Is there any truth behind twin telepathy? Well, for these twin toddlers, their sleeping arrangements couldn’t be more similar.
Meet Amir and Amari, two twin brothers who’ve amassed more than 160 thousand followers and have 4 million likes on their joint TikTok account. Through their account, @amir_amari, run by their single dad, the public gets a glimpse of the “twin experience” and some of the hilarious things these young boys get into.
In a particular TikTok posted on February 21st and captioned, “Routine routine routine it will pay off New Parents ????????,” the twins’ father showcases a special bond between his sons – they sleep the same way. As he walks into a room to get the boys ready for naptime, he enters and finds the toddlers sleeping identically on their tummies in an almost child’s pose-like position, referring to it as a “twin bond.”
Is there anything to be said for this so-called twin bond? What to Expect writes that not only can twins sleep in the same crib, but some pediatricians encourage it. It’s no surprise that staying together is comforting considering twins spend all that time together before they’re born. They further explain that it’s completely safe for young babies to sleep together when swaddled and they aren’t moving around much, but as they grow and move more, you’ll need to advance to dividers and eventually separate cribs.
We reached out to the twins’ father via their Instagram account for comment, but have not gotten a response.
Sleep Tips for Toddlers
While Amir and Amari’s similar sleeping is adorable, is it the best way for toddlers to sleep? Here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind:
- After a baby turns one years old, it’s safe for them to sleep in a position they prefer; however, as long as they are sleeping in a crib, they should be laid down on their back, writes the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). As far as positioning for babies during their first year of life, back sleeping is recommended to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), so stomach sleeping should be avoided.
- Ensure that your child is sleeping in a safe space by keeping their crib or bed away from potentially dangerous items like cords, ties, strings, or window blind pulls. Blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals are safe, but make sure blankets are thin and that any items in bed with them aren’t large enough to allow your child to fall or crawl out of bed.
- When your child reaches 35 inches tall, or is nearing 3 years of age, you can start transitioning from a crib to a toddler bed or twin bed with a side rail. Another good way to tell if your child is ready is if the height of the side rail is less than three-quarters of your child’s height, says What to Expect.
- Healthychildren.org from the AAP offers some tips for toddler bedtime trouble. Be patient and consistent. Make sure your child is comfortable and you can help with this by allowing them to sleep with a favorite stuffed animal or special blanket. It’s important not to enter the room each time your child calls for you and do not let them sleep in the same bed with you. This will make it harder for them to sleep alone.
Do you have a surefire sleep tip for toddlers or twins? Do your twins also sleep the same way? We want to hear about your experience. Send us a note at carley.prendergast@sleepopolis.com.