Trying to put your twins to sleep might well be the biggest struggle for any new parents of two. Implementing a healthy sleeping routine for your babies and sticking with it can significantly ease your life. Guess what, you might even be able to add a little bit of the much needed “me time” to the clock!
As first-time mom and dad of twins you are still new to the game of twin parenting. In your attempt to make the best choices you’ve probably read tons of guides and yet none of them seem to be unanimous, especially when it comes to the question “Can twins share a crib?”
To put a stop to your pain, we have filtered through all the information available and have given you the gist of it. Here is a rundown of what you should know about your twin’s sleeping arrangements, complemented by the top safe sleep tips.
Can Twins Share a Crib?
Can twins share a crib? Funnily enough, you will find very disparate answers to this question that stand on the opposite sides of the spectrum. We can’t tell you what is best for sure, but we can give you the facts and help you make your own choice.
First, let’s look at the doctors’ side of things. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) firmly advises against having a shared bed for your twins. The reason is that sharing a crib increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
SIDS is one of the biggest concerns of parents of both singletons and multiples. Although the chance of this happening is quite minimal, approximately 1 in 2,000 infants, twins are at a higher risk because they are often born prematurely or have low birth weights.
Nevertheless, there are certain things you can do to prevent that from happening. Doctors recommend that babies should sleep in separate twin baby cribs. That way you overrule the chance of your babies becoming entangled with one another, suffocating or getting overheated.
The Twist: Why Some Prefer to Put Their Newborn Twins In The Same Crib?
There is this other group of parents who choose to provide their newborn twins with a shared crib. They believe that this resembles the womb experience that babies had when they used to share a room in mommy’s belly. Because they are already comfortable with each other, sharing the same crib is believed to help them get adjusted to the new world together. Many newborn twins tend to tilt their heads to each other in a loving way when put next to each other.
However, there is not enough sufficient evidence to convince doctors that co-bedding is a safe sleeping arrangement for twins or multiples.
If you decide to try this method you should only do it for the first 3 months until your babies start wiggling and turning around, because this increases the chance of SIDS. Also, remember to space them apart or place them head-to-head at opposite ends of the crib. By assigning a designated spot to each twin you will be able to establish a routine and make your life easier in the long run.
A great way to give your babies their own sleeping space while sharing a crib is by getting two baby loungers and putting them in the same cot. We highly recommend you the Mamibaby Co-sleeping Nest for Babies, which is made from 100% breathable cotton material and features 360 degree protective side guardrail design that guarantees your babies’ sleep safety. So if you have the question “Can twins share a crib?” this crib is perfect because it is portable and can be put anywhere you like, including your adult bed, the living room or sofa, or even taken on your travel family adventures. It’s definitely a good investment for any sort of situation and makes your dream co-bedding for infants possible.
Which Is The Best Cot for Twins? The Baby Trend Retreat Nursery Center for Newborn Twins
Following the facts of our main question “Can twins share a crib?”, having your babies sleep in separate twin baby beds while following the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendations, doesn’t mean that your sweethearts have to be in a separate sleep space. You can still put your babies in the same room, just in different twin cribs.
It’s actually recommended that you sleep in the same room with your newborn twins in the first few months to monitor them and avoid SIDS. Once they grow up a little bit more you can put them in their own nursery.
We understand that buying two separate twin baby cribs might be hefty on the budget and impossible space-wise. But there are other viable options, too.
For example, a twin bassinet is a great way to save space and still have your angels at close proximity. Bassinets have been used by parents for ages, because they give the stability, firmness and safety any newborn needs.
While bassinets used to be very simple and made out of wood in the past, nowadays you can get cozy bassinets turned into a nursery center for your twins. Our personal favorite is the unique Retreat Twins Nursery Center by Baby Trend, and it’s “the best twin bassinet out there in my opinion”, according to a customer.
It has everything you need and more in just one place: two removable Rock-a-Bye bassinets that you can take wherever you want, a changing table, a deluxe parent organizer, and a one-hand locking mechanism. It’s also a kind of a Pack n’ Play crib, because it easily converts into a play yard, accompanied by the two toys that come with it to ensure the fun is always there.
The Baby Trend Retreat Twins Nursery Center is indeed the best option for your newborn twins, because for them it feels like they’re sleeping right next to each other and you can keep them in your room. But as they grow in size they will also outgrow their twin bassinets and you will need to get something bigger for your children.
What Crib Should You Get for Your Older Twin Babies? The DaVinci Kalani 4-in-1 Convertible Crib in Ebony
Once you have prepared your babies’ own nursery room, we highly recommend you to get convertible twin cribs. The best one we found is the DaVinci Kalani 4-in-1 Convertible Crib in Ebony, which has been voted the #1 best crib of all times by the New York Times.
But why is everyone head over heels about it? Because it’s your long-lasting bed solution for your twins that easily converts into a toddler bed when you need it. The toddler rail comes in a separate box together with easy-to-follow instructions on how to build it.
This is also the best eco-friendly crib, because it’s made from solid wood (sustainable New Zealand pine), and has a Greenguard Gold certificate for low emissions. Moreover, you get to choose the color from the 7 non-toxic paints it’s manufactured in, but our personal favorite is the ebony one.
Can Twins Share a Crib? Top Safe Sleep Tips for Twin Babies
Now that you have all the facts about your burning question “Can twins share a crib?”, let’s see what other tips we have in store for you to ensure your babies have a safe sleeping space and avoid SIDS. They are applicable regardless of which sleeping arrangement you decide to go for.
- Always lay your babies down on their backs!
- If your twins are having a nap outside of their twin bassinets or cribs, make sure that the mattress they’re lying on is firm and that the sheet is well fitted. Also, avoid any toys, blankets, pillows or bumpers around your sweethearts.
- Make sure that your babies are not overheating by dressing them in lightweight, breathable materials. Parents love seeing their angels in all of the Twin Onesies by TwinStuff. We absolutely adore the Miracle Onesie by TwinStuff, because it’s super fun, soft and your babies can nap with style. We couldn’t agree more with the slogan on the Miracle Onesies: “sometimes when you wish for a miracle… you get two”.
- The ideal room temperature for your newborn twins is 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Try and develop the same routine for your twin babies to ensure that they have the same nap and bedtime sleeping schedule. If you manage to synchronize their feeding habits, including middle-of-the-night breastfeeding, your angels will get drowsy and nod off at the same time. This is your key to some more “me time”.
Can Twins Share a Crib? Answers for New Parents
Being parents of twins definitely has its moments of “How do I do this?”. The sleeping arrangement for your angels is one of the most important things to decide on and many parents are asking “Can twins share a crib?” While there is not an unanimous answer to this question, the American Academy of Pediatrics firmly advises against it, due to the increased chance of SIDS. Nevertheless, some parents like to have their newborn babies share a crib. The choice is entirely up to you, and with the help of our safe sleep tips you should be good to go.
