For Pregnant Triplet Moms: Answers to Some FAQs

I just found this old e-mail with my answers to some "questions" from other pregnant triplet moms. Hope some of the info is helpful! :)
–Cheryl, mom of 5-year-old GGB triplets

1. What did you find that you really used three of?
3 bouncys, 3 boppys, 3 bumbos, 3 high chairs, 2 swings, 1 "tummy time mat," and 2 exersaucers. I just rotated the babies between the "stations" I had set up. It worked great.

2. Did you have just one crib? If you did have just one, how long were you able to keep them all in it?
I had a "mini crib" that was in our room that all 3 slept together in for the first month. I then transferred them into a full-size crib (still in our room) that all 3 shared until 4 months. By 4 months...they were sleeping through the night but also rolling all over each other and waking each other up...so we separated them and put them in their own cribs in their own room. My triplets shared a bedroom (all 3 cribs in 1 room) until they were 3 years old.

3. I know I need 3 carseats and will need 3 high chairs and bouncy seats, but what about swings?
Yes, obviously 3 carseats & high chairs (I didn't have room for 3 full-size high chairs and that's why I opted for the kind that attach to a "normal" chair). The swing thing, well, all babies are different. Some love swings and others hate 'em....so it could be a wasted investment. Test one before buying any. I ended up buying one and borrowing one.

4. And what kind of car do you have?
A mini van! :) The newer Toyota Sienna's have room for 8. You need a spacious mini-van. Most triplet moms with SUV's say it's a HUGE pain and most all have given into the mini-van lifesyle! :) (Ya gotta get the "Got Triplets?" bumper stickers! :)

5. Speaking of, what kind of strollers did you get?
I had the triplet Peg Perego. I bought it new (plus the carseats) and spent around $1000. SUCKS! I would TOTALLY get one used if possible. (Check craigslist.com?) I'd send an e-mail out to our moms in San Diego to see if anyone is selling one. I also got a double and single umbrella stroller for when I was out and about with my husband or parents. Plus I bought a triplet jogger for the park. Plus I got a giant wagon with a shade and trailer on it. Yikes. I went a little overboard. :) What I liked about the Peg Perego triplet is I could go anywhere by myself easily. The 3 carseats just clicked in and off I went. It was easy and convenient. Once they outgrew their carseats...it was a little more work assembling the Peg...but I still liked the look of it and the ability to be out and about by myself. The kids got too heavy to push in it by around 2 yrs.- 2 1/2 yrs. old. I have friends that LOVE the runabout -- but it's not the most attractive stroller :(

6. My other questions (for now) are body-related. When did you begin to show? Was it way earlier than people with just one baby?
I was in full-blown maternity clothes by 12 weeks. I grew pretty fast....and I was quite excited to show off my belly since I was "FINALLY" pregnant after 5 years of trying and treatments. :) You will show early and get used to people asking really personal and annoying questions.... "are they natural/real?" "will you breastfeed" "do triplets run in your family?" "I'm glad I'm not you." "You poor thing, you have your hands full."

UGH! That’s a quick rundown, but hopefully it’s a starting point for you. One last thing:

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Triplets! :)

how to get from here to there (and back again)

Transporting three babies, or small children, at once can be a daunting task unless, you have the appropriate equipment. And even then, some people might opt for a root canal.

As any triplet parent will tell you, getting out of the house every so often is critical for your mental health. As any triplet parent will also tell you, having the right equipment can mean the difference between going out in the world or going completely out of your mind by staying inside all the time.

Very soon, young babies will grow in to roaming toddlers and then, exploring preschoolers that may or may not want to ride in a stroller. And even though a young child may be fully capable of walking, sometimes the parents of those young children would prefer that they are contained. If not for the child's safety ... for the parent's sanity.

This is a partial listing of some different means (with advantages / disadvantages) to accomplish the simple task of taking a walk to the mailbox with your children.

Peg Perego Triplette
Advantage: works with infant carriers, in-line, collapsible, good sun protection offered by removable canopy shades, seats fully recline.

Disadvantage: Very heavy to push as children grow older.

RunAbout
Advantage: maneuverable, in-line, heavy duty, sun protection canopy can be purchased separately.

Disadvantage: not designed to hold small infants, seats do not recline, doesn't collapse and may require tow hitch to transport.


Triple Jogger
Advantage: heavy duty stroller, good on a variety of terrains, many brands come with a sun shade.

Disadvantage: limitation on how much seats can recline, not designed to hold small infants, width may prohibit use in certain areas (i.e. stores), can be difficult to transport without disassembly.


Triple Decker
Advantage: maneuverable, in-line, moderate duty, holds infant carriers, can also hold larger seats for when children outgrow car seats.

Disadvantage: Weight restriction on larger seats(?), no sun protection if larger seats are used.


Choo-Choo Wagon
Advantage: kids LOVE it, has seat belts and cup holders for each individual compartment, comes apart easily and can fit in the back of a van.

Disadvantage: cannot be used until children are able to sit up on their own, no sun protection, may be difficult to pull as children grow older.


Safety Harness
Advantage: great way of keeping a handle on children that are able to walk. Cost is around $5.00 per harness.

Disadvantage: you may be criticized for walking your child like a dog. Also, with multiple children, chances are great they will get tangled quickly and fall down in a crying heap. But, with time and practice, they will learn to sit, stay and heel.


Walking Rope
Advantage: Each child gets to pick a favorite color, then just announce "grab your color" when it's time to go. The five-ring version fits right in your diaper bag or in the car door for easy storage. Never once do you hear "so, you're walking the dogs?" comment. Unless, of course you also happen to be walking dogs, while you are walking your children. These are relatively inexpensive at less than $20.

Disadvantage: Sometimes a lagging child will get "pulled" by the rest of the chain gang. Also, the children must be willing to hold the rings, unlike a harness, where if they won't walk - you can just drag them along.


Walkodile
Advantage: great way of keeping a handle on multiple children that are able to walk without the risk of them getting tangled up.

Disadvantage: Not yet available in the US. If it was, would you buy one??

** Now in the comment section, it would be great if you could add some experiences that you have with any of the strollers listed above >> or >> any other strollers that worked for you. I can go back and edit this post with whatever comments you have, links & pictures. I think price & age range would also be useful... feedback?? ***