Twins are double everything - double the fun, double the joy, double the expenses, and double the hassles. This is true even in the case of buying cribs for your twin infants, which can involve many more decisions to be made than is necessary for single babies. Fortunately, there are tips and tricks to achieve the ideal, or at least the near-perfect, crib setup for your twins, which are presented in the form of choices to be made.
Separate or Share the Crib
Crib And Changer
As soon as you know that you will be having twins, thanks to the wonders of imaging technology like the ultrasound, you should start considering whether to purchase separate cribs for the babies or let them share one crib. This way, you are better prepared for their care once delivered into the world.
As with the choices of cribs in terms of design and color, there are no hard and fast rules. Your final decision will be based on many factors, such as:
Budget - Cribs can cost upwards of 0, an investment in themselves that not all parents may be capable of making for two babies. You should evaluate your finances especially when you bring the birthing expenses, baby supply needs and pediatric care into the general picture. If you can borrow a safe crib from a family or a friend, then by all means, do so.
Size of the Nursery - If your nursery can only comfortably accommodate one crib, then it is better to just go with one crib. After all, infant babies do not move as much as toddlers so one crib should be sufficient for twins. Just try to purchase the roomiest one you can find.
Family Needs - If you foresee your twins as your last offspring, then it makes sense to just go with one crib. However, if the twins are your first babies and you intend to have more children, then maybe 2 cribs will do. Just look at your individual situation and see what fits you the best. In fact, some parents forego the need for a crib and settle for the cozy confines of the bassinets and then find other sleeping arrangements for when the twins have outgrown them.
Separate or Same Room
Now, if you opt to go for separate cribs, the next question would be to whether place the cribs in one room or place them in separate rooms. Again, the rules are not set in stone as it all depends on your unique needs and circumstances as parents and as a family unit.
However, you may want to place the cribs in a separate room from the baby supplies like the changing tables. This way, you have more room to nurse the babies to sleep. You may want to change this arrangement as the babies grow and develop separate personalities and sleeping patterns. For example, if one twin is a night sleeper and the other is a day sleeper, then do separate them lest you find yourself on a wake mode almost every hour of the day.
No matter your decision in these two matters, the most important thing is that you chose the cribs with utmost care. This means that all existing safety guidelines can be found in the cribs plus a little bit more of your common sense.