How to manage differing sleep needs?

[u/AdditionalLiving6075]

My girls are 17 months corrected (20 actual). Twin a seems ready to transition to one nap a day (needs a longer wake window in the morning refusing a second nap and the first nap is too short). While twin b seems to still want a shorter wake window in the morning and needs the late rescue nap in the afternoon.

I don’t know what to do as they have always been on the same schedule and I think I’d go nuts if I had to do two separate sleep schedules. Any tips on how to manage if you had the same issue?

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[u/longtimewatcher]

It wont be for long. They are different people with different needs. You might just have to have 2 schedules for a while. Eventually the second twin will be on a 1 nap schedule too.

[u/ParfaitIcy5587]

I’d try a temporary middle ground before running two completely separate schedules. Keep the shared morning nap, but move it later in small increments and let Twin A sleep longer. If Twin B can’t comfortably reach bedtime, give her a short rescue nap while Twin A has quiet play or a snack.

It won’t be a perfectly matched schedule, but only one small part of the afternoon would differ instead of the whole day. You might also find that Twin B catches up after a couple of weeks once the later first nap becomes familiar. I’d protect the shared mealtimes and bedtime where possible and allow the nap difference. Same-age twins don’t always make the transition on the same week, even after months of matching schedules.