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"&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;As a parent of baby twins, you\u2019ll face many challenges. Sleepless nights, mountains of dirty &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/deciding-what-kind-of-diapers-to-use-for-twins-2447448&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot;&amp;gt;diapers&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, simultaneous screaming ... all of the trials of infancy are doubled. And in the middle of these trying times, it can be a struggle to complete basic tasks. What seems to be a fairly manageable chore with one baby, is a daunting mission when you\u2019re juggling two babies. For example, shopping. When there\u2019s only one of you, but two of them, how do you manage to transport both babies, a &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/packing-a-diaper-bag-for-twins-2447461&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot;&amp;gt;bag&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, and your purchases?&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Here are some strategies for shopping with twins in tow...&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;Timing is Everything&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;To ensure success when you\u2019re shopping with twins, find the right time. There are two factors to consider when identifying the ideal time to shop, and you\u2019ll need to coordinate both elements. First, what works with your babies\u2019 schedules? Many parents of multiples strive to employ &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/how-to-get-your-twins-on-a-schedule-2447433&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;3&amp;quot;&amp;gt;regular schedules&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; with their babies, and one result of this strategy is that they can anticipate when their babies are most likely to be hungry, sleepy or grumpy. Can you ascertain what time of day will\u00A0 be most favorable for your twinfants? The ideal time will be different for every family, and will likely change over time as your babies grow and develop. Avoid shopping when you know your babies will get fussy ... for example, right before a feeding, or when they\u2019re overtired. If the stimulation of a shopping trip will interrupt a nap, that\u2019s not a good time to shop. However, if you have twins that will doze in their stroller or car seats, you can time your shopping trip to incorporate a nap time.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Unfortunately, the world doesn\u2019t always run according to your twins\u2019 schedule. The other component to timing a shopping outing is store operations. The ideal time for your twins may be 6 am, but you\u2019re not going to accomplish much at the mall at that hour. Similarly, your expedition will take twice as long if you have to battle traffic or long lines at the grocery store if you hit the store during rush hour. So identify quiet, less crowded times during operating hours ... and try to find a window of time that also meshes with your twins\u2019 schedules.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;Plan and Prepare&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Like many activities in life, preparation is the key to success. As the saying goes, \u201CFailure to prepare is preparing to fail.\u201D Your shopping expedition will be much more efficient if you do a little prep and planning.\u00A0 Make a list. Plot a route so that you don\u2019t have to backtrack through the store.\u00A0 Shopping with twins in tow can leave you feeling frazzled, and a list will help you keep on task. And ensure that you don\u2019t arrive home having forgotten any essential items!&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;Park Strategically&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Your shopping success strategy begins even before you enter the store. Where you park can help ease your transition from the car to the building, Parking lots are filled with dangers and with twins,\u00A0 you literally have your hands full managing two children. Don\u2019t look for a parking spot closest to the building. Rather, try to park near a shopping cart corral, if they are located in the parking lot. You\u2019ll have a cart right at hand rather than having to wrangle the babies into the building to find one. You can leave the babies strapped safely in their seats in the car while you grab a cart. If you\u2019re going to utilize a shopping cart to hold your purchases, it\u2019s easier to acquire one that\u2019s been returned to a corral in the parking lot, and quicker to return it once you\u2019ve completed your shopping.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Even if you\u2019re not using a shopping cart for your errands, parking near the cart corral can be advantageous. Often, there\u2019s a bit of extra space so that you don\u2019t have another vehicle crowded next to your car, giving you more room to maneuver your babies in and out of a double stroller. And, there\u2019s less worry about other cars coming in and out of parking spaces next to you ... at least on that one side of your car.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;Shopping Options&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;So what do you do with the babies while you\u2019re shopping? There are several approaches, and the right strategy will depend on the age and size of your babies.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ol&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Forgo the Cart!&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt; Use your &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/double-strollers-for-twins-2446747&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;4&amp;quot;&amp;gt;double stroller&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; for a dual purpose. If you\u2019re just buying a few things, and you have a stroller with ample storage, you can push the babies in their stroller and load up the stroller with your purchases. This is a great option for younger babies in car seat carriers, especially if you use a &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/travel-system-strollers-for-twins-2447366&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;5&amp;quot;&amp;gt;travel system stroller&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;. However, it really restricts your purchasing power; you\u2019re limited to only a few, small items. You won\u2019t get far if you need to stock up at a warehouse store like Sam\u2019s Club, BJs or Costco.&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Double Stroller/Cart Combo:&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt; It may be awkward, but it can be done. Keep the babies in their stroller, and use a cart for the groceries. For this approach, you\u2019ll need a fairly lightweight, maneuverable stroller that you can push with one hand. And it works best with a smaller, lighter grocery cart (particularly one that rolls straight!) Most moms who utilize this approach recommend a push/pull technique: push the babies in the stroller and pull the shopping cart with the groceries. You might get some strange looks from other shoppers, but if you persevere, you\u2019ll get your shopping done ... and\u00A0 those strangers are probably admiring your Super Mom capabilities anyway!&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt; &amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Kids in the Cart:&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt; If your babies are still in infant carrier car seats, they can go straight from the car into the cart. (That\u2019s why you want to park near the cart corral!) While some carts are designed to accommodate an infant seat in the front of the basket, you\u2019ve got TWO babies in seats. You\u2019ll have to put one in the main basket compartment. So then what do you do with the food? Gently place it around the car seat (no tossing cans or jars into the basket!) Again, space limitations will restrict the quantity and size of your purchases, but careful arrangement will allow you to maximize your load.&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;While plenty of parents of twins use this technique, shopping carts have their drawbacks. Be advised that several organizations recommend against using car seat carriers in shopping carts due to\u00A0the risk of falls. Always keep a close eye on your children when they\u2019re in a shopping cart.\u00A0Once your babies outgrow their car seats, the ride in a shopping cart becomes a bit tricker. &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/my-wish-for-double-shopping-carts-everywhere-2447222&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;6&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Double shopping carts &amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;are available in some stores, and moms of twins everywhere rejoice when they score one.\u00A0 &amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Carrier/Cart Combo:&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt; An alternative to putting both babies in the shopping cart is to use a baby carrier (such as a sling for infants, or a backpack carrier for an older baby) for one baby, and position the other in the cart. This approach does keep your hands free, and also provides an opportunity for snuggling. You\u2019ll have to use your own judgment to ascertain which baby will ride where ... if possible try to alternate\u00A0so that each child gets carrier time.\u00A0\u00A0so that each child gets carrier time.\u00A0&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/ol&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;Alternatives to Shopping with Twins&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Sometimes, it\u2019s just too much of a hassle to shop with twins. Fortunately, you have other\u00A0options. Consider online shopping. While it may not be a feasible alternative for day-to-day grocery needs, you can use online ordering to shop for some of your bigger, bulkier items and nonperishables. Think diapers, cleaning supplies,\u00A0&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;You can even get groceries delivered. Services such as &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.peapod.com/index.jhtml&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;externalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;7&amp;quot; rel=&amp;quot;nofollow&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Peapod&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; and &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;http://www.netgrocer.com&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;externalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;8&amp;quot; rel=&amp;quot;nofollow&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Netgrocer&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; allow you to shop for food online, and then have it delivered to your home, saving you a trip to the store. This is an excellent option when it\u2019s simply too difficult to get out and about with baby twins. In addition, many local stores offer an online ordering program where you can select your groceries online, then pick up your items at the store. You\u2019ll still have to take the babies out in the car, but will avoid the challenges of navigating the store with them.\u00A0&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Finally, consider getting some help while you shop. This is an ideal opportunity for employing a young teen as a &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-is-a-mothers-helper-617066&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;9&amp;quot;&amp;gt;mother\u2019s helper&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, an extra set of hands to assist you during the shopping process. He or she can even sit in the car with the babies while you shop inside, or accompany you into the store and push an extra cart. It\u2019s well worth the cost, and a good way for younger babysitters to obtain some experience with baby care.\u00A0&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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