10 Methods for getting sleep when you have twins

Posted on June 2, 2011 by No Comments

 

The biggest complaint from twin parents is the lack of sleep they are able to get during those early months. By following these steps you will be able to cope with your new challenge as parents of twins.

1. Make sleep the priority in the household.

2. Prioritise the chores and accept that you are excused from many in the short term while you are adjusting to your new role as parents of twins. If the ironing or the dusting doesn’t happen today do not worry.

3. Sleep when your babies sleep even if it’s in the middle of the day. This may not always be possible because twins do not always sleep at exactly the same time anymore than they want to feed at exactly the same time.

4. Co-sleep your twins if they seem happier that way.

5. Co-sleep with your twins if it means you get more sleep. You can always break this habit when your twins are older and have dropped their night time feeds.

6. Try and establish a routine as soon as possible but accept that it may not be achievable instantly as you are battling two body clocks and two separate needs. I reiterate, twins do not always sleep and eat at exactly the same time.

7. When one twin wakes for a feed, wake the other at the same time or very shortly after so you do not spend the night in one big feeding frenzy. This will help with establishing a routine.

8. Use dummies/pacifiers if it helps to settle them.

9. Try a tag team effort whereby one parent has total responsibility for both babies for half of the night ensuring the other parent sleeps and achieves a solid 5 hours and then swap over.

10. If you are finding it difficult to synchronise your twins then take a baby each and follow the routine of your baby leaving your partner to deal with the other one.

Much of it is trial and error as you get to know the different needs of your twins but if you follow the methods above you will be able to manage. Remember there is no wrong or right solution to the lack of sleep newborn twins bring and you have to do whatever works for your family to ensure that you get the most sleep you can. If you are getting adequate sleep then you can cope with the day ahead.