Herbie Murray
Sleep is one of the most talked-about problems with newborns, and this is only amplified when it comes to newborn twins. Juggling two babies all night can be hard work, but there are many things you can do to make nighttime more manageable. Twins may mirror each other in many ways, but sleep may not always be one of them. One twin may be a chronic cat napper, while the other sleeps through the night. As such, your approach to getting them to sleep will need to be tailored to each child. In this vein, it's important to keep in mind that formal sleep training is discouraged until at least 4 months of age, and it's recommended that babies sleep in the same room as a caregiver for at least the first 6 months. With newborn twins, it's best to focus on laying the foundation for a lifetime of healthy sleep habits.
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What You'll Learn
- Co-bedding: Twins can sleep in the same cot, following safe sleeping advice
- Separate cots: If one twin wakes the other, consider separate cots, placed close together
- Sleep sacks: Use wearable blankets to help newborns regulate their temperature
- Sleep training: This can begin after 16 weeks, with a focus on gentle methods
- Sleep associations: Understand what helps your twins sleep to establish a routine
Co-bedding: Twins can sleep in the same cot, following safe sleeping advice
Co-bedding, or having twins sleep in the same cot, is perfectly safe and even recommended when the twins are small. This practice can help the newborns regulate their body temperatures and sleep cycles, and can soothe them and their twin. It also means that you can keep your babies with you in your room for longer, which is known to reduce the risk of cot death.
If you choose to co-bed your twins, it is important to follow the same safe sleeping advice as for a single baby. They should be placed on their backs, with their heads facing one another and their feet at opposite ends of the cot, or side by side with their feet at the foot of the cot. It is important to note that you should not co-bed in a Moses basket, as it will be too small for two babies.
If your twins are disturbing one another, you may consider moving them to separate cots placed close together so they can continue to comfort each other. Alternatively, if you have the space, you could give them separate rooms.
It is important to be flexible and adapt to the needs and preferences of each twin. For example, one twin may prefer a cot while the other is more comfortable in a Moses basket. In the early days, try to coordinate night feeds so that if one wakes up, you can feed the other at the same time. Be prepared for one twin to sleep through before the other.
To help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), some sources recommend that twins be separated into their own individual cribs, especially as they become more mobile. Blankets are not recommended for newborns, but you can use a sleep sack to help your babies regulate their temperature and stay cozy.
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Separate cots: If one twin wakes the other, consider separate cots, placed close together
If your twins are waking each other up, it might be time to consider separate cots. However, this is a personal decision for the parent or caregiver. If you have the space available, you can place the twins' cots or cribs next to each other so they can still see, touch and comfort each other. This can help them to bond and settle.
It's important to be flexible, as one twin may prefer a cot while the other is more comfortable in a Moses basket or bassinet. You should also be prepared for one twin to sleep through while the other wakes up. In this case, the Twins Trust says that the other twin will likely sleep through their sibling's crying.
Research suggests that putting twins in the same cot can help them regulate their body temperatures and sleep cycles, and can soothe each other too. However, once one twin can roll and move around in the cot, it's time to give them their own separate sleep spaces to keep them safe. This is to prevent them from accidentally blocking each other's airways or overheating, which increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
If you do decide to co-bed your twins, there are a few key points to consider. Twins should be placed side-by-side in a cot in the early weeks, ensuring they're not close enough to touch and potentially block each other's breathing. It's also important to follow basic sleep safety practices. The AAP advises that for the first year of an infant's life, you should sleep in the same room as your baby for at least the first six months.
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Sleep sacks: Use wearable blankets to help newborns regulate their temperature
Sleep sacks, also known as sleep bags, are wearable blankets designed specifically for infants. They are similar to sleeping bags but are snugly fitted around the torso, leaving the neck and head uncovered. The baby's legs are enclosed within a loose fabric bag, creating a warm and cosy environment.
Sleep sacks are widely recognised as a safe and comfortable choice for babies and toddlers, helping to regulate body temperature throughout the night and ensuring a good night's sleep, which is crucial for their growth and development. They are considered one of the safest bedding options, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatricians, as they are snugly fitted and do not cover the neck or face, eliminating the risk of strangulation or suffocation.
When choosing a sleep sack, it is important to select one that fits your baby's age and weight appropriately. While many sleep sacks are designed to accommodate a range of ages, a sleep sack that is too loose or too tight can pose safety risks and affect your baby's comfort and movement. Sleep sacks come in different sizes and "TOGs", which refer to the thickness of the sleep sack. Lower TOG indicates lighter fabric, while higher TOG indicates more insulation and warmth. For example, a 0.5 TOG sleep sack is suitable for warmer sleep spaces during summer, while a 1.0 or 2.5 TOG may be preferable for cooler sleep environments.
Sleep sacks made from breathable materials such as bamboo, merino wool, or organic cotton are excellent choices for temperature regulation. They keep your newborns cosy in all seasons by adjusting to the surrounding temperature. Some sleep sacks, like the Woolino 4-season options, are designed to grow with your baby for the first two years of their life and can be adjusted using snaps under the arms.
Sleep sacks are a safe and effective way to help your newborn twins regulate their body temperature while they sleep, providing both comfort and peace of mind.
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Sleep training: This can begin after 16 weeks, with a focus on gentle methods
Sleep training twins can be challenging, but it is possible and can be done gently. If your twins were born prematurely, you should wait until they are 16 weeks of age before beginning sleep training.
Firstly, it is important to remember that your twins are two different people and that no two babies are the same when it comes to sleep. One twin may be a good sleeper, while the other may struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep. Therefore, your approach to getting them to sleep may need to be different for each twin.
To begin sleep training, you should first get your twins on a feeding schedule, as babies who eat at the same time will likely become drowsy at the same time. After feeding, burping, and changing your twins, look out for sleep cues such as yawning and eye rubbing. When you see these cues, put your twins down drowsy but awake, following safe sleep guidelines to lower the risk of SIDS.
If one twin wakes up and the other doesn't, you will need to decide whether to wake the sleeping twin or let them continue sleeping. If you let them sleep, you may find that their schedules become misaligned, with one twin ready for bed an hour before the other. However, if one twin wakes the other, it may not always be a bad thing, as you want them to eventually be on the same schedule.
You can also use white noise to help block out the sounds of one twin waking up, hopefully allowing the other to continue sleeping. Be consistent in your methods for comforting each twin, as they may have different preferences. For example, one might like to be rocked, while the other prefers to be patted.
If your twins have been sleeping together, you can try putting them in separate cots if one is waking the other. However, if your end goal is for them to share a room, it is best to sleep train them together so they can get used to each other's presence and noises.
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Sleep associations: Understand what helps your twins sleep to establish a routine
Sleep associations refer to the things that help your twins fall asleep and return to sleep. When your newborns are young, you will do almost anything to get them to sleep. However, as they grow, sleep associations can become unhelpful, leading to bedtime battles and frequent night wakings.
For example, if you feed or rock your babies to sleep, they may become dependent on this to settle. If you then try to put them down before they are fully asleep, they may pop awake and become upset. Similarly, if your twins are used to feeding multiple times a night, they may continue to wake up expecting to be fed.
To establish a routine, it is important to understand what helps your twins sleep. You can then use these sleep associations to your advantage to help them settle. For example, if your twins are soothed by white noise, playing this in the background can help them fall asleep and stay asleep. Similarly, dimming the lights and speaking in soothing voices can help your twins understand that it is bedtime.
Another example of a sleep association is co-bedding. When they are small, twins can share a cot safely. Co-bedding can help your twins regulate their body temperatures and sleep cycles and can soothe them. However, as they get bigger and start to move around more, it is recommended that they transition to their own cots to give them space to move freely and get comfortable.
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Frequently asked questions
Co-bedding, or having twins share a cot, can help newborns regulate their body temperature and sleep cycles, and can soothe them. Twins have shared a womb, so it makes sense for them to continue to share a sleep space.
If one twin is waking the other, you can try putting them in separate cots. This can happen when they start to move more and need their own space to get comfortable. Twins can continue to comfort each other even in separate cots, which can be placed next to each other.
Feed both babies at the same time and then put them back to sleep. If one wakes and the other is asleep, wake the sleeping baby when it’s time to eat. This way, you won’t have to be feeding at least one baby all night long.
