The thing about bedtime is that it doesn’t just start at 7pm, it starts from the moment we wake up in the morning. Kids want predictability and mama needs her sanity so the answer to that is plain and simple: a schedule. A schedule that ensures everyone’s needs are met and when bedtime does roll around each kid is well equipped and ready to hit the sheets.
Tips:
There are two books I recommend first to all new moms or moms who would like to get on a schedule with their babies/kids, especially if you are trying to figure out a twin sleep schedule. They are very similar in design but you can decide which works best for your methodology. I honestly take a little bit from each and put it into use for our household routine. The two books I pull from are: 1. On Becoming Baby Wise 2. Moms On Call
Book Suggestions
6:45AM: The girl’s ‘Sleeper Hero’ (read more about this HERE) turns GREEN and they are allowed out of their room for some independent time before my husband and I get up. 7AM: EAT Girls – Head downstairs with their dad for breakfast Twins – Usually they start stirring about 6:55a but if not I wake them up regardless to start the day. I “partially nurse” the boys because for me that is what works best for our family, so the first morning feed includes a nursing session. I nurse the boys & give them their bottles. Then do diaper changes/dressed for the day.
Schedule:
7:30AM: Girls- Come back upstairs and pick out their clothes (They can do this independently thanks to THIS DIY wardrobe station I created for them). After they are dressed they come in to the boys room where I am. Twins- It is important to have some awake/play time after the babies eat so they don’t associate feeding with sleeping and become attached to the idea of needing to suckle to sleep. So we use this time to play with the boys and keep them awake.
Schedule:
8:30AM: PLAY /or/ School Prep Girls- The girls go to school in the mornings as mentioned above so this is about the time we are getting shoes on and loading the girls up. Twins- NAP (I shoot for 1.5hrs) // Some mornings we are lucky to have some helping hands around so on the mornings that we do the boys will nap in their cribs. If not then I load the boys up and they take this nap in their car seats. I highly recommend infant car seats for this reason (as opposed to convertible) because you can let them sleep and easily transport them around.
Schedule:
9AM: If the boys are with me I usually run a quick errand (grocery, target etc) and let them continue their nap in their car seats 10AM: EAT Twins- The boys get bottles for this feed and are eating between 4-5oz. Girls- If the girls are not at school they are typically eating a snack around this time. This also occupies them while the boys eat. 10:30AM: Twins- PLAY – We have awake time. I usually play music or do tummy time. Anything to keep them awake really!
Schedule:
11:30AM: NAP Twins – If there is no school or we have a helper the boys will go down for their nap at this time // If not, this is the time we have to leave to get the girls from school so I pack the boys up and let them nap in their car seats. Moms on Call stresses that if babies can have at least 2 naps at home and in their cribs then they should be set for a restful sleep so I do strive to make that happen most days but it usually is more doable for the later naps.
Schedule:
12:15PM: Girls – EAT – We get home and I feed the girls lunch and use this time to chat about their mornings at school. Twins – If they came to school pickup with me I usually try and keep them sleeping through all of this. I usually quietly transfer them to their swings (we use the Mama Roos downstairs) and let them continue their nap. 12:45PM: Girls – NAP / Quiet Time – I first get my 2.5yo all set for nap and lay her down. Then once she is down I help set my 4yo up with some toys/books to bring to her “quiet time bed” which is actually located in my office nook for some quiet time. The girls share a room but I have to separate them for this time or my youngest will not fall asleep! Otherwise, if left alone, the 2.5yo falls right asleep.
Schedule:
1PM: Twins – EAT – This is another nursing session and then supplement with bottles after if they’re still hungry. 1:30PM: Twins – PLAY – Awake time 2:30: Twins – NAP – This nap is always swaddled and in their crib. I shoot for 1.5hrs. Girls – My 2.5yo will usually start stirring but she usually naps until at least 3pm. The days vary for sure. I usually sit at my computer to do some work to keep the house quiet if my 2.5yo is still sleeping and if my 4yo is awake we spend a little time together (since her quiet time bed is in my office area)
Schedule:
3:30PM: Girls – They are normally both up and eating a snack at this point. 4PM: Twins– EAT – They get a bottle at this time. Girls – They will either play upstairs in their playroom or I will put a show on for them. 4:30PM: PLAY All 4 – We use this time to keep the boys awake after feeding and also to let the girls interact with them and get their baby snuggles in!
Schedule:
5:15pm: Twins – NAP – They usually nap a little sooner around this time for no other reason than they seem to be more sleepy. They usually only last for about 45 minutes but I swaddle them and put them in their cribs for this nap. **I use this time to then prepare dinner for the girls. Girls – They usually like to color at the table while they wait for dinner so I keep our craft cart downstairs for them. I will also occasionally put a show on for them during this time. 5:30/6pm: Girls – The girls eat their dinner
Schedule:
6:30PM: THE BUSINESS OF BEDTIME begins Twins – If it’s bath night we give them a bath first then we start (what Moms on Call refers to as) “tender time.” I have everything I need for the boys laid out on the floor and start our “tender time” routine which includes: soft music, quiet voices (or at least try with the girls ha-ha), lotion & PJs. More than anything it is the routine and process that triggers the boys to know bedtime is near.
Schedule:
7PM: Twins – EAT – This is the boy’s bedtime feed. I nurse them then give them bottles to top them off and make sure their bellies are full. Girls– The girls get their own PJ’s on then my husband helps them with brushing/flossing. Once they’re all ready (usually by 7:15PM) they head back to the boys room to sit with us while we finish feeding the boys.
Schedule:
7:30-45PM: Girls – BED – My husband takes them to their room and reads them their nighttime story or tells them the infamous “Super Jo & Super Lo” stories. Twins – I finish up with the boys and get them to bed. I take one at a time and say my goodnights to each of them individually leaving one baby sitting in the feeding seat (I use the Table for Two as part of my nursing station found HERE) while I take the other baby to their crib, kisses, swaddle them and turn on their Owlet. I turn on the sound machine before grabbing the second baby then repeat. Kisses swaddle and turn on their Owlet. I shut the lights and head out. The boys will lay awake for a few minutes cooing before they drift off to sleep!
Schedule:
7:45PM: Girls – After I am done with the boys I go say my goodnights to the girls. We usually tell stories since the lights are already off but I’ll read a book sometimes too. Then they know it’s time for Mommy to go and they usually chit-chat for a little bit before dosing off. & that's it!
Schedule: