Caring for twins is a unique experience, twice the love, but often twice the challenge, especially when it comes to sleep. The ideal approach? Build strong sleep foundations from the beginning to avoid creating habits you’ll need to fix later. Establishing a routine early on will make your parenting journey much smoother.
Common concerns about twin sleep
A big worry for parents of twins is that one baby’s cries will disturb the other. To prevent both babies waking, many parents rush to soothe the crying twin immediately. Over time, this can create a reliance on sleep props, such as rocking, feeding, or holding, and keep both babies from learning how to self-settle.
Another fear is that both babies will wake up at the same time, creating chaos. While this can occasionally happen, it’s often not as frequent as parents expect. Sometimes one twin stays asleep because they’re in a deeper stage of their sleep cycle. With a little patience and consistency, you can get through the hard phase and give both babies the skills to sleep soundly for years to come. The short-term effort is 100% worth the long-term gain.
How to get twins on a consistent sleep schedule
1. Synchronise their routine
Try to align your twins’ feeding and sleeping times as closely as possible. This makes it easier to manage naps, meals, and gives you some downtime when they rest simultaneously. If your twins were premature, they might already be on a hospital-advised feeding schedule, which is a helpful starting point.
2. Wake the second twin
If one twin wakes, wait no more than 30 minutes before gently rousing the other. This helps get them onto the same cycle. Use the wake time of the first twin to “start the clock” for the next nap or bedtime for both.
3. Let night sleep happen naturally
During the night, allow each baby to sleep uninterrupted unless you’ve been advised to wake them for feeding due to weight concerns. Don’t automatically feed the second baby just because the first wakes. Feeding while they’re still in deep sleep can disrupt natural sleep patterns and encourage feed-to-sleep habits.
Should twins sleep in the same room?
As your twins grow, you might wonder whether to give them separate bedrooms or keep them together. Here are some pros and cons:
Pros of room sharing:
- Easier for you to monitor both babies.
- Many twins find comfort in each other’s presence.
- Reinforces their close bond.
Cons of room sharing:
- One twin might wake the other.
- Differences in sleep needs could interfere with rest.
If you’re working on independent sleep skills, separate rooms might be more effective. The same logic applies to siblings. Ultimately, the right decision is whatever works best for your family.
Creating a calm bedtime routine for twins
A consistent, calming bedtime routine helps signal to your twins that it’s time to sleep.
- Start with a bath: A warm bath is a strong cue that bedtime is approaching. If you’re solo parenting, skip the bath and do a simple face-and-hands wash.
- Feeding: Whether you’re feeding both at once or one at a time, make sure they stay awake during the feed. Gently tickle or talk to them if they seem drowsy, so they go into their cots awake and ready to self-settle.
- Be mindful of independence: If you’re feeding one baby at a time, keep the second baby close by while they wait their turn. Then place them both in their cots while they’re still awake.
Remember: Each twin is unique
Twins may share a birthday, but they don’t always share a temperament. One may find sleep easier, while the other is more wakeful or spirited. Be patient and adapt your approach. Over time, you’ll see progress in both, even if one needs a little extra support.
Need help with your twins’ sleep?
If you’re struggling with your twins’ sleep or simply want expert guidance, we offer a free 15-minute consultation to talk through how we could help.
