Twin Essentials — What You Actually Need

Not a brand's shopping list. Just the things that genuinely got me through, and a few I wish I'd bought sooner. Always check the manufacturer's age and weight guidance, and follow safe sleep advice from The Lullaby Trust. These are personal picks, not paid recommendations or medical advice.

Feeding

— A double breast pump and two full sets of accessories. Sterilise in the morning, not at 3am.

— Baby beanbags with a safety harness, so you can feed both at once. Never for sleep, never unsupervised.

— Rockers with an upright setting, from around three months. Mine kept the boys upright after feeds.

— A feed and weight tracker. Mine was a spreadsheet. Stressful, but it genuinely helps.

— Six sterilised bottles ready every night, plus a basket for the dirty ones.

Nights

— A mini fridge and bottle warmer in your bedroom. Essential, not optional.

— Something for you in that fridge. Mine was Lucozade and brazil nuts in dark chocolate.

— Illuminated dummies. Non-negotiable.

— Baby sleeping bags (until they escape them) in the right tog for the room, and a room thermometer. No hats for indoor sleep.

Nursery

— A way to keep them close. Newborn twins can share one cot side by side on their backs until they can roll. Our DIY double cot changed everything.

— A playpen, once they're mobile.

— Zip babygrows. Buy nothing else.

Congestion Kit

— Saline nasal drops and a nasal aspirator. Never raise the cot or use a wedge.

— Olbas Oil for Children, from 3 months. A few drops on a tissue out of reach, never in the cot and never on skin.

Out and About

— A top-and-bottom tandem pram. I wish I'd bought one instead of a side-by-side.

— A changing mat in every bag. Most changing rooms can't fit a twin pram.

For You

— A pregnancy support belt from the start.

— Saying yes to every offer of help. It's free, and it's the most essential thing on this list.

— Rebekah