Peaceful Parent Sleep Coaching -- baby and child sleep consultant for parents of young children in Brooklyn and globally
  • About
  • Services
  • Free Consult
  • Sleep & Parenting Hacks
  • Success
  • Videos
  • Health Coaching
  • About
  • Services
  • Free Consult
  • Sleep & Parenting Hacks
  • Success
  • Videos
  • Health Coaching

Sleep & Life Hacks

Sleep Training Twins and Multiples

1/13/2020

1 Comment

 
How to Sleep Train Twins and Multiples
​
Twins. Double trouble but triple the joy? 

I haven't been lucky enough to experience multiples personally (though I was hoping for them with my firstborn!) . But I've recently had the pleasure of working with two sets of twins and I'd like to share a few tips for all those tired families of twins and higher-order multiples.

  1. Identical twins typically have similar sleep needs, while fraternal twins are more likely to have different sets of sleep needs. In a separate blog post, I'll talk about how to address these different sets of needs.

  2. Unless you are able to provide separate bedrooms for each twin long-term, it's usually best to sleep train them in the same room. 

    Yes, this means that they will likely wake each other up. In the beginning. Eventually, they will learn to sleep through each other's noise. This is an important key to success with twins. Unfortunately, there's no easy way to get there. You just have to get through it.

  3. White noise can really help with covering some of the noise though. My absolute favorite white noise is the HomeMedics White Noise Sound Machine. It's considerably louder, cheaper, and more lightweight than the Marpac or the Dohm. It also allows you to use batteries if you are traveling and there's not a handy outlet nearby. We've even used ours in a tent!

  4. Each twin should have her own crib once she is able to move around, if not before. It's best to have the cribs as far apart as is safely possible. This makes them less likely to disturb each other.

  5. Blackout shades during naps and nighttime sleep are especially important when working with twins. We want to make sleepy cues super obvious. 

  6. Consistency, as always, is key. Whatever approach you take to sleep training, you need to do it exactly the same for each twin. 

  7. Both twins need to be on the same schedule, for the sanity of the parents. Otherwise you will never leave the house!

    If you can't get them into bed at exactly the same time, it should be within 30 minutes of each other. It is okay if one twin goes to bed a bit earlier than he might otherwise need. If he's not tired, he can rest or play quietly in his crib until he gets sleepy. If he's crying in the crib, he's tired! It does not mean that he feels like he's in baby jail -- these are thoughts we adults assign to our babies. So please don't feel guilty about putting your twin to bed at a time you fear is not ideal.

  8. Feed both twins at the same time, or as close as possible, unless one twin is ready to skip night feedings. This will help their sleep schedules sync up. At night, if both babies need feedings, when one baby wakes up, wake the other for a feeding too. I highly recommend the My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow for Twins, whether you are breast or bottle feeding. Feeding both babies at the same time can save you a lot of time. 

    If your babies were in the NICU and come home on a schedule, consider keeping them on that schedule. It can also save you a lot of time and effort in the long run.

  9. Many twins are born small and need extra attention paid to feedings and weight gain. By nine months adjusted, though, most babies are ready to be night weaned unless your pediatrician still has concerns about weight gain. In the long run, night weaning makes for higher quality sleep and thus, happier babies. 

    It's up to you to decide how to night wean. Some folks prefer a more gradual approach, slowly decreasing the volume or length of feedings, while others prefer to go cold turkey so that the change happens faster. Either way will work, as long as you are consistent in your approach. 

  10. When you are feeling guilty that one twin has to wait her turn for attention, or otherwise has her needs compromised, remember that there are many gifts to being a twin. Just like with disparate-age siblings! 

    Learning to take turns, to share, and to wait are all valuable life lessons. And many twins grow up to have an unbelievably close bond as adults. I lived with one set of twins as an adult, and I was envious of the closeness they enjoyed. 

    Being a twin (or higher order multiple) is a rare and special gift! With better sleep, you'll be able to appreciate your unique gift all the more.

For help with sleep training twins, or any other child, schedule a free chat with me and get your questions answered.
1 Comment
Shanika Stewart
5/6/2025 07:25:54 am


You can get your Ex Back and cure your Infertility and Herpes with Chief Dr. Odunga.

When I met Chief Dr. Odunga, my husband had divorced me for over 2 years because I was infertile. I was devastated and confused as a woman of 41 years of age to be a barren woman. I went online to look for help on how to get my marriage back then I met Chief Dr. Odunga. Within 48 hours of contacting him, my ex husband came back home and pleaded for me to forgive him and take him back. I knew the spell had worked. I accepted his apologies and then told Chief Dr. Odunga of my bareness for him to help me. He sent me the herbs for fertility and after 2 days of completing the treatment, I did it with my husband and immediately I conceived and became pregnant. 9 months later, I gave birth to twins.
Presently, I am a mother of two beautiful children, a boy and a girl and I am very happy in my marriage. I would recommend him to anyone because I trust he has the power and ability to help you too. I give all the praise to God for leading me to Chief Dr. Odunga and his wonderful work. Contact Chief Dr. Odunga Via Whats-App number +2348167159012. Email him at: [email protected] / [email protected]

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Abby Wolfson is a pediatric nurse practitioner, certified child sleep consultant and certified life coach for parents. She divides her time between Brooklyn, NY and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. 

    Archives

    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019

    Categories

    All
    Achieving Your Impossible Goals
    Adolescents
    Boundaries
    Breastfeeding
    Coaching
    Cosleeping
    Developmental Leaps
    Early Waking
    Illness
    Life Coaching
    Living Internationally
    Naps
    Newborns
    Overtiredness
    Overwhelm
    Parent Coaching
    Positive Reinforcement
    Postpartum Depression
    Potty Training
    Preschoolers
    School Aged Child
    Self Soothing
    Setting Limits
    Sibling Challenges
    Single Parents
    Sleep Crutches
    Sleep Deprivation
    Sleep Essentials
    Sleeping Through The Night
    Sleep Obstacles
    Sleep Schedules
    Sleep Training Methods
    Sleep Training Success
    Sleep Transitions
    Strong Attachment
    Tantrums
    Thought Work
    Time Changes
    Toddlers
    Travel
    Twins
    Vulnerability
    Wake Windows

    RSS Feed

SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULT
Picture
Every child deserves a great night's sleep.
​© 2019 Peaceful Parent Sleep Coaching. All Rights Reserved. Storybrand Website Design by Red Door Designs