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2026 Twinnie Awards

Amanda Hadley — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 09:30:00 +0000

Each year, twin parents and the Twiniversity team nominate their favorite baby, kid, and personal products. After tallying the votes, the products and brands that received the most love and praise have earned top honors. From twin strollers and car seats to diaper bags and more, the 2026 Twinnie Awards highlight the very best twinnie gear on the market. Thanks to our amazing community, the guesswork has been taken out of baby gear shopping—you’ll find a trusted list of recommendations straight from parents who truly get it. So, without further ado, here are our 2026 Twinnie Award Winners… Best Strollers for Twins Best Car Seat Stroller for twins – Baby Trend Double Snap-N-Go Stroller Best Tandem Stroller – Mockingbird Single-to-Double Stroller 2.0Runner Up: Baby Jogger City Select Double Stroller Best Side-By-Side Stroller – Zoe Twin V2 StrollerRunner Up: Bugaboo Donkey Double Stroller Best Double Jogging Stroller – Thule Urban Glide 3 Stroller Best Stroller for Twins plus one – Zoe Trio V2 Best Stroller Wagon – Wonderfold W4Runner Up: Veer Cruiser City XL Best Stroller Accessory – Cup Holder Best Car Seats for Twins Best Infant Car Seat – Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35Runner Up: Chicco Keyfit Max Infant Car Seat Best Convertible/All-in-one Car Seat – Evenflo REVOLVE360 SLIMRunner Up: Graco Slimfit 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat Best Booster Seat – Graco TurboBooster seatRunner Up: Diono Solana Booster Seats Best Baby Carriers for Twins Best Single Baby Carrier – Baby Tula Explore CarrierRunner Up: BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Mini Best Double Baby Carrier – Weego Twin Baby CarrierRunner Up: TwinGo Baby Carrier Best Bottle Feeding Products for Twins Best Infant Formula – KendamilRunners Up: Bobbie Organic Formula Enfamil Formula Best Baby Bottle – Dr. Brown’s Options+ Bottles Best Baby Food – Once Upon a FarmRunner Up: Serenity Kids Best Product for Tandem Bottle Feeding – Twin Z PillowRunner Up: Table for Two Best Bottle Sterilizer – Baby Brezza Bottle Washer Pro Best Breastfeeding Twins Products Best Electric Breast Pump – Spectra S1Runner Up: Baby Buddha Best Manual Breast Pump – MedelaRunner Up: Dr. Brown’s Best Pumping Bra – Kindred Bravely Sublime Hands-Free Pumping BraRunner Up: Bodily Best Nipple Cream – Earth Mama Angel Baby Natural Nipple ButterRunner Up: Medela Purelan Lanolin Best Delivery Day Must-Haves for Twins Best Cord Blood Banking – CBR Best Sleep Gear for Twins Best Crib Mattress – Sealy Crib Mattresses Best Crib –BabylettoRunner Up: DaVinci Best Twin Bassinet – HALO BassiNest Twin SleeperRunner Up: Simmons Kids By The Bed City Sleeper Bassinet Best Swaddle – Zipadee Zip SwaddleRunner Up: Love to Dream Swaddle Up Best Pacifier – Philips Avent SoothieRunner Up: MAM Comfort Baby Pacifiers Best Baby Video Monitor – BabysenseRunner Up: Nanit Best Sound Machine – Hatch Rest+ Sound MachineRunner Up: Dream Egg Best Humidifier – Canopy NurseryRunner Up: Frida Baby 3-in-1 Humidifier Best Baby Seats and Containers for Twins Best High Chair – Ergobaby Evolve High ChairRunner Up: Ikea ANTILPO High Chair Best Bouncy Seat – Ergobaby Evolve 3-in-1 BouncerRunner Up: BabyBjorn Bouncer Balance Soft Best Baby Swing – Graco Soothe ‘n Sway LX Baby Swing with Portable BouncerRunner Up: moms Mamaroo Best Play Mat/Activity Gym – The Play Gym by Lovevery Best Play Yard – Amazon Best Diapering Products for Twins Best Disposable Diaper – HuggiesRunner Up: Pampers Swaddlers Best Cloth Diaper – EsemblyRunner Up: bumgenius Best Diaper Pail – Ubbi Diaper Pail Best Baby Wipes – Huggies Simply Clean WipesRunner Up: Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes Best Diaper Rash Cream – Desitin Baby Diaper Rash CreamRunner Up: A+D Original Diaper Rash Ointment Best Diaper Bag – BEIS Backpack Diaper BagRunner Up: Itzy Ritzy Dream Convertible Diaper Bag Best Baby Care Products for Twins Best Thermometer – Fridababy 3-in-1 Thermometer Best Booger Remover – oogiebear Baby Nose Cleaner and Ear Wax Removal Tool Best Baby Bathtub – Summer Infant Clean Rinse Baby Bath SeatRunner Up: Angelcare 2-in-1 Baby Bathtub Best Baby Skin Care Line – Tubby ToddRunner Up: Aveeno Baby Best Gear for Twins Age 6 Months and Up Best Sippy Cup – Lansinoh Weighted Straw Cup Best Toddler Lunchbox – b.box Lunch boxRunner Up: Omie OmieBox Bento Box Best Teething Product – Hyland’s Teething Tablets Best Potty Training Seat –Baby Bjorn Potty ChairRunner Up: Munchkin Multi-Stage 3-in-1 Potty Seat Want more product recommendations and reviews? Check out these for more: 2025 Twinnie Award Winners 2024 Twinnie Award Winners – Best Baby Gear for Twins What’s the Best Stroller for Kids? Twin Baby Carriers: Which One is Best For Your Family? Essentials for Newborn Baby Skin Care, Bathing and Grooming About Twiniversity Reaching over 2 million families a year in over 150 countries, Twiniversity is the largest global resource for all things “twinnie”. With worldwide recognition in her field, founder Natalie Diaz brings her twin parenting expertise to the online resource, including membership, live and online expecting twins classes, social media channels, and her bestselling books “What To Do When You’re Having Two“, the #1 bestseller on Amazon for Twins & Multiples Parenting, and the Newborn Twins Sleep Guide. For more information, visit Twiniversity.com.

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40 Weeks Pregnant with Twins

Amanda Hadley — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 15:59:05 +0000

40 Weeks Pregnant with Twins What can you expect at 40 weeks pregnant with twins? You can expect to be extremely uncomfortable. We highly recommend that you get those babies out soon so you don’t risk uterine rupture. Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitter | Pinterest 39 Weeks Pregnant with Twins What’s going on with those twinnies? Your twins’ brains are growing really quickly. That speedy rate of growth will continue for the first three years of life. You’ll be able to notice small changes in your twins on almost a daily basis. 39 Weeks Pregnant with Twins Plan different routes to the hospital based on time of day and traffic. Figure out the drop off location (hint: it’s probably at Labor & Delivery), if there will be a valet attendant there, and where you need to park if there isn’t valet. Find out if the Labor & Delivery entrance is closed in the middle of the night — you may need to arrive through the ER if it’s too late at night. Keep your feet up most of the day. Swelling can be a problem now. Stock your fridge with good food that’s not too perishable. You don’t want to come home from the hospital with a week’s worth of rotten vegetables and fruit to clean out. 5 tips for a better 39th week of your twin pregnancy Eat small, frequent meals to avoid more heartburn and feeling too bloated. Just lay in bed and have your spouse bring you things. Walkie talkies help! Try to sleep as much as possible. Watch all the Netflix! Write a letter to your babies about how excited you are to meet them. The Twins Tale Podcast by Twiniversity is an intimate look into the lives of twin parents and their twins at all ages and stages, from birth through college. We interview twin parents in the trenches and ask all the burning questions you want to know about raising twins: schedules that work, feeding your twins, getting out of the house, finding sanity, and so much more. Subscribe for FREE today! Advice from other Twiniversity moms when they were 39 weeks pregnant with twins I was induced at 39 weeks. 8 lbs 5 oz and 7 lbs 3 oz. At this point I had a circle the size of a dinner plate around my belly button that was totally numb. By the end I could walk but I couldn’t stand still for fear of tipping over. – Sara M. I was 39 weeks when they were born. Their weights were 6’12 and 6’14. I felt great but tired. I was induced. – Bridgette G. I delivered at 39 weeks and 4 days. Baby A was 8.6 lbs and baby B was 7.10 lbs. – Jessica A. We know that twin pregnancy can be very isolating and overwhelming. No one else will truly GET YOU like other parents of twins and expecting parents of twins. That’s why we launched Twiniversity Memberships as a way to offer our twin parents and expecting twins parents more ways to connect with other twin parents (virtually) and gain more parenting education. Highlights of these memberships include monthly Twiniversity twin club meetings hosted on Zoom, a private Facebook group just for twin parents to ask questions, and a learner library with exclusive videos of Nat’s tips and tricks for twin parenting. Click here for all the details on what the memberships include! Concerns other Twiniversity moms had when they were 39 weeks pregnant with twins Everything hurts. I can’t sleep for more than an hour before having to get up to pee or get into a new position. It’s really hard to get out of bed because I’m as big as a whale. I can’t pick up anything off the floor — thank God I bought that grabber! My skin itches so bad and I can’t wait to get these babies out of me!!! Questions Twiniversity moms had for their doctors when they were 39 weeks pregnant with twins This is insane, right? Can you take them out now? Please?? No, really, when can I schedule an induction? Typical tests that are done It is common to have weekly nonstress testing (NST) with fluid assessments starting at 32 weeks in an uncomplicated twin gestation. As your pregnancy progresses you will likely be scheduled more and more frequently, building to every 1-2 days as you get closer to full term. A nonstress test is used to evaluate your babies’ health before birth. The goal of a nonstress test is to provide useful information about your babies’ oxygen supply by checking their heart rates and how it responds to your babies’ movements. The test might indicate the need for further monitoring, testing, treatment or delivery. A nonstress test typically requires no special preparation. During the nonstress test, you’ll lie on a reclining chair. You’ll have your blood pressure taken at regular intervals during the test and each baby will be monitored while you relax in a recliner for 20 minutes, playing on your phone or reading a book. If you are having a c-section you may be tested for MRSA. MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It is a type of staph infection. Even if a pregnant woman contracts MRSA in her pregnancy, it’s easy to treat. Antibiotics will cure most cases, and they’re safe for a developing baby to be exposed to. A baby will only get the infection if he comes into contact with it through vaginal delivery. Many women must be screened for MRSA when they need a C-section because hospitals must screen every surgery patient for the infection prior to the operation. To perform the screening, a nasal swab is collected by rotating a swab inside each nostril. Occasionally, a swab of a wound infection site or skin lesion is collected. 39 Weeks Pregnant with Twins Maternity Yoga Pants Maternity Jeans Best Cradle – Maternity Support Belt Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Tummy Butter & Stretch Mark Massage Lotion Rachel’s Remedy Breastfeeding/Sore Breast Relief Packs Digital… Continue Reading 40 Weeks Pregnant with Twins

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Pumping for Two

Amanda Hadley — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 22:53:30 +0000

Pumping for Two is a practical class for twin parents who plan to pump. Learn how to set a schedule, how long to pump, why night sessions matter, and when it’s safe to drop sessions—all with simple tips and timelines to make life with two a little easier. Continue Reading Pumping for Two

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A Day in the Life With 4 Month Old Twins

Twiniversity — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Wondering what to do with your 4-month old twins all day long? A full day with two newborns can feel daunting, so take a look at the reality of how one family gets through a day with their 4-month twinnies! Take a peek into my life as a mom of 4-month-old fraternal twin boys. I’m a first time, stay-at-home mom (well, kinda). I work PRN as an occupational therapist, so right now I only pick up weekends when my husband is off, but this allows me to be home with my boys! Navigating life with twins is difficult, and every phase has had its different challenges. But now that my twins have hit 4 months old, I am happy to say that we are in a good (albeit somewhat loose) routine. I am tandem breastfeeding, and they eat about every 3 hours during the day and every 4 hours at night, so our schedule is centered around that! Our morning with 4-month old twins 7:00 am They boys typically wake up anywhere between 6:30-7:30, so that’s when my husband and I wake up as well. I nurse them in bed, and then my husband and I will get them changed and ready for the day. The boys will then hang out on their play mat in their nursery while we get dressed and ready. 8:00 am We’re all usually downstairs around 8am. My husband will go take our dog on a walk, and I will set up the boys in their bouncers. I love to use the bouncers first thing in the morning because it keeps them upright, alert, and secure while I am able to get the day started. I also use this time to pump. Currently I’m only pumping once a day or if they get a bottle. So I usually do that in the morning because that’s when my supply is the highest. Once my husband gets back from the walk, he will help get coffee and breakfast ready. Then I will get the boys changed for their first nap. 8:30 am The boys are usually awake for about 90 minutes during this phase, so the first nap is around 8:30. We usually do this one (supervised) on the Twin Z pillow on the couch so that I can sit with them and eat. Their naps right now can last anywhere between 30 minutes and 2 hours, so we just have to wait and see but I’ll usually use this time to catch up on emails or make my to-do list for the day/week or just relax and catch up on Love Island. 10:00 am Time for their second breakfast! We usually give them one bottle a day, but we always do it at different times. After the feed, it’s play time. We have a play mat set up in the living room, and we will usually do some tummy time, read books or listen to music. 11:30 am By now, they are getting sleepy again so it’s time for another nap. This is usually when I will attempt to have them nap in their cribs (the key word here being attempt). It’s usually not very successful, but we’re working on it! If I can get them to sleep for a little bit, I will use that time to eat or get things done around the house. Our afternoon with 4-month old twins 1:00 pm Time for lunch! After they feed, then it’s time for more play time- lately we have been focusing on grabbing toys, using our water mat for tummy time and lots of teething toys! 2:30 pm This is usually their last long nap for the day. While they are this little and I have the time, I am embracing all of the contact naps. I make sure to go to the bathroom and have my water, snacks and phone all within reach because I could be stuck there for a while! 4:00 pm Time for them to eat again! I have been lucky that I am an over-supplier having more than enough milk for my boys, but I always make sure to prioritize hydration and nutrition. I aim to have protein with every meal and snack and drink electrolytes daily! I am always hungry feeding two, so I eat very often! Our evening with 4-month-old twins 5:00 pm My husband usually gets home around 5 in the evening, and if the weather is nice, we like to take a family walk. We love to use our carriers-we use the ergo baby omni classic and they have been great for both husband and I. The boys just started facing out, and they love looking around! The boys also usually take a “cat nap” around 5:30 anywhere between 30-45 mins, but I try not to let this one go too long since bed time is not too far off. 6:00 pm Time for us to have dinner! We always have the boys sit in the dining room with us whether it’s in their bouncers or lately we have been practicing sitting in their high chairs. Dinners these days are usually whatever is quick and easy to clean up. 6:30 pm Time to start the bed time routine! Our routine is simple, we don’t do baths every night but we usually do lotion/massage, singing and then put them into their sleep sacks. While my husband is getting one ready I will usually rock the other in our rocking chair. Then I will feed them, and we usually get them down between 7:30-8:00 pm. Bed time recently has become ultimate chaos—a true race against the clock to get two tired hungry gremlins to bed. Our overnight schedule with 4-month-old twins 11:00 pm – 3:00 am The boys have recently outgrown their bassinets, so we moved them to their cribs in the nursery. They are not sleeping through the night yet, so my husband and I are up pretty often. I still breastfeed them both at the… Continue Reading A Day in the Life With 4 Month Old Twins

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Twins Twice: So You’re Pregnant with Twins, AGAIN

Twiniversity — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 10:58:00 +0000

Expecting your second set of twins? Here’s what it’s like having twins twice—from pregnancy and exhaustion to joy, grief, and everything in between. What are the chances of having twins twice? I used to joke that I’d be a “twins twice” person. I even told Natalie Diaz, the founder of Twiniversity, that I had a weird feeling before my first set of fraternal twins even turned one. Then January came around, and with it… two more heartbeats. Statistically, it makes sense… at least in my case. I was told my chances of having twins again were about 1 in 12 because I likely carry the hyperovulation gene (aka my ovaries drop more than one egg at ovulation). And while that still sounds rare, I later learned something even more surprising: you’re nine times more likely to conceive twins while breastfeeding (according to a study by Dr. Steinman). So really, I consider my odds of having twins again were actually higher than having a singleton. Can you believe that? Still, nothing prepares you for hearing, “It’s twins again.” How my second twin pregnancy feels different At the time of writing this, I’m currently 32 weeks pregnant with my second set of twins, and this pregnancy has been completely different. First of all, I haven’t even finished setting everything up yet. Like… what nursery? Do I even know where my breast pump is? And, of course, I’m exhausted, constantly. But there’s no option for midday naps, no lazy weekends on the couch, no “rest while you can” vibes like last time. That’s because I have twin toddlers who still need snacks, attention, messes cleaned, and a mom who shows up. The number of times they make me get up when all I want to do is sit down? No one warns you about that part of motherhood! But here’s what’s better the second time around: I know what to expect. I’m not spiraling over every weird cramp or twinge. I’m not Googling every symptom like I did during my first twin pregnancy, when I lived in constant fear of something going wrong. Twins are higher risk, and that anxiety was real. It also makes me wonder: Is this pregnancy that much easier? Are my symptoms much milder? Or does my body just know what to do better? Or do I not even have the time to think about it? Now, I feel more grounded. I know what’s normal and what’s not. I know how my body responds to carrying twins. That confidence makes a huge difference when you’re “high risk.” Grieving the singleton experience One thing I wasn’t expecting? Grief. I’ve honestly had to grieve the idea of having a singleton pregnancy. Heading to that first ultrasound, I was dreaming of HOW EASY one baby would be. There’s so much I wanted to experience with just one baby that I never will: Yes, twins are a miracle. And yes, I’m beyond grateful. But it’s okay to mourn the version of motherhood you don’t get to have—even when the version you do get is equally beautiful (and wild) in its own way. A pep talk for twins twice moms If you’re reading this as someone who just found out she’s pregnant with twins again—or parenting toddlers while expecting another set of multiples—this part is for you. You can do this.You already are doing this. You’re stronger than you were the first time. You’re wiser, even when you’re more tired. You’ve survived sleepless nights, double diapers, cluster feeding, and you’ll do it again. Not perfectly, but even more powerfully. This second twin pregnancy might feel heavier. But you know how to ask for help. You know how to advocate. You know that joy and chaos can live in the same moment. And you know love doesn’t divide, IT MULTIPLIES. This isn’t the family I pictured. It’s louder. Wilder. Hilarious. Exhausting. Full. And someday, I hope all four of my kids know just how much we stretched—physically, emotionally, mentally—to make room for them. Because yes, lightning struck twice. And I wouldn’t trade this story for anything. Interested in seeing other twins twice stories? Check out these articles too!

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When Do You Find Out About Twins?

Twiniversity — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Pregnant and wondering if your symptoms are from TWO babies? Or curious to see when other twin parents found out about their dynamic duo? Here’s a rundown of when you can find out if you’re having two and a look at when other twin parents found out for the first time too! If you’re in the early stages of pregnancy and wondering if your symptoms could be pointing to not one but two babies, you’re not alone. It’s common for expecting parents to wonder “When do you find out about twins?” And the answer to this is pretty straightforward. Usually, you’ll find out at your first ultrasound if you’re having twins or not. That could be anywhere starting around 6 weeks through the end of your first trimester. That said, it is possible for doctors to miss seeing the twins at your first scan. (As you’ll soon see below). But by the time you reach your 20-week anatomy scan, it’s highly unlikely that twins would go unnoticed. If it does happen to be twins, by the time you reach your 12-week scan, your doctor should also be able to tell if the babies share a placenta or not. We recently checked in with our twin parenting community to ask them: How far along were you when you found out you were having twins? Was it your 1st ultrasound, a later one, not until birth? Here’s what our biggest fans shared about when they found out they were having twins: “7 weeks—IVF!” “13 weeks, found out I was pregnant at 11 weeks.” “6 weeks, FET ultrasound to confirm pregnancy.” “1st ultrasound at 8 weeks.” “21 week anatomy scan ultrasound!” “About 7 weeks! From the very beginning!” “7 weeks!” “12 week scan.” “5 weeks! I had an early scan at the hospital due to intense cramps.” “12 week ultrasound!” “5 weeks.” “First ultrasound!” “7ish weeks.” “7 weeks.” “3rd ultrasound by technician.” “13 weeks.” “9 weeks.” “First ultrasound at 8 weeks.” “5 weeks, 5 days.” “9 weeks!” “6 weeks.” “6 weeks, first scan.” “7 weeks.” “First ultrasound.” “First ultrasound at 11 weeks!” “8 weeks.” “10 weeks!” “1st ultrasound at 8 weeks, 5 days! I will obviously never forget that day!” “1st ultrasound!” “Viability ultrasound.” “1st ultrasound at 10 weeks.” “1st ultrasound at 6 weeks.” “8 weeks!” “6 weeks!” “8 weeks at my first ultrasound.” “7 weeks.” “First ultrasound — 9 weeks.” “2 weeks (IVF) Our blood test indicated possibly multiples, likely 3. 2 was a relief!” “1st scan.” “5 week ultrasound.” “13 weeks!” “13 weeks.” “1st ultrasound, 5 – 6 weeks max.” “8 weeks, but something inside knew all along.” “1st ultrasound at our fertility clinic (after 4th IUI). I was 6 weeks, 5 days along.” “6 weeks, 6 days with ultrasound.” “7 weeks. First ultrasound!” “First ultrasound at 8 weeks.” “Missed on 8 week scan despite asking doc to be sure (I’m an identical triplet). 16 weeks was a surprise!” “First ultrasound at 9 weeks.” “10 weeks at first ultrasound.” “1st ultrasound at 10 weeks.” “First 6-week ultrasound. It was triplets.” “8 weeks pregnant.” “11 weeks, first ultrasound.” “1st ultrasound at 9 weeks, and I thought something was wrong because I had no pregnancy symptoms.” “10-ish weeks, first ultrasound.” “1st ultrasound. But I had a cousin who didn’t find out until 21 weeks along!” “Around 9 weeks, first ultrasound and pregnancy. Completely surprised!” “10-week ultrasound.” All content on this Website, including medical opinion and any other health-related information, is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation. Use of this site and the information contained herein does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others. Want to know more about early twin pregnancy? Check out these articles too!

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How to Fly With Breastmilk (Advice from Twin Moms)

Twiniversity — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Traveling with infant or toddler twins, especially if it’s your first time, is a lot of planning. And if you’re breastfeeding or pumping, there are even more items to pack along for the ride. So if you have upcoming air travel with your twinnies, read on for tips on how to fly with breastmilk! Worried about traveling with your precious liquid gold through airports and getting through the TSA checkpoints? Don’t worry, breastmilk is one of the “medically necessary” liquids you’re allowed to carry on with you. But here are some helpful tips from other pumping and nursing twin moms who have traveled with breastmilk before! (Plus some extra tips and need-to-knows when it comes to flying with breastmilk) We asked our twin parent community: What has helped you travel by plane while lactating? (Like go-to product, logistics once in the airport or on the plane, etc.) Here’s what our incredible fans shared about how to fly with breastmilk: “Mamava nursing pods in airports!” “Ceres Chill for quickly storing milk on the go (I exclusively pumped).” “Hands free pumping top under loose shirts. Larken was my go-to brand.” “Portable pump.” “Mamava app for nursing pods, dapple wipes to clean pumping parts, a lunch box and ice packs.” “Ceres Chill and wearable pumps.” “With baby, wear a built in bra tank and flowy sweater to cover built in. Pack extra shirt.” “Just bought the Ceres Chill!” “Milk Stork.” “On a train by myself. Forgoing modesty and having my breast friend (twin) pillow. Extra seat.” “Ceres Chill.” “Use ziploc bags for ice (after security). Reusable packs get more scrutiny.” “Carhartt soft sided cooler with multiple zipper areas for storing milk (in bags) and a travel pump.” “Travel with frozen milk if possible!” “#1 is Ceres Chill followed by a wearable pump. But Ceres Chill is non-negotiable!” “Wearables.” “Baby Buddha (wearable pump), Ceres Chill, and a nursing cover so I could pump in my seat.” How to keep breastmilk cold while flying There are some important safety tips you’ll need to follow for ensuring the temperature of the breastmilk stays safe. To learn more about how long you can safely refrigerate and freeze breastmilk, check out our article “Storing and Reheating Breastmilk: What you should know” This should help plan how long you can have your breastmilk out. Also, depending on your cooling item, some of the gels and packs can last up to 36 hours in a well-insulated bag. Here are some helpful chillers, coolers, and insulated bags to consider using: Ceres Chill As you can see above, tons of twin moms are recommending this breastmilk chiller for air travel! Babeyer Cooler with Ice Pack This compact carrier can be strapped onto the stroller handle (hands free!!!) or a longer shoulder strap. It holds 6-bottles and comes with a ice pack. Bag is waterproof and can be used to hold your lunch once babies grow out of the bottle phase. It comes in a variety of colors too. Momcozy Insulated Baby Bottle Bag This carrier is a little taller and has a removable middle layer for taller bottles. It also comes with a strap that you can strap to your stroller handle or you can attach the longer shoulder strap. This does not come with an ice pack. Milk Stork Breastmilk Cooler Bag Dr. Brown Cooler Bag This space saving bag collapses flat! Reusable freezer inserts can be placed in the bag to keep your babies’ bottles cool during transport. It can store up to 6 bottles and be used as a cooler after your babies grow out of the bottle phase. Reheating breast milk while traveling Keeping your breastmilk cold enough for future use is one thing. But what about when you want to then go ahead and feed it to your babies? How can you warm it up for them while on the go? When we travelled, we had an empty thermos on hand and we’d ask a cafe in the terminal for hot water. Some were kind enough to give it to us for free. We’d put the bottle in the thermos and warm the breastmilk. Simply place the whole bottle in the thermos. Another option for heating up breast milk on-the-go is a portable bottle warmer like these two: Bololo Bottle Warmer The product description says it can warm contents within 5 minutes. And it’s rechargeable! BabyBrezza Portable Warmer It can warm 8 oz in 3 minutes! And it gives three temperature options to select from. When done, the product description states it’ll auto shut off. Twiniversity Tip: If possible, try to schedule the flight for some time around their nap. You can them feed them their bottle while the plane is taking off, and it could help from getting their ears popped. Going through airport security with breastmilk Once you get to TSA, let them know you have breastmilk for your babies. Future you can also note transporting baby food is also acceptable and you will do the same with telling TSA you have baby food. For specific items that you’re allied to carry, check out their list. How much breastmilk can you fly with? For TSA, there’s no specified limit listed for how much breastmilk you can bring along. So bring with you as much as is necessary and logistically possible for you to transport. Here’s some helpful guidance directly from TSA on how to make things a bit easier in prepping to go through security with human milk: “…to expedite the screening process, it is recommended that formula and breast milk be transported in clear, translucent bottles and not plastic bags or pouches. Liquids in plastic bags or pouches may not be able to be screened by Bottle Liquid Scanners, and you may be asked to open them (if feasible) for alternate screening such as Explosive Trace Detection and Vapor Analysis for the presence of liquid explosives. Screening will never include placing anything into the medically necessary liquid.” Hopefully now, the logistic aspects of… Continue Reading How to Fly With Breastmilk (Advice from Twin Moms)

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When to Expect Your First Postpartum Period After Twins?

Twiniversity — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 09:00:00 +0000

As a mom to newborn twins, you’ve got lots to watch out for “down there” as your body heals. And once your postpartum bleeding subsides, one of the things on your mind may be when you can expect to start up your menstrual periods again after delivering twins. You’re not alone in wondering about the return of Aunt Flo! We’ve had lots of mamas in our Your First Year With Twins and Pregnant With Twins groups wondering all those period-related questions. Like this twin mama who wondered: “How long after your c-section did your first period return? Were you breastfeeding? Did you see a decrease in supply during that time? Just curious what I should expect as an exclusive pumper!” And this mama who asked: “FTM- Was anyone’s first period after being pregnant A LOT of bleeding? I’m 11 weeks postpartum and just started my first true period today, and this is the worst period I’ve had before.” And this twin mom who was curious to know: “Did anyone get their period while breastfeeding? I’ve heard some stories of most people not getting their period until after breastfeeding.” In case you’re wondering any of these questions too, we asked our community of twin parents to chime in with their postpartum period experiences! An overall glance at postpartum period returns for twin moms: We polled our Instagram community of twin parents to see how long after delivering their twins it took to get their first postpartum period. Here’s what they said: My first postpartum period after twins came back… Within 3 months postpartum 25% Between 3 – 6 months postpartum 24% Between 6 – 12 months postpartum 32% Over a year postpartum 19% *Note: The above responses were from twin moms who pumped or breastfed at some point postpartum. When did you get your first postpartum period? How heavy was it, and how long did it last? For twin moms who did not pump or breastfeed: “3 months later. It lasted a week. Very crampy.” — Lindsay “Post 5 months after delivery and it was standard. But I had 3 months of postpartum bleeding.” — Genevieve “About 4 months postpartum and not that heavy, medium flow.” — Burtany “6 weeks. SO heavy and lasted about a week, maybe a day or two more.” — Gabriel “It was about three months after my twins were born. I’ve been all over the map with it. With my first it was 10 weeks and my second it was five months.” — Anonymous “It was around 6 months after each of my pregnancies.” — Anonymous For twin moms who pumped or breastfed: “11 weeks postpartum and it was AWFUL. Lasted about ten days and used 2 boxes of ultra tampons.” — Alison “10 months postpartum, exactly 1 month after starting the weaning process. It was moderate, about 5 days.” — Patricia “About a few weeks after I stopped lactating, it was heavy but not the heaviest (and lasted about 2 weeks).” — Marlin “1 year postpartum.” — Sandra “10 or 11 months later. Spotting and not heavy at first. Later, cycles picked back up.” — RJT “4 months postpartum. It was VERY heavy and painful.” — Jess “Came back at1 year. Lasted 4 days, a lighter flow.” — Alexis “I got my first period again when the twins were 15 months old. I stopped pumping when they were 14 months. That first postpartum period was really heavy, and it came on very suddenly. I used to predictably get periods in the morning when I woke up and this hit out of nowhere in the afternoon.” — Paige “About 8 weeks postpartum.” — Lauren “3 months. Very heavy and painful.” — Pamela “22 months postpartum. Average heaviness and length.” — Dolores “2 years later.” — Laurel “It was 18 months postpartum! It was heavy but not heavier than normal for me.” — Veronica “8 months postpartum once I stopped pumping! Very heavy, lasted about 5 – 6 days!” — Caroline “7 months and still waiting for it!” — Claudia “2 months after. Was extra heavy but the same length (about a week).” — Taylor “11 months into postpartum.” — Sara “11 months postpartum. Super short and light compared to the usual.” — Leila “My boys are almost 4 months and I just started mine yesterday. So far, normal!” — Natalie “9 months. I exclusively breastfed and pumped for both my twins.” — Katie Did anyone get their period while breastfeeding? I’ve heard some stories of most people not getting their period until they stop breastfeeding. “No. Every pregnancy it was like my birth control. Would only come when I stopped breast feeding.” “Yes, with both of my singletons I got my period back at 6 weeks postpartum despite exclusively breastfeeding.” “I’ve been EBF my twins, not even pumping or bottle feeding, and got it back 10 weeks postpartum.” “I’ve been almost exclusively pumping for the twins almost religiously 8 times a day for 2.5 months and mine is not back yet.” “Not with my twins because I only pumped for two months, but I was pumping/breastfeeding my other two when my period came back. I got it back at 10 weeks while pumping my firstborn. The time I breastfed longer was the latest my period came back at 4 months (I breastfed for 9 months).” “Yes. I breastfed all babies. With my singleton it came back at 2 months and with my 8 month twins, it came back at 6 months.” “I got my period at three months postpartum and breastfed until seven months!” “I got my period back right away with both my singletons, even though I exclusively breastfed, but it wasn’t consistent until maybe a year postpartum.” Final thoughts on your first postpartum period after twins Whether you’re still waiting for your period to return or you’re wondering why it came back so soon, know that the exact timing is different for every pregnancy. It all depends on your hormonal fluctuations, your overall… Continue Reading When to Expect Your First Postpartum Period After Twins?

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Breastfeeding While Sick: Twin Mom Edition

Twiniversity — Tue, 20 May 2025 10:05:00 +0000

Struggling with breastfeeding while sick? Or wondering if it’s even safe for you to nurse your twins when you’re ill? Find out all you need to know about being sick while breastfeeding twins! I’m sick while breastfeeding, HELP! Nobody likes being sick. Even us grown adults want a little TLC from our mom or other caregivers when we’re under the weather. But now… you’re a mom to two babies who depend on you for their nutrition. Not to mention that you tried everything in your power not to get sick and yet, here you are. Sniffling. Coughing. Sneezing. And all you want in the world is to take a nap. But alas, you are on call and in demand. What do you do? How can you make it through the next few days or weeks while feeling under the weather? And are you even “allowed” to nurse your babies while you’re sick? You’re about to get answers to all of these questions, so let’s dive into a twin mom’s quick guide to breastfeeding while sick. Is it okay to breastfeed my twins if I’m sick? If you’re a first time mom, or even if this is your 2nd/3rd round of infants, you may be worried about wanting to protect your perfect angels from getting that first bug or bad cold. Perhaps you’re wondering if it’s safe to breastfeed your twinnies while you yourself are sick. The short answer is YES, in most cases! You should of course consult your healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms and medications (whether prescribed or over-the-counter) you are taking/plan to take. Outside of certain infectious diseases, in all likelihood, it shouldn’t be an issue. According to UNICEF, you are able to breastfeed safely with most common illnesses like the cold or flu with proper hygiene. I know we’ve all been scarred from watching those “how to wash your hands” videos from back in the pandemic. But for safety’s sake, here’s some basic guidance on ways you can reduce your chances of passing on your illness to your babies: 1. Handwashing is a must when sick and breastfeeding! Thoroughly washing your hands helps to limit the spread of diarrheal and respiratory infections. 2. Hand-washing is even more important is whenever meal prep is involved. When it comes to breastfeeding twins, while you might not be in the kitchen slicing and dicing your infants’ food, YOU are their main meal on wheels. In short, breastfeeding while sick requires the same precautions. That means: Wash your hands before expressing milk or picking up your baby to breastfeed. 3. Depending on what feels right for you, you could also consider wearing a mask. This could help further prevent the passing of germs (if you’re sneezing or coughing a lot) from you to your twinnies while they’re up close and personal during a feed. 4. As mentioned, talk to your doctor about any medications you are taking while sick. I remember I had to take an antibiotic after my delivery, and before the pharmacist dispensed my medicine, the lactation specialist was consulted to double check that it was safe (breastfeeding-wise) to take said meds. Here’s a list of medications that are typically not recommended if you’re nursing: In general, common OTC pain meds like acetaminophen and ibuprofen and some antibiotics are safe to take while nursing. This is just a starting point to give you an idea though. Your healthcare provider can guide you more on what’s safe or not if you need to take medication while you’re sick and nursing. Is there any benefit to breastfeeding while sick? Maybe at this point, you’re thinking, This seems like too much to deal with when I’m sick. Is it even worth all this trouble? Absolutely no judgment if the answer to that question for you is a no! But whether you’ve been exclusively breastfeeding up to this point or nursing here and there, you should know all the facts. The answer is yes, there actually are benefits to breastfeeding while sick. While a baby could catch sick germs from you in other ways, they will not become ill through your breastmilk. In fact, your breastmilk while sick is really powerful because it contains antibodies that can help them have a smaller chance of catching the same virus. How amazing!? How to actually manage breastfeeding while sick? So let’s say you’ve gotten the okay from your doctor based on the meds you’re taking and your specific illness and you decide you do want to keep up nursing at least a little while you’re sick. But how can you actually make nursing feel manageable while you feel like garbage? Here are a few things you’ll want to consider: 1. Prioritize rest! As best you can, clear your metaphorical plate of any non-essential responsibilities for the next few days or so (i.e. laundry, cleaning outside of what’s necessary to keep sick germs at bay, non-urgent errands, etc.). Use any second of extra time that you have to allow your body to rest. This should help you recover from your illness more quickly. 2. Stay hydrated! Hydration is already super important when you’re nursing, but when your body is fighting something off, it’s even more critical to stay hydrated! Opt for lots of water, broths, and fluids that have extra electrolytes. 3. Ask for help! Some parents have more support than others. Whatever your situation may be, ask whoever you can for help with extra tasks that can lighten your load for a few days. If you have friends or family that live close who can support you. Maybe task them with helping you with dinner or in assisting with the care of your twins or other children. If you’re not exclusively breastfeeding, do more pumping instead and ask your spouse or partner or another family member to help feed the babies. Make sure if you transition to pumping more that you keep to a similar schedule as before to avoid developing clogged ducts or… Continue Reading Breastfeeding While Sick: Twin Mom Edition

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Storing and Reheating Breastmilk: What You Should Know

Twiniversity — Tue, 06 May 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Whether you use an electronic or manual breast pump, here are the need-to-knows for safely storing and reheating breastmilk, thawing breast milk, and preparing frozen breast milk. How do you handle breast milk? Not necessarily a table topic that comes up regularly. It’s more that type of information you don’t know you need to know until you’re IN IT. Once your production fully kicks in after a few weeks, a lot of twin moms start to pump in conjunction with breastfeeding. This allows your body to keep up with the growing appetite of your babies and to have reserves on hand for bottle-feeding or for saving for future use. You could try asking your mom or other wise moms who’ve been down this path to help you with some tips, but of course, sometimes the information they have could be outdated or forgotten (because early motherhood can be a blur, can’t it?!). Or perhaps you’ve already met with your hospital lactation specialist who gave you a quick rundown of breastmilk basics. But once you’re discharged from the hospital, it’s on you to figure out how to make breastfeeding, pumping, and storing breastmilk work. The good news is storing and reheating breast milk doesn’t have to be complicated. After all, women have been feeding their babies with breastmilk since the beginning of time. But just as with any other food or drink you consume, knowing the expiration date and shelf life is a good place to start. That’s why we wanted to share the essentials you need to know for safely handling and reheating your liquid gold so you can ensure your babies’ safety! Breastmilk storage overview Below is a summary of the latest guidance from experts like the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for how long you can safely store breastmilk at room temperature, in the fridge, and in the freezer. What you’re starting with Can last at room temp. for… Can be refrigerated for… Can be frozen for… Freshly expressed milk Up to 4 hours Up to 4 days 6 – 9 months for a regular freezer12 months for a deep freezer Frozen/thawed milk 1 – 2 hours Ideally within 24 hours (from when it was completely thawed, not when you first move it to the fridge), but up to 48 -72 hours is okay Never – should never refreeze previously frozen/thawed breastmilk But there’s probably a little more on your mind than just these numbers, so keep reading for a deeper dive! Storing breastmilk safely Whether your twins are your first babies or you’re already a seasoned parent, ensuring a clean environment is incredibly important for maintaining the safety of your babies’ primary source of food. 1. Everything should be clean and baby-safe! First things first, wash your hands and start with clean pump parts. Then, make sure the breastmilk storing container or breastmilk storage bags you plan to use are clean. A lot of baby bottle and breast pump brands sell their own version of breastmilk storage bags like Dr. Brown’s, Lansinoh, Mom Cozy, and Medela. These types of storage bags are great options since they are designed to be free of BPAs and harmful chemicals and specifically used for babies. But there are other safe non-plastic options out there too like glass breastmilk storage bottles and silicone breastmilk storage bags and breastmilk cube trays (which could be great for when your twinnies are teething)! One type of storage container to be careful of is those those plastic bottle liners (aka “drop-ins.”) I haven’t seen these in a very long time, but if you plan to use these, they aren’t recommended for safe breastmilk storage, thawing, and reheating. And if you have no idea what I’m talking about, that’s for the better, so just keep reading! 2. Decide where you will be storing the milk and for how long. If you decide to use your pumped breastmilk that same day, you can store it in your refrigerator for up to 4 hours (according to the CDC). You can always check with your own pediatrician or lactation specialist for their best recommendations as well. If you don’t plan to use your expressed milk that day, then label the storage bag or container with the date and time and freeze it right away. 3. Placement matters! If you will be using the freezer or fridge, it’s best to place the breastmilk more in the back or in a storage compartment that you don’t open as much. Why? Great question. You know how your ice cream container that you keep in the front for easy access gets those weird frosty crystals after a while? That’s because the fluctuating temperature nearest the freezer door can cause freezer burn. Think about it like this: the door is definitely the worst place to control temperature because you’re constantly opening and shutting the door. You can always check out the specific guidelines for your unique fridge or freezer. Whirlpool and other brands have great info on best use of their products on their sites. 4. Use a helpful labeling system! The other rule of thumb with using breastmilk is the FIFO method (First In, First Out). That’s where labeling the correct date on your breastmilk storage bags or containers comes in handy. Since breastmilk has a shelf life, you want to use the oldest breastmilk first. The one you expressed/pumped a week ago is already a week older than the one you just expressed and put away. Therefore, labeling is key! It’ll help you remember when that bag was stored and keep you from having to throw out any expired bags. Breastfeeding is hard work, Mama! Your hard work should not be put to waste. Lansinoh actually has a super helpful breastmilk storage container that’s first in, first out friendly and that provides extra freezer protection! How to thaw breastmilk safely? Okay, so let’s say you do plan to freeze some of your breastmilk, let’s talk about how to go… Continue Reading Storing and Reheating Breastmilk: What You Should Know

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