How many cribs should we buy for our twins/multiples?

Question: How many cribs should we buy for our twins/multiples?

Answer:

As you prepare for the arrival of your babies, this is probably one of the foremost questions on your mind. Cribs can be expensive, ranging in price from under $100 to upwards of $1000. When you consider multiplying that times the number of babies that you're expecting, it can be one of the biggest costs of having babies.

The answer to this question depends on your family, with several individual factors to consider. Keep in mind the following:

• your budget
  

• the size of your nursery/home
  

• the needs of other or future siblings

Initially, many parents find that they don't need more than one crib. In fact, many don't even use cribs at all at first, preferring the cozy confines of a basinette. As twins begin to spend more time sleeping a crib environment, they may be perfectly comfortable sharing a single crib. Younger babies don't take up much room and don't move around much as they sleep.

However, eventually the time will come when sharing a crib space can be an obstacle to efficient sleep. Older babies may disturb or distract each other. When that happens, you want to be prepared with other sleeping options to avoid the frustration of sleepless nights.

However, if budget or space constraints are really prohibitive, there is absolutely no reason that you can't get by with only one crib. Many families who choose to bypass a second crib opt to move their multiples into toddler beds at an earlier age.

More Frequently Asked Questions About Cribs for Twins/Multiples. Got a question that's not answered here? Email me at multiples.guide@about.com