--Will we need a triple stroller?  

                 If you ever want to take the babies out by yourself. Some 
                 people even recommend getting a quad stroller if there is an 
                 older child, or even just to have space for carrying stuff. Know 
                 ahead of time that a triple/quad stroller attracts a lot of 
                 attention, and people are very bold about stopping you, 
                 touching your babies, and asking you personal questions about 
                 their conception! 

                 --What are the pros/cons of each triple stroller brand?  

                 First of all, remember that Triplet Connection and MOST sell 
                 used strollers that may make this an easier purchase 
                 ($200-$400 cheaper than new). If at all possible, take a look 
                 at the stroller you're considering in person and try it out in 
                 the vehicle you'll carry it in.  

                 Here is an opinion from someone who had both a Perego and a 
                 Runabout: 

                 I have both a Runabout and a Perego. The Perego is MUCH 
                 better for babies as the seats recline and the canopies can be 
                 positioned to protect better. It's also easier to maneuver as 
                 you can either pull up on the handle or push down to turn. With 
                 the Runabout, you can only push down which is harder for us 
                 shorties. The Runabout, however, is better as the children get 
                 older as the weight limit is 40 lbs versus 30 lbs for the Perego. 
                 I like both, but can't/won't use the Perego anymore as the 
                 girls weigh over 30 lbs. I have jogged behind the Runabout 
                 which is something I couldn't to with the Perego....frame weighs 
                 55 lbs versus 30 on the Runabout. The seats on the Runabout 
                 recline 30 degrees, and the tires enable it to maneuver on all 
                 types of terrain. Also, each seat is slightly elevated above the 
                 one in front of it so the children get a better view. The 
                 shoulder straps may keep older squirmy children in the 
                 stroller. The handle "telescopes" in and may be the only 
                 adjustment needed for fitting it into a van. 

                 The Perego is very easy to handle and provides a smooth, 
                 shock-absorbent ride. Inexpensive Rubbermaid containers will 
                 easily attach to the undercarriage to provide a place for 
                 purchases, diaper bag, etc.  
 
 

                 Inglesina also makes a triple and a quad stroller. The seats 
                 face each other so some children ride forward, some backward. 

                 Baby Jogger makes a triple only, and is three wide. This is a 
                 very stable stroller, but the width can make for challenges 
                 getting through doorways.  

                 --How much help will we need when the babies come   
                 home from the hospital?  

                 Two people in charge of babies when they are awake will make 
                 life easier. It is possible to do it with no outside help, but if 
                 people are willing to help take advantage of it.  

                 When people ask what they can do, assign them a job right then 
                 and put them on your calendar. Good ways to use help: 

                 Extra hands during a feeding time  

                 Making meals for mom and dad 

                 Doing laundry, running errands 

                 Staying with the babies during naps so you can run errands 

                 Listening out for the babies during their nap so you can nap 

                 Returning duplicate gifts to stores (either exchange or refund) 

                 --What will we need three of (bouncy seats, exersaucers,  
                 etc.)?  

                 Generally, the things you'll absolutely need three of are 
                 bouncy seats, cribs (though maybe not right away), high 
                 chairs/booster seats, and of course carseats. If your carseats 
                 are also baby carriers, you may not need the bouncy seats, but 
                 many people don't find the carriers that convenient when you 
                 have to carry three or four. Many people use booster seats 
                 with a tray attachment because they take up less room, are 
                 portable, and can be washed in the dishwasher. They're also 
                 much cheaper and keep you from having to buy a booster seat 
                 later. The space available in your house will dictate the rest. 
                 Swings take up a lot of space,but there will be times that three 
                 swings will be a lifesaver. Early on a swing that has a bassinet 
                 attachment will be helpful. Most families have one or two of 
                 each other item--jump-ups, exersaucers, activity gyms--and 
                 rotate babies in each. Three different bouncy seats with 
                 different toy bars can also serve as a new activity for your 
                 babies.  It's a good idea to wait and see what your children 
                 like before you rush out and buy three of anything- if they 
                 hate swings you don't want to have to spend the extra money :-) 

                 A few extra items you'll need: Tend-a-Babe bottle props 
                 (these are foam rubber bottle props that fit over a baby's 
                 chest while he is in his bouncy seat or lying with his head on a 
                 pillow. It's one of the only ways to feed three little tiny 
                 babies at the same time, and even then it takes some patience! 
                 These are available through Jancoe Products, Inc. 
                 (1-800-554-9449) and are about $10 each), Podee Hands-Free 
                 bottles (for when they get a little older), and Playtex no-spill 
                 sippy cups. Talk to families you know about bottle 
                 preferences--you'll want to have plenty of whatever your 
                 choice is! At first the 3 oz. hospital bottles will be fine, 
                 though.  

                 --Is it possible to breastfeed three babies? How long?   

                 It is possible, and the length of time/amount of milk varies 
                 with each mom and with her motivation. To get the maximum 
                 amount of milk you may need to pump/nurse every three hours, 
                 including at night. Keep in mind that breastfeeding is quite a 
                 commitment and may require a little extra outside help since 
                 you'll need decent sleep and regular, nutritious meals. Renting 
                 a pump is almost a necessity if the mom ever wants to sleep. 
                 The large hospital pump (Medela Classic or similar) is a good 
                 choice for heavy duty pumping. Most hospitals will provide you 
                 with small bottles for freezing the milk and bringing it to the 
                 hospital. 

                 Premature babies are often slow to catch on to breastfeeding, 
                 so keep trying and don't feel it's your fault if you're not 
                 having early success. Many women report being able to switch 
                 to breastfeeding from bottles even as late as two months old if 
                 they've kept up their supply by pumping. Also, it's okay if you 
                 want to just nurse one baby at each feeding, or only one baby 
                 at all. There are lots of combinations that will work for you in 
                 your situation. Sometimes the only thing that works is picking 
                 one baby and nursing that one exclusively. It's important to do 
                 what you can and not think you are causing long-term 
                 ill-effects on any babies by nursing one or two rather than all 
                 three. 

                 Any breastmilk you can give your child is wonderful, so do 
                 what you can and don't feel badly when you decide to stop. You 
                 should congratulate yourself on carrying the babies as long as 
                 you did and not put pressure on yourself to nurse if you don't 
                 want to.  

                 --What do you do to get the babies to sleep through the  
                 night?  

                 Start by getting the babies on a consistent schedule, possibly 
                 even before they leave the hospital (the nursery will help with 
                 this if you express your wishes a few days before discharge). 
                 Read Babywise by Gary Ezzo (available at some bookstores or 
                 religious bookstores) and Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems 
                 by Dr. Richard Ferber for helpful ideas. At first you'll have 
                 to give all feedings rather than letting them sleep through in 
                 order for them to gain weight. Once they near ten pounds they 
                 may start sleeping well past the middle of the night feeding. 
                 Though it's tempting to feed only one if only one wakes up, 
                 most parents find that keeping the babies on the same schedule 
                 is essential. Dropping a diaper change in the middle of the night 
                 may be helpful, and some parents find that keeping the room 
                 dark and quiet is a good idea.  Keeping stimuli to a minimum 
                 (talking, singing, cuddling) also helps- the idea is to teach your 
                 children that their bedroom is for sleeping.   

                 --How many cribs should we start out with, and do they  
                 wake each other up?  

                 Though they'll sleep in one crib, many parents would rather go 
                 ahead and get all three set up since three will be necessary 
                 once they start moving around a little. They don't normally 
                 wake each other up unless it's about time to get up, but you 
                 may have a light sleeper that is an exception to this rule. 

                 --Is it better to use cloth or disposable diapers?  

                 It depends mostly on your preference and the sensitivity of 
                 your babies' skin. Most of the contributors to this list use 
                 disposables because of convenience, but a diaper service is 
                 generally cheaper and keeps you from having to go out to 
                 replenish your diaper supply. You'll probably change cloth 
                 diapers more often, but this might be a positive thing in 
                 prevention of diaper rash. Diaper pins and plastic pants are a 
                 little more labor intensive than using velcro-closing diaper 
                 covers, but leakage is less of a problem with plastic pants (and 
                 they are much cheaper). 

                 On to Part II