You finally got the baby changed, dressed, and ready to go. Just as you reach the door, you hear a muffled cry from the other room. You venture in and discover another baby. Funny, you don’t remember having twins. Now they’re both looking up at you and your heart fills with love — and a significant dose of anxiety.
Then you wake up, mystified as to why your sleeping brain conjured up a set of twins. Is it really about babies or something else entirely?
Let’s see what the research says about dreams and the meaning behind dreams about having twins.
Dream symbols are difficult to interpret. Twins may mean different things depending on your culture and personal background. Research suggests that your reaction to events in dreams is more insightful than the exact details.
Newborns could represent:
- a fresh start
- a pleasant surprise
- hope for the future
Twins could symbolize:
- abundance
- harmony
- extra responsibility
- vulnerability
- lack of control
- opposites
- duality
A 2008 study suggested that during pregnancy, especially a first pregnancy, people tend to have pregnancy-related dreams as a way of processing the experience. Dreams during pregnancy may be vivid and easier to recall, partly because you tend to wake up more often.
Another study showed that suppressing emotions can make them pop up in your dreams. Your mind may be working on problems you don’t want to think about during the day.
As your due date draws near, it’s normal to wonder about your unborn baby — or babies. It wouldn’t be surprising to dream about twins if they run in the family or you’ve been wanting children for a long time.
One thing is certain: Dreaming about twins doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have twins.
Dreams of twins in early pregnancy
Pregnancy is a major life transition, whether it’s your first or your umpteenth and whether you’re thrilled about it or not.
If you wake up feeling stressed, twins could symbolize worries about becoming overwhelmed. If it’s a happy dream, it could mean that you’re looking forward to the new addition. Feeling both at the same time is perfectly normal.
Dream-twins don’t have to represent your own children. They may not even represent people but are your mind’s way of pondering:
- opposite viewpoints
- need for balance
- need for endurance
- harmony
- good luck, prosperity
- bold changes
Think about what’s happening in your life. Is there an inner conflict or decision you need to make? Alternatively, it could be expressing your inner desire to be pregnant or have a baby.
Seeing babies in dreams isn’t unusual. These types of dreams can happen to just about anyone at any point in life.
Dreams about being pregnant with twins
Pregnant or not, you can dream about carrying twins. It could be a hint that you have way too much going on right now. Or it may highlight a desire to be pregnant or have a child.
Dreams about crying babies
It’s safe to say that many a new parent has dreamed about crying babies. That could be a sign of exertion due to the demands of newborns. If you don’t have children but want to, this could signify anxiety about your ability to care for a baby.
Crying babies may not represent babies at all. Is there something else in your life crying for attention?
Dreams about evil babies
Any dream about evil is likely a stress dream. It’s probably not about babies, but something on the horizon that you fear you can’t handle or don’t want to deal with.
Dreams about misplacing or forgetting babies
Talk about a new parent nightmare. Losing your baby may be an expression of insecurity over being a responsible parent. Or maybe it’s about you. Is there a part of you that feels lost or rejected? Are you missing someone or something?
Dreams about having sick or injured twins
Sick or injured twins could be expressing a sense of disappointment, fear of failure, or conflicting goals.
Gender means different things in different societies and to different people. Consider what gender means to you. If the twins aren’t the same gender, does that translate into opposites, two sides of the same coin, or does it make no difference at all?
You probably can’t completely eliminate dreams. But you can try to get a more restful sleep and, hopefully, fewer nightmares.
- Set a regular sleep schedule allowing for a full night’s sleep.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol late in the day.
- Avoid exercise and stressful activities in the hour before going to bed.
- Use the hour before bedtime for calming activities.
- Clear the bedroom of electronic devices that glow or beep.
- Turn off lights and use room-darkening shades if necessary.
If you’re having nightmares and are pregnant:
- Talk to your doctor about pregnancy-related anxiety or insomnia.
- Cut down on fluids late in the day.
- Use pregnancy pillows or other pillows you have on hand for support and comfort.
- Take a nap during the day if you can manage it.
If you frequently have sleep disturbances or develop insomnia, see a doctor for a checkup.
For recurring nightmares, a therapist can help you work on what’s bothering you.
We know a lot of facts about dreams as they relate to sleep and physiology. But what they mean and what purpose they serve is an age-old question with few answers. Dreams tend to quickly fade from memory, are quite subjective, and are difficult to study in a scientific way.
Some plausible theories about why we dream include the following:
- They’re a blend of memories, abstract thoughts, and wishes.
- They’re a form of self-therapy, helping you see things from a different angle.
- Dreams help you get to the root of emotions.
- They help you to practice for fight-or-flight situations.
- They let you file away important memories and discard useless information.
- Dreams free your creative juices.
Almost everyone can recall having a nightmare at some point, but you may be more likely to experience nightmares when you’re under stress or if you have a mental health condition such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Like all dreams, dreams about twins can be interpreted a number of ways. They can be pleasant dreams that leave you feeling hopeful or nightmares that reflect your insecurities.
Can you relate twins, sets of two, or duality to what’s going on in your life right now? The feelings associated with the dream may help you uncover the meaning.