Sleep is something that many new parents of multiples feel that they will have to live without. However, while the first four weeks are going to be somewhat restless, you don't have to spend the first year of your children's lives sleep deprived. There are steps that you can take to help your multiples get onto a sleep schedule and stick to it.

Step No. 1: Pick Sleep Times and Awake Times

The first step in establishing a sleep schedule when you have multiples is to pick when they "should" be awake and when they "should" be asleep. For example, a normal bedtime for infants is 7:30 p.m. and a normal wakeup time is 6:00 a.m. Obviously you will have many awake and asleep periods, but the 7:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. period needs to be established early on. To establish this as a time to be asleep, you will want your home to be dark and quiet during these times, even when you get up to change your multiples and give them their nighttime feedings.

Step No. 2: Set Up a Going to Sleep Routine

The next step is to set up a going to sleep routine. This routine is going to be a cue to your multiples that it is time to go to sleep. This routine can include things like taking a bath, listening to a soothing CD, changing into bed clothes, cuddling with a special bedtime toy or listening to a story while lying in bed.

Step No. 3: Set Up a Wake Up Routine

Just as important as your bedtime routine, is your waking routine. This routine will include steps that will signal to your children that it is time to be awake. For example, you can open curtains, turn on lights, put away nighttime snuggle toys and make the house more lively with sounds and energy.

Step No. 4: Be Consistent

Like establishing any other type of routine for your multiples, consistency is critical. This means that you have to stick to the routine, even when you are away from your home. Consistency is this routine is going to be very important during the first two to three years of your child's life. Obviously, you may need to adjust when they go to bed or wake up based on their changing sleeping needs, as well as adjust what toys they want to sleep with or play with as they get older. However, the routine itself needs to remain the same.