What equipment do I really need and how do I budget for life with triplets

Preparing for triplets without overspending

Hearing you’re expecting triplets can feel exciting and overwhelming. It’s easy to imagine your home packed with baby equipment and long lists of things you’re told you ‘must’ buy.

The good news is that three babies don’t need three of everything. With some planning, you can focus on what really matters: safe sleep, feeding, getting out and about and sticking to a budget that feels realistic for your family.

Once the essentials are in place, you can add extra items if they earn their space in your home and your life with triplets.

Prioritising safe sleep, space and car safety

Safe sleep comes first. Each baby needs their own clear, flat space to sleep, day and night. Pram bassinets and Moses baskets shouldn’t be shared, as they’re small and enclosed, so every baby needs their own.

Think about the rooms you use most. Some parents of triplets put a cot bed in the living area so all three babies can nap there together under supervision. The cot can later become a bed for one child. Upstairs, you might start with one or two cots and adapt as your babies grow and need more room.

At night, try to follow safe sleep guidance (LINK TO INF-32) as closely as you can while still working with your home. Sometimes that means shuffling furniture so you can see all your babies easily and reach them without tripping over anything in the middle of the night.

Small changes at home can make day-to-day care easier, for example:

• Clear, uncluttered main rooms that are simple to keep clean
• A basic changing set-up on each floor so you’re not carrying babies up and down stairs
• Nappies, wipes and spare clothes stored within easy reach in the rooms you use most

Car safety is another key area. While lots of baby items can be bought second hand, car seats should always be bought new, and each baby needs their own seat. Babies from twin, triplet or higher order pregnancies are more likely to arrive early and be smaller, so a good fit really matters.

It can help to visit a trusted car seat specialist. They can guide you towards seats that meet current safety standards, fit your car and suit your babies’ likely size. You’ll need the seats ready for discharge from hospital, so try to plan ahead with your maternity team’s advice on when the babies may arrive.

You might not need a new car but if you feel you do, you might not need it straight away. Some families manage for a short time with two seats in the back and one in the front, with the airbag switched off and an adult sitting in the rear. This should only be a temporary arrangement while you plan a safer long-term set-up.

Choosing equipment, prams, slings and ways to save

When you have triplets, some pieces of equipment can feel like an extra pair of hands. Simple bouncy chairs give you a safe place to put a baby while you feed, change or cuddle a sibling. You might start with one or two and only buy more if you really need them.

Feeding pillows can help but aren’t essential. Many parents of triplets prefer two single pillows so you can support a baby on each side and still hold the third. Remember that feeding pillows are for feeding only, not for sleep.

You don’t need three play mats. One larger mat or baby gym is usually enough, as you can rotate your babies or let them share under your close eye. As they grow, a mix of a mat, a bouncy chair or a supportive seat can offer variety without filling every corner.

Prams are often the biggest decision. Each baby needs their own pram bassinet or seat unit. Many parents of triplets choose a double pram plus a single pram so different adults can take different combinations of babies out.

If you’re going out alone with all three, you might use a sling for one baby and a double pram for the other two. When you’re using slings alongside a pram, it’s especially important to follow safe babywearing guidance. (LINK) inf-102 using slings and carriers with your twins, triplets and more

There are triple pushchairs and, for quadruplets, purpose-built quad buggies. These can be helpful but are often large and heavy, so it’s worth researching carefully before you spend the money.

Second hand items can be a real lifeline. Local selling sites, baby banks and twins or triplets groups are often great for clothes, some nursery furniture, slings and even prams, as long as you check safety guidance. Car seats and mattresses are the main things to buy new.

Friends and family often want to help but aren’t sure how. If you feel comfortable, you could suggest supermarket or baby shop vouchers rather than more tiny outfits. Buying a pack of nappies or wipes with your weekly shop in pregnancy can also help spread the cost.

Keeping your budget and money conversations manageable

Life with triplets or more usually means higher household bills. You might be at home more and doing extra washing, using more heating and hot water and replacing worn-out items more often. It helps to start with a clear picture of your income, regular outgoings and any debts so you can see what’s realistic.

Housing is another big part of your budget. You might not need to move at all but if you feel you are going to outgrow your current property then you may not need to move straight away. Seeing how your current space works once the babies arrive can stop you rushing into an expensive move. You can then save towards a future change if you need more room when your children are on the move.

It’s also worth checking what financial support you might be entitled to. Depending on your situation, this could include Universal Credit, Child Benefit, the Sure Start Maternity Grant for some lower income households and Healthy Start vouchers. Many families are surprised to find they qualify, so it’s worth checking rather than assuming you don’t.

Money can feel like a difficult subject, especially when you’re tired and juggling feeds, nappies and broken sleep. Setting aside a regular time to look at your budget together can help you and your partner stay on the same side. Simple budgeting apps and online tools can make it easier to see where your money goes and spot places to save.

Most of all, remember that struggling with the cost of triplets doesn’t mean you’re failing. The costs really are higher and many families feel the same pressure. Reaching out for advice (LINK to triplet online community), using community resources and adjusting your plans over time are all positive, caring steps.

You know your family, your home and your budget better than anyone. By focusing on safety first, planning big purchases carefully and building up equipment slowly, you can create a set-up that supports you rather than overwhelms you as you welcome your three babies. LINK cost of living equipment fact sheet