From the moment my twins were born we had our twins share a crib in the hospital.
They nestled together and turned their heads lovingly towards each other, reinforcing from their very first moments on Earth that they had a special bond.
Naturally, when we got home, we placed them in the same crib together.
They were comforted by each other and needed the closeness of their sibling to help them begin adjusting to the world outside of the womb.
Every second of their existence has been spent together, so it only seemed natural to put them in the same crib for the first few months.
Meghan, on the other hand, decided to have her boys sleep in separate cribs. They have had their own sleeping space since the very beginning.
So Should Your Twins Share A Crib?
You will find varying opinions about allowing your twins to share a crib.
The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages babies sleeping with siblings due to the risk of SIDS, but AAP doesn’t directly address the issue of twins who are essentially siblings of the same age.
We aren’t here to advise you one way or another. It is purely a decision that your family needs to make independently under the guidance of your healthcare provider.
However, since it is something I did with my twins, I wanted to share with you the safety precautions I took when allowing my INFANT twins to share a crib.
First and Foremost…Take Precautions Against SIDS:
SIDS is a scary reality for every new parent. The 21st century has allowed research and technology to help more and more parents decrease the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome for their children.
Whether your twins share a crib or not, it is in everyone’s best interest to take some precautions.
Know that the risk of your child suffering from SIDS is actually fairly small, approximately 1 in 2,000 babies.
Regardless, the following tips are helpful precautions to keep your twins safe in the same crib or separate cribs:
- ALWAYS LAY YOUR BABIES DOWN ON THEIR BACKS….BACK IS BEST
- Don’t dress your babies too warmly — keep their room between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit. This nursery safety thermometer is a helpful tool that you really can’t live without. Dress them in one layer of pajamas and a swaddle/sleep sack to act as a blanket. We love these Halo sleep sack swaddles.
- Use appropriate bedding, which means ONLY a snug fitted sheet on a firm mattress. Leave out the animals, blankets, pillows, and BUMPERS!
- Use fans and humidifiers (especially in dry climates) to keep the nursery well ventilated.
- Pacifiers have been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS (so consider offering one at night).
- DO NOT SMOKE!
If you decide to share crib —
We get it, you are having to purchase two of everything, which quickly gets pricey. It is natural for every parent expecting twins to try and pinch pennies where possible.
Unfortunately, buying cribs isn’t one of those places; crib sharing just isn’t a safe, long-term solution.
Your twins can share a crib for a short period of time, but eventually, you WILL need two cribs.
But in the meantime, before crib sharing becomes unsafe, remember:
- When you put your twins down to sleep in the same crib, space them apart or place them head-to-head at opposite ends of the crib
- Assign each baby a specific spot in the crib will help with consistency and routines, making your life easier!
- When your twins become more wiggly or are rolling over (usually between 6 weeks and 3 months), separate them into two cribs to avoid the risk of suffocation AND to keep them from waking each other.
Regardless of the decision that best fits the needs of your family, the gift of twins is a unique one. Cherish it, because you are one special mama!
