twins not sleeping

[Abena]

advice you guys have out there! We have twins aged 5 months and they are getting WORSE in terms of sleeping at night. For example last night I got up seven times to feed them. They were on breast milk for first six weeks now on formula. We bath them, massage, feed them in a dark room every night and they go to sleep fine from about 7.30 pm to about 11 pm then it is a nightmare from there on! My little boy wakes my little girl up about every hour and a half. It is impossible to go on like this. PLEASE HELP!!!!

[throckenholt]

it is typical of babies of that age - and tends to be a phase (a completely knackering one).

Don't always assume they are hungry - try and settle them first - keep it low key, low lights, low voice, and tell them calmly and firmly that it is sleep time.

[frumpygrumpy]

As throck says there can be loads of reasons for waking up. Is he on any solids? Teething? Is he out of his covers by any chance? One of my children is a restless sleeper and the cold wakes him once he's wriggled out.

I have recommended this book so many times that people will be fed up of me saying it BUT Solve Your Child's Sleep Problem, Dr Richard Ferber, really is helpful.

Your little ones are very young yet to have any of the difficulties that are mentioned in the book so I wouldn't take all of it in too deeply atm. However, there is a good section on sleep patterns. It can sometimes be that the days naps are interfering with nighttime. i.e. when I was pg with my DTs I would sometimes fall asleep during the day, it did make me very unsettled at night. I'm not suggesting for a minute that he doesn't need his naps but just that you could look and see if you are napping him at a different time than before. Some bodies can be sensitive to things like that.

Like throck, I also recommend trying to resettle him with the lights off and voices low. I only bring mine out of their rooms at night if they are really unwell (like vomitting) as I never want them to think that its ok to be up, chatting or watching TV after bedtime. When my children wake I convince them they've just lost their teddy, have a quick cuddle, whisper its bedtime and that I love them and sellotape them back on to the mattress .

I'll link the book......

[frumpygrumpy]

I found this great

[Abena]

I think we try to end crying at night by plugging a bottle in their mouths as we are worried about one waking up the other and you're right maybe its not always hunger every time. I just dont understand why they are getting worse instead of better like their supposed to! My little girl once did 10 hours straight but NEVER again!

[frumpygrumpy]

Abena, do join us mums of twins on the thread we use daily. Its the "d'you ever wonder...." thread under multiples. We all drag ourselves in their daily and someone always has the kettle on

[lapinrose]

Have you tried dummies? If the bottle sucking is helping then dummies might too, mine had them, just for sleeping, and gave them up quite happily when they were 2. Life savers!

[tkband3]

Hi Abena

I've just bought the book Frumpy recommended, but haven't had a chance to read it yet! But it sounds to me like your little boy might have created a bit of a habit...because you feed him whenever he wakes up, he now expects a feed every time and you need to teach him how to get himself back to sleep on his own, without a feed. Dummies can help a lot - my 3 have all had them, but if you've got this far without, I'd be inclined to see if you can manage without.

Do you have the option of separating the babies whilst you try to settle your little boy back to sleep without feeding? If you thought there was less possibility of him waking his sister, you might be less inclined to give in!! I know only too well that at 2am (and 3am and 4am etc) that when you know something will get them back to sleep quickly, that it's hard to be strong and stick to your guns.

Another book which has been recommended on another twins site is 'the no-cry sleep solution' by Elizabeth Pantley. Can't recommend it myself, but others have used it to good effect. I'm afraid I'm technically inept so can't give you a link like Frumpy.

Hope this helps - good luck.

[Abena]

thanks tkband3 we are going to try using a dummy if they cry before 4 hours after a full feed. Just put them down at 7.30 but I'm dreading the crying and the increased crying when they dont get whet they want. I cant believe how much of a slave I am to them!! Scary! They can really scream as well and its gut wrenching especially at night when you just want them to stop. I know its going to take time to break the habit but I wish I hadnt got them into the habit in the first place. I am so exhausted I can hardly think. Thanks for good advice.

[tkband3]

Hi Abena

How's it going? Just wanted to let you know I was thinking of you and hoping things have been improving for you.