

Other tips:
Get tons of help with newborn twins. People will offer, so give them specific things they can help with (from bringing a gallon of milk to housework to just holding a baby).

Schedule, schedule, schedule! Life is so much easier on a schedule!! Babies sleeping at the same time is CRITICAL to mom's sanity! -- Debbie, 36, from NC

I have three year old twin girls. Here are a few tips for those with multiples:
If you are having twins or more before they are born have someone throw you a diaper shower, you can never have too many the first year. Be sure to ask for different sizes.

Once the kids are home get them and you on a feeding/changing/napping schedule. It may be difficult at first, but it will help you. In the world of multiples, waking a sleeping baby (for a feeding) is not a sin.

Multiples is a team effort as is raising any child, don't let Dad wimp put, be sure he is a ready as you are for their arrival and survival. He has to learn to do it all too otherwise you will be an exhausted mommy. Take shift on feedings even if you chose to breastfeed, pump so you can get some rest at night.

And yes, there are times you will buy two of everything, but think about it first. If you are the only person who will be driving them everywhere, do you need four car seats? -- Shelley, 34, from TX

For bargains: I shop from other mothers of multiples with kids one year older than mine, and buy ahead at our semi-annual mother of multiples sale. -- Marcy, 36, from PA

I'm not a mom of multiples, but do have twins -in-law. Make sure when you label pictures of your identical multiples, you identify which child is which. I speak from experience when I say If you don't do it now, it will be nearly impossible in 30 years - and other family members will disagree on your choice about who's who. -- Tracey, 34, from SC