This post is sponsored by Mattress Firm and the Mom It Forward Blogger Network. All opinions are my own.
Having twins makes for some interesting logistical challenges at times, from how to squeeze two car seats in a car, to how to transport them when out, to breastfeeding, to strollers, and of course how to manage their sleeping arrangements. Our twins have undergone various sleeping arrangements in their relatively short lifetime, and it has me wondering what is the best sleeping arrangements for twins from the newborn stage, the toddler stage, and beyond. Thankfully I know that Mattress Firm is supportive in every phase of a child’s life, and that no matter what size mattress we buy and when.
When our babies were newborns, we had the grand idea of having them sleep in a pack n play, together, in our room, for the first few months. We lasted one night. I couldn’t sleep hearing every tiny peep and squeak from my new precious babies. We quickly moved them over to their cribs in the other room and equipped ourselves with a baby monitor.
We had both cribs set up, and usually put them down to sleep together in just one of them. Of course, we still worried about them breathing properly, so we made sure to buy brand new, supportive mattresses for each crib, with tight fitting sheets and mattress protectors. They slept together in one crib until they were about 4 months old and one of my daughters made it known she needed some room to stretch out. From then on they slept in two separate cribs.
These crib sized mattresses would last our twins until they were almost three years old (and my third child now uses it in his crib). They bounced on them like crazy when they were toddlers still in their cribs. And then we took off the front of their cribs and converted them into toddler beds.Eventually we gave up on the toddler bed idea, and went for the toddler mattress on the floor mode of attack instead, and had a heck of time with getting them both to nap. But, with a huge time commitment and perseverance we toddler sleep trained and one of our twins still takes a nap everyday at 4.5 years old. The other napped until just a few months ago. (You can read more about what we did HERE and HERE).
Due to space constraints and the desire to get our kids real beds, instead of just mattresses on the floor, we decided to buy them a twin bunk bed. (If you are in the market for a bunk bed, be sure to look at THIS post about some important things to consider when buying a bunk bed). We picked up a nice study wood one with rails from craiglist for a good price, and then made sure to buy some good supportive twin mattresses for the top and bottom bunks.
Despite our best intentions, it became clear that our twins didn’t much care for the bottom bunk, and many nights we’d find them both fast asleep together, on the top bunk. After a while it really made us wonder why we got two beds, when apparently one twin bed would work for our small twin preschoolers.
So, when we were getting ready to move to Texas, we decided to sell the bunk bed and the mattress (yes, our daughters slept on the floor for a few weeks) and when we moved to Texas we bought them a full-sized bed from Mattress Firm as well as a mattress protector. They were they running a killer mattress sale at the time.When we were in the market for a bunk bed, and then as we went shopping for a full-sized mattress, we always made sure to include our daughters in the decision making process, having them lie on beds, tell us if they liked it and if it was comfortable. Because, even children need to have a good supportive mattress to help a child’s overall sleep health (be sure to read my previous post about how to go about buying the right mattress).
School-age children need 10 to 12 hours of sleep a night, and adolescents need 9 hours and 15 minutes of sleep each night to function best. I also find that having them love their bedding makes a big difference too. If you need practical baby sleep solutions, check out the ebook For the Love of Sleep.
Our daughters have loved sharing a full sized bed. This bed should last a very long time. For now, we don’t know what the future holds as far as bed needs, but I do know where to get a good mattress.
So, if you are in the market to buy a new mattress – perhaps because your child has outgrown the toddler bed, or because it’s been eight years since you bought your child’s first “big kid” bed (as it’s recommended to replace mattresses every 8 years and pillows every two years) – then check out these tips for buying a child’s first mattress, or tips for buying a teen’s mattress. And then be sure to learn about how to take proper care of your mattress so it will last a long time.
GIVEAWAY! {Ended}
Because a good night sleep is so important, as is a clean mattress (although, check out my cleaning hack on how to remove pee stains from a mattress in case you need it), I am giving away:
- TWO Standard/Queen Coconut and Lavender Bliss Premium Memory Foam Pillows that allows for 3 times more air circulation than conventional memory foam pillows, and comes with a 5 year warranty. $129 value, each.
- ONE Twin-sized Lux Living Premium Elite Mattress Protector with cotton terry top. It has a 10 year warranty, waterproof, yet vapor porous, and has an allergen and dust mite barrier. $79.99 value.
The giveaway will run for one week. Good luck!
And tell me, what size mattress are you in the market for soon? And how did you set up your twins sleeping arrangements?
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Heather in VA says
Children need firm mattresses to support their frames. I never knew that.
Hilary says
Lame rule — it’s against the law for us to co-sleep twins at the hospital. Isn’t that lame? random aside….
Katelyn Fagan says
We put our twins together in the same bassinet at the hospital… not sure if we were “supposed” to do that, but we sure did! And our friends who had twins the same day as us did too, I’m pretty sure.
Jen says
We JUST moved our boys to twin beds for their 5th birthday. They were in toddler beds but one was sleeping diagonally because he was getting too tall. We bought the mattresses on Amazon, they had great ratings and came in a duffle-bag sized package and expanded like magic.
ThaliaKR says
SUCH beautiful photos of your babes!
Karen says
I agree with them that kids need a firm mattress. When they start out with a firm crib mattress, they just get used to having good support. I personally hate my daughter’s firm mattress, but she seems to sleep quite well on it!
Katie @ Clarks Condensed says
Jack is still in his crib…haha. He has never tried to climb out, and he seems to love it, so I haven’t had any desire to make that chance. These tips will be helpful when we do. I’m tempted to get him a full size bed, rather than a twin…mainly because I always wanted a bigger bed than I had growing up! haha. I didn’t know it was a better idea to get synthetic material though if your kid has allergies. Good to know!
Hezzi-D says
I don’t have children but after reading your post and the other post, I think that the firmness and size of the matress is as important for children as it is adults!
Jamie says
I learned that while children’s bones mature, it is important to choose a sleep surface that will provide the necessary support to avoid spinal problems later in life. That’s important! #ibabloggers
Sarah @ Me Plus 3 TODAY says
I’m so glad to be reading a post about twin sleeping arrangements from someone who has tried it all! 🙂 I always thought I’d get them bunk beds next, but having them share a bed actually sounds like a great idea! My girls will be 3 next month and are still in their cribs. Any time I see them in there putting their leg up on the rail, I just give them my best “mom look” and tell them they are not supposed to climb out because they could get a big owie… 🙂 We’ll see how long that works… 🙂
Brenna @ Life After Laundry says
We just moved our son into his first twin bed, I think he is sleeping better now having a firm more supportive mattress.
Kathleen says
I learned that I probably did it wrong. However, they survived. I knew infants needed firm mattresses, but I didn’t think about the other age kids needing them.
Erlene says
All of my kids prefer firm surfaces to sleep and so do I. My hubby and I bought a pillow top mattress and it’s the worst mattress ever. Will be buying a firm mattress to replace it.
Shannon says
I’ve never heard of lavender scented pillows! Saving this company for possible Christmas gifts!
Tammy Northrup says
I never realized the firmness of a mattress mattered with childrens beds.
Melaie says
That size of the mattress is personal preference.
sadie Michelle says
I didn’t think to consider breathing sensitivity when choosing a mattress
Alina Hahn says
I learned that if your child has allergies or asthma, you may opt for a synthetic-filled mattress to resist dust mites and allergens. Also, that we were right in changing our son from a crib to a bed once he started climbing out of the crib.
Emma says
Love the adorable pics! I learned from the website that a quality mattress for growing children can help prevent spinal problems later in life.
trenda t says
It never occurred to me that my sons growing body could use different support at different times from a mattress,
Brittany says
Very well done. Now if I ever have twins I will be set. 😉