Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
It is recommended to keep the newborn twins close together however, you must adhere to the safety guidelines for sleeping. Choosing the right crib arrangement can help your twins develop a consistent routine of sleep.
A double bassinet that comes with a divider can be the ideal choice for twins. These beds can be used as portable beds to allow parents to keep their babies near for mid-night feedings and diaper changes. They also work well for babies who may outgrow their bassinets prior to 2.
Space-Saving
Twins can sleep together in a bedside cot, provided you adhere to the safe sleeping guidelines (that's to say that they should be laid on their backs with the tops of their heads facing each other and their feet placed at opposite sides of the cot). When they're big enough, they can also sleep together in a Moses Basket or regular crib.
This Delta double bassinet has a mesh divider that allows children to be separated but still close. It comes with a handy storage pocket to keep snacks and wipes close by as well. It's also foldable which makes it easy to move around the home and take on excursions.
This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart, swivels to allow you to bring your twins closer to you to feed them and calm them. The sides are lowered and raised to make it easier for you to get in, and they are secured to ensure security. It's a little heavier and longer than other alternatives, but it's a great choice for second floors or grandparent homes and comes with its own travel bag. travel cot bedside crib 's also much less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
While many parents of twins may be tempted to place their babies in one crib or bassinet, this is generally not recommended. Rednose recommends that twins have their own secure sleeping space (crib or portable crib or bassinet) in the room of the parents/caregivers until they reach the age of 12 months old to lower the risk of SIDS. This arrangement is also referred to as co-bedding. It has been found that twins who are used to this sleep environment will generally have a more coordinated sleeping pattern than twins who sleep in separate rooms.
A twin bedside cot like the Teknum FELLOW 2 is a fantastic option to accomplish this. It includes two sets of bedding, so that each baby gets their own space. The bedside cot can also be easily moved from one room to the next when needed. It offers a convenient and easy way to check on your children without disrupting their sleep or wake them up.
Double bassinets are an alternative. They permit infants to sleep side-by-side and are ideal for feedings or diaper changes during the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a mesh panel that breathes and is adjustable in height to allow each baby to be easily accessible and visible at all times. The sides of the sleeper lower and raise to allow for easy access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet, which is a cheaper alternative, has two sleeping zones separated by a mesh panel, allowing babies to see each one another. The sleeper also swivels around 360 degrees to allow an easy access for infants.
Many parents have discovered that co-bedding twins with a moses basket, or a smaller bassinette, is a great option in situations of a short duration, like hospital stays or a visit to the family. However it is recommended to do this only under the supervision of a healthcare provider to ensure that the babies are placed properly, with their feet to the floor of the cot and their bedding is securely tucked in to prevent them from suffocating.
Safety
The most important safety aspect for twins is that each baby has their own space to sleep. This ensures that each infant isn't smothered, or infected by the other. This also helps to avoid cot deaths, which are more common in single infants than multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins, tritons and higher-ordered multis have their own sleeping space. The best way to do this is with an additional bassinet or twin bedside cot that can be positioned close to your bed when you feed or soothe one of the babies throughout the night.
While the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently issued guidelines to lower the risk of SIDS by encouraging room sharing and discouraging cobedding, a lot of families with twins and multiples find it difficult to adhere to these guidelines (1). A previous study documented that a large majority of families with twins that were cobedded during the first 3 months at home, used unsafe sleeping practices (room sharing without cobedding).
Parents of twins might not adhere to current SIDS risk reduction recommendations due to a desire to prolong their own sleep and a lack of space to accommodate multiple cribs in the home. Additionally, the socioeconomic status of a family may influence their choices regarding sleeping arrangements.
If twins are positioned side-by-side in a tiny crib or Moses basket, they can easily be entangled by their bedding and potentially choke on one another. If you're planning to put your twins in the same cot it is essential to place them in the position of feet-to-head and have their bedding securely tucked into each cot to minimize their chances of smothering each one.
One of the safer and more practical options for twins to sleep independently is a bassinet that sits beside the bed like the Halo Bassinest Twin. The double bassinet features an enclosed mesh wall that can separate twins and give them their own flat, secure mattress to sleep on. It can be turned 360 degrees, so you can bring your baby 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 into 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, which is available at Walmart and comes with similar features to the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
Welcoming twins or multiples to the world is a major life-changing. They also require a lot of preparation and thought when it comes to their sleeping arrangements and how they will have a restful night. While the decisions regarding their future room can be made when they are older parents are often unsure of how they can help them to feel comfortable in the beginning stages.
When twins are still young, they are able to share a crib. This is called co-bedding and can provide wonderful comfort for newborns since it helps them remember the womb. The key is to make sure the beds are large enough to allow the infants to be comfortable without touching or rolling around. You should also remember that the baby that wakes up first must be fed. It can be beneficial to coordinate nighttime feeds so that you can get one of them up earlier than the other.
It is important to remember that twins can have very different sleep routines. You may find that one baby is more sleepy than the other or is more comfortable being close to you. In this case, it might be best for twins to have their own crib or bassinet in their room.
When you are looking for a twin bedside cot look for models that feature breathable mesh dividers to create separate sleeping spaces. This is crucial for infants who are at risk of heat stroke or families whose moms have had a c-section. Other beneficial features include an adjustable base, built-in storage for blankets and toys, as well as easy-to-use wheels. The Arm's Reach cot is a great choice for these purposes, as it offers a spacious sleeping area and is designed with mothers who have c-sections in mind. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price's Easy Swaivel are both options, but offer smaller sleeping spaces than the Arm's Reach cot.
Even if they're close, it is not recommended to let twins share a bed with an adult. There is a higher risk of SIDS, and can cause suffocation, strangulation, or entrapment. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins should be in their own cribs or bassinets in their parents' rooms for the first six months.