Unexpected Costs of Having Twins or Multiples: What You Might Not Have Budgeted For 

Raising twins, triplets, or higher-order multiples is a whirlwind of milestones, memories and… money. Let’s be honest — while you were dreaming of double the giggles, you probably weren’t budgeting for double the daycare, triple the car seats or the sudden need for a second washing machine. The truth is, there are plenty of unexpected costs of having twins or multiples that catch even the most organised parents off guard. Here’s a look at what might pop up — and a few ways to manage it (without selling your soul or your sleep). 

Unexpected Costs of Having Twins or Multiples: A Bigger Car 

That hatchback might’ve cut it for one baby, but throw in twins or triplets, a double (or triple) pram, three nappy bags, a week’s worth of groceries, and maybe a dog if you’ve completely lost your mind — and suddenly your car looks more like a clown car than a family vehicle. You’ll find yourself playing Tetris with the boot every time you leave the house, and heaven help you if someone gives you a ride-on toy for their first birthday. Rear-facing car seats? Hope you didn’t need legroom up front. Want to go on a road trip? Only if you strap the cereal boxes to the roof. Even quick errands become a logistics exercise that would impress a military strategist. Trust us — when you’re reversing into a car park in your new seven-seater bus, you’ll thank yourself. 

The Budget Buster: 
Upgrading to a bigger vehicle — often a 7-seater SUV or van if you already have other children — comes with a big price tag, and that’s before you factor in rego, fuel, and insurance. 

What You Can Do: 

• Start researching early (some car models don’t fit 3 seats across — even if they claim to!) 

• Consider a reliable second-hand option 

• Budget for ongoing costs, not just the upfront spend 

Unexpected Costs of Having Twins or Multiples: Help at Home 

Because when you’re elbows-deep in bottles, burp cloths, and at least one baby who thinks sleep is optional, vacuuming falls waaaaay down the priority list. You’ll start developing selective vision for the crumbs on the floor and consider it a win if the laundry pile hasn’t formed its own postcode. Between feeding, settling, nappy blowouts and playing detective to figure out who’s crying and why, housework starts to feel like a hobby for your future self — the one who has free time and two hands again. Even the vacuum gives you a judgemental look as it gathers dust in the corner. You know things have escalated when wiping down the highchair counts as “deep cleaning.” The floors can absolutely wait — your sanity (and maybe a hot cup of tea) cannot. 

The Budget Buster: 
Hiring a cleaner, paying for meal delivery, or bringing in a nanny (even part-time) can seriously add up — and many parents of multiples underestimate how much help they’ll need just to stay afloat. 

What You Can Do: 

• Accept offers from friends and family (they really do mean it) 

• Look into short-term paid help during those first chaotic months 

• Remember that “outsourcing” a few things isn’t a luxury — it’s often survival 

Medical & Allied Health Costs 

While not all multiples arrive early or need extra support, it’s more common than with singletons — and it helps to be prepared, just in case. Some parents of twins or triplets find themselves navigating a few more medical appointments, from NICU stays to physio, speech therapy or paediatric check-ups, especially in those early months. But here’s the good news: Australia has some brilliant services and specialists who truly understand the needs of multiple birth families. Yes, the calendar can fill up fast — but each appointment is a step toward supporting your little ones to thrive. Many families find that with the right care early on, things settle into a lovely rhythm. And if you do become besties with your local paediatric team? Just think of it as an extended village cheering you all on. 

The Budget Buster: 
Even with 100% public care, there are still a lot of unexpected costs of having twins or multiples. It’s not just the appointments — it’s the hospital parking, the therapy toys, the fees for specialists, and sometimes even travel if services aren’t local. 

What You Can Do: 

• Check your private health insurance to see what’s covered 

• Budget for out-of-pocket expenses and consider asking about payment plans 

• Tap into early intervention funding and support schemes if eligible 

• Join Facebook groups or other similar communities to ask advice and buy second hand items. 

The Unexpected Costs of Having Twins or Multiples: Childcare and Schooling 

Childcare times two (or three) can mean working becomes… almost pointless — like earning a wage just to hand it straight over at daycare drop-off. You’ll start calculating your hourly rate in nappies and wondering if your job title should just be “Full-Time Fundraiser for Early Learning.” And once school kicks off, the costs don’t slow down — they just change. Uniforms, iPads, lunch boxes, book packs, camp fees, excursions, and after-school activities all seem to multiply faster than your kids can lose socks. Suddenly, “free” public education starts to feel like a subscription service with hidden fees. And don’t even mention the years when you’ve got two or three kids doing school camps in the same term — that’s when the real fun (and budgeting) begins. 

The Budget Buster: 
Daycare bills alone can be eye-watering — and that’s before you get to “double reader bags,” extracurriculars and two learner drivers. 

What You Can Do: 

• Investigate government rebates and sibling discounts 

• Compare childcare options (family day care, kindy, long day care) 

• Plan ahead for school expenses, including unexpected ones like musical instruments or sports gear 

The Everyday Extras 

It’s not just “twice as many nappies” — though yes, your bin will be permanently full. It’s two highchairs, two cots, a double (or even triple) pram that costs more than your first car, and a freezer big enough to store a small nation’s worth of frozen lasagne. You’ll find yourself Googling “can you install a second washing machine?” at 3am while folding your fourth load of the day. Even your council bin might need an upgrade — because let’s be honest, it’s basically a shrine to wipes, formula tins, and snack wrappers now. The expenses aren’t always huge individually, but together? They sneak up like toddlers with marker pens. 

The Budget Buster: 
It all adds up. Fast. Things like bin upgrades (you’ll need them), two of every toy (you’ll try to avoid it but trust us, it happens), and more baby wipes than you thought humanly possible. 

What You Can Do: 

• Buy in bulk when items are on sale 

• Accept second-hand gear and hand-me-downs 

• Get creative with storage and space-saving furniture 

• Facebook Marketplace and the numerous Twin & Triplet Buy Swap Sell pages are a lifesaver. 

Loss of Income 

Pregnancy complications, NICU stays, or simply the reality of juggling three newborns at home can mean taking much more time off work than originally planned. And not just for the birthing parent. Depending on the situation, partners often need extended leave too, especially when one baby has appointments and the others still need feeding, changing, or just not licking power points. Even with the best intentions to “work remotely” or “ease back into it,” the logistics of feeding, settling, and surviving with multiples can derail the most flexible work plans. And while it’s absolutely the right call to prioritise your family, that unexpected time off can have a big impact on your household income — and your super. It’s one of those hidden costs that doesn’t hit you until the payslips stop arriving… but the nappies sure don’t. 

The Budget Buster: 
This can be the biggest hidden cost — not just in the short term, but over years. Think missed superannuation, stalled career progression, and long-term financial impacts (especially for the primary caregiver, who is usually mum). 

What You Can Do: 

• Start an emergency fund early in your pregnancy 

• Consider part-time or remote work options down the track 

• If possible, make voluntary super contributions to protect your future financial wellbeing 

Final Thoughts 

The unexpected costs of having twins or multiples are real — and they can hit hard. But so do the moments of magic, the bond your babies share, and the way you become stronger and more capable than you ever imagined. 

Read this blog written by a Twinfo member: Budgeting tips when you have twins, triplets or more.

So yes, raising multiples might break the budget now and then… but it will also fill your home (and your heart) in ways you never expected either. 

Remember, its often cheaper to order nappies and wipes from Amazon – you can find out more information about that here.

Plan where you can. Laugh when you need to. And always ask for the receipt — just in case.