Twin Sleep: Tips for Better Nights (and Naps) with Two Babies
If you’re parenting twins and feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or unsure if good sleep is even possible, you’re not alone. Twin sleep can feel like an entirely different world—two babies, two sets of needs (they are separate people after all!), and often very little rest.
The good news? Twins can sleep well.
Twin sleep doesn’t have to mean chaos, constant wake-ups, or giving up on routines altogether. With the right setup, timing, and expectations, you can create healthy sleep habits that support both babies—and you.
Let’s walk through how twin sleep works, common concerns, and practical tips to make it manageable.
Is Twin Sleep Different from Singleton Sleep?
Yes—and no.
Twins follow the same biological sleep principles as singletons: they need age-appropriate wake windows, enough daytime sleep, a consistent routine, and the ability to connect sleep cycles. What is different is the logistics.
Twin sleep requires:
Synchronizing schedules
Managing two babies waking at once
Creating a sleep environment that works for both
Supporting independence without leaving one baby alone and upset
Should Twins Be on the Same Schedule?
In most cases, yes—and it’s one of the most important foundations for twin sleep success.
A shared schedule helps:
Prevent one baby from constantly waking the other
Allow parents to rest when both babies rest
Create consistent rhythms for feeding and sleep
This doesn’t mean forcing identical behavior, but rather gently guiding both babies toward similar nap times, bedtimes, and wake windows.
If one twin has a rough nap, you can adjust slightly—but staying generally aligned is key. I usually recommend keeping them on the same schedule within 30 minutes of each other (meaning, if one twin woke early from a nap, wake the other within 30 minutes)
Room Setup for Twins: What Works Best?
One of the most common questions twin parents ask is whether their babies should share a room. The answer depends on age, space, and family preference. Here are some of my thoughts about room set up.
Separate Sleep Spaces
Each baby should have their own safe sleep space:
Two cribs (or bassinets for younger babies)
No shared sleeping surfaces
Same Room vs Separate Rooms
I recommend keeping the twins together!
White noise can help mask sibling sounds
Most twins learn to sleep through each other’s noises surprisingly well
If room-sharing becomes disruptive later on, separation can be considered—but it’s not required for good sleep.
White Noise Is Your Best Friend
A loud, consistent white noise machine helps:
Muffle sibling cries
Promote deeper sleep
Reduce startle responses
signal its time to sleep
Place it between the cribs if possible!!
Sleep Training Twins: Is It Possible?
Yes—sleep training twins is absolutely possible!! Here at Hey Abby we aim to:
Use the same approach for both babies
Be consistent with bedtime routines and responses
Give each baby a chance to self-soothe
It’s common to worry about one baby “suffering” while the other is addressed—but with a plan, both babies can learn healthy sleep skills without being ignored.
Sleep training twins doesn’t mean leaving babies to cry endlessly—it means teaching them how to fall asleep independently in a way that supports the whole family.
Feeding and Twin Sleep
Feeding plays a huge role in sleep, especially early on.
Helpful strategies:
Aim for full feeds rather than frequent snacking
Feed both babies during nighttime wake-ups (especially early on) to keep schedules aligned—even if you have to wake one
Gradually space feeds as babies are developmentally ready
Common Twin Sleep Challenges (and What to Do)
“One twin sleeps better than the other.”
Very normal. Focus on supporting the higher-needs sleeper without disrupting the stronger sleeper unnecessarily.
“I feel guilty focusing on one baby.”
Twin parenting requires balance, not perfection. Meeting both babies’ needs sometimes means short waits—and that’s okay!
Twin sleep can feel relentless in the early months!! It is a lot!! But focusing on helping them learn independent sleep skills early on will not only help you, but will help them as well as they will be better rested!