Amy Martin, Author at Two Little Pandas

Packing List for the Beach

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The sun is out, and hopefully, that means you have a little beach time coming up! Our family lives for beach time! We put together this helpful beach packing list to make sure you have everything you need (and some of the things that are just really nice to have) to make your next beach trip a success.

Must haves

Beach Bag

Pick something large, comfortable to carry, and gender-neutral. You’ll want gender-neutral so that NO one in your group will be afraid to help carry that bag (otherwise mom might end up carrying it every time and can’t have that!) Don’t pick anything too fancy since it’s going to get covered in sand and potentially saltwater. You don’t want a beach bag that will get ruined by actually being used on the beach. You’ll also want either some smaller pockets in your beach bag, or a smaller bag you can stick inside to organize electronics, wallets, or any other smaller items you don’t want floating around the bottom of the bag. And if you can find something insulated, even better.

My preference is a simple mesh bag. The mesh ensures we don’t bring home ALL of the sand from the beach, and means minimal cleaning of the bag. I love this simple bag.

Somewhere to sit

No one wants a sandy butt, so bring anything you can to sit on. Bring a beach blanket that is large enough for everyone in your group, plus extra space for the stuff. We love this travel-friendly beach blanket that folds up small, and is big enough for a family.

Another great option is this amazing inflatable lounger. They are actually super cool! They have a huge opening, you can inflate them in a matter of seconds (no blowing into a tube forever), and they are surprisingly tough, and comfortable. Plus they fold up semi-small for travel.

Towels

Beach towels are kind of a given. But make sure they are on your list so they aren’t accidentally forgotten! It’s best to bring one for everyone in the group, plus maybe an extra for those that are in and out of the water all day. But if you love traveling light, don’t mind air drying, and you have a great place to sit, you can probably get away with fewer towels.

Often vacation rentals or beach hotels will stock beach towels for your use. We always look for places that include beach towels because packing your own takes up SO MUCH valuable suitcase space. However, for little guys, we sometimes make an exception. Our boys have these adorable poncho-style fox towels and they LOVE them. They are really great for kids who need to warm up and dry off, but do not want to sit still. Plus they really are cute!

Sunglasses, hats, and sun-protective clothing

Make sure everyone in your family is protected from the sun with UV protective gear. Wearing UV protective clothing is the best way to protect your skin from the sun and it minimizes the amount of sunscreen you need as well, to protect the reef, ocean animals, and your wallet.

Rash guards are great because they dry quickly, are comfortable to wear swimming or as soon as you get out of the water, and are available in all styles and colors.

You’ll also want a great hat to protect the top of your head. And sunglasses with UV protection for you and your kid’s eyes. We love Babiators for kids because they are indestructible (and if you DO manage to destroy them, they will be replaced for free), and offer 100% UVA/UVB protection. Plus they are super cute!

Babiators- perfect for a day at the beach

Sunscreen

The state of Hawaii and the city of Key West are mandating only reef-safe sunblock be sold beginning in 2021. But no matter which beach you are visiting, it’s important to do your part to protect sea life and reefs. And it’s easy to do now, with tons of great reef-friendly options! We love Sun Bum products– they have tons of great options that will make the switch over to reef-friendly easy for your family!

Elastic for hair

If you or anyone in your family has long hair, the sun and the wind and the water is gonna tangle it just 100%. Pull it back to try to manage SOME of the tangles, or at least keep it out of your face until you can properly deal with it.

Chapstick

The wind and the sun can do a number on your lips. Bring chapstick for the whole family to keep those lips from cracking.

Hand Lotion

When getting in and out of the water and playing in the sand, my skin gets SO dry. Hand lotion helps keep me more comfortable and prevents any cracking from extreme dryness after a day at the beach

Toys

The beach is the best place to play with toys, according to my kiddos. And if you are traveling to the beach, beach toys don’t have to be anything special. Small monster trucks are always on our travel list because they are such a hit with my boys, and can be played with nearly anywhere.

monster truck should be on your beach packing list

Buckets and shovels are also so great to have. If we can’t take buckets and shovels in our suitcase, or rent them at a resort, we stop by a Target, or similar, and pick up a set. Typically, we can find something for around $10-20. At the end of our vacation, we look around for a family that is just beginning their vacation and doesn’t have sand toys. We love passing the toys on to someone who will love them ensuring that those toys are getting at least a few more days of use.

For trips where we can bring our own gear, we like quality buckets and shovels that can stand a little digging in the sand or rocks without snapping or bending. We love these strange looking, but very sturdy shovels.

If you are looking for something a little bit different, bigger bouncy balls that float are a surprisingly fun beach toy. Big beach balls are perfect for all ages. Boomerangs, kites, construction truck toys, or any favorite toy you don’t mind getting a little sandy are all great options.

Life jackets

Don’t forget life jackets, especially for younger kids or kids that are heading out into deeper water. If you are heading out in a kayak, paddleboard, or any kind of boat, they are often required.

Footwear

The footwear you need depends on the specifics of the beach you are visiting. For rocky beaches, tide pool beaches, or anything that isn’t just soft sand, you’ll want a quality sandal. My kids absolutely love their Crocs– they protect their toes, have enough traction for climbing around, and are totally fine to go 100% into the water. Plus they come in so many fun colors and prints. And Crocs are great for adults too!

Another great protective sandal are Keens. They are comfortable and high quality, and perfect for playing in the rocks, or even hiking.

If you are visiting perfect sandy beaches, you will just want something to protect your feet from hot sand, and to wear home. I love Sanuk flip flops because they are SO comfortable and well made- I am completely obsessed with mine and wear mine constantly in the summer (even when people are telling me I NEED sneakers, like while walking around Disneyland)

An insulated water bottle

On a hot day, a bottle of water that has been heated in the sun just ISN’T what you are gonna want. Keep your water ice cold with a fantastic water bottle. ours nearby.

If you are REALLY thirsty like me, you’ll want to bring some extra water to refill. Just make sure your Hydroflask is FULL of ice so you’ll be able to cool the warmer water that you are refilling with.

Snacks that don’t melt in the sun

When you are traveling, you probably won’t have a cooler to bring with you to the beach. But you can be sure the kids are gonna work up an appetite out there swimming and playing in the sand. So make sure you bring some snacks that aren’t going to get smashed or melted in the sun. We love Clif bars (ok they might melt a TINY bit but they’ll be fine), dried fruit, and nuts because they can take a beating and still taste great.

A small first aid kit

Probably just some baby wipes, some Neosporin, and a few bandaids will be enough. It seems like someone is going to end up with some kind of cut or scrape. It’s nice to have everything you need to fix them up on the spot.

Nice to have items- if you have the space

Beach chairs for everyone

Having a chair for yourself and all your stuff is luxury at the beach! You can hang your beach bag on the back, and keep everything (relatively) sand-free, and dry. It’s great to have a really comfortable spot to watch your kiddos play while you relax, and maybe even read a book or something

Beach Umbrella or Shelter

Having a spot for some shade is so nice to have at the beach. At some point, everyone gets kinda sunned out, it seems. Or at least could use a few minutes break from the sun. Taking a few minutes in the shade can help you feel refreshed and ready for more. A 3-sided tent is great for families with babies or younger toddlers who need more shade. Standard umbrellas tend to get blown around and won’t stay put, so you’ll want something sturdy. We like

Cooler with yummy snacks

A cooler with cold drinks, and cold, fresh snacks is such a refreshing treat at the beach. I love eating fresh fruit, and maybe a nice picnic lunch while relaxing on the beach. I like bringing a lightweight, roller cooler, or cooler bag to the beach. The extreme coolers that can keep things cold are just not necessary for a day at the beach, and the extra weight makes lugging stuff from the car that much harder. The Yeti cooler bag is perfect for a day at the beach.

A cheaper cooler that’s not too big, and has wheels to help with transport to the beach is also a good option. It’ll keep snacks cold for the day no problem, and it doubles as an extra seat.

A camping table

A little table for the great snacks and beach picnic mentioned above means so many LESS plates accidentally knocked in the sand by an excited child. Or a place to put your water bottle so that sand doesn’t get into every single crack and stay there forever. It’s a super nice-to-have item if you have the budget and the space to bring it.

Our Trips

15 Amazing Pacific Northwest Family Vacations

The Pacific Northwest is such a fun and unique area to visit, with a special charm you really won’t find anywhere else. And there is just SO much to do in the area. So whether you are a resident of the PNW looking for a fantastic family vacation spot you can drive to, or a visitor looking to explore more of this area, you’ll find it has a lot to offer.

We love maximizing our vacation time, which means squeezing in as MANY road trips and weekend trips as we can. We are so thankful to have lots of great options within (easy) driving distance from our home in northwest Washington.

We’ve picked a handful of our favorite Pacific Northwest family vacation destinations and hope you see something that inspires you to get out and explore this area!

Washington State

Anacortes

At just 2 hours from Seattle OR 2 hours from Vancouver, Anacortes is a great EASY family getaway. This tiny island town is accessible by car (no ferry required), and is a great access point for the San Juans with kayaking tours, whale watching tours, and more leaving from Anacortes. Stay at the Majestic Inn for the very walkable downtown location, and beautiful rooms (some even have kitchenettes!).

The area has tons of beautiful Pacific Northwest beaches, and amazing hiking trails (we love Rosario head, and the fantastic nearby rocky beach), many with stunning ocean views. In the summer, you’ll be able to pick fresh berries, or check out one of Anacortes’s many festivals. You’ll also enjoy some of Anacortes’s great kid-friendly restaurants – don’t miss breakfast at Calico Cupboard!

San Juan Island

Getting out to the San Juan Islands requires a ferry ride which leaves from Anacortes, but for kids, the ferry ride is half the fun! During the ride, be sure to get out on the deck and take in some the views on the ride, and if you are VERY lucky, you might even spot a whale or two.

If you have a car, enjoy a truly relaxing stay at Snug Harbor Resort, on the west side, in one of the ADORABLE cabins. For a no-car trip, we love the Earthbox Inn.

To avoid bringing your car on the ferry, stay in Friday Harbor – you’ll find tons to explore nearby. Or take your car on, and explore the whole island. On San Juan Island, you’ll find a fantastic whale museum, epic tide pools, aromatic lavender farms, and even an alpaca farm, plus tons more.

Seattle

Even after visiting Seattle about a million times, we always find something new and exciting to do! We absolutely LOVE staying at the Hyatt House Seattle Center because the rooms have the much needed space families need. Plus there is SO much to do right within walking distance (read about why we love the Seattle Center here).

The Pacific Science Center is a definite favorite for my kids and I, and could easily fill an entire day. Then take the monorail downtown – you gotta check out the Pike Place Market. Then continue down to the gum wall, and the Seattle Aquarium, and the Seattle Waterfront Park. Other favorites are the Ballard Locks, the Museum of Flight (read why we love it), and the Woodland Park Zoo.

Tacoma

Located just south of Seattle, Tacoma is super easy to get to from Seattle, Portland, OR even Vancouver. While there, we recommend the Silver Cloud Inn, with sweeping waterfront views and a great walking pier.

Perhaps the most well-known attraction in Tacoma is the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium and it DOES NOT disappoint. The aquarium portion alone is well worth the visit. And while you are there, you’ll definitely want to take a peaceful stroll around the Tacoma Chinese Park, soak in some sun at Owen Park, and play and learn at the Tacoma Nature Center.

Chelan

Chelan is located basically smack dab in the middle of Washington, on the east side of the Cascades. While there, pick a great vacation rental, or stay at the Lakeside Lodge located right on fantastic sandy beach (with tons of other amenities as well)

Lake Chelan, a beautiful 55 mile long inland fjord, is famous for it’s glistening blue water, and stunning Stehekin, which is only accessible by boat or plane terrain. Take the Lady of the Lake to Stehekin, then catch the red bus to the Rainbow waterfall. Or head over to Don Morse Park, and rent a kayak or paddleboard from LakeRider Sports Chelan, or just let the littles play on the sandy beach. For a little extra thrill, rent a boat or a jetski from Shoreline Watercraft.

Spokane/Coeur d’Alene, ID

The area around Spokane and Coeur d’Alene is rich with lakes, rivers, and all kinds of water fun. The Coeur d’Alene resort has every amenity you could need for a fantastic stay on the lake, including fantastic meals, a beautiful infinity pool, water sports rentals, and more. Or, rent one of the MANY great vacation rentals in the area, and look for one that comes with a kayak or paddleboard so you can get out and explore!

We love vacationing at the lake because it’s SO simple (and budget-friendly), yet so memorable and fun. Bring sand toys and lots of buckets for endless fun for younger kids. Others will enjoy paddling out to explore, fishing, or just relaxing with their toes in the water. You’ll also want to check out Silverwood Theme Park, with thrilling rides for all ages, plus an amazing water park!

Leavenworth

Leavenworth is only a couple of hours east of Seattle, but it FEELS like a different world. We love staying at the Icicle Village Resort Condos– so close to everything in town and they have enough space to spread out a bit. Having space to relax and eat some meals at home is SUCH a luxury when traveling with kids!

In the winter, Leavenworth transforms into a winter wonderland of Christmas dreams. But in the summer, Leavenworth may be even better. On the beautiful Wenatchee River, you’ll find opportunities for tube floats, or even white water raft rides for families with older kids- check out Osprey Rafting for both tube rentals and rafting trips. Go explore the waterfront park, right in town, or, if your kids can handle it, we LOVE hiking up Icicle Ridge for the epic overlook. You’ll also find opportunities for ziplining, playing miniature golf with goats, and just exploring the beautiful Bavarian-themed town of Leavenworth, plus much much more!

Port Townsend

Port Townsend is a small town with a lot of unexpected charm. You can get there taking either the Coupeville to Port Townsend ferry if you are coming from the north, or the Edmonds ferry when coming from Seattle. Stay at the Swan Hotel for its perfect location, and charming decor.

While in Port Townsend, spend some time exploring Chetzemoka Park- the park is beautiful with so much for kids to explore! The beach there is fantastic for boat watching, and looking for shells- this is my kids FAVORITE thing to do so we spend lots of time there. If your kids are interested in sea life, definitely don’t miss the Port Townsend Marine Science Center. It’s a small place, but has tons of really cool touch pools, and experts that can tell you all about the animals there or in the area. My kids would stay forever if we’d let them. Also, check out the Port Townsend Aero Museum (and grab a bite at the airplane themed Spruce Goose Cafe), explore the Fort Worden Historical State Park, and take the kids to Finnriver for a day out.

British Columbia

Vancouver

I’ll admit, Vancouver is one of my favorite cities. It’s EXTREMELY kid-friendly, and has all the great amenities of a big city without really feeling like a city. People here love the outdoors and it shows! While there, we recommend staying at the Westin Bayshore for the great location close to restaurants, and Stanley Park, and the fantastic pool.

We love spending time at Stanley Park– playing at any of the great beaches, walking or biking the Seawall trail, or just wandering around the forest. You won’t want to miss the Vancouver Aquarium, right within Stanley Park. The Capilano Suspension bridge is SO amazing (especially for Christmas), and the kids will LOVE Science World. Also check out VanDusen Gardens, Chinatown, Vancouver Public Library, Kids Market at Granville Market, and SO MUCH more.

Harrison Hot Springs

For a wonderfully relaxing getaway (even with the kids) head over to Harrison Hot Springs Resort. The resort features 5 beautiful pools (for hotel guests only), and great rooms of all types, and a wonderful marina on Harrison Lake for watersports. Families traveling with kids may find that really only one of the pools suits their needs perfectly, with the two indoor pools designated as ‘quiet’, one adult pool, and one lap pool. But the large family pool is more than enough for days of fun. The family pool is kept at 92F, making it great for winter AND summer vacation. And during the summer months, families with kids over the age of 6, you’ll love the truly AMAZING waterpark.

Whistler

Travel to Whistler in the winter is, of course, fantastic with phenomenal skiing and snowboarding, fantastic kids programs (even for the tiniest skiers), snowshoeing, and much much more. But don’t forget, the resort, and Whistler village has tons to offer in the summer as well. The biggest summer draw is the epic downhill mountain biking. There are trails from easy to expert- check out this trail map, and you can easily rent any gear you need. Younger kids will love the easier mountain walks, or just exploring the open space in the village. Plus, everyone in your group (who isn’t TOO fearful of heights) will enjoy the Peak2Peak Gondola ride.

Many of the hotels have really great swimming pools- we recommend the Westin for it’s great indoor/outdoor pool, and it’s fantastic location on the Whistler Village side. The truth is, even if you aren’t mountain biking (or skiing), Whistler village is a really fun place to be!

Victoria

Vancouver island has a lot to offer, and is a favorite destination for our family. You can get there by taking the (American) Anacortes to Sidney Ferry, or the (Canadian) Tsawwassen to Schwarz Bay Ferry, though you’ll need a car or transport to get to Victoria. While there, stay at the Fairmont Empress– you won’t regret it. It’s easily the most beautiful hotel in the area, perhaps even the most beautiful building, and has tons of great amenities (including a kid’s afternoon tea, an indoor pool and more).

Victoria butterfly Museum has more than just butterflies!

While in Victoria, be sure to check out the famous Butchart Gardens, and we also love the Butterfly Museum. Right in town, you’ll love Minature World, the Bug Zoo, and wandering around Chinatown. Actually, much of Victoria is perfect for exploring and just taking in the sights. You can also do a great little harbor tour, or head out for whale watching Victoria.

Parksville

While many head up to Tofino for the surfing, those of us with younger kids will MUCH prefer the calm and shallow waters of Parksville. Take the Tsawwassen-Duke Point (Nanaimo) ferry then just a short drive up to Parksille. While there, we recommend the Parksville Beach Club Resort– an easy choice because it’s right on the beach and has luxurious, family-sized rooms (full kitchens in the suites!

At the Parksville beaches, the water stays shallow for hundreds of feet (maybe even longer? definitely it’s WAAAY out there), so at low tide, happy toddlers explore tide pools as far out as their little feet will carry them. Or get a permit and dig for clams for a fun dinner. And at high tide, kids can paddleboard in knee or waist-deep water. Parksville Community Park is one of the best playground we’ve ever seen. And you’ll want to take a stroll around Milner Gardens as well.

Oregon

Portland

Portland has a reputation of being THE spot for hipster young adults, and maybe it is. But it’s also amazing for families with kids. Portland is full of green spaces, and extremely walkable (but may be not AS much with little kids) so pick a place near one of the many walking trails. The Kimpton by the waterfront is a great choice.

The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is one of the best science museums out there with tons of hands-on opportunities for kids (including an earthquake simulation). We love children’s museums, and the Portland Children’s Museum is fantastic. It has both indoor AND outdoor spaces with construction, clay, waterplay, and veterinarian exhibits (plus many many more). Also, check out the Oregon Zoo, and the Portland Japanese Garden– the nearby Washington Park Playground is pretty great too! Take a day trip out to Multnomah Falls- it’s so beautiful! And don’t forget to stop by Voodoo Donuts for their ridiculously over the top (but SUPER fun and delicious) donuts.

Oceanside

I don’t think you can go wrong anywhere on the Oregon coast, to be honest. But we’ve had a ton of fun staying in Oceanside, and nearby Netarts Bay. Find a fantastic beachfront cabin or condo at Happy Camp Hideaway, and you definitely won’t be disappointed.

Tide pools on the Oregon coast are pretty amazing!

The location feels central, and though there isn’t a ton REALLY close, we LOVE the quiet beaches there- perfect for hours of kids splashing and playing, and parents relaxing in the sunshine. This area is also PRIME for clamming, so you and the kids can easily dig up your limit in no time at all, and make a fun meal of them. There are also TONS of fantastic kid-friendly (short drives) day trips from here. Check out Pelican Brewery‘s beachfront location in Pacific City, which is super kid-friendly and fun, tour the Tillamook cheese factory, drive down to the Oregon Coast Aquarium, or just head up the coast towards Astoria, checking out every beach on the way – don’t forget the famously beautiful Cannon Beach (where parts of the Goonies was filmed!).

There are literally hundreds of great spots to vacation in the Pacific Northwest. Which ones are your favorites?

Living Life

11 Tips for Breastfeeding Twins

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From the moment you find out there are two babies in there instead of just one, you might hear from a LOT of people that breastfeeding twins is just not possible. You may even be having your own doubts that it’ll be possible. But, the truth is, many twin moms breastfeed! For me, breastfeeding definitely didn’t start OUT easy. But once my babies and I got the hang of it, it was the EASIEST thing.

After nursing my twins for 2 years, struggling, and learning, I have a few tips and tricks that might just help you as well.

And just a note, if you don’t actually WANT to breastfeed, or you just aren’t making milk, babies aren’t growing or WHATEVER, there is absolutely no shame in feeding your twins formula.

Preparing for Breastfeeding your Twins

Your breastfeeding journey CAN start the first day your babies are born. But here’s an important truth. IT DOESN’T HAVE TO! Sure you want to do what you can, pumping and attempting to breastfeed if your babies are able. But even if you can’t breastfeed day one, you might be able to eventually.

I was lucky to be able to PARTIALLY breastfeed from the beginning. One baby was strong enough to attempt breastfeeding most of the time, and the other was trying just once or twice a day.

1. Nipple Confusion is not (really) Real

There I said it. As a new mom, you are constantly being bombarded with this nipple confusion business. But studies show that early pacifier and bottle use don’t cause early breastfeeding problems. So if your babies need to be tube fed, or bottle-fed in the early days, and you WANT to breastfeed, don’t panic.

In fact, as a working mom that NEEDED my babies to bottle feed, I think giving bottles early is a huge benefit for baby and mom. If anything, I wish I’d given my babies more bottles early on. I NEEDED them to take a bottle. I did not need them to nurse. My kiddos hated bottles the first few weeks I was at work. They seemed to be always holding out for the breast. They’d only take a tiny amount at a time from their bottle.

Also, pacifier use is shown to reduce the risk of SIDS. As a parent of premature twins, you will probably want to do everything you can do to reduce that risk. So rest assured knowing that pacifiers are ok, and won’t disrupt your breastfeeding journey.

2. Ask for a Pump at the Hospital, or Rent a Hospital Grade Pump for Home

Not all pumps are created equal. Hospital-grade pumps are great for establishing milk in the early days. They can help you get set up for breastfeeding, even if your baby isn’t yet able to nurse right away. So if a lactation specialist hasn’t come to you at the hospital, ask for one. Ask for a hospital-grade pump there at the hospital. These things are typically covered by insurance, and can make a world of difference in getting you set up long term to breastfeed.

If you weren’t able to get a hospital-grade pump at the hospital, look into hospital-grade pump rentals. Insurance will often cover the costs, or there may be a reasonable out-of-pocket rental fee for a shorter term rental. If everything goes well, you’ll only need the hospital-grade pump for a few days or weeks, depending on the situation.

3. Get early help if you can

A great lactation specialist can assure you that you are on the right track (even if it doesn’t FEEL like it), help you start supplementing with formula, or even switch to formula. They are experts in breastfeeding and can help SO much.

I was lucky enough to have a fantastic lactation specialist in the hospital. If one doesn’t come to you, ask! Typically, the hospital employs one or more. So make sure and use this service if you can. It’s a great head start in your breastfeeding journey.

In the hospital, my lactation specialist taught me SO much. She let me know that I needed to be pumping from the beginning since my babies were small. She recommended we try nursing for just a few minutes each session. That way, the babies would build up the strength to eventually be able to breastfeed, but would not get overtired. And she set up a schedule for supplementing my smaller twin to make sure he got enough to eat.

A lactation specialist will give you recommendations specific to you and your babies, and can get you on track for a successful breastfeeding journey.

3. Get the Right Gear

Breastfeeding twins is hard work! Don’t be afraid to use any tools that might make your job a little bit easier. These are my favorite breastfeeding necessities.

Breast Pads

Once you HAVE milk, it’s probably going to be squirting like a volcano at random and inconvenient times. Breast pads keep your bra and top dry, at least some of the time. I love these reusable breast pads because they are WAY more comfortable than disposable pads, easy to toss in with the rest of the laundry, and I never had to worry about running out. I found the stickers on the disposable pads never stuck where I wanted them, and always stuck everywhere I didn’t want them.

A Breast Pump

A breast pump is super important to keep supply going whenever you can’t breastfeed. If one or more babies are not yet strong enough to breastfeed, or if you are lucky enough to have babies that sleep longer than 3 hours early on, pumping is so important to keep your supply from disappearing. I had the Medela Pump, provided by my insurance company, and it worked great. But the Spectra is the number 1 pump I see recommended in mom groups.

A Twin Breastfeeding Pillow

A great twin breastfeeding pillow is a total game-changer when it comes to tandem feeding. MyBreastFriend twin nursing pillow was my number 1 breastfeeding tool, and an absolute necessity for months (and I continued to use it most of the time for 2 YEARS). MyBreastFriend has a firm foam pillow, with a stable spot for baby to lie. It positions them in the right spot, and keeps them in place. So if you need to adjust baby A a little bit, baby A won’t get jerked off the breast. The surface is flat, with a lip around the edge, reducing the chance of a baby rolling off the edge. It even has a little pocket on the front for chapstick or a burp cloth. I LOVED that thing!

The Twin Z is another great breastfeeding pillow. The biggest plus of the Twin Z is that it opens up and can be used as a sit-up assist pillow, or for tummy time for babies who hate tummy time. As a breastfeeding pillow, I’d say it’s adequate, but for me, it didn’t compete with MyBreastFriend. Twin Z positions babies correctly, but the rounded top means you really need to work to keep them in the right spot. But, because it functions in a few ways, I think it’s still worth considering purchasing.

A Water Bottle You Love

A great water bottle is so important to help you stay hydrated when you are nursing twins. Also, I was always so hot, and always sweating, so a water bottle that actually keeps your water super cold makes a big difference. I love this humongous Hydroflask water bottle because it holds enough water to last for more than 10 minutes, and it keeps the water icy cold for hours and hours! It’s nice to not need to whisper-shout at your spouse in the middle of the night (trying to wake up your spouse without waking up the babies) because you are so thirsty and trapped!

This insulated straw cup is another excellent option. I loved my big water bottle, but I was always a little concerned that I’d drop it on one of the babies, and it was HEAVY. The straw cup is small enough to comfortably hold in your hand, and the straw makes it easy to hold. You might need a helpful spouse available to refill it for you when you are stuck, since it’s not huge.

4. Make a great breastfeeding spot for yourself

Here’s the truth – you are going to spend a LOT of time breastfeeding, especially with twins. And with twins, it’s extra important to have a breastfeeding station where you are comfortable and you have everything you need within reach.

Breastfeeding twins means spending a lot of time essentially topless, especially in the beginning when you and babies are still learning. For me, that was uncomfortable, and I felt much more comfortable being in a more private spot in the house. Then I could be away from visiting guests, and wouldn’t be seen from the window.

Set up a table that you can easily reach (even while nursing or nap trapped). You’ll want a spot for water, snacks, breast pads, nipple shields, clean burp cloths, chapstick, a phone charger, nipple cream, and anything else you might want.

It’s also really nice to have a TV within view from your spot. My babies spent so much time dozing, and I didn’t want to move them. They sleep through everything when they are tiny, so why not catch up on your favorite show while you are nap trapped.

Other tips

5. Breastfeeding Twins is a Marathon not a Sprint

Breastfeeding twins has a lot of extra complications over breastfeeding a singleton. First, MANY many twins are born premature and may not be ready to breastfeed from day one. The time to feed two before you get the hang of it is a lot, making it feel pretty overwhelming. But tandem feeding adds another layer of complexity.

My twins were born at 36 weeks, and one was strong enough to breastfeed, but one was not. Plus, my nipples are less than ideal for breastfeeding. For close to 6 weeks, we struggled. They latch and unlatch 100 times, so I’d end up with milk spraying all over the place. There was a lot of spit up, and a lot of frustration.

But then suddenly, it was easy. SO easy. I could pick up both babies, pop them on, and get them fed in less than 10 minutes. I could do it easily, without help, and I didn’t need to wash any bottles, or do any prep. It FINALLY paid off.

So if you are a couple of weeks in, frustrated, crying because it takes so long, don’t give up! Any day now, the switch will flip and suddenly it’ll be easy! Learning from my lactation specialist that it is totally normal to take over a month to really get the hang of breastfeeding really gave me some perspective.

6. Keep Working with a Lactation Specialist

Because learning to breastfeed does take time, but you don’t want to keep going down the path if something really is wrong, keep working with lactation specialist. They are the expert and are just extremely helpful. You might need a few sessions with a specialist, or maybe just one more to get things on track. But it’s not a huge time or financial commitment, most of the time.

When I was still frustrated and just not getting it a couple weeks in, I was able to hire another one to come TO MY HOUSE! I did have to pay a bit extra to have someone come to the house. BUT it meant I didn’t have to pack up infant twins and get out of the house.

If the extra cost of having a lactation specialist come to you is not an option, don’t give up hope. My insurance covered a visit to the lactation specialist’s office 100%. Some lactation centers set up times for nursing moms to go in and breastfeed with an expert watching. They may have a station to do weighted feed, and more. Ask for pricing, because even if your insurance doesn’t cover, there may be low cost or free services to support you.

7. Focus on hydration and getting enough to eat

Even when I’m not nursing, I drink a LOT of water. Like 2-3 liters a day. While nursing twins, I drank even more. Obviously drinking enough water isn’t going to be the magic bullet for everyone, but it definitely doesn’t hurt. Plus, being properly hydrated is always beneficial and it’s a great time to focus on healthy habits.

Those first few weeks (or even months) is not the time to put yourself on a super restrictive diet. Your body needs a TON of extra calories to support breastfeeding twins, approximately 1000 calories per day above what you’d need if you weren’t breastfeeding. So let yourself eat! I kept a bowl of the super delicious and extremely high-calorie trail mix at my little nursing station, ate about 6 meals a day, and as many snacks as I wanted. My body craved lot of protein, and lots of fruit and vegetables. Salads have never tasted so good! But I ate plenty of high calorie, not so healthy foods as well. And even with all of that extra eating, the baby weight came off in 4-5 months. Obviously not everyone will have the same results as me, but the point is to remember that you are burning calories like crazy!

8. Try Nipple Shields

My letdown was so powerful it could probably spray milk across the room. It was a bit too powerful for my tiny babies. The flow would overwhelm them, and even choke them a little bit. Nipple shields can help regulate the flow making it so babies won’t be frustrated by the massive amount of flow they get right away.

Nipple shields can also help with latch if your nipple isn’t absolutely perfect for your babies’ mouths. However, they can also add one more frustration to the process. Trying to get them positioned just right is tough . Then once you get it, there’s no guarantee you’ll get your baby to latch before it falls off again. But, for me, they were only needed until my babies got the hang of breastfeeding. It helped them learn, but they were not necessary long term.

Because they are just one more thing you have to wash, I’d recommend buying at least 6 so you can make it through the night without washing.

9. Pump when needed, but realize that it’s not as effective as nursing

A regular double electric pump is great for keeping supply going when you can’t be there to nurse your baby, or when they decide to skip a nursing session in the night (if you are ever that lucky- I was never that lucky). And you’ll definitely want to stick with the pumping.

But, for me, a pump was just not as effective at completely emptying the breast. I had to go back to work at 12 weeks, but was able to work only half time. So while I did have to pump a LOT, I also had the flexibility to squeeze in some extra nursing sessions if ever my supply seemed to be dwindling.

10. Eat Lactation Cookies

Truth told, I have no idea if lactation cookies actually work. But I do know that these lactation cookies taste delicious, and that nursing twins is really hard so moms who do it deserve a cookie. Or a hundred cookies. Also, my husband was afraid to eat them so they were all MINE!

11. Don’t be afraid to quit if it’s not working for you anymore

I breastfed my twins for 2 years, and by the end, I was DONE! Like done done. I had such bad nursing aversion that I literally could not stand it another second. But I was so afraid that if I stopped, the boys would never sleep again, or they would scream until the end of time, or would suddenly start getting sick all the time, or SOMETHING. But none of that happened. They were totally fine.

And putting myself through that anguish was totally not worth it. If you don’t want to breastfeed anymore, YOU DON’T HAVE TO!

These are the things that worked for me, and helped me have a successful breastfeeding journey with my late preterm twins. But I really hope some of the things I learned will help you as well!

Also check out some of our other infant twins tips here.

Our Trips

Seattle Center with kids

We live a short car ride away from Seattle, and love heading down for a small dose of big city life and all the amazing attractions that come with it. And Seattle has a ton! What I love about Seattle is that this city is truly unique. There are so many great attractions in Seattle that you simply cannot experience elsewhere.

The Seattle Center is a great example, with the Space Needle, and the beautiful, sprawling, park-city area of Seattle Center. Also, unlike downtown Seattle, which is bustling and can feel a bit overwhelming for families with kids, the Seattle Center is truly relaxing, with lots of space for kids to explore and run around. Plus, you can get away with not driving, which is a HUGE benefit when you have two kiddos in car seats.

The Seattle Center is our favorite place to stay when we visit Seattle with our kids. Here our some of our favorite activities while we are there.

Where to stay

What makes Seattle Center great is that you can do SO MUCH without driving. So when we want to hang out at the Seattle Center, we prefer to stay within walking distance. And there really is no better place for families than the Hyatt House. The Hyatt hotel chain is a favorite of ours, with reliably great rooms, QUIET rooms and excellent service.

Hyatt House Seattle Center

The Hyatt House at Seattle Center is extra amazing for a few reasons. First, it’s RIGHT there- overlooking the Space Needle, and right in the action. Secondly, the rooms are much more spacious than a ‘standard’ room in most hotels. And for a surprisingly reasonable price, you can upgrade to a suite! Suites are either studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom, and all have a beautiful kitchen. They are roomy with a sleeping area and a separate living room area, nicely updated, and comfortable. And even if you don’t plan on cooking in your room, it’s so nice to have a space to eat take out, or a fridge to store leftovers or snacks.

Hyatt House Seattle Center 1 bedroom suite — Living space in the 1 bedroom suite

What to do

Explore

One of the reasons I love the Seattle Center is that it’s just a beautifully designed area. Simply strolling around the area, taking in the views, enjoying the public art, the open grassy areas, and, if you are lucky, the amazing Seattle sunshine (trust us – Seattle summers are EPIC – perfect weather and almost NO rain). So take your time getting your bearings at the Seattle Center.

Space Needle

At the center of the Seattle Center – the main attraction – maybe the reason you came to Seattle – the SPACE NEEDLE! By the time you’ve made it to the bottom of the Space Needle, you’ve probably been checking it out from every view on your way over. And as you get closer, there are all kinds of great photo ops that you will certainly enjoy.

Now I’m probably going to get a little controversial here. Going up to the top of the Space Needle IS cool. But it’s not mandatory. The lines are long, the ticket price is high, and it just might be a disappointment, especially if you are traveling with young children who are just not going to care. So, if it’s on your bucket list, go for it. But if you just aren’t excited to pay that ticket price, skip it. Looking at it from the ground is good enough!

Pacific Science Center

Do NOT miss the Pacific Science Center if you are traveling with kids. Absolutely do not miss it. It’s an amazing hands-on museum with tons of really fun activities for toddlers through adults. The museum is divided up into sections by topic. Exhibits include some very cool water play, human body, butterflies and other insects, the Earth, space, dinosaurs and more. Every exhibit is literally packed full of hands-on activities, and they are all really engaging and fun.

International Fountain

The International Fountain is ENORMOUS and quite a sight to see. You can easily just sit on the edge and enjoy the views for quite some time. It has 5 water and music synchronized shows and and dazzles in the sunlight. The mist cools you off on hot summer days, but is totally avoidable on chillier days.

If you and your kids are a bit more adventurous (and the weather allows), climb right down and play in the bowl of the fountain. You can get soaked, or just a gentle mist and will have tons of fun running around down in this beautiful fountain.

The Seattle Children’s Museum

My kids and I LOVE children’s museums and make sure to visit one everywhere we go. Of course Seattle is no exception. This one has a great, HUGE construction area complete with kids construction hats and gear, a Global village where you can ‘visit’ three cities, a large and well-stocked market complete with grocery carts and cash registers and more.

This museum is on the smallish side, and you probably won’t spend an entire day here, but the space is well used so every space feels large enough to explore, and exhibits are obviously well thought out and will be enjoyed!

“Artists at Play” Playground

This playground might just be the most amazing playground I’ve ever seen. That said, it’s really only for older children and even adults. In order to get up to the HUGE swirly slide, you must first climb up a tall, and extremely complex net ladder. It’s probably 20 feet up before you get into any kind of structure, so it’s possible (though unlikely) for younger, smaller kids to fall quite far. The slide is also perhaps a bit TOO epic for younger children.

Daring and athletic kids will absolutely adore this playground. It’ll probably be the most challenging and fun playground they’ll ever play on. Plus, the playground is just stunning. They’ll be dying to get out and climb on it.

For younger families, there are a couple of smaller playground pieces off to the side. One is sort of a miniature version of the main playground. While we appreciated the effort of the park to include all ages, my kids know that they aren’t at the ‘main attraction’, and aren’t as interested. Even for my littles, the playground is fun to check out, and test their growing skills.

Things we Skip with Younger Kids

Chihuly Garden and Glass

CHihuly Museum from the outside — The amazing views from outside of the Chihuly museum

There are some really great Chihuly pieces that can be enjoyed from outside the museum, sparkling in the sunshine. And we recommend just enjoying those pieces with your kiddos. The colors and the pieces are truly amazing, but my kids just really don’t enjoy checking out museums where you can’t touch anything.

The Museum of Pop Culture

MoPop has some great kid-friendly exhibits for sure, but MOST of it is designed for more mature visitors. There is a lot of history of rock music stuff, movie making, and more that kids, especially younger kids, just aren’t going to care about.

Star Wars costumes, MoPop — A great Costumes of Star Wars Exhibit at MoPop. Our kids do love Star Wars, but seeing original costumes just isn’t that exciting for them.

Where to Eat

Another huge plus of the Seattle Center is the numerous super convenient food options. During busy summer days, the Seattle Center is filled with food trucks and carts offering treats and snacks. Restaurants from quick to fine-dining are within walking distance, and so many of them are simply delicious.

The Armory

Right in the middle of the Seattle Center, the Armory provides an elevated food court style experience. Everyone in your family will find what they are looking for at the Armory with choices ranging from sweet treats, to burgers, meat pies to vegan specialties.

The area can get pretty crowded and a bit loud. So we recommend grabbing your food, then heading outside to the wonderful grass area right out the door for a picnic. The wide-open spaces at the Seattle Center means you easily find yourself a nice area to stretch out and relax.

Other Dining Options On-Site

For more upscale tastes, and parents who aren’t afraid to take their kids to nicer restaurants, there are a couple of amazing options. At the Chihuly Museum, the Collections Cafe offers casual dining with a more local, Pacific northwestern feel.

At MoPop, Culture Kitchen by Wolfgant Puck offers another mouth-watering option. Again the meals are casual, but with an upscale ambiance and truly delicious food. They do have a children’s menu, which is always comforting to me- indicates they are at least somewhat OK with me bringing my kids.

At both Culture Kitchen and the Collections Cafe, you’ll want to plan ahead and make reservations if you’d like to visit.

Off-site But Close By

If you are willing to take a bit of a walk, check out Coba on the northwest side of the Seattle Center for excellent Vietnamese dishes, with takeout offered (since eating out with kids isn’t the MOST fun).

Closer to the Hyatt House, we love Mantra Thai and Zeeks Pizza. Both have really great, kid-friendly food, that you can take to go. If you are staying at the Hyatt House, you’ll be able to spread out and eat in comfort in your hotel room.

Other Things to do

Another reason that the Seattle Center is a great place to stay – the monorail. You can take the monorail from the Seattle Center to downtown Seattle, just a couple of blocks from Pike Place Market, the Seattle Aquarium, Seattle Waterfront Park, Seattle Wheel, and more. This gives you easy access to many of the major attractions in Seattle withOUT driving!

The monorail is easy to ride, and fun for kids. In fact, for my family, it’s a bit of an attraction on its own! Plus it’s stroller-friendly. And because the area near Pike Place is full of big hills, and it’s a bit of a walk down to the Aquarium, you will probably want that stroller.

If you are heading to Seattle, check out some of our other Seattle posts, including perhaps our FAVORITE Seattle attraction.

Travel Tips

Vacation Rental Tips for Renters

Before you head out on your next family vacation you might consider booking something a little bit different than your standard hotel room. Renting out a vacation rental, on VRBO, AirBnB, or other similar sites can give you another option if hotel rooms just aren’t working for you and your family or traveling group. However, because vacation rentals are so different from hotels, there are a few important tips you’ll need to ensure your stay is just as wonderful as you imagine it will be!

Vacation rental on the beach — Relaxing at our beach house

Comparing Vacation Rentals to Hotels

First, you’ll want to understand that vacation rentals are completely different from hotels in so many ways. Check out these pros and cons of vacation rentals, when compared to hotels.

Pros:

Typically more space
Kitchen for meal flexibility and to save on food costs
Families can get a place with bedrooms, and bedroom doors, making early bedtimes, and sleeping in general, much easier
Often more affordable
Just more options when it comes to types of stays. You can find large houses, smaller condos, places with yards, and more. Hotel rooms are all essentially the same, when it comes to space and layout.
May be able to find a vacation rental in areas that do not have hotels
More private
Can be a more unique, personal experience. Vacation rentals can feel like you are visiting a friend’s home. Often, hosts are thrilled to have you stay and share their amazing home
Many places are pet-friendly, with adequate space for pets to be comfortable
Better for group stays, or family reunions, in my opinion

Cons

No daily cleaning service.
You may be asked to do some basic cleaning on checkout. Typically, you’ll be asked to put a load of dirty sheets and towels into the wash, and take out all garbages. Of course, each rental is a little bit different.
More limited services compared to a hotel. For example, a vacation rental will obviously not have an onsite restaurant or bar, or a fitness center, typically toiletries are not provided, and no 24-hour front desk service if you discover you need something
Cancellation policies vary, but typically, you will not be able to cancel within 30 days. Even early cancellations can mean a loss of up to 50% of the total cost. In general, cancellation policies at hotels are MUCH more generous.
Rates can be difficult to understand. Owners fees, cleaning fees, service fees can add up, and for short stays, even exceed the nightly rate.
Maintenance issues may not be taken care of as quickly as compared to a hotel. Smaller hosts just don’t have the capacity to take on maintenance issues as quickly as a hotel with staff dedicated to the maintenance of the property
No way to accrue loyalty points, travel with points or get any kind of upgrades because of brand loyalty.
In our experience, uncomfortable mattresses are more common at vacation rentals than hotels.

Comparing vacation rental services

When looking at a vacation rental to rent, there are several websites that can help you through the process. They each are a little bit different, with pros and cons for each.

AirBnb

Airbnb does have a huge variety of rental properties, but if you are looking for a small place, a campsite, or any kind of unique stay (they even have treehouses!), Airbnb is often going to be the best option. To aid in choosing a rental, AirBnb offers reviews on both the host and the property. Hosts with great reviews can be assigned ‘Superhosts’, which is a great assurance. Airbnb also really focuses on safety, with confirmation that hosts have had background checks and been verified by Airbnb. They highlight anything missing from properties (such as smoke detectors) to ensure guests are at least aware. Booking is quick and easy, and we’ve had great experiences with AirBnb. Note that for AirBnb, and VRBO, cancellation policies are set by the individual host, so read policies carefully before booking.

VRBO

VRBO and Homeaway are now just one company, and we look there first for larger vacation rentals, including budget stays. Like AirBnB, VRBO identifies its best hosts as ‘Premier Partners’, and verifies all hosts for safety. VRBO is owned by Expedia, and it shows – searches and booking through VRBO are quick and easy.

Vacasa

In our experience, Vacasa offers more high-end properties, both large and small. But be sure to check out Vacasa even if your budget isn’t huge – you never know what you’ll find there. Vacasa is a bit different than VRBO or AirBnb in that you are interfacing with Vacasa, and never with the host directly. Vacasa functions as the property manager for all it’s properties. That means cancellation policies are set by Vacasa instead of the host, and you’ll find more consistency in the quality of photos and information for each rental property. During Covid-19, Vacasa is allowing guests to cancel until 24 hours before check-in for full credit to be used on any Vacasa property (maybe not as great as cash, but much better than most vacation rentals). However, they are a bit less likely to be flexible on any of their properties, since you are dealing with a larger company rather than just a person, as in some of the other vacation rentals.

Local Companies

Many great vacation locations have smaller independent vacation rental companies or short term rental managers. Often these companies have been around a long time, and have a number of properties all grouped together. These companies of course vary, but they can be another great option. They are a bit harder to find, since they only exist in certain localities – just do a quick search for vacation rentals in the area you want to visit to find a local company a bit further down on the page. These types of places can be REALLY great for larger groups, like a family reunion, who need more than one house closer together. Or perhaps if they are more established, they might just have the best location.

While each vacation rental company SORT of has a specialty, the differences are really pretty minimal, and there is a TON of overlap. So, just check them all out, if you can.

Tips for choosing a great rental and having a great stay!

Truth be told, choosing a great vacation rental is just not as easy as picking a great hotel. But with a few helpful tips, you’ll be well on your way to choosing YOUR perfect vacation rental!

Be prepared to spend some extra time choosing a vacation rental

Choosing a rental can be a bit tedious (especially if you are an over-planner like me). Listings are often not categorized correctly (for example, clicking beachfront will pull up many properties that are not beachfront, and many that ARE beachfront will not be included). This is just the nature of the service. Hosts will click the wrong button, intentionally or unintentionally, and it’s impossible to keep everything accurate. Listings don’t always include all of the information you need, and you may need to message the host. Also, when you choose a price range, that will not account for any owner’s fees, cleaning fees, etc. And on vacation rentals, those fees can be HUGE, and can easily move a rental out of your price range.

Riverfront view from our vacation rental — Remote location with a prime view – tough to find when you are just looking at hotels!

Read reviews carefully

When it comes to picking a vacation rental, you, of course, can’t just pick a brand that you trust and go with it. So your only insight is the reviews. Just like anywhere, not all reviewers are created equal so take each individual review with a grain of salt. Just look for patterns. I’ve seen not so great reviews because the guest didn’t like, for example, the furniture. The furniture might be just fine for you – and you’ll likely be able to check out a photo to see for sure. But, keep an eye out for reviews mentioning poor customer service, or an unclean rental.

Not all vacation rentals have reviews, or have a lot of reviews. It’s a bit of a gamble to not have any insights from others who have booked the same place, but don’t be afraid to ask the host any questions you can think up. And, you just might get a deal on a new vacation rental BECAUSE there are no reviews yet.

Read the Rules Carefully

Vacation rentals are typically pretty strict on the maximum guest count, and many do not allow any kind of party, or gathering or whatever. Some vacation rentals are listed as ‘not suitable for children’ (it is quite rare however), and many list a minimum age for the primary renter. You may also encounter quiet hours, and if you are traveling with pets, typically pre-approval (and often fees) are required even though the listing SAYS pet-friendly.

You’ll likely find that most of the rules are just fine, or maybe even preferable for you as a guest. But it’s good to read and understand these rules before you book. You’d hate to have a misunderstanding, and wind up in a place with rules that just won’t work for you. Or worse, end up getting kicked out because you were not complying with the rules

Question the listing

I don’t believe that most hosts are trying to trick you, but sometimes a vacation rental listing will imply something that isn’t exactly true (perhaps not intentionally). For example, a listing might be categorized as ‘beachfront’, and show a picture of the beach. But the fact is, it’s a 2 block walk to the beach. Maybe that’s ok, but if you are EXPECTING to be right on the beach, you might be disappointed.

Layout of the house can be also difficult to understand from photos. The house may end up looking and feeling much more crowded than expected. Bedroom layout also might be different than expected. We often find beds in a loft area. That might work great for your family, but it also might not and it’s nice to know and understand ahead of time.

One more thing we’ve encountered is that beaches on lakes or rivers can be seasonal. In spring or summer, they may still be underwater.

If there is anything you aren’t sure about, or just want to confirm, be sure to reach out to your host. Hosts are typically happy to answer any of your questions – they want you to have a great stay.

lots of vacation rentals have bunk rooms — Bunk rooms are kid approved!

Map it

Typically, exact locations aren’t given in VRBO or whichever company you are using. But, using the description, the map on the listing given the APPROXIMATE location, and google maps, you can often figure it out. Google street view and/or google satellite are great tools to narrow it down, and at least get you close the exact location. It’s just one more confirmation that you are getting exactly what you think you are getting when you rent.

Look for bonuses

Some rentals will provide a few extras to make your stay a little bit EXTRA special. For example, some homes include a pool table, an air hockey table, or just a collection of kids’ toys A beach rental may provide some beach chairs, or a kayak free for you to use. These items are definitely nice to have and can even cut down on your packing volume. So don’t forget to look for these items, and consider the benefits of these little bonuses when choosing your perfect rental.

Choosing the right vacation rental can be a long and tedious process, but you might just end up with an amazing place that is SO much more than a hotel. We absolutely love staying in a vacation rental, and find out vacations at a vacation rental to be much more relaxing, carefree, and just fun!

So I hope you find a perfect place for your next stay. Let us know if you have in the comments.