The Minimalist’s Ultimate Guide To Preparing for Twins

I remember the day I found out that I was pregnant with twins. I had never even considered the idea, not even for a moment!

I was already a little overwhelmed thinking about all of the things we would need for a baby and then found out I had TWO to prepare for!

My mind started racing about all of the things we would need and how expensive it all would be. 

At the time, we were living in a small two-bedroom apartment with very little room for extra stuff, and we all know that babies come with stuff!

We also didn’t have a huge budget, and everyone who has had a baby knows that baby things seem to be unreasonably expensive! 

So how would we make this work? Did we really need two of EVERYTHING?! I wasn’t sure our space or wallets could handle that! 

Fortunately, we learned very quickly that you do not need a lot of the extra little things for babies, nor do you need two of everything for twins.

Sure, having two of everything could be more luxurious and convenient if you have the money and the space for it.

However, we didn’t, and I knew from the beginning that I wanted to take a more minimalist approach when it came to preparing for my twins. 

Now, two years later, we are living on the road and traveling full-time for my husband’s job with our two-year-old twins! So we have continued our minimalist approach, and let me tell you — it is absolutely doable! 

Preparing for the arrival of twins can feel overwhelming, but with a minimalist approach, you can focus on the essentials while keeping things simple and organized.

This guide will provide you with a step-by-step plan as well as some minimalist advice from my own experience to ensure that you have everything you need without unnecessary clutter or stress. 

Simplify Your Registry – Focus on the Essentials

Rather than crowding your registry with “fluff” or luxury items, you will want to prioritize items that are crucial for the well-being of your twins. 

Sleep Equipment

A safe, comfortable sleeping space for your little ones is essential! You will definitely need to add two cribs with mattresses to your registry.

If you are frequent travelers, you may also consider adding two pack and plays. These come in handy for trips to visit grandparents or vacations! 

My twins shared a bassinet while they were still itty bitty and sleeping in our room. When they were a few months old, we transitioned them to their own room in two mini cribs that I absolutely love!

The mini cribs are on wheels, so they are super easy to move from room to room if needed.

Looking back, I probably would have just bought the mini cribs and had them sleep in those from the beginning, and then rolled them into the nursery when it was time to separate! 

When it comes to bedding, you do not need much! Your baby will not sleep with anything in the crib for a while.

Be sure to have a few extra crib sheets on hand and a few baby swaddles! I love the Velcro swaddles! They are so easy to wrap babies up in, and they help tremendously with promoting good newborn sleep. 

I am also a firm believer in a few “extra” items that I view as essentials to help with great baby sleep: blackout curtains and a good white noise machine. You will want to make these a priority on your registry. 

Baby Monitor

You will absolutely need a reliable baby monitor, preferably one that is portable and can be taken with you on trips.

There are hundreds of great options out there. When it comes to buying a monitor, it really comes down to personal preference.

Safety and Baby Gear

This is where stuff begins to get bulky, and you may start to need two of each item.

Two car seats are obviously a must. Now, for the most minimalistic approach, you can opt for the convertible car seats, and skip the infant carriers altogether.

These car seats will grow with your twins until they are ready to move into booster seats! 

While babies are little and still not quite ready to sit in a stroller, many parents prefer to wear their infants!

Invest in a good twin carrier or two baby carriers/wraps so that you and your partner can baby-wear out in public. I would deem these as a must-have item. 

A good double stroller is another must-have twin item! Look for a stroller that can grow with your twins and meet the demands of your lifestyle. 

When it comes to containers such as bouncers and swings, I would try to borrow some from a friend or try to find them secondhand! They really are short-lived items.

I recommend starting with one of each to see which your babies prefer. If they both love the bouncer, get a second bouncer. If they both love the swing, get a second swing.

However, I wouldn’t advise having two of each if you are going for a minimalist approach.

Regardless of which you choose — swing, bouncers, or both — they are very good to have on hand for the moments when mama needs to get things done and babies need a safe place to lay down! 

Of course, you will need a good-sized diaper bag to hold all of the diapers, wipes, and other baby gear.

I recommend a backpack diaper bag like this. It was so easy to throw it on my back while hauling around the baby carriers or carrying my twins.

Another must-have baby item is plenty of pacifiers! 

Diapers and Wipes

You can NEVER have too many diapers and wipes with twins! You’ll go through an incredible number of both in the next couple of years.

One good thing about asking for diapers and wipes is that they can often be exchanged for another size at big department stores such as Target or Walmart! 

Feeding Essentials

Your newborns will drink a lot! You can skip the baby plates and utensils in the beginning and focus on having plenty of bottles and a good breast pump/pumping gear if you are planning on breastfeeding.

I would say that having two boppy pillows or a Twin Z Pillow on hand is a must to help during times when you may have to feed the twins on your own. 

You will also need lots of burp cloths because little ones will burp and spit up! With two of them, the laundry can add up! So, the more burp cloths you have, the better. 

Clothing 

Your littles will obviously need clothes, but you do not need to clutter your registry with clothes. Honestly, babies grow so quickly in the beginning that you will only need a few outfits for each baby.

For a minimalist approach, opt for a few cozy and comfortable neutral pieces that can be mixed and matched to make several outfits. 

Bath & Hygiene

In my opinion, you can go without a baby tub! Using the sink or holding your little one in the tub can work just as well!

You will, however, need a few baby hygiene and “beauty” products, if you will!

Have some gentle baby soap, baby lotion, diaper rash cream, soft washcloths, and an electric nail file ready for pampering and cleaning up your little ones.  

Request Practical Gifts

Instead of traditional baby shower gifts, ask for practical items like diapers, wipes, or gift cards to purchase essentials when needed.

In my experience, women like to give all the cutesy “unessential” baby items that they find at the store (or lots and lots of clothes!) just because they are so cute and almost irresistible!

If you are wanting to take a more minimalist approach, be sure to include on your baby shower invitation that you would really appreciate practical gifts from your registry or gift cards for later use!  

Borrow or Buy Used

Consignment stores or sales are my absolute go-to as a twin mom. Consider borrowing or purchasing gently used baby items from friends, consignment stores/sales, or online platforms.

This saves so much money in the long run, especially for items that are only used for a short time!

Streamline Your Nursery

Now let’s focus on getting the nursery ready for the babies in the most practical and easiest manner.

Optimize Space

Maximize the functionality of your nursery by choosing compact furniture, such as a space-saving crib or changing table with built-in storage.

In our apartment, we had a small nursery. We opted to use mini cribs rather than two full-size cribs. They fit perfectly in the small space. My twins are two years old and still sleep in them with plenty of room to grow! 

Stick to the Basics

A crib, a dresser/changing table, and a comfortable chair for feeding are the primary nursery essentials. Everything else is just fluff, I promise!

Avoid unnecessary decorations or excessive furniture that can clutter the space. 

Use Multipurpose Storage

Utilize storage solutions like baskets, bins, and hanging organizers to keep baby essentials organized and easily accessible. 

Wrapping It Up

At the end of the day, your newborn twins will thrive as long as they are fed, rested, warm, and clean! Focus on having the essentials to meet these four needs, and you will be set!