how can i get my 17 month old twins to sleep through the night????

Question

I am getting desperate. I don't want to resort to drugs to get them sleeping. Can anyone help?
They slept with me for the first 8 months, then I succeeded in getting one in a cot, but still waking several times a night, and the other has only just moved from my bed permanantly to the cot. She has slept through the last 3 nights for the first time. Fingers crossed it continues.
I wonder if it's because I am still breast feeding? Well, I don't wonder, but that's what my husband thinks the problem is!

lol...they have been eating solids since around 7 months. One better than the other, but now you can't stop them.
I only feed one of them 3 times a day, but the other is a boob-a-holic. She needs a 12 step programme!!

Answer 1

Ok...well, the gal above isn't entirely off track, and forgive me for sounding arrogant but unless you've had more than one baby at a time you just don't get the whole picture (I'm sure she's a great mom anyway, I wouldn't hold her only having one baby at a time against her)

But I do agree with your husband about the breast feeding part, at least I think it could be contributing. Fact is breast milk is wonderful for them, and congrats to you for keeping up when hardly any women nurse past 6-9 months BUT as the babies grow out of infancy they need more substantial nutrition, as in solid food.

Now breast milk contains all that wonderful stuff that you've always heard about, but since it has no real substance it won't fill those little bellies like solid food will. And nothing puts a baby...or a toddler really, to sleep like a nice full belly. If you're still relying on only breast milk you're probably still feeding them at least six times a day...maybe more. If you were to at least supplement that with 2-3 meals worth of solid food you would see results.

17 months is a long time for them to be waking through the night. We had to go 6 months and it seemed like an eternity. (At six months we were able to add cereal to their formula, and Presto! The slept through the night. Yeah!)

You haven't mentioned whether you are supplementing their diet with any solid foods but if you aren't you might want to go ahead and start. (I cannot imagine you feeding two toddlers on breast milk alone...Good Lord Woman! Are you superhuman?)

At any rate the gal above is also on to a great point. You have to put your foot down on the sleeping habits. Do it now or you will continue to pay for it for far too long. Follow her tips and know that it might get worse before it gets better.

The first year or two of having twins is very tough, and is more work than anyone who hasn't had them can imagine, but eventually the pay off comes and you get it better than those with singletons. (Particularly if they are of the same sex)

Answer 2

I have 14 month old twin girls. But I didn't breastfeed, so this is a little different. When the were first born, I wouldn't put them to bed until after 10:00. This worked out well because my husband worked second shift and would usually be home in time to help feed. I thought that putting them to bed later helped them sleep longer when I needed to sleep too. My doc also advised keeping them on the same schedule. When one eats, feed the other. When one sleeps, lay the other down, etc. That worked out very well. But I had one that still woke up after about 5:00 in the morning after the other started sleeping through the night. So I would take her from their crib and lay with her fot the rest of the night. After about a week she didn't wake up as easily. They slept in the same bed until they were a year old, and then they started waking each other up, so I seperated them, but they can still see each other easily. Try a warm bath and then a good snack, (no sugar). Then see if they will lay down and go to sleep on their own. Also, stick to a routine and if they start to cry, wait 5 min before going to them. After while increase it to 10 min. etc. After a week or two, they will learn to go back to sleep on their own if they wake. Good luck.

Answer 3

As a mother of twins myself, I found that letting them sleep together was the best remedy. They would actually climb into eachother's beds anyway, they were together in the womb, and it is comforting to them. They will always be connected more than we can imagine, and will become their own persons too - but right now, you are looking for a solution so you and your hubby can sleep - this worked for us.
You might also consider not nursing them anymore, they can handle a sippy cup or bottle - use soy-based formula; they got the best from you the first 6 months anyway. Give them their blankets and play some soft lullaby music all night in their room, and I think you will find some peaceful and calm children happy to sleep!

Answer 4

I in ordinary terms have an 11 month previous son, so what I say would or will possibly no longer grant help to. Mine in simple terms all started sleeping in the time of the nighttime this week. Does your baby sleep greater advantageous while he's contained in the mattress with you? if so you may ought to get him to sleep a nighttime or 2 and spot how he does. If he's definitely sleeping greater advantageous then you definately ought to get him asleep on your mattress and then lay him in his very own. I advise at this factor giving HIM the twin mattress. that's what my son sleeps on and he does fantastic. in ordinary terms we had him sleeping on a twin mattress in our room for a pair weeks. it must be the actuality that he's in a crib, as my son won't sleep in something that has facets on it. of direction, make beneficial he has an entire abdomen and probable a nightlight (mine is terrified of dark locations). Then on the different hand, some infants do in simple terms now not sleep. My niece takes possibly a 5 minute nap, as quickly as an afternoon. and he or she nonetheless would not sleep in the time of the nighttime. Ask his pediatrician, he ought to have the ability to assist greater in that subject. i'm sorry you're having a coarse time with him. in simple terms remind him of it each nighttime once you wake him up screaming for no reason after he turns sixteen. Hahaha i'm in ordinary terms kidding. Take care and robust success.

Answer 5

Your biggest and most dangerous mistake was having them in your bed with you at all. It all about routine be strict with it I used The bath< bottle
I should add I am also a childminder and do over night care so I have looked after multipul babbies on many occasions and no its not the same as having your own but my best friend has twins and she is a single mum and breatfeeds and does'nt have the same problems.

Answer 6

How can I get my FOUR year old twins to sleep through the night lol
Seriously, my twins have never not once both slpet through the night at 15 months they`d wake numerous times. Now it`s about once each. I wish I could help you,all I am saying is you aren`t alone.
I have tried keeping them up later,no naps,playing extra long..nothing helped in my sitiuation.
Best of luck
m~