Are Double Cribs for Twins Necsessary?

Hi J., I know a lot of people keep their twins together but I found that mine needed their own space. I did keep them together in the very very beginning then I found that the bassinets worked out better for us. By three months they were in their own cribs. There are portable cribs and even cribs designed for twins (almost like a bunk bed type crib)although I don't know anyone who used it. I saw it on a website. You could do a search. I think inthebeginning it is comfortable but as they grow they might need their own space when they roll over. I.

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I have b/g twins- they shared a crip for about 2 months, until my son didn't like being swaddled anymore. He moved around too much, so they needed more room- I think you will need 2 eventually, but not the day you bring them home. Good luck!

Due to space issues we used only one crib for the first mnths, knowing that we might need to assemble the second (and reorganize the room) eventually. Our girls were happy to be in one crib until 8 months - when one started waking earlier and poking her sister! An extra big crib would not prevent a poker! :) Good luck!

Well, we mostly coslept. We used a co-sleeper first, then they were in our bed at about 3-4 months old when they weren't so scary little. But I did have to move my daughter to a crib because my son's nighttime fussiness would keep waking her up. she slept much better that way - as long as I got in there ASAP if she woke LOL.

Hi J.,

Our boy/girl twins (now 5) slept in the same cradle for four weeks, then in the same crib for another four weeks. Looking back, it wasn't until they were about 9 or 10 months old that they truly started to demand their own space. Our son was a very fidgety sleeper and, though a good sleeper, would creep all over his crib all night long. I'm quite sure our daughter wouldn't have been able to stand that for too long.

If you can get away with one for a while, go for it. But their own sleeping habits will guide (or dictate!) your final decision.

Good luck- have fun- enjoy every second!
M. D

My twins (boy and girl) slept in a playpen for 1 month, then the same crib till they were around 3-4 months. After that we separated them to 2 cribs since they were waking each other up. So in our case it was necessary to separate them otherwise nobody was going to get any sleep in the house!

My brother and SIL are having twins. They are not buying double cribs for now. They are due in 2 weeks. They bought one and are going to use it for at least 6 months and then see how things are going. I have a friend who had twins and she never bought double cribs at all.

N.

Hi J., I am a mother of twins. We did have two cribs set up for our twins and ended up only using one of them for a long time. We would put one at each end of the crib, being so tiny it only made sense, and after a while they would find their way to each other. It was so cute, we did not have the heart to seperate them. As they got older we put the cribs head to head and finally seperated them to give them some more room. When my husband and I would check on them, they would each have an arm out holding hands. To say the least, they have slept together for a very long time. LOL

Hi J.,
I'm a twin, and my mom tells me that when we were babies, I was able to move my crib across the room to be near my sister. I haven't ever wanted to be apart from her for very long. If your twins are happy together, let them stay that way as long as it suits them!

Hi - Sounds like you were in my position 5 years ago!!! I would hold off for now. My boys slept in moses baskets for 3 months and then only 1 liked the crib - the other one slept in the swing until he could roll over. Also, if your twins are small, they can sleep in the same crib for awhile. Mine, however, were 7 and 8 pounds so that did not work for me.

We have b/g twins and had them in the same crib until they were about7 months old. They just needed more room.

If you are not crazy about everything matching, start out with one and see how it goes.

Hi,
I Had B/G twins in 2004...had them in e different cribs from the start, but in the same room..,.we had to move to a larger home when they were 6 months old...they would wake eaach other up...and now thy each have their own room..which they love!
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Hello J.,
We had twin boys and put them together when they outgrew the bassinets. When they out grew the crip we put them in a bunkbed and used the crib sides to keep them from falling out. We have pictures of them sleeping all over each other but we never had a ptoblem with them being together. It will probably have to be "trial and error" to see what you will beable to do. Enjoy them, they're alot of fun.

I'm expecting twins this summer. We are only buying one to start off and adding another if needed.

I have fraternal b/g twins myself, now 2 1/2 years, we also had space issues. My twins slept together in the same crib for about a year (mainly by choice), first side by side and as they grew foot to foot. They always wanted to sleep next to each other : ) At about 14 months or so we converted to the toddler beds for the two of them (the boy was and still is a good climber), and even now they try and sleep together. My advise is just start with one and see how the children react. My father was also a twin (identical) and my grandmother tells me they slept together until they were 8 yr old no matter what she tried, they always had to "touch" each other. Good Luck!!! Multiples are a lot of hard work but also a tremendous blessing.

According to my sister who has 20 month old twins, she had hers sleep together until they outgrew crib space, then she moved them to separate cribs, (I gave her mind) otherwise they were starting to wake each other up.

PS if you have colicky twins, beware of the expensive formula you will have to buy & take my advice and purchase it from Ebay, it saved my sister thousands of dollars.

By "double cribs" I assume you mean two cribs???

My girls slept next to each other for about three months, then it seemed that they just slept better in separate spaces. I used a double pack and play until they reached the weight limit for the bassinet top. Now they are each in their own pnp (w/o the top).

But each baby is different & maybe they'll want to be next to each other.

I think you can assume when they are first born that they'll want to be next to each other then take it from there based on their personalities.

Good Luck!!!

for newborns, one crib will do but as they start growing and moving for safety you really need two. To save money they have cribs that convert from crib...to toddler bed...to a bed frame....it may cost a little more up front but over all will save you money in the end. good luck!

Hi J.,
I have 5 month old twin boys and they are still sleeping in the bassinetts. I love the ones we bought. The Eddie Bauer wood bassinetts. They are big bassinetts and my boys are 15 lbs now and still use them. I live in a one bedroom condo so understand about space!!!! They also have great storage space underneath for all the diapers, blankets, etc. I didn't do the cribs yet because I don't have the space until we move in a month. But in hindsight, one crib wouldn't have worked for us becuase one has severe reflux colic and doesn't sleep and the other sleeps great. Plus they are rough with eachother - kicking, rolling, poking, etc!!!!

Good Luck

I have 17 month old b/g tiwns and they were only in the same crib for a very short time (a month max) my son was considerably bigger than my daughter and he began to kick her, and in the middle of the night his feet would be across her body. We too were in temporary living as our home wasn't ready yet and our apt. was small, so we had my daughter, the smaller one, in a mini pack and play for a while (until she was about 7 months old) and that seemed to work! Good luck

Had twins too.
Did have 2 cribs. They were fraternal and different personalities. My son too was smaller. His sister was like a tank and would walk on him, as she was up first. No choice. She would also take his bottle, etc.

If they are amicable then doubling up sounds reasonable. I am sure when they need their own space you will know.

At the beginning, having twins sleep in one crib together worked better for me. They seemed to miss each other when they were apart and they definately slept better together. At about 5 1/2 months, we separated them into their own cribs. At that age they were too active to be comfortable together. They would roll into one another and kick each other. I would definately start with one crib and leave it up to your twins when it is time to separate them. I know it taks up a lot of room to have two cribs, but you will need two at some point. As far as saving space, you'll just need to get creative with clothes & toy storage. If you have a closet in the room, you may want to invest in a closet organization system to get use out of every inch you can.

Jan, there's a wonderful moms group called Manhattan Mothers of Twins Club. Of all the groups, this is the most supportive I have come across - full of helpful ideas and helping hands. They often have gently used equipment to sell that's perfectfor twins. In fact the head of Big City Moms, the largest group in Manhattan, recently had twins and joined this club, too. www.manhattantwinsclub.com

H. B

i guess in the beginning you could get away with one crib, but after a few months there will be no room for them to roll over or move around. It will be necessary to get 2 cribs eventually. You might as well get 2 cribs now, b/c after a few months it might be difficult to separate them....

Hi J.,
I just finished putting down my 7month old twins and YES, two cribs are necessary. At least they are for me. I have a son and daughter and they have VERY different sleeping patterns. They shared a crib up until they were about 5 months old which is when they began waking eachother up. THey would kick eachother or roll on eachother and the other one would wake up screaming because they would get startled. For awhile I wondered why we spent the money on 2 cribs because they slept so nicely together, but now I am very grateful that we did. They still share a room but aren't as affected by eachother since they are seperated.Hope this helps! D.