Top tips for creating a bed and bathtime routine for twins

Why a calm evening routine matters

Evenings with twins, triplets or more can feel like a military operation. You are juggling tired children, feeds, towels, pyjamas and your own energy levels. A simple, predictable routine can take some of the decision-making out of that busy time and help everyone wind down.

Babies and young children tend to relax when they know what is coming next. Repeating the same gentle steps each evening sends a clear signal that the day is ending. Over time, that can mean less fuss at bedtime and more peaceful nights, even if it is not perfect every time.

A calm routine also gives you some small anchors in the chaos. When you know roughly how the next hour will go, you can feel more confident, whether you have support at home that night or you are doing bedtime solo.

What to think about before you start your routine

Before you decide on a routine, it helps to look at the shape of your evenings now. Think about when your children usually start to get tired and grumpy. For some families that is just after tea, for others it is a little later. You do not need to follow the clock exactly; you are aiming for a loose pattern that works with your babies’ natural rhythm.

Have a quick look at the practical side too. Notice where you have space to change nappies, where you can safely bathe more than one child and how warm the room feels when everyone is undressed. Laying out towels, nappies and sleepsuits in advance can make the next steps smoother and save you hunting for that missing favourite pyjama top.

It is also worth thinking about who is usually around in the evening. If you have a partner, relative or friend who can help, you might choose a routine that splits the jobs, for example one person in charge of bath while the other does feeds or stories. If you are often on your own, your routine will need to be simple enough to manage solo, even after a long day.

Finally, consider what helps you feel calm. A familiar playlist, soft lighting or even just having a glass of water nearby can make a difference. When you feel more settled, your children often pick up on that.

Different ways to shape bathtime and bedtime

There is no single right way to do bed and bathtime with multiples. What matters is that it works well enough for your family most nights. You might find one of these approaches fits your home and your children’s personalities:

• Bathe your children together a few times a week, then top and tail on other nights
• Give one child a full bath while the others play nearby, then swap the next evening
• Have one adult on bath duty while the other gets pyjamas, milk and stories ready
• If you are solo, use a baby bath or bath supports so you can keep both hands free and stay close

Some families keep bath as a short, playful part of the evening, then move quickly into nappies, moisturiser, pyjamas and a feed. Others like to stretch it out with songs and games, then have a simple story in a dimmer room. You can try both and see which leaves your children more relaxed.

If one baby is very tired or unsettled, it is fine to adapt on the spot. You might skip the bath for that child and go straight to a cuddle and feed. The routine is there to serve you, not the other way round.

Being gentle with yourself as routines evolve

All routines change as your children grow. What works at three months will look different at one year, and that is completely normal. Try to hold on to the basic pattern of wind down, clean up, cuddle and sleep, and let the details move with you.

There will be evenings when nothing goes to plan. Someone will be sick in the bath, a nappy will leak just as you finally zip up a sleepsuit or one baby will wake just as the others fall asleep. On those nights, the aim is simply to get through as calmly as you can. Tomorrow is another chance to try again.

You might like to remind yourself:

If you feel overwhelmed, it can help to talk to other parents of multiples who understand the juggle. Our helpline is available to you and join our online communities. Sharing what is hard does not mean you are not coping. It simply means you are human and doing your best.

Give yourself credit for every small success, whether it is a peaceful story time, a quicker bath or just a moment where you catch your breath and notice how far you have come with your children.