Can twins sleep in the same crib?

Learn about the benefits of separate sleep spaces for twins and discover how monitoring your twins individually can create a safe sleep environment today.

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By Nanit Team

The benefits of separate sleep spaces for twins

You’ve brought home your two new bundles of joy. Now you’re wondering if it’s safe for them to sleep in the same crib. While it may seem more convenient for your two littles to share a crib, there are actually a variety of benefits to creating two separate sleep spaces for your twins.

Here are some of the advantages of individual cribs for your babies:

Creates a safe sleep environment. Even though some parents are in favor of newborn twins co-sleeping (aka sharing a crib) the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends babies steer clear of co-bedding as they get older and that each twin sleeps on their own flat, firm surface, since this may reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Individual cribs also prevents your little ones from rolling over and sleeping facing each other, an unsafe sleeping position for babies.
Lowers the risk of waking each other. By keeping your babies in separate sleeping areas (even if they’re still in the same room), they’re less likely to wake each other up and can establish more regular sleep patterns. As babies grow out of the newborn stage, they may begin to roll and wiggle, which can disturb their twin when sharing a crib.
Nurtures individualized sleep routines. Yes, they once shared a womb, but now your babies may have different needs when it comes to getting adequate rest. By setting up separate sleep spaces, you can give both babies the calm, care, and attention they need to begin developing positive sleep habits.

Some parents may be in favor of allowing twins to share a crib, but there isn’t enough research to prove that it’s safe. When considering what to expect with twins or how to prepare for twins, focus on creating two separate sleep spaces to ensure safety and comfort for each baby.

How to monitor twins with Nanit’s Pro Camera Multi-Pack

One of the big reasons parents opt for their twins to share a sleep space is because it’s easier to keep an eye on both babies at the same time. Fortunately, with the help of Nanit’s Pro Camera Multi-Pack, you can have the peace of mind that both of your littles are resting calmly, even if they’re in separate cribs or rooms. Equipped with a dual or triple-camera system and a split-screen feature, the Pro Camera Multi-Pack allows for versatile surveillance in multiple rooms, making it the perfect tool for a home with twins.

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Nanit Pro Camera Multi-Pack

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Meet the Nanit Pro Camera, the most awarded, connected baby monitor with camera and app on the market. Enhance your baby monitoring experience with a dual-camera or triple-camera system, perfect for versatile surveillance in multiple rooms. Get ready to know more, sleep smarter, and enjoy the convenience of our Split Screen feature designed for seamless monitoring.

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Our Pro Camera Multi-Pack sends you updates that allow you to continuously monitor your baby’s breathing motions. And our advanced Breathing Wear works alongside our monitoring technology to ensure you can track their breathing patterns and heart rate, all from one singular mobile device. Made with 100% organic materials, you can rest assured that your twins will wear what’s soft and comfortable while you keep an eye on their sleep patterns so you can get the rest and relaxation you deserve, too.

These monitoring tools send messages in real-time right to your Nanit app about your babies’ breathing motions. (Just remember that Nanit is not a medical device, nor should it replace the oversight and advice from a healthcare professional.)

Key takeaways

It’s best for twins to sleep separately. There are a variety of benefits to twins sleeping in separate cribs, including establishing a safe sleep environment for both babies and lowering the risk that they wake each other, helping them to create more regular sleep patterns.
Monitor separate sleepers with help from Nanit. With the help of Nanit’s Pro Camera Multi-Pack, you can keep a watchful eye on both of your babies and receive alerts about their breathing motions in real time.
Gain extra peace of mind with Sleep Wear. Pair the Pro Camera Multi-Pack with Sleep Wear from Nanit to detect the breathing motion of each sleeping twin and receive alerts directly on your phone.

Sources:

American Academy of Pediatrics. SIDS and Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Updated 2016 Recommendations for a Safe Infant Sleeping Environment. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/138/5/e20162938/60309/SIDS-and-Other-Sleep-Related-Infant-Deaths-Updated?autologincheck=redirected

NHS. Twins and Sleep. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/newborn-twins-and-multiples/twins-and-sleep/

Sleep Advisor. Can Twins Sleep in The Same Crib? https://www.sleepadvisor.org/can-twins-sleep-in-the-same-crib/

NIH. Sleeping Arrangements in Families with Twins. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3496289/

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CONTRIBUTORS

Natalie Barnett, PhD serves as VP of Clinical Research at Nanit. Natalie initiated sleep research collaborations at Nanit and in her current role, Natalie oversees collaborations with researchers at hospitals and universities around the world who use the Nanit camera to better understand pediatric sleep and leads the internal sleep and development research programs at Nanit. Natalie holds a Ph.D. in Genetics from the University of New England in Australia and a Postgraduate Certificate in Pediatric Sleep Science from the University of Western Australia. Natalie was an Assistant Professor in the Neurogenetics Unit at NYU School of Medicine prior to joining Nanit. Natalie is also the voice of Nanit's science-backed, personalized sleep tips delivered to users throughout their baby's first few years.

Kristy Ojala is Nanit’s Digital Content Director. She spends way too much time looking at maps and weather forecasts and pictures of Devon Rex cats and no-cook dinners. A former sleep champion, she strives to share trustworthy somnabulism tips with other parents—praying for that one fine day when no tiny humans wake her up while it’s still dark out. Her kids highly recommend 3 books, approximately 600 stuffies, Chopin’s “Nocturnes,” and the Nanit Sound + Light for bedtime success.

Mackenzie Sangster is on the Brand and Community team at Nanit. She supports content development and editing for Nanit’s Parent Confidently blog as well as other marketing initiatives. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her friends, cooking, being active, and using the Pro + Flex Duo to keep an eye on her fur-baby, Poppy!

Holly Hays is a contributor and writer for Nanit, channeling her years as a mama and former magazine editor to create fun, useful content for fellow busy, trying-to-do-their-best parents and caregivers. Holly has written for a wide range of brands and media outlets (Ergobaby, HGTV, Manhattan Toy Company, OXO), loves to cook and read mystery novels, and leans heavily on her two daughters to keep her up to date on all the latest slang.