Quality sleep is the foundation of a child’s growth, development, and happiness—and for parents of multiples, establishing healthy sleep habits is even more crucial. Well-rested children thrive physically, emotionally, and cognitively, while consistent sleep routines create harmony for the entire family. When it comes to navigating sleep with twins, triplets, or multiple young children, it gets even more overwhelming for some parents, especially in space-limited Singaporean homes. How do you synchronize schedules? Should you sleep train babies together or separately? And what if one child's crying wakes the others?
We spoke with Leann Low, a sleep consultant based in Singapore and founder of Sleepy Bubba. In this article, Leann shares practical strategies for sleep training twins, triplets, or multiple children, addressing common challenges like synchronizing schedules, managing night wakings, and preventing sibling disruptions. Whether you're a parent of identical twins, fraternal twins, or children of different ages, her insights will help you create a smoother, more restful routine for your little ones—and yourself.
Hi Leann! Before we start, can you tell us a little more about yourself?
Outside of motherhood, I’m passionate about traveling—my husband and I actually took a leap of faith and quit our jobs to go backpacking for seven months. I’m also an avid fitness enthusiast, training 5-6 times a week at a CrossFit gym. And of course, I’m a foodie—I absolutely love exploring new dishes and flavors.
I became a sleep consultant in 2021, but before that, I spent 12 years working in advertising as a project manager. At the time, I thought that was my true calling, especially since I’m pretty good at managing projects. But everything changed when I became a mom in 2019. I quickly realized how challenging sleep deprivation could be—surviving on just 3-4 hours of sleep each night. That’s when I discovered my real passion: helping families get the rest they deserve.
What is your general approach to sleep training?
My method is gentle, responsive, and customized—never one-size-fits-all.
I focus on building a strong foundation first: optimizing the sleep environment, routines, and timing before introducing gradual independence.
The goal is to help babies and toddlers learn to sleep well while keeping parents confident and calm. It's not about forcing sleep; it's about guiding children toward sustainable habits at their own pace.
In Singapore's small homes, should parents sleep train twins/triplets together or separately?
I recommend starting separately for naps, if possible. This minimizes disruptions while each child learns to self-settle. Once they're more confident sleepers, you can transition them back into the same room. This phased approach helps prevent setbacks and makes room-sharing smoother long-term.
How important is it to keep multiples on the same sleep schedule?
A similar schedule is ideal—it helps parents manage the day and gives children a predictable rhythm. But flexibility matters too. If one twin needs more sleep, we adjust slightly while keeping timings close. This way, the family can still go out without being tied to conflicting nap times.
As for parents with a baby and a toddler, they can try staggered bedtimes. First, prep the baby for night sleep while the toddler has quiet playtime. Keep routines calm and consistent for both. Over time, this minimizes chaos and helps everyone wind down smoothly.
Can you sleep train twins and triplets all at once? If all the babies cry simultaneously during sleep training, what should parents do?
Yes! Training them together establishes consistency faster, especially with enough support. The sooner all children learn, the easier life becomes for the whole family.
As for them crying... stay calm!
Crying is communication, not harm.
If two caregivers are available, each can tend to one baby. If alone, briefly comfort one, then the other. Consistency helps them learn to self-settle over time.
How can parents prevent a toddler's nap from interfering with a baby's sleep training?
If their naps overlap, use quiet playtime for the toddler while the baby sleeps. Once the baby is sleep-trained, they'll be less likely to wake from noise. Set clear house rules—such as enforcing quiet time during naps. A white noise machine also helps buffer noise. Consistency and boundaries help both children adapt.
What if one baby sleeps longer stretches than the other?
Let the better sleeper rest! For frequent wakers, keep feedings quiet and dimly lit to avoid rousing siblings. If one disturbs the others, give them a chance to self-settle before intervening.
How should parents adjust methods for premature multiples?
Follow their adjusted age and progress at their developmental pace. Customize the approach—some may need more time to self-soothe.
What's your advice for overwhelmed parents of multiples?
Get support! Whether it's your partner, family, or a sleep consultant, you don't have to do it alone. Consistency and patience pay off. Recommended tools include white noise machines (to mask sibling noises), sleep sacks/swaddles (for comfort and safety), and reliable baby monitors (to keep an eye on all children).
How long does sleep training multiples take?
Progress often appears in 3–7 days, but full adjustment may take up to 2 weeks—slightly longer than with a single baby.
What's one myth about sleep training multiples you'd like to debunk?
That it's impossible to train them together! With the right plan and support, multiples can learn simultaneously—and often do better with synchronized routines.
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Sleep training twins, triplets, or multiple children may seem daunting, but with Leann Low's gentle, structured approach, it's entirely achievable—even in Singapore's compact homes. By syncing schedules, optimizing sleep environments, and staying consistent, parents can help their little ones (and themselves!) enjoy more restful nights.
Thank you, Leann, for sharing your expertise with the Multiples Matter community! Your practical tips will undoubtedly help many parents of multiples navigate the sleep training journey with greater confidence and ease.
For more sleep advice, follow Leann on Instagram or visit her website.
Cover image: Pexels.com/Nicolas-Lesueur
