10 Useful Tips to Help Your Twins Sleep At the Same Time

Having twins? One of the first things you’ll want to do when they’re born is get them into synchronized sleeping patterns. If not, you’ll always be taking care of at least one baby, and this will be enough to drive you and your partner crazy. So, for your sanity, make sure both babies are asleep and awake at the same time. Granted, this is much easier said than done. But there are definitely some dos and don’ts to achieve synchronized sleeping. All you need is a little time and patience!

1. Start straight away

As soon as your babies are born, try to get them to sleep at the same time. This means starting in the hospital. If one is asleep, put the other down for a nap. If one wakes up for a feed, wake the other one up as well.

2. Feed them at the same time

Babies that feed together, sleep together. Get your twinnies into a synchronized feeding pattern as well. If one baby wakes up for a feed, wake up the other as well. You can try breastfeeding them at the same time — yes it’s possible! Or nursing one and have your partner bottle-feeding the other. If you’ve chosen not to breastfeed, simply bottle-feed both twins. Always make sure you have breast milk or formula ready in enough bottles for both.

3. Put them in separate beds

The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against cot-sharing. Having separate cribs can lower the risk of overheating, accidental suffocation, and SIDs. Not to mention, your bundles of joy will be less likely to disturb and wake each other in the night. Have separate Moses baskets to begin with and then separate cots as they get older. Place the cots close enough for the twins to see each other. This can be comforting for them and help them drift off more easily.

4. Create a bedtime routine for two

Develop a relaxing and calming bedroom for both twins. This can be a relaxing bath, bedtime stories, some cuddles, and lullabies. Follow the same pattern every day and eventually, your twins will know it’s time for beddy-bye-byes.

5. Feed them before bedtime

Feeding your twinnies will help them feel drowsy and drift off faster. Fed, warm, and freshly changed babies are happy babies. And happy babies mean sleepy babies. You can incorporate feeds into your bedtime routine for two.

6. Put them to bed while they’re still awake

Don’t wait for your twins to fall asleep before you put them down for a nap or for the night. Let them fall asleep in their cots so they can learn to drift off without needing to be fed or held. This will help you further along the line.

7. Settle your calm twin first

Of course, your twins will have very different personalities, despite sharing your womb for nine months. This can make sleep synchronizing a little tricky. If one of your babies tends to fuss or wake more, check on the calmer one first. This ensures both babies are getting the same amount of attention and no one is left out.

8. Swaddle your babies

Swaddling is the age-old practice of wrapping babies in blankets or thin cloths to restrict movement. Doing so can help your twinnies feel safe and secure, which means they’ll fall asleep faster. Be sure to stop swaddling them after they’re two months old. As babies move around more at this age, it can be potentially dangerous.

9. Write it down

Keep note of your twins’ sleeping and eating routines, when they eat, need diaper changes, and fall asleep naturally. This will help you remember your routine and stick to it. Not to mention, with time you can look at all this information and decide when is the best time for them to nap.

10. Be kind to yourself

Parenting is never straightforward especially when you have twins. It’s okay if things don’t always go as planned. Take a deep breath, and try again tomorrow. Surround yourself with all the support, make some time for yourself, and remember, one day your twins will sleep at the same time.

One last thing…

For more ways to help your twinnies fall and stay asleep, check out BABY SLEEP from Beginning.com. We offer you a series of natural and calming melodies created by experts to help your little ones node off. And, if you want even more parenting tips, check out our library of expert-led masterclasses.