The importance of creating a daily routine when you have twins or triplets

Why a daily routine helps with twins or triplets

When you have twins, triplets or more, your days can feel busy and unpredictable. A daily routine gives you and your babies a sense of rhythm, so everyone starts to recognise what usually happens next. Over time, this can make life feel more manageable and less overwhelming.

Babies and toddlers often respond well to familiar patterns. When feeds, naps and bedtime follow a similar order each day, your children begin to understand the difference between day and night. Lights, sounds and activities during the day help them stay awake and engaged, while a calmer, dimmer environment in the evening signals that sleep is coming.

A simple routine also helps your babies’ circadian rhythm, sometimes called their body clock. When naps, feeds and bedtime happen at broadly similar times, their bodies start to expect sleep, which can make settling a little easier. You may still have unsettled periods and restless nights, but a routine can give you a helpful framework.

What to think about when shaping your babies’ routine

It’s important to remember that routines are guides, not strict rules. They work best when they’re flexible and shaped around your babies’ needs, rather than the other way round.

Watch each baby’s cues. Signs of tiredness might include staring, rubbing eyes, pulling ears or becoming fussy. Hunger cues can be rooting, sucking on hands or becoming more restless. When you respond to these signals in a similar way each time, your babies start to link the pattern with what comes next, such as a feed or a nap.

With more than one baby, it can take longer to find a rhythm that works. One baby might be sleepy while another is wide awake. You might choose to offer a nap to both if one seems tired, or you might keep one baby up a little longer if that suits them. There isn’t one right answer and it’s normal if things don’t line up straight away.

You can also think about your own needs. A routine isn’t only about your babies. It can create small pockets of time for you to shower, eat or rest. If you notice that everyone is usually settled after the morning feed, that might be a good time to make a cup of tea or prepare lunch.

Try to keep your expectations gentle. Some days will run smoothly whilst others will feel chaotic. That doesn’t mean the routine isn’t working. It simply means your babies are growing, changing and having their own off days, just like adults.

Different routine approaches for families with multiples

Every family finds their own way. For some parents, bringing twins, triplets or more onto a similar schedule feels helpful. They might offer feeds at roughly the same time, wake a sleeping baby for a joint feed, or encourage naps together so there are clearer breaks in the day.

Other parents prefer to follow each baby’s individual cues more closely. They might feed on demand and let naps happen when each baby shows signs of tiredness, keeping a gentle eye on the time so naps don’t run too late into the evening.

You might sit somewhere in the middle. For example, you could start the day with a shared wake-up, then follow individual cues for feeds and naps, aiming to bring everyone back together for a shared evening wind-down. It’s also completely fine to change your approach over time as you learn more about your babies and what works for you.

Going out doesn’t need to stop because you have a routine. In fact, a routine can make outings easier. You might plan to leave home just before a nap so your babies sleep in the car seats or pushchair. Or you might time a trip so you can feed them when you arrive, knowing roughly when they’ll next need a change or a rest.

If a day doesn’t go to plan, you can gently return to your usual pattern the following day. One disrupted nap or an off-schedule feed usually won’t undo the familiarity your babies have built up.

Finding confidence in a flexible routine

As your babies grow, their needs will change and your routine will change with them. What worked at three months might feel different at nine months. That’s completely normal. You can review things regularly and adjust bedtimes, naps and activities to suit your family.

Try to notice what’s going well, even on tough days. Maybe both babies settled more quickly after a new bedtime routine, or you managed a short trip out on your own. These small wins show that your efforts are paying off, even if everything still feels busy.

Most of all, trust yourself. You know your children best. Take ideas from other parents of multiples in our online communities (LINK) or contact our helpline (LINK). Over time, you’ll build a routine that supports your babies’ development and helps you feel more confident in day-to-day life.