Bringing Home Babies: Checklist for Multiples

You’ll need to have eveverything ready before you bring your babies home. This is where you’ll want to make sure you have enough of everything.

• Cribs: Of course, you’ll want to have a crib for each baby even though you’ll likely only use one when you first start out.
• Bedding: Make sure that you have enough sheet changes for each crib — usually you’ll want three sets.
• Blankets. Depending on the time of the year when you go home, you’ll want to have at least one heavyweight blanket per baby along with two lightweight blankets.
• Diapers: While the hospital will take care of the initial diaper needs, you’ll want to have a sufficient supply at home. Healthline has a handy chart for figuring out just how many diapers you’ll need.
• Pacifiers: You’ll want to have a dozen pacifiers on hand so that you have plenty of spares when you need to wash some.
• Bottles: Make sure you plan on having enough bottles if you’re using bottles to feed your babies. You’ll want to have 12 bottles per child for a day’s worth of feeding with a few extra bottles just in case.
• Breast Pump: If you plan on breastfeeding and will need a pump, make sure you have one and learn how to use it properly before bringing the babies home.
• Car seats: You’ll want to have two rear facing, infant car seats properly installed in the car before you get discharged. The hospital won’t let you go home unless it is properly installed for your babies’ safety.

There are many options when it comes to car seats but remember that twins are often on the smaller side of things, often preterm, so make sure you have a seat that can accommodate their size and weight. Many hospitals have car seat programs where you can make an appointment to get the seat professionally installed for free. If you or your partner can’t figure the seats out before you go to the hospital, this might be a good option to use.

“Watching my husband try to get a car seat in was amusing to say the least,” explained Trish Potter, a California mom expecting twins. “For the life of him, he couldn’t get the seatbelt secured. We had to call in backup with friends who have already been through it. Finally, we had two car seats ready to go.”

You’re going to be limited for space and really won’t want to tote around too much when you’re about to be toting around twins. Here are a few essentials to have in your hospital bag for both you and your babies:

• Outfits: These are the going home outfits perfect for spontaneous pictures, comfort, and warmth. Have one for each baby.
• Extra onesies: You’ll soon learn that the best laid plans end up with dribble and spit up all over them. Once you’ve got the main outfits packed, throw in some extras just in case.
• Socks: Have a couple of pairs of socks for each baby. This is especially true if you’re coming home in cooler or cold weather.
• Baby hats: You don’t want you baby to catch a draft. Have a baby hat ready for each baby for their time in the hospital and on the way home.
• Receiving blankets: The hospital will provide some, but pack two for each baby because you never know when one gets soiled and needs to be changed on the way home.
• Burping cloths: You really can’t have enough of these. You’ll use them for burping your babies after meals as well as cleaning just about every other mess than can happen. Burping cloths are essential when you prepare for newborns.
• Comfort items: You might want to bring your favorite pillow, a good book and some soft socks. Also, pack a pair of comfy pajamas in case you get tired of the drafty hospital gown.
• Important phone numbers: You’ll be calling family and friends but may also be trying to reach doulas, night nurses, and support help when in the hospital.
• Phone/iPad charger: You already know that the chance of things happening quickly isn’t likely, and you’ll have lots of time to text and maybe watch a movie or two. On top of it, you’ll be using a ton of battery juice with photos, videos, and calls to loved ones.
• Camera: If you want higher-end photos/videos than your phone, make sure you pack the camera with all the extra batteries and memory that you need to capture the day.

When you get home, you’ll want as much already taken care of as possible. This means having the help you need, the appointments required set, and the rememdies for the most common ailments of your twins.

Be prepared for those first few problems with the babies:

• Doctor’s appointments: Make the necessary arrangments with doctors as soon as you can to have your newborns get their first follow-up visit.
• Hired and volunteered help: Make sure that you have the help you need the first few days taht you are home. Get the meal train triggered, schedule the night-nurse, lactation consultant, or nanny, and get family to set times to come and help with the babies and housework.
• Feeding schedule: This might mean more than just waiting for babies to get hungry. Set a schedule that include pumping and storing milk so that you can be taken off full-time duty and given a much needed rest.
• Remedies for gas: Burp babies after feedings to prevent gas and apply gentle pressure on their bellies if they have gas.
• Jaundice treatment: Be prepared to give each of your newborns up to ten minutes twice a day of sun exposure.

You’ll do all the same things that a mom expecting a singleton will do to prepare for the unexpected. With twins, you’ll just have twice as many chances to show your skills off. Remember that time goes by quickly, so don’t worry too much and make the time to bond and enjoy the first moments with your newborn twins.