When your babies arrive you may wonder what their sleep patterns will be like. You may also have questions about safe sleeping including how to sleep your babies together in the same cot. For more information, watch our video clips below.

 

Keeping babies safer when sleeping

 

Many parents find that sleeping their babies in the same cot (co-bedding) works well, at least for the first few weeks or months. Research has shown that sleeping similar-sized young twins in the same cot does not mean they wake more often; in fact, their sleeping patterns become more similar. Multiples that are used to co-bedding do not disturb one another.

 

Reducing the risk of SIDS 

Sadly, some babies die suddenly and unexpectedly during their sleep for no explainable reason. This is called Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Parents of multiples need to be particularly vigilant as multiple birth babies are more likely to be born premature or have a low birth weight and are therefore at a higher risk of SIDS. 

Unfortunately we don't know why some babies die of SIDS. However, we do know  placing a baby to sleep on their back reduces the risks, while exposing a baby to cigarette smoke or overheating increases the risk. For more details on reducing the risk of SID’s please check out the Lullaby Trust.

 

All the advice that we now have for reducing the risk of SIDS and other dangers, such as suffocation, is contained in the factsheets below. Remember that it is rare, so don’t let worrying about it stop you enjoying your babies’ first few months. But do follow the advice below to reduce the risks as much as possible.