Why Moving Your Climbing Twins to Toddler Beds Can Make Sleep Worse
If your twin toddlers are climbing out of their cribs, you’ve probably heard this advice:
“If they can climb out, it’s time for a toddler bed.”
It sounds logical.
It feels safer.
And Everyone says it.
But when it comes to twins, moving to beds too early often makes sleep dramatically worse.
As a twin mom, nurse, and sleep coach, I’ve seen this mistake over and over again (and I’ve made it myself.)
Let’s talk about what’s actually happening… and what to do instead.
Why Climbing Out of the Crib Doesn’t Necessarily Mean They’re Ready for a Bed
Here’s the key difference:
Climbing out is a physical skill.
Being ready for a bed is emotional maturity.
Those are not the same thing.
When you move twins to toddler beds too early, you’re not just giving one toddler freedom.
You’re giving two toddlers freedom.
At the same time.
In the same room.
And that changes all the dynamics.
What Happens When Twins Move to Beds Too Early
Here’s what I see (and experienced myself):
They get up constantly.
They play instead of sleep.
They wake each other up on purpose.
Bedtime takes hours.
You’re playing “whack-a-mole” all night.
I moved my own twins at age 3 (older than most parents do) and it was still chaos.
If they had been 2 years old…
A rewards system wouldn’t have worked. They wouldn’t have understood delayed gratification.
Two-year-olds live in the moment.
And in the moment, playing with their twin is way more exciting than sleeping.
Why Twin Bed Transitions Are Harder Than Singleton Transitions
Most advice online is written for one toddler.
But twins:
Feed off each other’s energy
Discover freedom together
Distract each other
Escalate silliness
Reinforce bad bedtime behavior
It’s not the same as one toddler sharing a room with an older sibling.
When two toddlers leave cribs at the same developmental stage, the dynamic is completely different.
What To Do If Your Twin Toddlers Are Climbing Out of Their Cribs
1. Lower the Crib Mattress Completely
Make sure it’s on the lowest setting possible.
2. Use a Sleep Sack (Strategically)
Use a sleep sack that:
Goes fully down to the feet
Limits high leg lifting
Is worn backward if needed
Has a shirt over it to prevent unzipping
This often stops climbing immediately.
3. Flip the Crib Around
Place the higher rail facing outward and the lower side against the wall.
4. Separate the Cribs
If they can help each other climb out, move them farther apart.
5. Remove Step Boosters
No stuffed animals.
No bumpers.
No stacked blankets.
The goal is to buy time safely until they’re developmentally ready.
When Are Twin Toddlers Actually Ready for Toddler Beds?
Most twins are ready between 2.5 and 3 years old (sometimes later).
Here’s what to look for:
✅ They consistently follow simple instructions
✅ They understand rewards and consequences
✅ They can stay in one place for short periods
✅ They aren’t climbing out every single night
✅ They have solid sleep habits already
If they don’t check all those boxes, it’s usually better to wait.
Moving too early can create months of bedtime chaos
How To Transition Twins to Toddler Beds (The Right Way)
When they truly are ready, don’t just swap the crib for a bed and hope for the best.
Here’s how to set it up for success:
1. Make the Room Completely Safe
Anchor furniture
Cover outlets
Remove cords
Move climbable items away from windows
2. Remove Distractions
The room should be boring at bedtime.
Put toys away or lock them in a closet.
3. Use Blackout Curtains + Sound Machine
Create an environment for sleep, not play.
4. Use a Rewards System (Age 3+)
Sticker charts work well for children who understand delayed gratification.
5. Consider Staggered Bedtimes
Put one twin down 10–15 minutes before the other if needed.
6. Keep the Routine Extremely Predictable
Complete the same steps. Same order. Every night.
Twins (and all kids) thrive on consistency.
The Biggest Mistake Twin Parents Make
The biggest mistake isn’t moving to beds.
It’s moving too early without a plan.
And once the cribs are dismantled and the chaos begins, it’s much harder to go back.
With twins, you have more variables:
Two personalities
Two energy levels
Two different readiness timelines
Shared room dynamics
That’s why cookie-cutter toddler advice often fails twin families.
Need Step-by-Step Help With Toddler Twin Sleep?
If your twins are between 18–36 months and:
Climbing out of cribs
Refusing to stay in beds
Playing instead of sleeping
Waking each other up
I created the Toddler Twin Sleep Academy specifically for this stage.
Inside, I walk you through:
What to do if they’re climbing out but not ready for beds
How to know when they truly are ready
How to set up the room properly
Gentle sleep methods (no harsh cry-it-out)
What to do when one twin is ready and the other isn’t
A clear 2-week step-by-step plan
You don’t have to figure this out alone.