Crib Sharing

Rachel - posted on 06/24/2010

I seperated mine when one started rolling over but the other one could not yet. They were about 7 months old. They actually seem to sleep better now that they are in seperate cribs but can still see each other.

Rebecca - posted on 06/23/2010

Why "should" you? If it is working for you, stick with it! End of story! My boys were put into separate cribs at 4 months because one kept rolling over on the other, but there cribs were side-by-side. They would sleep holding hands -- so cute!! Now, they are two and sleep in side-by-side toddler beds and often end up in the same bed. Twins have a special bond and that bond should be fostered, not weakened! Keep them together as long as they are happy that way.

Carrie - posted on 06/23/2010

I have 8 month old twins and have only seperated them for the past few days because one has bandages on her arm due to a burn and I didnt want her brother crawling or rolling on it in the night

Barb - posted on 06/22/2010

I am a proud mama of 9 month old twins as well, a boy and a girl. I too had them sharing a crib until they were nearly 6 months old. We only then purchased a second because they were getting rather long and that my son just loved to do the whale flipper kick with both of his legs. The whole crib would shake from his thudding. lol :) Where in the world did you hear that you should separate them. I have several magazines articles that shows that twins develop better when they are close to one another. How an infant has separation anxiety from its mom, its the same for twins. They TOO have separation issues. Or at least mine did. Hope all is well.

Stacy - posted on 06/22/2010

mine are 3 months old and they share one crib I see nothing wrong with it. I really dont think mine would sleep with out each other.

Tessa - posted on 06/21/2010

my 16mth twins shared until they couldn't fit in next to each other.. (1yr) now the really appreciate their own space...they have forever to be doing anything together best let them sleep comfortably now

Rachel - posted on 06/21/2010

I had my twins in the same crib until my son figured out how to roll over then he kept rolling over and on top of his sister. It was entertaining as well as aggravating since she was the hard one to get to sleep. The just turned three and in fact I just moved them out of the same room now too. Everyone has different opinions and different situations. I was told when I start thinking about moving them out is when it probably is time to do so.

Teresa - posted on 06/20/2010

I seperated my girls at 5-6 months because they were kicking each other awake in their sleep.

Though now (at 8.5) they almost always sleep in the same bed and have for the past couple of years.... :)

Beth - posted on 06/20/2010

mine are going on 6 months and they co sleep with me , butheres the point , the will wriggle and wiggle till they ARE touching, then they relax into that "deep" sleep...

Rolla - posted on 06/20/2010

i think that you shouldn't separate them because its wonderful thing to share every thing even the crib as long as they sleep in peace and quite

Donna - posted on 06/02/2010

i kept mine in the same crib untill they seemed like they were too big to share it. We recently got them bunk beds but it doesnt seem to matter much b/c they seem to share the bottom bunk constantly any way

Mary - posted on 06/02/2010

We separated mine when they were around 9months old. They are b/g twins and turn 1 tomorrow.

Arnella - posted on 06/01/2010

My twins still share a crib and they are almost three. They enjoy each other, and don't fight a lot. I am going to get them seperate toddler beds now since they are turning three.

Kassandra - posted on 06/01/2010

Thank you so much for all your feedback everyone...I really appreciate it!!!

Erin - posted on 05/28/2010

They shared a womb for almost 9 months, I see no problem with sharing a crib as long as they're comfortable! Even when my twins graduated to toddler beds, I would go in and find one cuddled with the other. They are 9 now, and usually sleep in their own bed, but if one has a bad dream he usually crawls into bed with his brother. They find it comforting, I wouldn't take that away.

Mistik - posted on 05/26/2010

Jennifer Powell: Thanks for the advice on separting in school. I had thought I wouldn't until this and reseaching it further...I plan on bring it up to husband when he gets back to town.

Karen - posted on 05/25/2010

I have boy and girl twins(now 12). I kept them together in the same crib until my son started useing his sister as a stepping stone to climb out of the crib. When i put them in their own cribs still in the same room I would always find my son back sleeping with his sister. Even when they were old enough for beds in seperate rooms he was always climbing in with his sister during the night. It makes for some good memories, that I think has made them close...

Angel - posted on 05/25/2010

My fraternal twin boys are now 4 years old, they shared a crib until they were close to 1. Then in separate cribs until they were 3, but we had the head boards touching so they could interact with each other. After that we put them in toddler beds, which they are still in and more often than not, when I wake them in the morning they are in the same bed. I think they will let you know when they no longer want to be together. Good luck.

Elizabeth - posted on 05/24/2010

I separated mine when they started to affect each others sleeping. Until then, I don't see a pressing need to separate them.

Carmen - posted on 05/24/2010

I have twin girls who are 2 1/2 now. I had them sharing the same crib until it became a little overcrowded. They had separate cribs in the same bedroom and now they have toddler beds in the same bedroom because they always seem to look for one another.

Amber - posted on 05/23/2010

My twins are 3 now, but when they were about 4 months old we moved them to their own crib. They started waking each other up or kicking each other in the middle of the night. They were much happier in separate cribs....although I hear same sex twins like to sleep next to each other~ mine didn't mind the change...

Bethany - posted on 05/23/2010

I was so looking forward to my boys being able to share a crib and create a bond with each other...unfortunately my little guys scooted too much in their cribs and I had to separate them at just 5 weeks because they would hit their heads against the side of the crib every night! My little guys have always been little movers and don't want to sit still for anything. They are going to be 1 year old on May 26th and have been fine in their own cribs ever since, but again, I really wish that they could've shared a crib much longer than 5 weeks :(. I guess that you'll know when it's right to put them in separate cribs....but if they aren't hurting anything by staying together, I don't see the harm :).

Yolanda - posted on 05/23/2010

my boys just turned 2yrs.old and they now share a full size bed, They don't seem to do well apart I believe they will seperate themselves inspite of what people say. i don't see what harm it can cause they do everything else well, they still are individuals, it's always those that don't have twins that say that, maybe because they just don't understand twins.

Nete - posted on 05/22/2010

let them share until it becomes an issue, then have the two cribs placed together so they can still touch and see each other

Ariel - posted on 05/21/2010

Mine were 10 months old when we put them in separate cribs (that's only because we got another one for Christmas) and they never even cared, but now that they are almost 15 months old they look over the sides of the crib so they can see each other and they are very cuddly but I think they love the space by themselves.

Jennifer - posted on 05/21/2010

around 6 months is the age when the babies will start doing things like undoing any swaddling and rolling over in bed so you may want to start putting them in separate beds. We did that, but we had the cribs right next to each other so they could hear and see one another-there was no issue from the babies when that change was made.

Our kids are about to go into pre-k and we are separating them. I am having some angst about it but at some point your twins will be different...have different personalties, different needs, etc and I think having some separation from them is healthy so they can really develop themselves as individuals because, since they are twins, people will naturally expect them to be the same so if you keep them together in school when they are older, it may actually be a disadvantage. For example, If one is a good reader but the other struggles with reading, the teacher may not realize it, but may actually favor the better reader over the other.

When it comes to your twins, you should do what feels right. For me that meant keeping them on the same schedule for everything when they were babies - feeding, sleeping, even diapers! ( as much for my sanity as anything.) I let them sleep together until they became different sleepers and now as they get older I am following the lead of their personalities and interests. Trust your instincts, ask as many questions as you need to. You'll be a pro in no time. The first few months are hard but it does get easier. Its really important to remember that structure is important for everyone but that babies are pretty go with the flow creatures. So, if you try to have them sleep together but it causes you to feel anxious and you separate them into different cribs, they will be fine. Truly, you aren't harming them in any way. They have heard and felt each other in your belly for 8-9 months, sleeping in different bassinets won't harm them or cause any issues. I will also say, even though you didn't mention it, its also okay if you aren't beats feeding them and decide to bottle feed. I did, and I have two noisy, healthy, growing, speaking, playing children...just do what feels best for all of you.

Jannie - posted on 05/21/2010

Hi
I'm expecting twins they are both boys, I was told to keep them in the same crib until they are 6 months and I also was told when they get ready to go to school like in first grade to keep them separate in the class too. Is this true?? Or what should I do, this is my first time having twins:-)

Jennifer - posted on 05/21/2010

I think crib sharing is wonderful. I have fraternal twins, almost 4 and they still share a room. They have plenty of time to be separate them and you will know the right time -really when it becomes dangerous, such as rolling over on each other, etc etc. I think crib sharing provides comfort to both children. My children shared a bassinet in NICU after they were born and if that isn't a message that it is all right then I don't know what. If you are happy with them crib sharing, then poo poo to everyone else! :) You do what feels right.

Rachel - posted on 05/21/2010

I kept my b/g twins in the same crib until they were 14 months old. They are 17 months now & their cribs are side-by-side. They like being close. The only reason I separated them when I did was that one would stand on the other & climb out... UGH!!! Otherwise, they'd probably still be together!

Mistik - posted on 05/21/2010

Wow...lots of great advise!! My boys are almost 6 months old. They were in the NICU 6 weeks. Separate first 2 weeks (too sick) BUT THE HOSPITAL CO-BEDDED THEM FOR A MONTH IN THE SAME INCUBATOR!! They sleep sooo much better while being kicked and punched...go figure!! My first born started crawling out of his crib at 11 months, so I bought him a bed. I figure one crib will do us until the twins move to toddler beds. We'll see...

Lisa - posted on 05/21/2010

I have twin girls and I separated them at 3 months...after I stopped swaddling them...they started to move around in the bed and I didn't want one to hurt the other...they have done fine sleeping separately..at this point at 14 months they are already going at each other with the biting and hitting...I do have them in the same room and their cribs are next to each other...so in the morning when they wake up they see each other and just start talking and playing..

Lisa - posted on 05/21/2010

My boys are now 13mth and I have always kept them seperated. That is due to when they were in hospital for the first 3mths of their lives they were seperated in different rooms. So i have never had them together in the same cot. They are in the same room but it doesnt bother them if they are in the same room together or not as they have never shared a bed. Its always up to you. You can get advice but in the end its up to you. If my boys were in the same cot I would keep them there together until they were either to big to share the cot or if they stayed up playing when they are meant to be sleeping. Which ever one that came first that is when i would have seperated them if i had to do it

Kim - posted on 05/20/2010

My boys slept together until they were to busy playing to sleep and then we put their cribs side by side. We slowly moved them apart. They are 4 now and I still will find them in eachothers bed all the time. :)

Cherie - posted on 05/20/2010

my girls are 14 months and have differant cots but side by side so they can still see each other and pass things through to each other and they too will not sleep without the other in the room

Carrie - posted on 05/20/2010

`My twins shared their crib up until they were over a year. They too were preemies and were very small and still are very small. I only separated them once it started to become an issue that one was waking the other up or it was looking too crowded. They still share a room but just in separate cribs. I think once they hit toddler bed stage, we either may just give them a double bed with rails or 2 separate singles and go by what they show us they want. I plan on keeping them in the same room till they no longer can tolerate one another. But right now I think it`s a comfort for them to have their twin with them so close! Good luck, go with your gut and signals your twins will show you.

Dawn - posted on 05/19/2010

I still have my two girls sharing a bed at 5 years old. We seperated them briefly but could not sleep without the other next to them. I say do whats rt for you. Good luck. :)
Dawn

Carla - posted on 05/19/2010

My best advice for any mother is to go with their instincts. If you feel they are doing well together, leave them together. If you think they need to sleep separately, let them. Try to crowd out the outside voices that think they know it all, and go with what you feel in your heart. God gave mothers an innate ability to know what is best for their children, and I swear by it. I personally had two cribs. Sometimes they slept together, and sometimes separately, it depended on the day and how each of them were feeling. I had to separate them when they were sick, and put them together when they each needed the other. A mom can always tell.

Carrie - posted on 05/19/2010

They may just be learning to sleep together and claim their own space with each other in it. It can be a attaching process too...once they learn to sleep together they may not fight so much over other things...mine are wonderful together and I blame it on them sleeping together for so long....ha!

Carrie - posted on 05/19/2010

I am a huge fan of cobedding/family co bedding with twins and other sibs. If it works for you don't let others make you think it is wrong. BE the CRAZY mom who lets her children stay attached.But, if you think they will sleep better separated then you should do that. You are the parent...you know what is best for you and your kids. You have to do what's in the best interest for all of you. We have a family bed...my twins are 3.5 yrs and still sleep with us. One has seizures and the other breathing problems. We get grief from people but it is the only way we get any sleep. It works for us and we actually love it. There are pro's and con's to everything and all families are different. Embrace what works for you.

Jacey - posted on 05/19/2010

ummm, I had to seperate mine at like 2 months lol. But, If they could sleep together I would honestly do it at about a year, or maybe you could do it when they switch to a todler bed so they have the lure of being a big boy if it upsets them... but they cant sleep together forever, and you dont want them having troule sleeping alone, might manifest into relationship issues when older lol. Well, good luck!

Kim - posted on 05/18/2010

Who says you have to separate them if they're content??? Our boys shared a crib until they were both too big then they slept in side by side cribs. I imagine they'll probably share a room until they move out too!!!

Janie - posted on 05/18/2010

My twins are 5 months old and have been sleeping seperately for a couple of months now. They sleep in the same room just in their own cribs and I think they prefer it. They move around alot while they sleep. They nap together sometimes but for bedtime it's in their own bed.

Tanya - posted on 05/18/2010

My twin girls shared a crib until they were 9 months old. At that point we only separated them because the one would keep the other one awake because she wanted to play. They are now 20 months old and their cribs are now right across the room from each other. They often babble with each other until they fall asleep and are the best of friends.

Kassandra - posted on 05/18/2010

Thank you very much for the feedback everyone...it is very much appreciated!!!

Jenn - posted on 05/17/2010

My twin boys will be 3 in October and they have always slept in the same crib. When I moved them to toddler beds the always ended up in the same bed so I got them a twin to share and when they get to big to sleep in that together I will get them another twin or just a queen. When they are ready they will let you know they want their own bed.

Samantha - posted on 05/17/2010

My twins were born early, so they were put in separate cribs in the NICU. They came home at 2 weeks old and I had put them together in her crib in her room since i was putting clothes away in his room and my girl was NOT a happy camper lol. I was also very determined that I wanted them to be individuals so we kept them separate and they seem to still be bonded but also like their own space!

Ann - posted on 05/17/2010

I think you are fine as long as you, and they, want to share space. There are studies that talk about all the benefits. I think any negative issues are pretty straight forward and present themselves. My girls came home on oxygen and I had a son 16 months older so I needed to have them share a crib when they were downstairs. They had their own space at night. When they started to grab the others wires we put in a crib divider. Then they just grew too big and I no longer needed them to be in a crib while downstairs. So mine have done both... I think that you will know if its no longer working. Until then... no worries :)

Betty - posted on 05/17/2010

I left my girls together until about 7 or 8 months i only had them in the same crib on account of space in the room but they loved it soon my younger one started moving around in her sleep i woke one morning to a bloody nose and one blue eye thats the only reason i seperated but i will keep them in the same room until they come to me and tell me they want to change

Khadijah - posted on 05/17/2010

My twin girls shared a crib until they the got too big to do so (around 6-7 months). One slept at each end and my girls are in the 95th percentil for height and eventually they began kicking each other, so for saftey purposes we bought another convertible crib and put the cribs right across from one another. They are still in the same room now and they are going on 16 months!! I don't anticipate giving them their own room for a very long time as they are SO close and that's a bond that can not be broken! Good Luck!

Amy - posted on 05/16/2010

I let my boys share a crib until they just couldn't any more. Then we placed their toddler beds next to each other. Now the are 5 and sometimes still sleep together sometimes. I think you should trust your gut and let them guide you, they are still young.