Womb to Bloom - Maternity & Beyond

Shortly after I discovered that I was pregnant, my husband and I joked, “Wouldn’t it be just our luck if this ended up being twins?!” A few days later, my husband said, “It will be a little sad that this baby won’t have anyone to play with. The older kids always had each other.” Do you see where I’m going with this?

Fast forward a few weeks, I’m at the doctor’s office for my first OB check. I had already met with the nurse practitioner and had the pregnancy confirmed. Before I saw the obstetrician, I was scheduled for an ultrasound. This was at about nine weeks. Before my first child was born, I had a first-trimester miscarriage and, in each pregnancy after that, my doctor allowed me to have an early ultrasound to put my mind at ease.

People have frequently told me that twins are great because you get two for one. All I have to say is, Ha! There are some things that you can buy only one of, but most of the time you end up buying two of everything.

You have to buy two cribs, two car seats, more clothes, and way more diapers. Not to mention the double stroller and other baby paraphernalia. There are some things you can buy used and other things you can accept from friends or family, but there are also items that you will want to spend more money on. The trick is knowing which is which.

Pampers, formula, wipes, baby clothes, cribs, and medical bills—caring for a set of twins can put a hole in your pocket if you’re not careful. That’s why it’s important for you to find ways to make those hard earned dollars stretch.

The excitement of welcoming twins in the world can send some mothers into a shopping frenzy. Your twins don’t need 50 fuzzy blankets, and 100 sleeper suits. Be realistic about what your baby will actually need during the first few months of his life, and stick to the basics.

You don’t need two of everything. Your babies can share a baby swing and a bouncer. You may eventually need to buy two playpens—but in the beginning, one will do. Your twins can also share a crib for the first four months of their lives. This will take some of the strain off of your budget by giving you a little extra time to save for another crib.

Don’t skimp on the quality of your double stroller. Initially, it might seem more practical to go for the cheapest stroller available, but in the long run it will cost you more because you’ll end up having to buy a new one after a few months. If you invest in a good stroller, you’ll be able to use it well into your twins’ preschool years.

Putting a set of twins in a daycare program can set you back a $1000 bucks a month—that’s an entire month’s wage for some people. So before you decide to return to work, calculate the cost of gas, clothes, lunch, and childcare—then decide if going back to work is the best option. If you choose to return to work, consider paying a trusted relative, or a friend to care for your babies.

If putting your twins in a daycare program is unavoidable, call around to see if any of the centers in your area offer sibling discounts. A family daycare program can be considered as well. These programs are usually a less expensive option than larger childcare centers, and they are often more comfortable for infants because of their homelike environments.

Consider using cloth diapers. They’re not the most convenient option, but they are a heck of a lot cheaper than buying disposables for two infants. If you’re like me, and can’t bear the thought of using cloth diapers, consider using them periodically. Even if you use them one week out of every month, you’ll save a little money.

Buying formula for two babies can be expensive--especially for a single parent. Consider some of the programs in your state that offer assistance to single moms for things like infant formula, and health insurance for your kids.

Cutting household expenses can counter the cost of caring for a set of twins. Cook instead of eating out every day (I’m still struggling with this one). Clip coupons, and keep your nose buried in sales papers to find bargains on clothes, and household items. Frequent yard sales to take advantage of gently used baby items.

When your twins get old enough to eat baby food, consider making your own. This is not the most convenient option, but it is very cost effective. Even if you make your twins’ baby food twice a week, it will help you save some cash.

The cost of caring for my multiples hit me hard, so I had to do some major downsizing. I got rid of my cable. I’d love to say I don’t miss it—but that would be a lie. I downsized my vehicle to save on gas, and insurance cost. And a lot of my clothes come from second-hand stores.

With a little ingenuity, you can come up with a number of money saving strategies to reduce the financial impact of caring for your twins.

As first-time parents, my husband and I were clueless as to what we needed.  We walked into the baby superstore one time while I was pregnant and then promptly walked out.  There was such an abundance of products that we had no idea what kinds of things we may or may not need.  Now that we have had the twins and sort of have a grasp (ok maybe more of a fingertip) on this parenting thing, here is a list of things we use on a day-to day basis.