Preparing Your Home for Multiples

Must-Have Items

Welcoming twins or triplets (or more!) into your home is an exciting and life-changing event. Preparing for multiple babies requires careful planning and a well-thought-out approach to ensure your home is equipped to handle the extra demands. From essential gear to space-saving solutions, here’s a guide to must-have items to help you get ready for your growing family.

Double (or triple) the basics

With multiple newborns, you’ll need more of the essential baby items. Consider stocking up on:

• Cribs or bassinets – Look for space-saving cribs or bassinets that can fit comfortably in your home. Some baby furniture can have multiple uses, for example 2-in-1 cribs and baby bouncers. These can be useful for saving space and cash.

• Car seats – Make sure you have enough properly installed car seats before your babies arrive.

• Stroller – A twin or triplet stroller is a game changer for getting out and about. There are many different varieties on the market: Made For Mums has a great list of 2025 Tried & Test Double Buggies which might help with deciding what works best for your family.

• Highchairs – Space-efficient, easy-to-clean highchairs are key when mealtime gets hectic. While fabric highchairs look more comfy for your babies, they can be a pain to clean - so bear that in mind when selecting your chosen brand!

Efficient feeding solutions

Feeding multiples can be one of the biggest adjustments. Prepare with:

• A twin or triplet nursing pillow – Helps with feeding positioning and comfort whether you're breastfeeding or bottle feeding.

• Plenty of bottles – Even if breastfeeding, having a good supply of bottles ensures flexibility, particularly when the babies are small.

• Bottle warmers and sterilisers – Time-saving devices to make feeding easier.

Smart sleep solutions

Creating a sleep-friendly environment is crucial - as much for the parents as the babies! Consider:

• White noise machines – Helps drown out background noise and promotes sleep.

• Swaddles and sleep sacks – Ensure each baby has their own for safe and comfortable sleep. It's important to note safe sleep guidelines when it comes to using swaddles.

• Black out blinds – Babies can benefit from a darkened room for longer, more settled naps.

• Video monitors with multiple cameras – Keeps an eye on each baby without needing multiple monitors.

Storage and organisation

Keeping everything in order will make daily routines smoother. Ideas include:

• Storage bins and baskets – Clearly labeled to organise clothing, diapers, and toys.

• Changing stations – Set up multiple stations in key areas to make nappy changes quick and easy. Some parents prefer to change nappies on the floor while others use changing tables - whichever you're preference, having all the equipment needed in one convenient place is essential when you have double or triple the nappies to change.

Laundry and cleaning essentials

With twins or triplets, laundry and cleaning become a bigger task. Get prepared with:

• Extra burp cloths and bibs – Keep plenty on hand for inevitable messes.

• Nappy bins with odour control – If using disposable nappies, odour control bins can be a game changer. If you intend to use cloth nappies, reach out to the Multiples Hutt Valley community, as there are plenty veteran parents who can offer advice.

Self care and support tools for parents

Don’t forget about your own well-being:

• Freezer meal stash – In the lead up to the babies' arrival, fill up your freezer with plenty of nutritious and easy-to-eat meals (especially ones you can eat with one hand!)

• Baby carriers or wraps – Great for keeping one baby close while tending to the others.

• Comfortable seating for feeding and bonding – A rocking chair or glider can make a difference to your posture during feeding.

• A strong support network – Whether it’s family, friends, or local multiples groups, having a village to rely on will help tremendously. Multiples Hutt Valley has been proudly supporting families with twins, triplets and more for over 50 years in Hutt Valley and the Wairarapa region, extending a helping hand and fostering a sense of community among our member families through a range of initiatives that connect and uplift our members. Find out more about joining our community.

Preparing your home for multiples takes thoughtful planning, but with the right essentials, you’ll create a space that works for your growing family. Embrace the journey, stay organised, and remember that while raising multiples comes with challenges, it’s also an incredibly rewarding experience.