| Gduck,
I just went through the same mental gymnastics about the infant carriers. I am also pregnant with twins (first & second), probably a month or so ahead of you, and when I found out how much these carrier things cost - I couldnt help but wonder if Id ever get my moneys worth.
Anyhow, I eventually decided to go ahead and purchase two. Here's why:
1. I live in a location in midlevels that is not conducive to heading out for even a short stroller walk, as there are no sidewalks on my street. Taking a taxi with two infants and one adult is a no go, so Id rather give myself the flexibility to be mobile - than feel like Im stuck inside with no escape, or in need of taking our helper everywhere with me.
2. There are reversible (backward and front facing seats) which you can use until the kids are older (generally around four years) that you could purchase instead. However, the flexibility of snapping the carrier into a stroller, particularly when the kids are so small and you need to be more careful in picking them up/disturbing them at sleep seems to be worth the trade.
I may be fooling myself with twins, but Ive read that its important to get out of the house atleast once a day - even for a short 30 minute stroll. That snap in and out might save 5 minutes on each end, which could be valuable time saved in the context of feeding every two/three hours.
3. Im not sure if you're planning to travel anywhere, but I am heading back home to the US twice in the first six months, and will need to have car seats of some kind with me, as our families live in suburban areas where car transport is the only way - and the car seat law is followed more strictly than it is here in HK.
It does partly depend on what you are doing about a stroller, too. If you are going with a double wide, which accomodates two bassinets (like the urban double), then it could be redundant to get the carriers. I am going with a P&T, which can accomodate two infants (one in the full recline position, one in an infant carrier above), as I want to preserve some ability to be relatively mobile (with a single pram footprint) in central (getting through door ways & riding an escalator).
In terms of brands, it seems like most people get the Maxi-cosi, which has been a top seller in the UK for years, and is most similar to the Graco Snugride, which is the top seller in the US. It is not cheap however; I think it retails at B2B for around HK1600 (without the base). Ive read that car seats are not items you want to go second hand on, as you dont know if the seat has been in an accident, which can compromise the integrity/safety of the seat. It might be a marketing gimick, but it worked on me.
If you do go with the carriers, you can make it less of a financial burden if you go without the base. Most are seatbelt compatible and can be put into a car with not too much effort.
Anyhow, not sure if this answers your question, but sometimes its helpful to hear other people's thought process. Good luck with your decision making.
Sarah
Hey, one last thing: Are you interested to start a group for expecting moms of twins? I noticed there are not many postings in the twin category.  |