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From Recent Research to Gaga Gear
Great Gear x 2 (or 3 or …)! 6 essential products for parents expecting multiples By Charlene Jimenez
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s a mother of multiples, I know firsthand that parenting twins is hard work, and that it comes with a unique set of experiences, challenges and solutions. It can get tricky very quickly, but the most important thing to do is to be kind to yourself as you find the right path for you and your family. A lot of it comes down to trial and error, but if you can start with a solid base of tips, you’re well on your way. Here are some key products that worked well for my twins — no gimmicky gear, just the basics you won’t want to skimp on. (Psst! Apart from the double stroller, these items are just as handy for parents of singletons.) (For sanity-saving strategies for parenting newborn twins, from sleep inducement to bathing, feeding and dressing solutions, read Jimenez’s full “Parenting Multiples 101” guide at parentmap.com/multiples.)
1. The all-important double stroller with clip-in car seats Hauling infant twins out of the house and then wrangling them in and out of the car can leave you sweating and exhausted. We found car seats that clipped into a 14 • November 2019 • parentmap.com
double stroller and then into bases installed in our cars. We didn’t have to take the babies in and out of seats whenever we went anywhere. Fast. Convenient. Low stress. That’s exactly what parents of multiples need: sweat-free shortcuts that save everyone’s sanity.
2. Stroller handle straps Our double stroller was decked out with handle straps and clips. Instead of us having to shove everything into the bottom of the stroller, these clips allowed us to stay organized while keeping the necessities right within reach: my purse, a water bottle, the diaper bag. With multiples, you’ll feel like you need a moving truck just to leave the house for even a short outing. These straps ensure there’s room for everything. 3. Vented baby bottles and gripe water It took us a few weeks before we discovered vented baby bottles (I like Dr. Brown’s best; drbrownsbaby.com), and it took us even longer to learn about the benefits of gripe water. Both help limit gas and prevent major spit-ups after feedings (and even projectile vomiting from babies eating too quickly). We had one baby who would scream like she was in pain while still sleeping. I Googled everything to figure out