At What Age Should Twins Stop Sleeping Together? | Now

Parents of twins face a practical question early on: when do two babies move from one shared setup to separate sleep spaces? Safety leads the call. Comfort and logistics matter too.

Quick Guidance By Age And Signs

Use this table as a starter map. It shows common age windows and the action most families take. Always adjust to your twins’ size, health, and sleep skills.

Age Window	Main Action	Why This Helps
Birth–2 weeks	Separate sleep surfaces from day one	Matches safe-sleep guidance; lowers risk in the newborn phase
2–8 weeks	Two bassinets, side by side	Close for care, yet each has a firm, clear sleep space
2–3 months	Still separate; watch for first rolls	Rolling starts; any shared cot raises tangling and overheating risk
3–4 months	Transition toward two cribs	More motion, longer nights; space gives safer sleep
5–6 months	Two cribs if not already	Both may roll and press against each other
7–12 months	Keep two cribs; same room is fine	Room sharing eases care while staying safe
1–3 years	Cribs or toddler beds, still separate	Stops climbing on each other; supports steady sleep

At What Age Should Twins Stop Sleeping Together? Clarity You Can Use

Here’s the plain answer many parents seek. For newborns, the safest plan is two separate sleep surfaces from the start. If your twins began in one cot in the early weeks, end that setup once either baby shows signs of rolling. For most families, that point lands between three and six months. From there, keep room sharing as long as it helps care and sleep, but keep two cribs.

This phrasing matters because the topic mixes two ideas. One is bed or crib sharing. The other is room sharing. Bed or crib sharing raises risks and should end fast—ideally, never start. Room sharing often helps. Many parents keep twins in the same room well past the first year. Some split rooms around preschool. The right call depends on sleep quality, space, and your twins’ temperaments.

Why Safety Comes First For Twin Sleep

Infant safe sleep rules were built to reduce the risk of sleep-related death. For twins, that means a firm, flat surface for each baby, no pillows, no soft bumpers, and no loose blankets. Place babies on their backs for every sleep. Don’t bed share with your infants. If you feed in your bed, return each baby to a separate safe surface before you sleep.

Room sharing is different from bed sharing. You can keep two bassinets or two cribs close to your bed. That setup cuts night travel time for feeds and checks.

Close Variation: When Should Twins Stop Sharing A Crib?

Parents searching “at what age should twins stop sleeping together?” are usually weighing safety against convenience. “Sharing a crib” means the two babies sleep in the same cot or crib. If your twins ever shared, move them to two surfaces once rolling begins or if one baby disturbs the other. Many families make this move by three to six months.

Signals That Say “It’s Time”

• One baby starts rolling or pushing up.
• They bump, overheat, or tangle during sleep.
• One wakes the other often, and resettling gets hard.
• You see face-covering risk from limbs or bedding.
• Space looks tight even before full rolls show up.

Method, Criteria, And Sources

This guide blends current safe-sleep policy with practical steps from programs that work with twin families. The AAP 2022 policy advises separate sleep surfaces for infants and does not support bed sharing. UK guidance for multiples adds a clear stop point for any short early co-bedding: once either baby can roll, move to two cots; see the Lullaby Trust guidance.

Room Sharing Vs. Bed Sharing For Twins

Room Sharing

Two safe sleep spaces in the same room makes night care easier. Many families keep this setup for six to twelve months. Some go longer if sleep stays steady. The main test is simple: do your nights run smoother with both in one room? If so, keep it. If noise cross-wakes a lot, begin a gentle split.

Bed Or Crib Sharing

A single surface for two babies raises risk. The risk goes up once they can roll, nuzzle, or wedge. Choose two cribs or two bassinets. Place them side by side so you still reach both quickly at night.

How To Plan A Smooth Split

Once you decide to end any shared surface, make a short plan. A clean, calm plan helps your twins accept the change fast.

Pick Your Timing

Choose a week with fewer visitors and no travel. Start on a Friday or the first day of a break if you can. Keep naps and bedtime at the same times you used before the split.

Set Up The Space

• Two firm mattresses with tight-fitting sheets.
• No pillows, quilts, or soft bumpers.
• Cribs clear of cords and curtains.
• Room at a steady, comfy temperature.
• Each crib placed so you can reach it without stepping over the other.

Stick To A Short Routine

Bath, feed, a short wind-down, then down while drowsy. Repeat the same steps for both babies. If one settles faster, stagger start times by five to ten minutes.

Coordinate the last feed so both start the night with full tummies. A steady sound machine at low volume can mask rustles that once woke the other twin.

Parent Questions You’re Likely Weighing

“Will They Miss Each Other?”

Many twins sleep fine in separate cribs placed close together. They still hear and smell one another. If you move to different rooms later, start with a door left ajar and a baby monitor on.

“What If One Twin Sleeps Worse?”

That’s common. Treat night wakes as you did before the split: check, feed if needed, then back down drowsy. Don’t shift both schedules to match the lighter sleeper. Protect the better sleeper’s rhythm while you support the other twin.

“When Should We Split Rooms?”

There’s no single age. Many families try separate rooms between ages three and seven. Signs that point to a room split include frequent cross-wakes, clashing bedtimes, or new fears that settle faster with space.

Signs It’s Time To Stop Sharing Any Sleep Surface

Use this table to scan the common cues and the next step that fits. If any safety risk shows up, act now.

Sign	What It Means	Next Step
Either twin starts rolling	Higher risk of face cover or wedging	Move to two cribs the same day
Frequent bumping or overheating	Shared surface too tight	Split surfaces; dress in light sleepwear
One twin wakes the other often	Noise or movement transfer	Place cribs apart; try white noise
Growth outpaces space	Cot no longer roomy	Advance to full-size cribs
Parent sleep safety slips	Risk rises during night feeds	Return each baby to a crib before you sleep
Climbing or standing begins	Falls or rough play risk	Separate beds; lower mattress settings
New medical guidance	Your care team updates advice	Follow the new plan right away

Sample One-Week Transition Plan

Day 1–2: Prepare And Preview

Build both cribs. Let each twin spend relaxed awake time in the new space. Talk in a calm tone so the room feels safe.

Day 3–4: Naps In New Cribs

Run the nap routine in the new setup. Keep bedtime in the old setup if needed. This staged move eases the change.

Day 5: First Night Split

Do bedtime in the new setup. Expect some extra checks. Keep your tone steady and brief.

Day 6–7: Fine-Tune

Shift crib positions if one wake pattern repeats. Tweak wake windows by ten to fifteen minutes if naps run short.

When To Bring In Your Pediatric Team

Premature birth, reflux, apnea monitoring, or growth issues call for care-team input. Ask before any sleep change. Share how your nights go, how feeds look, and which steps you’ve tried. Clear notes help your team give precise tips.

Common Myths About Twin Sleep

“Twins Sleep Better Only When They Touch.”

Some pairs settle with skin contact in the early days, yet that need fades fast. Most twins sleep well with cribs close by. Many sleep better once bumps and heat no longer wake them.

“A Bigger Cot Solves It.”

A larger shared surface still puts two moving babies together. Once rolling begins, size does not fix risk. Two clear surfaces remain the safer plan.

“We’ll Split Beds Once They’re Toddlers.”

That wait is too long for most families. By the time you see long rolls or face-cover risk, the change is due. You can keep the same room while still giving each twin a crib.

Final Notes And A Handy Rule Of Thumb

Use this compact rule to make the call. Two separate sleep surfaces from birth if you can. If you started with one cot in the early weeks, end it by the first signs of rolling—often three to six months. Keep room sharing as long as it helps care and night sleep. Shift rooms later if noise or schedules clash.

The phrase “at what age should twins stop sleeping together?” shows up a lot in parent groups. The safest window for ending any shared surface is early, and the most common range is three to six months. When you reach that point, your plan is simple: two cribs, clear and firm, placed side by side.