How to transition twins to big beds

4 tips for transitioning twins to big beds

1. Timing

Moving to a transition beds before toddlers are 2.5-3yo is usually too early, and therefore unsuccessful. Toddler’s impulse control isn’t developed enough for them to stay in bed at this age, and asking them to listen to the rules and stay in bed is really too much for them.

What’s more, there are two of them, which makes the process of getting out of bed that much more social and tempting.

To delay the transition until they are contingently and emotionally ready, you can discourage their climbing attempts. If possible, put your toddlers in sleeping bags rather than PJs. You can put the sleeping bag inside-out or place an adult T-shirt over it to stop your twins from accessing the zippers.

However, if the toddlers consistently climb out of the cot/crib, then it is no longer safe, and a transitioning to a big bed is necessary.

2. Clear the room

Once out of their cot/crib, the twins’ room has to be safe, and better yet, bare. Leaving toys and books accessible is very stimulating for toddlers, let alone twin toddlers, and they will end up getting up and play. Best to clear the room and treat it like one big cot/crib.

Plus, any big furniture become hazardous, and need to be secure or removed.

This isn’t permanent, yet is essential for the transitioning process to go smoothly and give you the peace of mind to know they are safe.

3. Keep the twins in the room

If the twins are in a transition bed, you can place a baby gate at the door to help them stay in the room and keep them safe overnight. Just because they can leave their beds doesn't mean they must leave the room. The baby gate can help prevent reactive bed-sharing, access to unsafe areas and objects in the house, and multiple trips to and from their room.

4. Silent Return

To help toddlers stay in bed, using Silent Return when taking them back to bed will help them lose interest in traveling out of their beds. Understandably, parents often tend to talk with the toddlers when taking them back to their room. These interactions, whether positive or negative, feed the twins’ impulse to keep traveling out of bed.

Silent Return has to be SILENT to be effective.

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