Q: How long is it safe to keep infant twins in the same crib?
A: Although it may seem harmless or even more natural to have twins in the same crib, this isn’t a practice endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The reason for this is the increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Twins are often born prematurely or have low birth weights. Both of these are risk factors for SIDS. Additionally, an infant who is too warm (perhaps due to a twin’s body heat) is at risk for SIDS. And, physically, an infant may turn his or her head into a sibling’s body and be more at risk for airway obstruction.
If this is already your practice, however, as soon as one of your infants is able to roll over, they should definitely be separated.
Ask the Pediatrician column featuring Dr. Gigi Chawla, vice president, Chief of General Pediatrics at Children’s Minnesota.
