What My Registry SHOULD'VE Looked Like...

Woulda, coulda, shoulda. Hindsight is twenty-twenty. If I could do it all over again...here's what my registry would look like.

Clothing

• 0-3 Size Gowns: Unfortunately, I only discovered gowns after the boys were too old for them. In those first couple months when changes are happening in the sleep-deprived wee hours of the morning, having the simplicity of a gown would've been a godsend.
• Footed Pants: Socks on newborns is a joke. If you're gonna have a newborn in the winter, do yourself a favor and put the pants and socks together in the form of footed pants.
• Newborn footed sleep n plays: Because they were born at 37 weeks and were around 6lbs when they came home, they were in newborn clothes for at least a month, maybe two. Also, the footed sleep n plays were what they basically lived in for the first couple months.
• Knit hats: Our boys have 100th percentile heads, literally, so the only hats that fit are ones that are loosely knit and therefore stretchy.
• For more thoughts on clothes in the first few months, check out my post on the awesome and the useless here.

Bedding/Sleep

• 2 Rock n Play Sleepers: Read my commentary on their first 30 nights in the RnPs here.
• 2 Cribs: We went with the Stokke Sleepi cribs which we got on sale. For twins, we liked them because they fit better in a small space do to their oval shape. I realize that they're kinda pricey though, and you have to buy special bedding for them.
• 2 Mattresses
• 4-6 SwaddleMe Wraps in 7lb-14lb size: We had 5 and got by just fine. I'd just make sure you have at least two for each baby you have. We had to go out and buy the larger size eventually, but I wouldn't put those on a registry just in case your baby doesn't like these swaddles. We started using sleep sacks around 4-5 months, but I wouldn't have registered for that since we just didn't know what would work.
• 4 crib sheets (2 for each crib)
• 2 Mattress Pads

Feeding

• Munchkin Bottle Drying Rack
• 6 Munchin Bottle Brushes
• Double breastfeeding pillow: I never use it anymore, but it was great early on. Read my review here.
• We didn't need to register for bottles since they were hand me down, but check out my post on all of the feeding stuff we used early on here. 
• Two booster seats: I love these. They're so much cheaper and less space gobbling than a traditional high chair and they can also be used on the go.

Travel

• Double Snap n Go Stroller: Loved it. Read my review here.
• 2 Car Seats: We went with the Graco Snugride 30, but I don't think there's a real right and wrong here. I will say that there's no need to get one that accomodates over 30lbs because your kid will be out of their infant seat LONG before then.
• 2 extra bases: We have two cars, so not having extra bases would've been disastrous. Thankfully, my mother-in-law bought them event though they weren't on my original registry.
• Car seat covers: These were great to brave the Chicago winter. Not terribly necessary if you don't live in the frigid north, however. A blanket always seemed to suffice unless it was under 35 or 40 degrees.
• 4 Car Mirrors: We have mirrors in my car but not in my husband's. I hate it. It's nice to be able to look back in the rearview mirror and see the boys. Not being able to see them is both awkward and nerve-wracking, especially on a longer car trip.
• Diaper Bag: We have the Fischer Price one and we like it. I don't think it really matters so long as it's big and has a changing pad.
• Munchkin Cooler Bag: Bought this later on but it's necessary with twins. The small one they gave us for free at the hospital just doesn't cut it with two babies.
• Bigger Stroller: I really like our city mini double.
• 1 or 2 Baby Carriers: We have a Twin Trexx carrier which can either split into two or be a double one. Honestly, we've only used the double function twice. We like it anyway, but it might've been cheaper to just go with one or two singleton carriers. Also, we only used ours early on and around the house, so I would have gone cheaper here.

Diapering

• Tubes of Vaseline: If you're having boys and going to circumcise, you need this the second you come home. Don't get the tub either. Trying to scoop it out is a total mess. You will need tons of tubes. Like TONS.
• Gauze Pads: If you circumcise, every time you change the diaper you have to have new gauze for the first week or two...so do the math and that's about 150 pads per baby. Yikes.
• Changing Pad
• 2 Changing Pad Covers: We started out with only one and laundry became a lot easier once we had two.
• 3 boxes of seventh gen newborn diapers: The last thing you want to do in the first few weeks is run to the store.
• One of each type of cloth diapers: We bought a bunch of cloth diapers, and we've yet to transition. We've tried a couple of times and they just keep leaking. Unfortunately, I feel like they may just end up being resold although I hope not. Looking back, I wish we'd waited to buy a bunch of them until we knew how they would work on our boys and in our situation.
• Diaper genie: We just use a regular garbage can, but yeah...It kinda smells.

Gear

• Larger Swing (two if you have the room): We have both a smaller travel swing and a larger swing. The larger swing is vastly superior although it does take up more room. My husband used to use the smaller swing during the days while I was at work, but I hardly ever used it. That being said, I know some babies are not big swing fans, so I think it would make sense to try one out and buy a second of whichever works for you. Also, I would say we get along fine with only one if your space is constricted like ours.
• Standing bouncer/jumperoo (two if you have the room): Our boys loved to stand, even early on, which I know is not true of every baby. They've been in their standing bouncer since 2.5 months and absolutely love it. I often wished we had two so they could stare at each other while also practicing their standing.
• Bouncy seat: Their bouncy seat makes a great place to play (kicking the danglers and activating the sound on their own) and sleep. The vibration element is sort of useless past 3 months, but was more valuable earlier on.
• Piano Play Mat: Basically any activity gym will do, but this one has been a huge hit with a number of moms that I know. A big one might be nice that would accommodate two babies at the same time. We didn't register for one at first and that was stupid. They really like kicking the little piano, looking at their reflection, and grabbing at the dangling toys. It can often keep them entertained for 30-60 minutes. 
• Pack n Play vibrating box: Our friend's loaned us theirs, but this hooks on to the corner of the pack n play and gives it a little bit more of a comforting feel by making it vibrate. This was useful in the first couple months.
• 2 Pack n Plays: Having one set up in our dining room gave us a safe place to put the boys while we got bottles ready in the first few months before they could sit up. Looking back, I might've purchased one with a changing table so I didn't have to do stairs very early on when I was still recovering.
• Walk Around: I love this thing like nobody's business. It takes up a lot of room, but it entertains them so so much. Also, unlike a traditional walker, they're able to practice walking without being in danger of running into furniture or falling down the stairs.
• Summer Infant Seat: This was used for a very narrow window of time, but it was useful because there was a point where they desperately wanted to sit up but couldn't do it safely by themselves. I would avoid the Bumbo, only because our chunkers had thighs that wouldn't fit in the Bumbo.

Etc

• Big board books: We have LOTS of books, but I would recommend getting board books, and board books that are over 6" wide. It makes it easier to read to them when you're also holding them at the same time. Also, it makes it easier for them to focus on the pictures when they're nice and big. Some of our favorite big books are Duck & Goose, Thank You Bear, and Windows to Color.
• Infant Bathtub: You only need one because you're probably not going to bathe both babies simultaneously. We used the infant sling for the first two or three months, so I would definitely get one that comes with an infant sling. I think most do.
• Receiving Blankets: These end up having multiple uses--wrapping baby, cleaning up spit up, burp clothes, covering the changing table early on when they pee on you at like every change.
• Camera: We recently bought one and I wish we'd had it earlier. Our phone pics just don't have the high quality that I want baby pictures to have and they can't hold enough video.
• Extra Soothie Pacis: We got a few from the hospital, but it helps to have at least five per baby placed in convenient locations around the house.
• Wet/Dry Laundry Bag: We absolutely LOVE our laundry bag. It can hang on the door and it is easy to carry down to the washer and drier. We also have a smaller version for the diaper bag.
• 4 Hooded Towels
• Big pack of wash cloths: Great for their intended purpose, but also for covering boys up while they're being changed so you don't get an impromptu shower.
• Purell: For guests, but also for your hands before and after changes and feedings.
• Baby Detergent
• California Baby Shampoo and Body Wash

Feeding Babies: What I've Chosen and Why

For the first three weeks of life, my boys breastfed. I dutifully sat on the couch with my double breastfeeding pillow and the boys worshiped lovingly at the alter of boob. It was nearly a full time job--sometimes the boys were on the breast for five hours a day, but they were happy and so was I.

Three weeks after we came home from the hospital, the boys started getting really fussy at night. I read about cluster feeding, and that it was normal for babies to be hungrier and moodier from 6-10 pm. Every time they'd fuss, I'd put them to breast, but one night, as they howled even after they were put to breast multiple times, I burst into tears as well. My breasts felt...dry. I just knew that my babies were hungry and I wasn't giving them enough. So, in spite of all articles cautioning you not to do this, I gave the squaking boy some formula...and the crying--both mine and his--instantly stopped.

The next morning I started pumping...exclusively. As I began pumping, I began to notice some mathematics that explained why the boys were not always satisfied after feedings. First of all, my right breast was producing 10-25% less at each session, which explained why the baby I was feeding on my right breast was always seemingly hungrier and fussier than his brother. I know you're supposed to rotate twins on breasts for this exact reasons, but one of my boys had a lot of trouble latching on the other side.

Also, as I tracked my output and their consumption, I found that I was producing about 3-5 oz less per day than the babies seemingly needed. Knowing this gave me the option to supplement with a minimal amount of formula in addition to my expressed breast milk.

Having now done both breastfeeding and pumping/supplementing, I can say that each had their positives and negatives. For me, these are..

Breastfeeding positives...
-sense of closeness with babies
-once they're latched, the potential to have both hands free is there
-doesn't involve any expensive or cumbersome equipment
-can be done at the drop of a hat, no need to heat up a bottle or screw on a nipple.
-some research suggests that fresh breast milk is better for baby than that which comes out of the fridge

Breastfeeding negatives...
-nipple pain became a real issue
-leakage from one breast while baby was feeding on the other soaked all of my clothing and made me smell and feel unclean...especially during a time when showers aren't plentiful
-having to cover up around people is a pain
-you don't know how much the baby is getting
-only you can feed them
-feedings some times took over 30-40 minutes per baby

Pumping/supplementing positives...
-anyone can be involved in feeding which aids with both giving mom a little flexibility, and helping dad and others to bond with baby
-nipple discomfort is less than with breastfeeding
-feeding in public is easier and more discreet
-hands-free bra makes pumping easy to do while feeding the baby with a bottle simultaneously
-you know how much the baby is getting
-makes going back to work an easier transition

My dried out skin after 2 weeks of pumping and washing bottles

Pumping/supplementing negatives...
-cost of bottles, nipples, pump, etc is obviously higher than the $0 cost of breast feeding
-dishes. By far the worst part of pumping. We don't have a dishwasher, so my hands are literally raw to the point of bleeding because of the constant scrubbing.
-takes a little (but not much) set up time
-I've read that the pump can't keep your supply as high as a baby can. I rent a hospital grade pump, though, so maybe that's better?
-storage can be a bit tricky, especially on the go

Point is, there are good sides to both. For me, I really like being able to track how much the boys are consuming. I also really value having my husband be a part of the feeding process. When we were breastfeeding, I always felt like he had to play the "bad cop" role as diaper man, and never got to enjoy their milk-drunk cuteness. We've always been equal partners as a couple, and this seemed like the best decision to help all four of us bond together.

A graph of the babies' consumption and my production since I began pumping

Whatever you decide, remember that any decision is a good one so long as you're thinking of your baby. I think formula gets this horrible reputation, at least in my granola, liberal suburban neck of the woods it does, but there are plenty of great arguments for formula as well. Formula is definitely not poison, and in the end I think it's best to do whatever makes the most sense for your family, your baby, and your situation. Not everyone can or should feel like they have to breastfeed for 12 months. Just take care of yourself and your baby and you'll be fine!

Our Journey: The First Month

I go into detail on the first 2.5 weeks in an earlier post which you can read here. Long story short? Lots of tears, very little sleep. It was pure survival mode, and it was more difficult than I ever thought it could be.

But then...like some kind of magical, baby-whispering chariot of the gods...our Rock n' Play sleepers arrived from Amazon. I'll rave about these in greater detail in a later review-style post, but for now let me just say that they absolutely saved our little family. We've been using them for almost two weeks now, and they've enabled us to get on a schedule, as tenuous as it might be.

With the help of the rock n' plays, we started sleeping at night shortly before the boys reached three weeks old. We'd put them down in their sleepers sometime between 8 and 11pm, and we'd go to bed, too. Every 3 hours or so they wake up, we change them, feed them, and then repeat the cycle. By morning, we have about 6-8 hours of sleep...so long as it all goes well, but keep in mind that that sleep is extremely interrupted. Likely none of it is deep or REM sleep, but at least all four of us are asleep and awake on almost the same schedule.

Once the boys started sleeping at night with us though, they started to be more wakeful during the day. This is way more fun in a lot of ways, as they look around more and make eye contact. At the same time, it makes it more difficult to hold both of them at the same time or set them down for extended periods of time. We've enjoyed cuddling with them all day though, and I'm lucky to have a husband who can spend so much time helping.

When the boys were at 3.5 weeks, I noticed that they seemed hungrier and I felt like I wasn't adequately meeting their needs with exclusively breastfeeding. I switched to pumping and supplementing with a few ounces of formula per day. So far, I've been liking this a lot more. It's nice to be able to mathematically track how much they're getting, it's nice for my husband to be able to join in on feedings (and the bonding that accompanies them), and they seem more satisfied, especially at night. We'll see what the future brings, but for now I'm loving the pump I rented from the hospital.

Another new development has been that we've started going out more in the last week of their first month. We took the boys to Zoo Lights at Lincoln Park Zoo and we were super impressed with how sleepy and well behaved they were. They really seem to enjoy car rides. We also have been going on longer and longer walks as my body heals. We even took the boys to a local pizza joint for a quick slice, although we'll likely be avoiding real restaurants for a while. Today, on their one month birthday, we took them to a friends' house for the first time and did our first out-and-about feeding and change. I was very impressed at how well it went!

 All in all, all four of us have come so far in the past month, and it feels like it's been a heck of a lot longer than that. It's hard to think of a time when they weren't a part of our world.

Happy One Month Birthday, Double Rainbows!!!!

Review: Twin Breastfeeding Pillow

We took a twin breastfeeding class at 33 weeks, and the instructor showed us a double breastfeeding pillow. I'd seen such things prior to the class and always made fun of them (they kind of look rediculous and they're a little pricey for a freaking pillow), but after the class I started thinking it might not be the worst purchase in the world.

I bought the very stylish cheetah print pattern (much to my husband's chagrine). I planned to use it right away in the hospital, but breastfeeding was kind of rough going for the first few days, so I didn't want to add another new element to the mix.

Once I got home, however, this pillow was one of the best purchases I made for the babies. While I'm still working on making tandem feeding a regular practice, it would be almost impossible without the double pillow. More importantly though, the double pillow makes it possible for me to hold both of them at the same time without both of my arms breaking off. It gives me a place to rest one baby safely while I'm feeding the other. It would be way more difficult to care for both of the boys by myself if I hadn't made this purchase. It also gives me a place to set my laptop while the boys are sleeping on me. Thanks to this pillow, I was able to do a project for work while holding both boys when they weren't even two weeks old!

The pillow also has a privacy cover that goes over your neck. My chest is pretty big, so there's still a lot of skin showing on the sides, but it's a nice feature for when we have less familiar company over.
Another feature of the pillow is a back rest and back strap, but I'm not thin enough to use it yet. Using the pillow on the couch satisfies the back support need though.

The pillow we bought is available for $69.99 on Amazon.com in a variety of colors.