There's no single answer to when twins should stop sharing a room. The decision is highly personalized and depends on several factors.
Factors Influencing the Decision
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Age: While some sources suggest separating twins after 12 months of age if they disrupt each other's sleep, many twins continue sharing a room well beyond this age. The age of 12 months is more relevant to concerns about safety and independent sleep than it is to sibling bonding. Some twins might even prefer to sleep together into their teenage years.
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Individual Preferences: As twins grow, their preferences should be considered. If both twins are happy and sleeping well together, there is no need to separate them. However, if one twin expresses discomfort or finds the shared sleeping space disruptive, parents should respond to this.
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Gender: While there is general advice concerning boy-girl twins sharing a room, most sources suggest this is less about a specific age and more about the parents' personal comfort and the development of the children's understanding of privacy.
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Available Space: Practical considerations like the availability of separate bedrooms also play a crucial role. If space is limited, twins may share a room for a longer period.
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Safety: For young infants, experts often recommend room sharing with parents to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). However, once twins are mobile, there are safety considerations in allowing them to sleep unsupervised in the same bed.
When Separation Might Be Considered
Parents might consider separating twins if:
- Sleep is consistently disrupted: One or both twins are experiencing poor sleep quality due to shared sleeping arrangements.
- The twins express a desire for separate rooms: As they grow older, twins may naturally want more personal space.
- Safety concerns: If there are safety concerns around co-sleeping with very young twins.
Conclusion
The optimal age for twins to stop sleeping together is determined by individual circumstances, including the children's preferences, parental comfort levels, available space, and developmental milestones. While guidelines can be considered, ultimately, the decision rests with the parents.
