Getting twins to sleep

When we give birth to new born twins, we are uniquely and doubly blessed, our twins having shared the womb for nine months and grown together. So it is no surprise that when they are born, our new born twins feel comforted when they are together.

Identical twins even more so, once born have a totally unique bond, and it is said, and can be read about in baby care books, that sometimes they think for each other and can predict one another’s actions.
Sometimes of course, you may give birth to twins that are totally different, both physically and in personality, but this is usually as they grow up. At birth, twins are generally extremely close.

Referring to your baby care manual or a visit to your baby care center or paediatrician can help you with any fears you might have about having given birth to twins, how will you manage, should you feed both twins simultaneously, should twins share a cot or each have their own bed or even if you are lucky enough to have space, their own rooms.

A great deal of mother opt to put twins to sleep, especially when we talk about the new born, together in one crib, top and tail. This brings great comfort to the twins as they are aware of the presence of their brother or sister next to them, can smell them, and feel safe.

There is no baby care book that will tell you that it is wrong, or will recommend against co sleeping of twins, as they shared the womb for 9 months, it only seems natural that they share the same bed.

The problem may arise when you decide to separate the twins, when one crib or cot is no longer big enough for the two, when they can start to move around. So around 3 months of age, mother will generally make the decision to put twins to sleep separately. This may cause some anguish and separation anxiety between the twins, as they share such a close bond, that they fell that half of them is being taken away.

So make sure that to start with, the two cribs are side to side, so the twins are still close enough to detect their sibling is beside them. Knowing he or she has her brother or sister right beside them is a very comforting feeling for new born or baby.

As the twins grow up, they may continue to share their special bond, or they may grow into two completely different characters. But it is not unusual for twins to want to share a bed with their brother or sister, even when they are a few years older. They may fight and bicker during the day, causing you double trouble, but they will always carry the special unique bond between themselves that only they understand, and when it is time to sleep, they want to be besides the person that they feel most comfortable.