Seeing Double

There are many items that you need two of for twins but contrary to popular belief you don't need TWO OF EVERYTHING. When you register for baby gear you never know exactly what you are going to need because every baby is different. One thing that we used (and still use) two of everyday is a swing. We registered for a Graco Lovin' Hug Infant Swing and borrowed a Fisher Price Cradle Swing from my friend Julie. If we hadn't borrowed the second swing we probably would have gone out and bought another one...that is how essential they have been to us.

When we first brought the twins home from the hospital we only had one swing and one of them slept in it almost every night for the first month or so. If we couldn't get one of them back to sleep after a night feeding we wold strap them in, turn it on, and pass out on the nearby couch. After we got the second swing from my friend, we used them frequently throughout the day. Since Tanner and Abigail were still so small and couldn't hold their heads up or roll over we would occasionally put them in the swings instead of laying them on the floor. At that age there wasn't a whole lot they could do, and being on the floor all the time got very tiring for them and for me. Many times I put them in the swings while I took a shower in the morning or while we ate dinner in the evening. Using the swings gave me some peace of mind because unlike leaving them on the floor I knew that they were strapped in, happy, and out of harms way.

When I first put them in the swings while I took a shower they would stay awake, but eventually they slept during this time and it became their morning nap. They continued to take their morning (and sometimes afternoon) nap in the swings until they were about 10 months old. My friend Julie was expecting her second child in June and I knew that we were going to have to return her swing so I began transitioning Tanner and Abigail to their cribs for both morning and afternoon naps. Before I returned Julie's swing we bought a second swing (identical to the one we already purchased) from my friend Alison just in case we needed them during the transition period.

Now Tanner and Abigail nap in their crib and/or Pack N Play with the swing sounds playing in the room. Occasionally I have to resort to putting one of them in the swing if they won't settle down or of they wake up too early, but for the most part we only use them for the sound. If you are expecting twins I recommend having TWO swings. If you don't want to register or buy two (they can be expensive) then looked for a gently used one at a second hand shop or better yet borrow one from a friend!

Parent-to-Parent Tip:
When purchasing a swing I suggest looking for one that can be plugged in rather than battery operated. There is nothing more frustrating that having to change batteries in the middle of the night, not to mention the money you are going to have to spend on batteries to keep them swinging.