Twins! The basics of getting twins and multiples to sleep are just like the basics of getting an individual baby to sleep – just a little more complicated. You can start by creating a safe sleep environment and establishing a consistent bedtime routine. It’s safest for twins and multiples to sleep in their own crib or bassinet, rather than sharing one – and experts say they may get better sleep this way.
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Getting twins or multiples to sleep may be more complicated than getting just one baby to bed, but the fundamentals remain the same. It’s true that caring for two babies is more challenging than caring for one – there are two little humans with unique needs to consider.
Generally speaking, however, the same rules apply to twins and multiples as singletons. When you’re working on healthy sleep habits for your babies, focus on creating a safe sleep environment and maintaining a consistent routine. Here’s a look at the most important things to keep in mind when you’re getting twin babies to sleep.
Can twins sleep in the same crib?
There’s no evidence that sharing a crib benefits twins, though many parents do it – and some parents say their babies seem to sleep better when they’re together. But Pediatrics advises against crib-sharing, since it increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Twins born prematurely, or with low birth weights, have a higher risk of SIDS, and having separate cribs can lower their risk. Your twins may find it comforting (while still sleeping safely) if you place the cribs close enough for them to see each other.
How to get twins to sleep
Before you focus your attention on getting your twins to sleep, ensure you’ve created a safe and healthy sleep environment. In addition to putting each baby to sleep in their own bassinet or crib, keep their beds free from extra bedding, stuffed animals, or loose clothing.
Your babies only need one more layer than you do to be comfortable. Adding a swaddle or sleep sack on top of seasonally appropriate pajamas should be just right for your babies. Overheating can increase your baby’s risk of SIDS, so it’s just as important to make sure your babies aren’t too warm as it is to make sure your babies aren’t too cold.
Here are some ways you can help your twins sleep at the same time.
Set the same bedtime for both
The idea is simple: Put your babies to bed at the same time, and they’re more likely to develop a synchronized sleep pattern. If you don’t, one or both of them will be awake at any given time – and you will become very tired, very quickly.
Another way to sync up your babies: As soon as one cries to be fed, wake up the other one and feed them, too.
Establish a bedtime routine for two
Develop a soothing bedtime routine – maybe a warm bath, bedtime story, and a few minutes of cuddling or singing lullabies – and make sure it’s simple enough to include both babies. Stick to the same activities every night, and your babies will soon learn these mean it’s time to settle down.
Put your babies to bed when they’re still awake
Help your babies fall asleep on their own by letting them drift off in their crib or bassinet, rather than in your arms. This can mean putting each to bed after a joint bedtime activity – maybe a quick cuddle after reading a book together or singing a song. Resist the urge to rock or nurse each to sleep. When you put your babies to bed while they’re still awake, it gives them the opportunity to how learn to soothe themselves to sleep.
Swaddle your babies
The age-old custom of swaddling, or tightly wrapping each baby in a thin blanket, can help your babies feel safe, secure, and ready for sleep. Be sure to stop swaddling at about 2 months, before your babies can roll over. (You can then switch to a sleep sack to keep them warm at night.)
Discourage nighttime waking
When your babies wake up during the night, keep your interactions to a minimum so they’re more likely to fall back to sleep. When they wake, don’t make eye contact, keep their room dimly lit, and put them right back to bed after feeding or soothing them.
You can encourage self-soothing by giving your babies pacifiers – which have the added benefit of helping reduce the risk of SIDS.
Embrace differences in temperaments
If one baby is typically fussy and the other usually calm, you may feel you’re constantly pulled away from your calmer baby. How can you spend time with both babies?
Embrace your babies’ differences. This might look different for every family, but settling the calmer baby first might be the simplest place to start. Balancing two babies with unique needs and personalities isn’t easy, so ask for support from your partner, friends, and family so you can bond with both babies equally.
Also, don’t worry too much about one baby waking up the other unless it becomes a problem. You may find your multiples don’t seem bothered by each other’s crying, even when they’re in the same room.
Accept that multiples sleep through the night when they’re ready
Developing a regular sleep pattern often depends on your babies’ weight, not their age. Because multiples often weigh less than single babies, it may take longer for your babies to sleep through the night.
While there’s no research that consistently proves this, anecdotal evidence shows that identical twins tend to sleep through the night around the same age. Fraternal twins’ sleep patterns may be more independent, especially if they’re different in size or temperament.
If you’re struggling to get your twins or multiples to sleep, sleep training may help. There are several methods you can try to find what works best for you and your family, ranging from “cry it out” and Ferber to no-cry methods like gentle and fading.
Getting twin babies to nap
Most parents find they prefer their twins to nap at the same time so they can get a break. If this is what you prefer, work on getting your twins into the same rhythm of playing, eating, and sleeping.
Practically, this can look like waking your second baby when the first wakes on their own and feeding them at the same time. It might mean keeping a sleepy baby awake a little longer so you can put both to bed at the same time.
Teaching a baby to sleep takes time and consistency. Don’t expect both babies to get into a predictable routine quickly. Caring for newborns isn’t easy – reach out for backup as much as possible so you can get the sleep you need, too.
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