A question that is asked frequently throughout the twin community is “what do I do when my twins climb out of their cribs?”
The newborn twin days are SO EXHAUSTING. My twins are great sleepers, but still…. during the newborn days, I was seriously sleep-deprived.
You look forward to those days when they’ll sleep long stretches at night. But that gets a little hampered if your twins start to climb out of their cribs.
Personally, my girls had a few sleep regressions here and there, and they are currently boycotting their nap, which is super fun, but it doesn’t affect me too much because I just leave them in their cribs.
They have both fallen out of their cribs once (I have no idea how) and it’s scared them enough so that they haven’t tried to climb out.
But there are plenty of other parents who deal with their twins climbing out of the cribs regularly and wondering what to do.
If that’s you, then read on! But keep in mind that these are just my suggestions and things that have been successful for other twin parents! I’m by no means promising a quick fix or guaranteed solution.
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What To Do If Your Twins Climb Out Of Their Cribs
Let’s start with what you SHOULD NOT do, and that is to move them to beds just because they climb out.
If they’re climbing out of their cribs, they’re also going to get out of bed.
They aren’t going to magically stay in bed, they will actually probably get up more because you’ve made it easier for them.
Of course, saying that you shouldn’t transfer them to beds isn’t a black and white answer.
If your twins are older and you think they could handle it, then, by all means, go for it. However, you will have to teach them to stay in bed!
Related –> My crib to bed transition tips
So, there are really two options. The first option is to treat it as a discipline issue and teach them to stay in their bed.
The second option is to make it so they physically can’t get out of their bed, and I’ll talk more about those options below.
Read –> How to Handle the 2 Year Sleep Regression
Twins Climbing Out of Cribs: a Matter of Discipline
At some point, it is appropriate to put your children to bed and expect them to stay there because you are the parent and you told them to.
Once you have told them that they must stay in their beds and they get out, there should be some sort of discipline for not listening.
The problem with disciplining a toddler at bedtime is there’s not much you can do that will really hit home.
I’m anti-spanking and, you can’t put them in timeout, and revoking a privilege or taking away a toy won’t have any effect
Separate Them
If you have an extra bedroom, you could try separating them until they earn back the privilege to be in the same room when they stop climbing out of their crib.
I am usually a
I consider the long-term implications and don’t often take shortcuts, especially when it comes to teaching my children obedience.
HOWEVER. This is just a battle I am not willing to fight. My twins aren’t currently climbing out of their cribs, but if they were, you bet I would be choosing the easy way out.
Lessons in staying in their beds can wait until they’re 3, or whenever I have the guts to make the crib to bed transition.
Twins Climbing Out Of Cribs: How to Keep Them IN!
Option One
The first (and free!) option is to lower the mattress all the way to the floor.
The chances of this working depend totally on the style of your cribs! If the sides of the crib are low enough to the ground and your mattress is thick enough, it will work.
If there is a space between your mattress and the crib, then I don’t think it will work.
I have a friend who’s twins started climbing out of their cribs before they turned two, and this is what they did and it worked perfectly.
Here are some pictures she sent me so you can get a better idea of what I’m talking about.
Option Two
The second option is to purchase a crib tent.
These tents go over the top of the crib so your toddler can’t climb out. The reviews on these things are fantastic!
They are full of relieved parents who were exhausted from their toddlers getting out of their crib.
The downside to these is that they’re around $112 and obviously you need two of them if both twins are climbing out. That’s a big chunk of change!
I know many twin moms who have used these and have loved them, but I have not personally used them myself.
A note regarding crib tents: these have been my plan for if Josie and Margo climb out of their cribs.
There is a bit of controversy around whether or not they are indeed safe and one brand has been recalled. If you purchase a crib tent, watch your children with a video monitor to make sure everything is going smoothly.
(Related: How To Safely Take Toddler Twins Out In Public By Yourself.)
Option 3
The third option to keep your twins in their cribs is to put your toddlers in sleep sacks to prevent them from climbing out.
I think this depends so much on the child! Some children would still try to climb out, thus making it more dangerous that they can’t fully use their legs.
They also make these anti-climbing pajamas that have a panel, so your toddler won’t be able to throw their leg up and over the crib.
Final Option: Remove Everything From Their Rooms
If you have no success with any of the above methods, remove everything from their room they could get into.
Dresser, clothes, toys, etc.
Put a mattress on the ground for them to sleep on so that they don’t get hurt climbing out of a crib or falling out of a bed.
Lock the door or use a baby gate because it is NOT SAFE if your toddler is roaming the house in the middle of the night.
I hope this post helps you figure out what to do if your twins climb out of their cribs! I wish there was an easier solution, but it depends on so many factors. Good luck!
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