What Do Triplet Parents Need?
Life changes when you have a baby! When you have triplets, you can multiply those changes by three. Becoming a parent of triplets can feel like unknown territory. Being prepared is key for making the transition into the parenthood of multiples as smooth as possible. Check out these triplet must-haves!
We've put together a few triplet must-haves to help you as you prepare for your new adventure!
1. Formula & Formula Maker
If you're not planning to nurse your child, a stockpile of formula is essential for all new parents and critical for parents of triplets! Some moms of multiples suggest having enough for two weeks' worth on hand for each baby.
With that formula, you will want a formula maker. A formula maker is a machine that blends the correct amount of formula and water, producing the perfect bottle in seconds.
2. Breast Milk
Breastfeeding moms need a hospital-grade breast pump. Compared to a standard breast pump, a hospital-grade breast pump is larger and has a more powerful motor.
These breast pumps have a reputation for being more efficient and effective. They can help new mothers produce more milk in a shorter time.
3. Swings, Bouncy Seats, Floor Seats
When taking care of triplets, having a safe place to set one baby down to pick up another is non-negotiable.
Some tools to help new parents care for one baby while setting down another include:
- swings
- bouncy seats
- floor seats
- play mats
Having multiples of these items in rooms where you will likely need them is an excellent idea.
While these useful items are essential, leaving babies unattended is not recommended. It is critical to always keep the babies within eyesight and never use these devices for sleep time.
4. Keebos Crossbody Phone Case
Here is the problem nobody warns you about: with triplets you almost never have a free hand. You are holding one baby and reaching for another, and your phone is in a pocket you cannot get to, on a changing table in the other room, or wedged under a cushion. The camera moment passes, and when the phone finally rings you have to put a baby down to answer it.
A Keebos crossbody phone case hangs on an adjustable strap across your body, so the phone is on you and reachable with one hand at any point in the day. It has a sealable wallet on the back for up to six cards, which means no bag to grab on the way out, and an elastic finger strap so you can hold it securely with two fingers while your other arm is full.
$49.90, free US shipping, 30 day money back guarantee. If you already own a case you like, the universal strap is $34.90 and attaches to it. A tree is planted with every purchase.
"I have a baby and I'm the type of person that I hate bringing bags when I go shopping, it's too much for me. All I need is my phone and a card. And I usually wear sportswear that most of them doesn't have a pocket. So THIS REALLY HELPS."
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"This phone case is a game-changer, keeps my phone secure and easily accessible while juggling errands or kids."
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We have a fuller guide on this: the best phone case for moms with twins, triplets and quadruplets.
5. Baby Clothes
"How much baby clothes do I need?" This is a question often pondered by new moms with one baby. If you're having triplets, multiply all estimates by three!
Several factors to consider when planning baby clothes:
- How many times per week will you do laundry?
- What are the seasons like where you live?
How often you plan to do laundry will allow you to increase or decrease the number of baby clothes needed. Also, warmer or cooler months may affect how many layers you need for your babies.
Many parents prefer to stay home with their newborns rather than go out. Still, many clothing items are needed. The at-home time with a newborn lends itself to needing clothing items like:
- Onesies: onesies used to be boring, now they are so cute! They are easy for babies and new parents.
- Footed sleepers: great for bedtime and nap time because babies' feet stay covered, helping them stay warm and hopefully sleep better.
- Baby blankets: not a clothing item, but in this case, they should be! Parents always need a blanket for their baby. Like baby clothes, baby blankets need washing often for various reasons, so you'll need lots of them.
- Bibs: newborns need bibs all the time for spit-up, drool, and bottle drips.
- Burp cloths: cloth diapers work well for this job too.
Identical triplet tip: dress your babies in different colors! You'll be able to tell them apart more easily.
6. Triplet Stroller
There are only a few options for triplet strollers, and not all of them will hold infant car seats. But baby car seat and stroller compatibility are important. Many parents want to keep their babies strapped in the car seat when using the stroller at their destination.
Parents of multiples have limited options when it comes to strollers. Understanding stroller safety, as well as reading consumer reviews for all stroller options, will help you make this important decision.
Here a suggestion
7. Car Seats
Can you fit three car seats across a row in a vehicle? If you have the right vehicle and the right seats, the answer is yes. Measuring is vital when choosing car seats for your triplets. Planning where you will put them in the car and accurately measuring the space will help you choose the right seats for your family.
BabyCenter has an excellent resource: their Best 3-Across Car Seats article. Use it as a reference when you shop.
8. A Chart for Feeding and Diaper Changing
Less for scheduling and more for keeping track. A chart will help you know who was fed and changed and when! This can be difficult with one newborn. Having three makes it even more challenging! There are many free downloadable charts available online.
9. Changing Stations Everywhere
Multiple changing tables are a great idea when you have someone around to help with changing times! Another idea is having many changing stations located all over the house. Placing them in areas where you spend the most time will be a tremendous help!
Changing station essentials:
- Wipeable changing pad
- Lots of diapers
- Wipes
- Extra clothes
- Soft toy or rattle
- Diaper pail
- Bin for dirty laundry
- Diaper cream or ointment
- Hand sanitizer & lotion for you!
10. Cribs, Sleeping Arrangements, and Sleeping Aids
Newborns eat and sleep a lot, then as babies grow, sleeping and naps remain a significant part of their days and nights. Sleep times are not only crucial for them but for you!
Some parents of triplets choose to have three separate cribs from the start, while others prefer to have their babies sleep in the same crib. Whatever your choice is, the important thing is to have a plan! Even when things don't always go according to plan, having one in place will help you be flexible with your babies' needs.
Sleep aids and alternatives to cribs include:
- Sound machines
- White noise machines
- Bassinettes
- Co-sleeping
- Pack-n-plays
- Blackout curtains
11. Smart Baby Monitors
Baby monitors give parents peace of mind when putting their babies down for naps or nighttime in a different room. Smart baby monitors provide new parents with live video feeds, room temperature readings, two-way communication, and night vision.
Some options have multiple cameras for optimal viewing from different angles. Others have remote control capabilities to move the camera view around without entering the room.
12. Self-care for parents
Having a baby is a fast way to lose sight of self-care. Having three babies makes it seem impossible! However, self-care is a much-needed part of parenting. It can be as simple as signing up for food and grocery delivery or splurging on a new streaming service.
Newborn parents' self-care also includes asking for help when needed! Taking care of triplets is hard for anyone, and as the saying goes, more hands make light work. Ask for help. Chances are your family and friends want to help! They may just be waiting for you to ask.
This list briefly scratches the surface, covering the many "needs" you will have as parents of three newborns. The reality is that "needs" are relative - they change from person to person, situation to situation. Parenting requires flexibility! We hope this helps you!
Another great tool to add to your list is a hands-free way to carry your phone! You will want to have it handy to take all those newborn pictures, and having a hands-free way to keep it close is essential when you've got your hands busy with triplets!
Check out all Keebos Crossbody Phone Cases Here
Triplet Parent FAQ
Do you need three of everything for triplets?
No. Three of the things that hold a baby safely, yes: three car seats, three sleep spaces, and enough swings, bouncy seats or floor seats to put one baby down while you pick up another. Clothing and blankets scale with how often you do laundry rather than strictly by three. Big single items like a changing table or a monitor system usually do not need tripling, though a second changing station upstairs saves a lot of stairs.
What is the hardest part of the first year with triplets?
Most parents of multiples say it is the logistics rather than the babies: keeping track of who was fed and changed and when, and never having a free hand. A simple feeding and diaper chart solves the first. The second is worth planning for, because almost everything you own assumes you can hold it.
How do you carry your phone when your hands are always full?
Wear it. A crossbody phone case hangs on an adjustable strap across your body, so the phone stays on you and can be reached with one hand while your other arm is holding a baby. It also means the phone is not left on a changing table in another room, which is where phones go missing in a house with newborns.
What is the best phone case for a triplet mom?
A crossbody case with a strap, a wallet and a finger strap covers the three things that actually come up: the phone is reachable one-handed, your cards are on the back so there is no bag to grab, and the finger strap keeps it secure when you are holding it with two fingers. The Keebos crossbody case is $49.90 with free US shipping, or $34.90 for a universal strap that attaches to a case you already own.
How much formula do triplets need?
Parents of multiples commonly suggest keeping about two weeks of formula on hand per baby, so roughly six weeks of supply in total for triplets. A formula maker is worth it at this volume, since it mixes a correct bottle in seconds and you will be making a lot of them.
1 comment
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