Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
It is recommended to keep the newborn twins close together, but you should also follow safety sleeping guidelines. Selecting the best crib arrangement will aid your twins in developing a consistent sleep routine.
A double bassinet that comes with the option of dividing can be a great choice for twins. These portable beds let parents keep their babies close for diaper changes and mid-night feedings. These beds are also ideal for babies who might outgrow their baby bassinets before they reach toddlerhood.
Space-Saving
Twins can sleep together in a bedside cot, as long as you follow the safe sleeping guidelines (that's to say they should be lying on their backs with the tops of their heads facing each other and feet at opposite ends of the cot). They can also share a bed in a Moses basket or regular crib once they're large enough.
We are in love with this Delta double bassinet. It includes a mesh divider, to allow babies to remain separated but still close to one and each other. It also comes with a storage compartment for snacks and wipes. It can also fold which makes it easy to move around the house and travel with on trips.
This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart can swivel to allow you to bring your twins closer to you to feed them and calm them. The sides can be raised and lowered for easy access, and are locked in place for security. It is a little longer and heavier than other options however it is ideal for the second-floor or homes for grandparents. It also comes with a travel bag. It's also a lot cheaper than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
Many parents of twins might be enticed to put the twins together in a single bassinet or crib however, this is not recommended. Instead, the group Rednose suggests that twins be given their own secure sleeping space (crib, bassinet or portable crib) in the parent/caregiver's room until they reach 12 months old to help reduce the risk of SIDS. This arrangement is also known as co-bedding. It has been found that twins who have been accustomed to this sleep environment will often form a more synchronized sleeping pattern than twins who sleep in separate rooms.
A twin bedside cot, such as the Teknum FELLOW 2 is an excellent method to accomplish this. It comes with two sets of bedding so that each baby gets their own space. The bedside cot can be easily moved from one room to the next as needed. It offers an easy and convenient method to check on your babies without disrupting their sleep or wake them up.
Double bassinets are an alternative. They allow babies to sleep side-byside, and they're perfect for feedings or diaper changes in the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for example, has an air-tight mesh divider and adjustable height so that each baby can be observed and reached throughout the night, and the sides of the sleeper are raised and lower to allow easy access. If you're looking for an affordable alternative, the Walmart-exclusive Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet is similar, featuring two sleeping zones separated by mesh panels that allow babies to see one another, and the entire sleeper is able to rotate 360 degrees, giving an easy access to every infant.
For short-term situations like a family visit or hospital stay Parents have reported the benefits of co-bedding twins using large moses baskets or a small bassinette that has dividers. However, bedside cot newborn should be done only under the supervision of a healthcare professional to ensure that babies are placed properly and with their feet towards the floor of the cot, and all bedding securely tucked in, to prevent them from being suffocated.
Safety
The most important safety feature when it comes to twins is that they has their own space to sleep. bedside cot used ensures that each baby isn't smothered, or infected by the other. It also helps to prevent deaths in the cot, which are more prevalent in infants with one parent than in multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins, tritons and higher-ordered multis have their own space to sleep in. The best method to achieve this is with a separate bassinet or twin bedside cots that can be brought up close to your bed while you feed or soothe one of the babies during the night.
While recent SIDS risk reduction guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with parents and discourage cobedding however, the reality is that a lot of families of twins and other higher-order multiples have difficulty complying with these guidelines (1). A previous study documented that the majority of families of 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 guidelines due to the desire to rest longer and a lack of space at home to accommodate multiple cribs. In addition, socioeconomic status could influence family decisions regarding sleeping arrangements.
If twins are placed side-by-side in a tiny crib or Moses basket, they could easily become entangled by their bedding, and possibly choke on one another. If you decide to put your twins in the same cot ensure that they are in the position where their feet are next to their heads and their bedding is tucked into each cot securely. This will reduce the chance of them choking on each one.
One of the safer and more practical alternatives for twins to sleep separately is a bedside bassinet like the Halo Bassinest Twin. This double bassinet has mesh walls to separate twins and give them their own safe, flat sleeping surface. It can be rotated 360 degrees, so you can bring your baby closer to you without having to leave your bed. The walls on the sides automatically lower and return with every movement. It is also easy to clean and can be tucked away into the standard twin-sized bed frame. Take a look at the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet at Walmart. It has the same features as the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
It's a significant life change to welcome twins or multiples into the world. They also require a great deal of preparation and thought in regards to their sleeping arrangements and how they can get a good night's sleep. While decisions about their future bedroom space are made as they age parents often ask how they can help them to settle in the early stages.
It is possible for twins to share a crib when they are small. Co-bedding is a method of soothing newborns by reminding them of their womb. It is crucial to ensure that the beds are large enough for infants to be comfortable without having to touch each the other or move around. Also, be aware that the baby who is the first to wake up should be fed. It is helpful to coordinate feeding times at night so that you can wake one up earlier than the other.
It is important to remember that twins may have different sleeping patterns. It could be that one baby is waking more than the other or they prefer to be closer to you. In this case it is possible to give each twin a separate bassinet or crib.
Find twin bedside cots that have breathable mesh dividers for separate sleeping areas. This is particularly important for babies who are prone to overheating, or for families with c-section mothers. A reversible base as well as wheels that are easy to move are also beneficial features. The Arm's Reach cot is an excellent option for these needs since it provides a spacious sleeping area and is designed with c-section moms in mind. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel are also options, but have a smaller sleeping space than the Arm's Reach cot.
It is not recommended to sleep with twins in the same bed as an adult even if they're very close. It is an increased risk of SIDS, and can cause suffocation, strangulation or entrapment. Instead it is recommended that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins remain in their safe sleeping spaces, such as cribs or bassinets, in their parent's room for the first six months.