Building a twin registry can be overwhelming. Not only are you deciding what to get, you’re also deciding if you need two of everything.
Take it from someone who’s been there; less is more.
As an excited mom-to-be, it’s easy to get carried away under the guise that it is better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Then, the next thing you know, you’re buried under unnecessary clutter, tripping over baby gear, and still unable to find the thing you need anyway.
Babies are surprisingly low maintenance in the beginning. At least when it comes to gear. They pretty much just eat, sleep, and poop for the first few months.
At a bare minimum, babies need diapers/wipes, a good blanket, formula (if you’re not breastfeeding), and you.
I know that’s a severe oversimplification, but we mamas tend to overcomplicate things, don’t we?
While compiling this list, I considered heavily what I actually used day in and day out that made my life easier. Those items are what made it here on this list.
WHERE TO HOST YOUR TWIN REGISTRY
In the past, you would have had to visit an actual store and waddle about scanning all the items you think you’re going to need (or want). Nowadays, you can build an all-inclusive list from the comfort of your couch in your coziest jammies.
There are many great places to get affordable baby accessories, but you don’t need the added stress of creating registries on multiple websites. Sure, a purchaser has the power to choose their own adventure when shopping for the perfect baby shower gift, but then they might not remember to update an item as purchased. Now you’ve got three diaper pails and no crib.
Babylist (not sponsored) solves this problem.
You build your registry, shoppers review it and can either purchase directly from partnering retailers or elsewhere. Whichever they choose, they are still able to update your registry items as “purchased” to avoid duplicates.
WHEN TO CREATE YOUR TWIN REGISTRY
Having your baby shower between 26 and 30 weeks is the multiples pregnancy sweet spot. Twins tend to arrive early, and the further along you are, the less likely you’ll choose spending an afternoon entertaining guests over napping.
Your baby shower invitations will include the details of your registry, which go out 6 to 8 weeks in advance. To take the math out, have your registry ready to view by 20 weeks. It doesn’t have to be the final draft, but at least a detailed outline you can finalize in the next few weeks.
WHAT TO INCLUDE ON YOUR TWIN REGISTRY
Nursing Cart
NEED: 1
If you take only one thing away after reading this post, it’s that you NEED a nursing cart on your twin registry.
Having one central location for essential items (like diapers, wipes, ointments…) that can follow you from room to room keeps everything you need at arm’s length and organized.
Contrary to its moniker “nursing cart,” there are plenty of non-nursing-related items I loaded on my cart. I adjusted the items and how I organized them as our needs changed.
Check out my post on my nursing cart essentials here.
Crib & Mattress
NEED: 2 of each
Trying to fit two cribs in one standard-sized room poses some unique challenges, but it can be done. One option for optimizing space is to opt for two mini cribs rather than standard-sized, which is what I did.
I wouldn’t make that choice knowing what I know now.
When I hit “click to add” for two mini cribs, I was thinking about twin babies, not twin toddlers. I hadn’t considered that at 18 months, the average toddler is just over 32″ tall and a mini crib mattress is only 38″ long versus the 52″ of a typical crib.
Planning to keep my boys contained for as long as they’d allow me, this was not a well-thought-out long-term plan. It also renders the toddler conversion useless because the bed will be the same size just without the front section.
This leads me to my next piece of advice, convertible cribs.
Nowadays, most cribs will convert from cribs to toddler beds to full-size beds with only a few additional elements to purchase. When you are required to buy two, getting the most bang for your buck is a primary factor in choosing the right product.
A toddler bed takes up the same square footage as the crib so you don’t run into any challenges until they’re ready for the full-size option. If you’re having trouble fitting two standard cribs in one room, it’s unlikely two full-sized beds will make the cut.
Crib Sheets
NEED: 3 sets (6 total)
Another benefit of choosing a standard over a mini crib is you have so many more options for crib sheets. However, the mini-crib sheets are the same size as portable crib sheets so you can double down there.
My general rule of thumb for minimal purchasing is one in use, one to wash, and one on deck.
I’ve read about the double layering of sheets for overnight blowouts, but that was never an issue we encountered. I’ve actually gotten by with only 2 sets, and I do laundry once a week.
Waterproof Mattress Cover
NEED: 2 or 4
I didn’t use these as our mattresses were already waterproof, but enough mamas recommended them that it’s worth passing on.
I think 4 would be sufficient if you’re grabbing them, so you can always have one on the mattress while you wash the other.
Rocking Chair or Glider
NEED: 1 (2 if you can swing it)
Having a comfortable place to nurse and rock your babies to sleep is a necessity.
I ended up with two because I was able to use my mom’s from when I was little and my dad bought me a new one. I had one in the nursery for bedtime and late night feedings and the other in the living room.
Sound Machine
NEED: 1
This was something that was not on my twin registry that I purchased later after many sleepless nights pacing with overtired infants and trolling the internet for answers.
Creating a good sleep environment has been key to getting in our winks. If the elements aren’t perfect, it’s hard to fall asleep and stay asleep. A sound machine helps to keep things status quo and drown out disturbing sounds.
Speaking from experience, make sure you choose one with a backup battery in case the power goes out. Portability is also a nice feature for sleeping on the go.
Video Baby Monitor
NEED: 1 monitor, 2+ cameras
You’re going to want one camera for each crib.
I opted to get an additional 3rd camera as a room overview. I also used the 3rd camera for when we traveled.
If I could go back, I would opt for the split screen so I could get both boys on screen at the same time.
Swaddles
NEED: 6-8
My boys bested the traditional blanket swaddle by two months.
There are several styles of velcro or zip swaddles on the market and they make turning your twins into baby burritos much quicker and easier while also making escaping harder.
They even have ones that zip at the bottom so you don’t even have to unswaddle for diaper changes.
Fisher Price Infant To Toddler Rocker
NEED: 2
I know there are some mixed feelings regarding baby gear. As a twin mama, sometimes survival trumps suggestion.
These rockers ticked all the boxes for me. The seat rocks or sits stationary, vibrates, has an adjustable recline and includes detachable hanging toys. The cloth seat comes off and can be tossed in a washing machine.
They’re also a great place to put them both down and enjoy a warm cup of coffee with the best view in the house.
Oversized Play Yard
NEED: 1
Save yourself the money and time and steer clear of the plastic, snap together, fence options.
The play yard (think giant port-a-crib without the legs and a waterproof bottom) will keep your duo safely contained while giving them ample room to explore and play. The netted sides offer a soft landing for topples with a structured frame for sturdiness.
I’ve even seen other twin mamas put mattresses in it for use as a floor bed.
Car Seats & Bases
NEED: 2 seats, 2 or 4 bases
No surprise here, you’re going to need a way to transport your little miracles.
It’s important to research safety but something you might forget to consider is weight. You’re going to be toting two so a sturdy, lightweight infant seat is the way to go.
Additionally, I recommend four bases if you can swing it. If you’re only planning on using one car to get your twins from point A to point B then two bases will suffice but if more than one person will be doing the transporting you really need four.
Swapping out a car seat from one car to another takes a feat of engineering and you’re going to have to move two.
Double Stroller
NEED: 1
I opted for a tandem stroller over a double-wide not wanting to battle doorways.
I also chose a stroller that allowed me to swap out the seats to snap in the infant car seats rather than purchasing an additional stroller frame just for the car seats.
Travel Crib
NEED: 2
It goes without saying you don’t plan on hauling cribs with you every time you leave the house for extended periods of time.
Port-a-cribs also double as port-a-safe spaces to play.
Slumberpod
NEED: 2
Disclosure: I never owned or used Slumberpods but wish I had.
Nothing is worse than curating the perfect sleep space for your sweet duo and then having to travel and recreate it in a foreign place. I spent so much time, effort, and money trying to figure out how to blackout our temporary lodging, and the boys’ sleep suffered.
These create a safe blackout tent around travel cribs. They are ventilated and have a spot for a small fan, camera, and portable sound machine.
It allows you to put your babes to sleep in the same room while still being able to go about your own business.
Genius.
Diaper Caddy
NEED: 1
Another organizational tool I’d place at the top of my list.
Having a loaded, grab-and-go for all your diapering needs is crucial. I rarely changed the boys on a changing table in the first few months. I actually spent most of my time changing them on the couch.
Wipe Holder
NEED: 1 or 2
Yes, you can get by without one but once you’ve found yourself wrists deep in diaper mess, trying to pull out another wipe only to have 14 of its friends follow, you’ll realize the value.
Not only do they keep your wipes fresh, if you make sure to get one with a weight you won’t end up with a handful of wasted wipes.
Portable Changing Pad
NEED: 3+
As I mentioned above, I rarely changed the boys on a changing table. Having washable changing pads handy keeps a nice barrier between sweet baby bums and your chosen changing space.
Nursing Pillow
NEED: 1 regular, 1 tandem
For solo feeding, I recommend the Boppy Pillow.
In the beginning, while you’re learning to breastfeed you will most likely be feeding each twin one at a time. I also found nursing individually overnight was easiest when sleep deprived and groggy.
For tandem feeding, the Twin Z Pillow wins.
I loved the backrest and it was awesome for propping up the boys later on for bottles and sitting practice.
Burp Cloths
NEED: 8+ (but the more the merrier)
You really can’t have too many. In the early days, there can be a lot of spit up and spillage.
After we were done using them for spit up, I repurposed them as additional changing pads and in the car for travel spills.
Baby Brezza
If you’re formula feeding, a Baby Brezza is a MUST have.
With two to keep content and fed, time is of the essence and two screaming, hangry babies need bottles 15 minutes ago. This countertop appliance is a game-changer.
Set the ounces, choose the temp (which is never too hot), and push start. In less than 30 seconds, you have a perfectly blended and warmed bottle ready to serve. It has an adjustable platform for various bottle sizes. It will also do just heated water which comes in handy later for mixing baby rice cereal and oatmeal.
Note: it is not recommended to give newborns powdered formula until they are two months old. I am not suggesting you disregard this warning but use this product once your infants are at the recommended age under the guidance of your pediatrician.
Bottle System
NEED: 8 bottles
Dealer’s choice on brand here. I opted for Dr. Brown’s because it had the anti-colic straw.
I went ahead and invested in the larger sized bottles in anticipation of larger feeds in the future rather than having various sizes. I also made do with only 8 total which had us covered for 4 feedings before needing to wash.
At the height of our feedings per day, 8 bottles got me about halfway through so I was doing two washes a day. Toward the end, it was only once at the end of the day.
High Chair
Although you won’t be using these right away I do recommend adding them to your registry. They can get kinda pricey and if someone is gracious enough to help ease the financial burden of having to buy two, bless them.
We opted for a 7-way convertible chair by Graco. I’m big on the more bang for your buck purchases especially when you’re investing in two.
Infant Tub
NEED: 1
You’ll probably want to start off with sink baths but that doesn’t mean you have to put baby into the sink.
Bath Seats
NEED: 2
Once your twins can sit up unsupported it makes sense to move bath time to the bathtub.
I recommend finding seats that use the side of the bathtub for tension to keep them stable.
Towels & Washcloths
NEED: 6 of each
1 in use, 1 in the wash, and 1 on deck.
Electric Nail File
NEED: 1, plus replacement files
After a few too many accidental clips of sweet baby fingers trying to use baby nail clippers I came across this brilliant invention. The file is so soft it won’t irritate the skin and you don’t have to worry about clipping too far. It also makes the nails nice and smooth.
Onesies
NEED: unlimited
I get it, baby clothes are adorable but trust me on this; they’re also impractical.
You are going to experience twice the spit-up and twice the blowouts. Onesies are your saving grace. Easy snap bottoms and the collar is made so it can be pulled down to avoid the face.
Invest in bulk.
Cotton Pants
NEED: 8+
During the summer months, we never bothered with bottoms unless we were leaving the house. If it was cooler and we needed to warm chunky thighs, we opted for soft cotton.
Socks
NEED: 14+ pairs
Little tootsies get cold easily, especially in the beginning. I’m not sure exactly how many pairs we were actively using but a general rule is a pair a day for each baby though you may get a couple of days out of the same pair.
Zippered Footed Pajamas
NEED: unlimited
Truth be told in the very early days my boys spent all their time in footed pajamas because they are cozy and warm. They’re also easy to maneuver for diaper changes and remove for blowouts or spit up without having to go over the head and spread the mess.
Bandana Bibs
NEED: 6 or 8
These are more a buy now, use later item when your twins start teething and begin producing more saliva than you ever thought possible. I got tired of changing soaked onesies. You can also use them earlier on to save an outfit from post-meal spit-up.
Backpack Diaper Bag
NEED: 1
Hands-free is the way to be!
Trying to tote two while keeping that darned bag handle up over your shoulder is no easy feat. Having everything you need strapped to your back eliminates the strap struggle while freeing up your hands to tend to more important things.
Baby Wearing Item Of Choice
NEED: 1, maybe 2 (if a second person wants to wear baby too)
Again with the hands-free motto in mind, being able to strap baby close but still get things done is the dream. It’s also a great way to get some one-on-one bonding.
There are double carrier options out there but strapping one baby behind me never felt right. I recommend two carriers and two people.
An added bonus for having a second carrier on hand is that if someone other than you wants to wear a baby they don’t have to readjust your strap settings.
Playmat Activity Center
NEED: 1
Developmentally these are gold because they encourage reaching, head-turning, and can even inspire rolling.
Lovey
NEED: 2 of the EXACT same one for each baby (4 total)
Having an attachment object for comfort is both practical and sweeter than anything.
They don’t have to be the same type either. One of my son’s primary lovey is the blanket square with the animal attached while my other’s is a stuffed animal.
Whatever they choose (hopefully, it’s not exactly the same), buy a second one of the exact same so you can change it out to wash the other one.
Note: the switch-out method won’t work forever, but in the younger years it saves some tears.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
You may have noticed that the list above is missing a few things you would expect to see on a twin baby registry.
It’s not because I forgot, but rather I found I didn’t need them, they were a personal preference, or I got them anyway without needing to ask.
Here they are:
Breast Pump
Something I wasn’t aware of when I created my registry is that most health insurance companies actually include a free hospital grade breast pump in your coverage. I ended up with two which I absolutely didn’t need.
Now, if you check with your insurance and they don’t offer the free breast pump or you’re going to need to pump at work as well as home and having two pumps so you don’t have to cart one back and forth, then adding it to your registry is worth it.
Otherwise, you can skip it.
Pacifier/Soother
This was one of the items I ended up not needing. Neither of my boys took to one and honestly I was grateful to not have to go through weaning them later on. However, they can be a useful tool for calming a fussy babe, especially for moms of multiples.
I have found in both my own experience and speaking with other moms, that most hospitals provide them. Maybe give it a try and if one or both takes to it you can pick up more later.
Toys
There is a good chance you’re still going to open a few or more gifts at your shower that include an adorable stuffed animal or toy regardless of whether or not you asked for it. Toys are fun to shop for unlike the necessities like health kits and bottles.
Most likely they will choose toys their own kids loved or they remember loving from their own childhood which honestly is the best kind because they’re kid-tested and approved.
If you have specific ones you really want by all means include them but bear in mind toys don’t really come into play (pun intended) until months later and will most likely win out over items you actually need and will use upfront.
Fancy Outfits
I get it, they’re stinkin’ adorable and my goodness the pictures will look so cute on Instagram or in that photobook you started you may finish someday. They just aren’t practical.
You’re going to go through a lot of wardrobe changes in those first few months, if not longer, due to blowouts, spit-up, and just needing to change them into something new because you can’t possibly get them into all of the outfits they own before they grow out them.
This is another category you’re going to get a lot of because the reaction you’ll get from opening charming little ensembles over a diaper caddy filled with butt paste, changing pads, diapers, and wipes is unmatched. You’re grateful, but the “oh my goodness how cute!” is not for the diaper caddy.
Blankets
This is another item I ended up with way too many of. I have some I never even got around to using. These tend to come along with the cute outfits and toys because a baby wrapped like a burrito in a soft cozy blanket is what dreams are made of right?
My boys bested the blanket swaddle early on and I found them pretty impractical for using on floors to set the boys on because they’d just bunch up as they moved.
Crib Sets & Mobiles
Oh the Instagrammable nursery photos with all the matching decor! Super gorgeous, really unusable.
Safe crib sleep means nothing in the crib – no blankets, no bumpers, no stuffed animals, and yes even no mobile. You’re probably thinking, we had all those things as babies and we are okay. I hear you but the truth is our parents didn’t know what they didn’t know.
I reserve no judgment for wanting the super sweet nursery you’ve dreamed of but I’m going to always err on the side of caution when making a recommendation.
Swing
This is honestly one you may want to include because a lot of babies love them, mine didn’t. I had two thinking I would be able to use them to buy me time to eat or take a shower but no dice.
When it comes to baby gear it’s really easy for your home to get overrun leaving little space to move. Perhaps I just didn’t get the right swing but I would choose the rocker over the swing if I were needing to choose just one.
At the end of the day creating your twin registry should be an exciting, fun-filled activity, not a stress inducing task to check off your to-do list.
This list is meant to help guide you not to be the end-all, be-all. It’s based on my experience as a fellow twin mom but even the best advice only works about fifty percent of the time.
Congratulations and I’m so excited for you to join this amazing sorority of twin moms!