Slleping arrangements for twins

[Caroline76]

Hi, I am having non-id boy/girl twins soon. I was planning to put them in the same cot at first. Does this sound OK? Also we don't know what to do about the mattresses. Both of our boys have the best mattresses from Mothercare, with zip off coolmax spring pocket etc etc. We were going to buy a new mattress for the twins but now a lot of people have said to me that this is a waste of money. Although we obviously want to do the best for our babies we don't want to spend what little money we do have needlessly. We have ordered our 4yr old a cabin bed from mothercare so thought that his cot bed could bemade back in to a cot, and may be use his mattress as he will need a bigger one. The mattress is in perfect condition. Does this sound OK or should we stick with our original plan of buying a new mattress? We also thought that maybe when the twins needs seperate mattresses out 2 yr old may also be ready for a bigger bed, and so his cot bed could also be made back in to a cot and the other twin could use his. We are not being tight, and will buy new if it the best to do but just wanted some mumsnet advice?

MY DD2 has the same cot mattress as dd1 it never went into the loft or anything just stayed on the cot when dd1 moved into her bed. All I have done is hoovered it regulary and put new sheets on and all the other plans you mentioned I would do if I were in your position

DS2 has the mattres that DS1 used - transfered ds1 to a bed when ds2 outgrew his moses basket and needed the cot. IMO as long as you know mattess has been kept in good condition then it's fine for another baby to sleep on.

I would use the old mattress and I would definitely recommend putting both babes in the same cot until they are too big for one. I did this with my twin boys and they really seemed to take comfort from being close to each other.

My twins shared a cot quite happily with their feet to each end for about 6 months. One less set of bedding to change! TBH I don't think either realised the other one was there - mine didn't really notice each other till they were about 10 months.

Just go with your instinct on the mattress.

My one year old twins sleep together in a big,( american ), cot bed...Tbh I would buy a new mattress, the cheapest...foam good enough.

I have girl/boy twins who are 11 weeks today and they sleep in a cotbed on the same mattress that we used for ds1 who is 3.6. You will have enough things to buy without a new mattress!!

I had to sleep my DTs separately as one slept so much better than the other and the crappy sleeper woke the other. As long as you have two cots for when they/you are ready you should be fine. I wouldn't worry a jot about the mattress, sounds perfect.

We mums of twins and triplets are on this thread daily if you want to jump in.

my DTs slept in the same cot together until they starting pushing each other around, sticking fingers in ears etc...then went into seperate cots in the same room - good luck, sounds like you'll have your hands full!

Hi,

You don't need to replace mattress for siblings.

I would try them both together to start with and see how you get on, but be prepared to have to change things. Mine refused to sleep in a cot at first, as they felt to exposed - would scream their heads off. They also couldn't sleep together, as they kept hitting each other and waking each other up. I found that really strange, and they ended up sleeping in two linen baskets for the first few weeks!

Thanks for the advice. I think we will use the same mattress. I do have another cotbed, which DS2 is currently using. If babies decide they can't sleep with eachother I'll see if he isready for a bed, and give the other twin his cot.
You have really all helped loads, as I have been stressing about this for ages, so thanks very guys. Will catch you all on your usual thread in a couple of weeks when I can officially call myself a multiple!
It is really great t have somewhere where people with proper experience can share advice, rather than HV who haven't even had kids!