Our First Year As Twin Parents and What Helped Us Get Through It
This post contains Like To Know It links
Our first year with our twins was a whirlwind. With a 4 and 2 year old to take care of as well, most days were purely about survival. Spending my days playing with the older two in between constantly feeding or rocking the younger two. Making lunches, nursing, pumping and making bottles. It was hard. Like, really hard. But we did it! They say the first year is the hardest and we made it through and I’m going to tell you all the things that helped us. Maybe they’ll help you too!
Click this photo for LTK link to TwinZ pillow
Hands down, our TwinZ Pillow saved me. Especially when the boys wanted to eat. When both nursed I was able to use my pillow to hold both boys and save my back. Then when Owen switched to formula and held his own bottle I could set him on it and feed himself while I nursed Wyatt. They also loved sitting up with it together when they got big enough to practice sitting up. I have the best friends in the world for gifting me our pillow. Trust me, you need it.
Seriously, I’m obsessed with this pillow.
Next up with a very close second are our Snuggle Me Organic baby loungers. For the first few weeks after having the boys(their birth story is pretty wild and if you’d like me to make a blog post about it let me know in the comments!) I was parked on the couch in between two loungers every day. The boys were comfy and I was able to relax in between nursing them!
Just a new twin dad! Both of us were so tired those first few months.
Once we were past the stage where they just slept all the time, I would use a lounger as a spot to set a twin down for a minute or two when I needed both hands or a potty break. Many a floor nap was had in these loungers. Maybe not a need need but for us they were such a huge help.
Click photo for LTK link to lounger
Click photo for LTK link to lounger and play gym
Next up, our stroller wagon! My whole pregnancy I said I wanted a Wonderfold Wagon that could carry all four of our kiddos and the day after I had the boys they had a major sale and I snagged a W4 at around 4 in the morning in the hospital while the boys nursed. 100% the best purchase I’ve ever made. Y’all, this wagon is amazing. When the twins were too little for the seats we were able to turn the older two’s seat around, take out the twins’ seat out and lay them in the floor of the wagon. We constantly get stopped and asked about it and the comment I get most is that is it like a pack and play on wheels and it really is. It has been amazing for the kids but we can absolutely see us using it until the wheels fall off. Once the kids are too big to ride, it’ll be perfect for hauling all the things to the ball fields! It’s definitely an investment but if you are able to spring for it it is a definite yes!
Click photo for LTK link to wagon and sherpas.
The last must I want to show you is my favorite pump! Now i’ve only tried two. The Madela one I got from the hospital and my Lansinoh Smartpump 2.0. The Madela pump was just okay. Got the job done but it was so loud and I always felt like I was constantly connected to the wall. With my Lansinoh Smartpump and a good nursing bra, I was able to move freely about the house because it could run on batteries as well. Overall I just really loved this pump!
Click this photo for LTK link for pump
On the last photo I’ll link an LTK post with a few of the little things that really helped us in one way or another but can I share something with you? All of these things are amazing and they really did make life that first year a little easier but at the end of the day those are just things. I think THE most important thing you need when raising twins or multiples is support. Whether its from your partner, grandparents, family, or friends its incredibly important to have some kind of support from somewhere. Even if its just an internet friend that you know you can vent to about the hardest parts of twin or multiples parenthood, trust me there’ll be some moments where you’ll question every decision you’ve ever made. Usually in the wee hours of the morning getting through two diaper changes and feeds. And grace. Lots and lots of grace. You’ve got this!
Click photo for LTK link to a few of my favorite baby items