HANDY HINTS & EQUIPMENT
BTC is a voluntary self help group and this information is intended for interest only. For medical advice, please contact your GP or Health Visitor
1. Be practical, borrow as much equipment as possible. If you cannot borrow buy second-hand.
2. Don’t refuse any offers of help. After people have offered they are waiting for you to make the next move, so take advantage of their offer.
3. From the first day at home, keep small tear-off pad and pen in kitchen to make a note of items of shopping needed. If a friend calls on her way to the shops, your list is ready or if you use the list yourself you won’t forget essential items.
4. If it is possible moneywise, a home help for a few hours a week to either help with housework or look after the babies while you have a rest or just a walk to get away from it all is a very great help. Do choose your home help carefully though.
5. If your husband can’t have the first week or so with you after coming home with the babies, try to have someone else as it enables you to get used to looking after them and get into a routine.
6. Don’t forget older children, if not at school, need a break from home. This may be difficult, but just a short walk out will do you all good.
7. Knowing how children like to move around the bath, a non-slip mat or treads make it a happier time for them and far less worrying for you.
8. A plastic tablecloth is very useful when children are learning to eat at the table as a wipe over is all that is required. Also useful under highchairs when eating in carpeted areas.
9. You can sleep new-born twins end-to-end in one cot. It saves linen, and some twins prefer it. Use pram/crib sheets under heads. It saves washing main sheet if one has soiled one end.
10. When next going out for the day or afternoon, make a list of the items you need and refer to it on future outings. It saves the usual worry of “have I forgotten anything”, and makes packing of bags a lot quicker.
11. For new born identical twins, nail varnish can be put on one of the babies toes for ease of identification.
12. Cordless telephones are particularly useful at feeding and bath times which is inevitably when the phone rings.
13. Carrytot baby car seats are highly commendable for their multiple functions:
Lightweight, especially useful when taking both babies to the clinic by car
Rocking chair, easily rocked by one foot whilst nursing other baby in arms.
First solid feeding chair, before babies can sit up (the cover is easily washable and dries very quickly).
14. Activity mat and baby play gyms are particularly effective for providing entertainment for two babies at once, in a variety of positions.
15. Topple proof baby bath seat makes bath times a much more relaxed affair.
16. Baby door bouncer provides great amusement for observing twin as well as for twin doing the bouncing. Even better is to have one each for the twins as they are usually much more content when slightly upright and able to watch what is going on around them.
17. Musical mobiles. These are invaluable for hanging over their cots from one month old.
18. Activity centres on cot sides for when babies can sit up.
19. Keep notepad and pen in babies room to keep note of time each baby was fed at night. It’s so easy to forget when you’re tired.
20. It saves time to make up the complete day’s feeds in one go. If you haven’t enough bottles, fill those up that are available and leave remaining feed in jug. All can be left in fridge and will save a panic if unexpected visitors arrive during the day.
21. To cut out counting the scoops of powder, which often gets forgotten when interrupted, measure out required scoops, weigh, and make a note of weight for future feeds.
22. When bottle feeding, feed both babies together whenever possible. Use bouncing cradles, bottle in each hand or hold one baby with other in chair and then swap over next feed. Can also prop up on pillows, either on bed or settee (but never leave babies to feed themselves in this position).
23. Try to feed and change babies together, especially at night.
24. When starting on mixed feeding, use one bowl and spoon, unless one has an infection. If preferred, use two cups/bowls with handles as easier to hold.
25. When visiting, the children can be sat in their buggy to be fed. It also keeps them safe whilst you sit and enjoy your meal.
26. For a large sterilizing container for bottles, you could use either of the following; bread bin, ice cream container, any large plastic container or bucket with lid.
27. For breastfeeding, a triangular support pillow arranged with its arm under your arms, instead of conventionally at the back, enables both babies to be placed comfortably with their heads at the breast, feet towards your back.
28. Always have packed a bag containing change of nappies and changing equipment which can be just picked up when going on visits etc., eliminating the need to pack a bag every time.
