Toddler Bed Ideas for Twins

Room Sharing

• Many parents automatically plan to have their twins share a room. It can be more convenient to have the two children sleep in the same room so bedtime runs more smoothly, but consider separate rooms if you have the space and if they are disturbing each other at nighttime. Switching from a crib to a toddler bed can be a convenient time to also move to separate "big kid" rooms if your toddlers want or need some space from one another.

Beds

• If your twins are on the younger side, consider using just the crib mattress before buying a toddler bed frame to keep the kids safe from rolling out of bed. Mattresses on the floor can also easily be moved around or even together if your twins like to cuddle at night. If your twins are ready for beds off the floor, choose matching beds for a shared room or let your twins choose a fun design, such as a race car or princess bed, to showcase their personalities.

Bedding

• Toddlers usually have strong opinions, and while you might like the idea of having matching sets for your twins, they might wish to choose their own bedding to make the transition from the crib a little easier. If they are sharing a room, many stores offer coordinating sets that don't match exactly, even for boys and girls. If they do want matching bedding, choose simple bedding for your twins so it doesn't overwhelm the room, and let them choose accessories such as pillows or throws in their own favorite colors.

Sleeping Issues

• Even when twins don't share a room, they might make midnight excursions to visit one another at times. If they do share, expect more sleep disturbances as they transition to a toddler bed that they can escape from instead of a crib. Pediatrician William Sears, writing at AskDrSears.com, recommends creating a consistent sleeping routine to help toddlers settle down and get to sleep faster, so try to get into a good nighttime routine with your twins regardless of whether they are sharing a room.