How to Settle Twins

I have had two sets of twins and I know only too well how difficult it can be to get both babies settled particularly if you are one your own with them at the time.  It can be a juggle from one to the other with you feeling guilty and frustrated about not having another pair of hands and not being able to do all that you think you should be able to do but can’t.  My advice to you for such moments is; don’t panic and don’t feel bad; you are simply a mother of twins not superwoman!

There are no hard and fast rules on how to get twins to sleep and while your twins are really young babies, much of the suggestions of how to establish a good bedtime routine are not realistic goals until they are a little older and the feeding routines slow down.  Juggling two different body clocks is a challenge but if you aim for your twins to nap at similar times and go to bed at similar times it will give you more time and less chance of feeling exhausted which ultimately helps to cope with the job of being a parent of twins.

How To Settle Twins

If your twins are in their cots try singing or humming to them; speak softly to them; try going from one to the other until hopefully one becomes calmer than the other.  Don’t give up instantly; give them time to calm down.  If that doesn’t work and you find that both babies are still very unhappy you can try picking up one twin and comforting one; it maybe the case that if one baby stops crying the other might stop.

It could be that co-sleeping your twins (if they are not already) could help with settling them and on the other hand it may make things worse.  This is all down to your twins and they will decide if they want to be co-slept or not.

Failing the above, bring both babies to your bed and snuggle down with them both, one in the crook of each arm so they feel secure.  Yes I know all about the “rod for your own back” with co-sleeping but as a mother of twins sleep deprivation can be a real issue.  It is far more important in those early days to get as much sleep in as you can so you can cope with the day ahead.  Besides, you can always transfer them into their respective cots once asleep.  It may seem like bad practice but you have to do whatever it takes to get some rest yourself.

Twins Tips Recommendation: Consider using a co-sleeper from the beginning.  The Arm’s Reach Co-Sleeper attaches to parents bed and allows twins to be within arm’s reach.  Simply place your twins horizontally across the co-sleeper, it can really help during those first few months when feeding schedules are relentless.

When your twins get bigger and the night feeds become less frequent you could try the double mattress solution.  By having a double mattress on the floor in your twins’ bedroom you can at least get in with your twins when they are unsettled and actually get some sleep which has to be the priority at this stage.  You could alternate nights with your husband thus allowing each of you to get a fairly undisturbed sleep every other night.  Or, you could take one twin each. Whatever you decide, remember that it will get better eventually; some children are just better sleepers than others.

Twins Sleeping