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Expert Q&A

	By David L. Fay, M.D. Family Physician Associate Director, Waukesha Family Practice Residency Program

I have 5 1/2-month-old twins: one boy and one girl. Both go down for bed between 7 and 7:30 p.m. and usually go to sleep on their own. My daughter sleeps through the night until 7 or 8 a.m.; however, my son is up several times a night and then up at 5 a.m. How can I get him to sleep through the night and not wake so early in the a.m.? P.S. He will go back to sleep with his pacifier or if I rock him at any of those given times.?

First: what you are experiencing is normal for both of your twins. There is variation when children begin to sleep through the night. Second, there is not much which has been shown to get kids to sleep through the night. Adding cereal to formula, starting solids sooner, keeping them awake during the day have all been studied and found not to work (despite what helpful grandparents often say). Rocking him at those times is fine. Pacifiers are OK, but may contribute to an increased risk of ear infections. Time will fix it; when he's ready, he'll sleep through the night. In the meantime, having parents/caregivers alternate nights or episodes will help everyone get better rest until he sleeps through the night.

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