Twin naps

by Casey
(Missouri )

My identical twin girls just turned 2 in January and I have had napping problems for about 4 months now with them.. The thing is we changed their room and got them toddler beds 4 months ago and ever since then they would not nap in their room during the day.. I mean they were on a perfect schedule up until then and were taking naps every day around 1:00 and after that move they just stopped.. So the only way they will take a nap during the day is if I go out and run errands , they will fall asleep in the car.. obviously I can't do that everyday .. and the thing is since they don't nap during the day they are tired around 4:00 and want to fall asleep then and try everything not to let them but sometimes it doesn't work and then they end up waking up around 7:00 and staying up until 11:00 or 12:00 at night and I just cant do that , I am so exhausted! so is there any advice you can give me to get them back into this routine? I would really appreciate anything you have to offer!!

Thanks for your time!
Casey

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Hi Casey!
I feel for you! I laughed reading this because we went through the same thing and I get this question a lot from twin mummies. So you are not alone!

First off - for any moms reading this thinking about transitioning their twins into toddler beds as opposed to cribs.....WAIT!!!!!! Life as you know it will be over. Trust me.

This is a rough time. 2 year olds still need their sleep and moms need a break or they go crazy. SO - a few things you could try....

Put a lock on the outside of their door - one of those latch/hook things - and have them in their room for nap time - don't insist that they sleep - but DO insist that it is quiet time - to read books or rest. Having a room darkening blind or shade will help too if you don't already. INSIST on this time. Sometimes they may sleep, others not - but either way you'll get a break.
You could try separating them for nap time. It's not as much fun bouncing off the walls when you're doing it alone. :)

As far as falling asleep at 4 and then being up late in the evening- been there!! It's awful. Try to stick to the same schedule regardless. If they fall asleep wake them after half an hour. Make bedtime a little earlier. Keep a routine - supper, bath, bed. If they are still not sleeping - lock the door from the outside if they are coming out of their room. Many, many parents have told me they needed to keep that door shut in order for their kids to sleep. They try to open it a few times and realize they can't and give up after a day or so. ( Just remember to unlock it after they've fallen asleep!)

And tell yourself often - this is a stage and they will grow out of it! It's a really rough time I know. Just be consistent and they will adapt.

hang in there - thanks for writing - hope that helps! Maybe other readers can offer their thoughts and advice as well!