7 Sleep Resources for Twins

May 05, 2017

baby sleep positions

Sleep (or lack thereof) is a hot button issue with soon-to-be parents. There are so many things newly minted moms and dads can look forward to, but lack of sleep is not one of them. What’s more, parents of multiples seem to have more cause for concern over sleep with two or more 24 hour schedules to consider. We all know good sleep is hard to come by in that crazy newborn phase, but are twin parents destined to be lacking in REMs until they stop purchasing diapers? Fear not friends. There are plenty of trailblazers who have come before you and offer a variety of strategies for sleeping with two or more. Parenting styles and approaches to sleep will vary, and lucky for you, there are resources out there tailored to your personality and situation. Remember that not only is every parent going to approach this differently, but babies are all individuals and what works for some might not work for another. It’s all about customizing your approach. Without further ado, here are a few of the best resources to read up on sleeping with multiples.

The Baby Sleep Site app to sleep train twinsThe Baby Sleep Site App available for download through iTunes. If you are a modern parent and want a digital approach to getting your twins on a schedule, The Baby Sleep Site condensed the important, must-know sleep information into this easy-to-use app.

Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Twins book on sleep training twinsHealthy Sleep Habits, Happy Twins: A Step-by-Step Program for Sleep-Training Your Multiples by Marc Weissbluth M.D. This book is written by a trusted pediatrician who has seen thousands of children in his practice and could be helpful for a parent that enjoys a scientific approach to sleep.


Mothering Multiples breastfeeding twinsMothering Multiples: Breastfeeding and Caring for Twins or More! by Karen Kerkhoff Gromada. This book is a great overall guide for those parents that want to take a more natural approach to parenting and consider breastfeeding to be a priority (which could tie into your sleep strategy).


Baby wise sleep training twinsOn Becoming Baby Wise: Giving Your Infant the Gift of Nighttime Sleep by Robert Bucknam M.D. Though this book is not specifically geared towards twins, many parents over the last 20 years have found this sage advice helpful, especially if they lean towards a more structured approach to parenting.


Baby whisperer book on sleep training twinsThe Baby Whisperer Solves All Your Problems: Sleeping, Feeding, and Behavior—Beyond the Basics from Infancy Through Toddlerhood by Tracy Hogg and Melinda Blau. This book provides a gentle approach to parenting and sleep training for those who want to avoid “cry it out.”


How to sleep train twinsHow to Sleep Train Twins: The Ultimate Guide by Nina Garcia. Many parents enjoy the systematic approach that this relatively new book offers. It is written by a seasoned mom who sleep trained a singleton and then her multiples.


12 hours sleep by 12 weeks book to sleep train twinsTwelve Hours’ Sleep by Twelve Weeks Old: A Step-by-Step Plan for Baby Sleep Success by Suzy Giordano. This is another resource not specifically designed for twins that is followed by many a happy twin parent. Some have noted that your birth circumstances (birth weight, prematurity, etc.) may change the training time frame to more like Sixteen Weeks or beyond. This approach may also be more challenging for those who want to prioritize nursing multiples.

As you can see, the approaches to getting your nest to rest vary greatly, but there is sure to be an approach for every type of parent and baby. Take some time to review the options so that you have a tool belt with lots of strategies at your fingertips. You will know the best fit for you. Enjoy your slumber!