Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
It is recommended to keep the newborn twins close together however, you must adhere to safety sleep guidelines. Selecting the best crib arrangement will aid your twins in developing a consistent routine of sleep.
A double bassinet with the option of dividing it is a great option for twins. These beds can be used to keep their babies close for diaper changes and feedings at night. They also work well for infants who might outgrow their bassinets prior to 2.
Space-Saving
If you adhere to safe guidelines for sleeping, twins can sleep in a crib that is bedside side-by-side. They should be positioned on their backs with their heads in a straight line and their feet at the opposite ends. When they're old enough, they can also sleep together in a Moses Basket or regular crib.
We love this Delta double bassinet, which has a mesh divider to keep babies separate, yet close to each and each other. It also has a storage pocket for snacks and wipes. It can also fold making it easy to move around the house and travel with on trips.
Another alternative is this EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart that swivels to bring the twins who are fussy closer to you for feeding and soothing. The sides can be raised or lowered for easy access, and are locked in place for safety. It is a little longer and heavier than the other options but is great for the second floor or grandparents' homes. It also comes with a carry-on bag. It's also much cheaper than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
Many parents of twins may be tempted to place their babies in one crib or bassinet, this is generally not recommended. Instead, the group Rednose suggests that twins are provided with their own private sleeping space (crib or bassinet or portable crib) in the parent/caregiver's room until they reach 12 months old to reduce the chance of SIDS. This is referred to as co-bedding. It has been demonstrated that twins who have grown in this type of environment develop a more synchronized sleeping pattern.
One of the easiest ways to make this work is by using a twin bedside cot like the Teknum FELLOW 2, which comes with two separate bedding sets so every baby can have an area that is comfortable and private. This bedside cot can also easily be moved from room to another as required, and allows you to check on the babies without needing to wake them by re-entering their sleep zone or disrupting their routines.
Double bassinets are another option. They allow babies to sleep side-byside, and are ideal for diaper changes or feedings in the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for example, has an air-tight mesh partition and adjustable height so that each child can be observed and reached throughout the night, and the sides of the sleeper are raised and lower to give easy access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet which is a less expensive alternative, has two sleeping zones that are separated by a mesh, permitting babies to view each other. The sleeper also rotates around 360 degrees, allowing easy access to infants.
For temporary situations, such as an emergency family visit or hospitalization Parents have reported the benefits of co-bedding twins using a large moses basket or small bassinette with divider. However, this should be done only under the supervision of a healthcare professional to ensure that babies are placed properly, with their feet to the foot of the cot, and all bedding is securely tucked in to prevent them from suffocating.
Safety
When it comes to twins sleeping together, the most important security feature is that each infant has his or her own sleep space. This ensures that every infant isn't smothered or choked by the other. This also helps to avoid the death of a cot, which is more common with single babies than multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that triplets, twins, and higher-order multiples get their own sleep space. This can be done with a separate bassinet, or a twin bedside crib you can place on your bed to feed or sooth one of the babies during the night.
While recent SIDS risk reduction recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with parents and avoid cobedding however, the reality is that a lot of families of twins and other higher-order multiples aren't able to comply with these guidelines (1). In a previous study, it was discovered that the majority of twin families that cobedded their children in the first three months of life at home engaged in unsafe sleeping habits.
Parents of twins might not adhere to current SIDS guidelines due to a desire to sleep longer and lack of space in their home to accommodate multiple cribs. Additionally, socioeconomic status can affect family decisions about sleep arrangements.
If twins are placed in a small Moses basket or crib, their bedding can easily be pulled together and they could choke each other. If you choose to put your twins in the same cot together ensure they are in an area in which their feet are close to their heads and that their bedding is tucked into the cots securely. This will decrease the chances of them choking on each other.
A bedside bassinet, such as the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the most secure and easier options for twins who want to sleep in a separate bed. The double bassinet comes with a mesh wall to separate twins and give them their own safe, flat mattress to sleep on. It can be swiveled 360 degrees, meaning you can bring your child closer to you without leaving your bed. The side walls automatically lower and return with each movement. It is also easy to clean and fits in a standard twin-sized bed frame. If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, look into the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet that is available at Walmart and offers similar features as the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
The arrival of twins or multiples into the world is an enormous life altering. They require a lot of planning and consideration especially when it comes to where they will be sleeping and how they will get a good night's sleep. Parents often ask themselves what they can do to help their children feel comfortable in the early years of their lives.
It is possible for twins to share a single crib when they are small. This is known as co-bedding and it can be a wonderful comfort for newborns since it helps them remember the womb. It is crucial to ensure that the beds are large enough to allow the newborns to feel at ease without having to touch each the other or move around. It is also important to remember that the baby who wakes first needs to be fed. bedside cot co sleeper is helpful to co-ordinate night feeds to ensure that you wake one up earlier than the other.
It is important to be aware that twins have different sleeping routines. It is possible that one baby sleeps more than the other or is more comfortable being close to you. In this case, it may be best to give each twin their own crib or bassinet.
When looking for a twin bedside cot, look for models with breathable mesh dividers to create distinct sleeping spaces. This is crucial for infants who are susceptible to heat stroke or for families in which mothers have had a C-section. bedside cot reviews as well as wheels that are easy to maneuver are also helpful features. The Arm's Reach cot is a great option for this purpose because it has a spacious sleeping area and is designed with c-section moms in mind. Other options are the Graco Pack 'n Play and the Fisher-Price Easy Swivel but they offer less sleeping space than the Arm's Reach cot.
Even if they're very close, it's not recommended that twins share a bed with an adult. This can increase the risk of SIDS and lead to strangulation or suffocation. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins be in their own cribs or bassinets in their parents' bedrooms for the first six months.