Infant multiples are super duper cute and bring immeasurable joy. However, navigating their sleep needs often leave parents feeling bleary-eyed. Here are some common problems and practical solutions to help you and your little ones get whatever rest you can.
1. Synchronized Sleep Cycles:
Coordinating the sleep schedules of multiple babies can be a puzzle, leading to a constant cycle of sleep disruption for parents.
Establish a synchronized routine. Coordinate feedings, diaper changes, and bedtime activities, aiming for a consistent schedule to create a rhythm that aligns sleep cycles. Read up more about sleep schedules for babies and join support groups to learn more.
2. Nighttime Feedings:
Frequent nighttime feedings can leave parents feeling exhausted, especially with more than one hungry mouth to attend to.
Create a feeding station. Keep essentials like diapers, wipes, and bottles within easy reach so that nighttime feedings are efficient, minimizing disruption and promoting a quicker return to sleep. Keep the environment cool and dark during nighttime feeds, and reach out for help if you need. For families that don’t have additional support, some parents engage a night nurse and find that it makes a huge difference. If you are breastfeeding and your children tend to suckle at the breast for a long while, consider pumping for a minimal 5-10 minutes to maintain production while letting another caregiver bottle feed the babies with expressed breast milk or formula. Alternatively, you may also consider tandem latching to save some time.
3. Sleep Regression:
As infants grow, they may experience sleep regression, causing disruptions in established sleep patterns.
Establish a calming bedtime routine. Consistent rituals like a baby massage, warm bath or gentle lullabies signal to your infants that it's time to wind down, easing the transition into sleep even during periods of regression. Being aware of sleep schedules and your babies' tired cues will also help.
4. Limited Personal Sleep Time:
Finding time for your own rest can be challenging when caring for multiples, leaving parents drained.
Embrace tag-team sleeping. Coordinate with your partner to take turns caring for the infants, allowing each parent to enjoy uninterrupted stretches of rest, promoting overall well-being. Accept help from family or outsource when you need. For example, my father assisted with the 10pm night feed daily for a couple of months, allowing my husband to catch up on much needed sleep from 9pm-2am. Some families also engage up to two domestic helpers, or a night nurse.
5. Fussy Sleepers:
Some babies may be fussy sleepers, making it challenging for everyone to get the sleep they need.
Invest in soothing aids. White noise machines, swaddles, and a cool and dark space can create a comforting sleep environment, helping fussy sleepers settle down more easily. Most parents of multiples also choose to sleep train their babies, although there are also families who prefer to co-sleep or even assign one caregiver to each baby every night.
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Every family is unique, so adjust these solutions to fit the specific needs of your twins, triplets or quads. It really does get better and easier with every passing day, so hang in there, tired parents!
Read also: [Spotlight] Triplet Mummies Share Their Postpartum Arrangements
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