There’s no point beating about the bush - taking out newborn twins can be quite daunting. The more prepared and organised you are, the better the experience it will be for all of you, and the more likely you will be to go out again. Here are some tips on getting out of the house with your newborn twins.

Don’t rush it
Wait until you feel comfortable with the idea of braving the public. It’s not uncommon to want to stay at home with them for 6 weeks or more before actually taking them out to the local shopping centre. Don't stay out for too long.

Get help
Choose a time when your partner or a parent or friend can come with you, as to take out twins on your own can be a bit nerve racking. If one baby is unsettled for the entire trip, you can focus your attention on them while your helper looks after the second baby.

Choose your venue
The first few times you do go out, if possible go somewhere you are comfortable and can get support from family members and some down time for you. Don’t be too adventurous at the start – visiting the local shopping centre is better than taking them off to a concert or the library!

Plan ahead
If possible, feed your babies before you go, making sure they are settled and happy. Give yourself plenty of time to get ready, and be prepared for those unplanned occurrences which always seem to happen just before you are going out.

Respect the baby bag
Take the essentials for the first few weeks, unless you are visiting someone who is fully equipped for babies. Don’t take out your entire nursery and when at home, keep your bag packed and stocked ready to go. Twin parents learn to ‘respect’ their baby bag as life revolves around it in the early days and there’s nothing worse than leaving something behind. Try to pack light where you can, otherwise you won’t be able to find anything and it will be heavy to carry.

Packing your twin baby bag
Over-packing your bag will make it cumbersome, heavy and disorganised. In addition if you are carrying a heavy bag, it will be uncomfortable and place unnecessary strain on ligaments and muscles already delicate from your pregnancy and birth.

Suggestions for what to pack in your twin baby bag
- 6-8 nappies, depending on how long your outing is going to be (1 for every 2 hours per baby is a good guide)
- small container of baby wipes, but remember the usual compact travel containers are designed for one baby so you might need some spares in the pram as a back up
- soft, waterproof changing pad or disposable one if you prefer
- soft nappy cloth/towel to protect yourself when feeding and burping, and to clean up accidents
- nappy rash cream – a sample tube from your hospital bounty bag should be enough for travelling
- 2-3 changes of clothing depending on the length of your trip; if you have boy/girl twins, unisex clothes are great for the baby bag otherwise you have to pack double the amount
- sealed, waterproof bag for soiled clothing and nappy disposal
- 4-6 bibs
- 2 baby wraps or blankets
- dummies and pouches to store them in
- small comfort toys, teething rings
- a sun hat for each baby in warm weather or warmer hat for colder weather
- another shirt or top for yourself
- water for you and or the babies
- mobile phone, wallet and keys, of course
- formula sachets or container and an insulated bottle bag for milk bottles if feeding, plus an optional 1L flask of warm/hot water to make up the bottles if you’re going somewhere without the facilities to heat up the bottles

Check out our range of fashionable but twin-friendly baby bags, which all have twin insulated bottle bags and extra large clothes pouches just for twins. Our bags are also designed light to minimize the overall weight once packed, and suitable to fit over the handles of twin-strollers.