Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
Twins in the newborn stage sleep best close to each other, but it's important to follow safe sleeping recommendations. The proper crib arrangement will help your twins establish a consistent sleeping routine.
A double bassinet that has an divider is a great choice for twins. These beds can be used to keep their infants close for diaper changes and mid-night feedings. These beds are also ideal for babies who might outgrow their baby bassinets by the time they reach toddlerhood.
Space-Saving
As long as you adhere to safe sleeping guidelines, twins can be in a bedside crib side-by-side. They should be positioned on their backs with their heads pointing towards each other and their feet at the opposite ends. When they're big enough, they can share a bed in a Moses Basket or regular crib.
This Delta double bassinet features a mesh partition that allows children to be separated but still close. It has a handy storage compartment to keep wipes and snacks nearby and also snacks. It can also fold making it easy to move around the house and travel with on trips.
Another option is this EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart, which swivels to bring the twins who are fussy closer to you for feedings and comfort. The sides can be raised and lowered to allow access, and they lock into place for security. It's a bit longer and heavier than other models but is great for the second floor or grandparent's homes. It also comes with a travel bag. It's also less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
While many parents of twins might be enticed to put the twins together in a single bassinet or crib, 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 12 months old to lower the risk for SIDS. This arrangement is also referred to as co-bedding. It has been proven that twins who are used to this type of sleeping environment typically have a more synchronized sleep pattern than twins who sleep on their own.
A twin bedside cot like the Teknum FELLOW 2 is a fantastic method to achieve this. It comes with two sets of bedding so that each baby has their own personal space. This bedside cot is also easily moved from one room to the next depending on the need. It provides an easy and convenient method to check on your babies without disrupting their sleep or waking them up.
Double bassinets are another option. They permit infants to sleep side-by-side and they're perfect for diaper changes or feedings in the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a breathable mesh panel and adjustable height to allow each baby to be seen and reachable 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 more affordable alternative, has two sleeping zones separated by a mesh panel permitting babies to view each other. The sleeper can also rotate around 360 degrees to give easy access to the infants.
Many parents have discovered that co-bedding twins with moses baskets, or a small bassinette, is a great option for situations that are temporary, like hospital stays or a family visit. This should only be done under the supervision of by a medical professional. They will make sure that the infants are correctly placed in a crib with their feet at the foot of the crib and all bedding put in.
Safety
When it comes to twins sleeping together, the most important security feature is that each infant has their own space to sleep in. This helps prevent the baby from being smothered, choked or otherwise choking by the other. It also helps prevent the death of a cot, which is more frequent in infants who are single than in multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that tritons, twins and higher-ordered multis have their own sleeping area. The best way to do this is with an additional bassinet or twin bedside cots that could be brought up close to your bed while you feed or soothe one of the babies throughout the night.
Although the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently issued recommendations to reduce the SIDS risk by encouraging room sharing and avoiding cobedding, many families with multiples and twins find it difficult to adhere to these guidelines (1). In a previous study it was found that the majority of twin families who cobedded their children in the first three months of their lives at home engaged in unsafe sleeping habits.
Parents of twins may not follow the current SIDS risk reduction guidelines because of a desire to extend their own sleep time and the inability to accommodate multiple cribs at home. Additionally, socioeconomic status can affect the family's decisions regarding sleeping arrangements.
If twins are placed in a small Moses basket or crib, their bedding can easily entangle them and they may choke on eachother. If you're planning to sleep your twins in the same cot it is important to put them in the position of feet-to-head and have their bedding secured in each cot to limit the possibility of them colliding with each other.
A bassinet that is positioned at the bedside, like the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the safest and most convenient alternatives for twins who wish to sleep in a separate bed. The double bassinet comes with a mesh wall to divide twins and give them their own safe, flat sleep surface. It can be swiveled 360 degrees, which means you can bring your baby closer to you without leaving your bed. The walls on the sides automatically lower and return with every movement. It's also easy to clean and fits into the standard twin 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
The arrival of twins or multiples into the world is a major life altering. Not least, they require a great deal of planning and consideration regarding their sleeping arrangements and how they'll 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.
small bedside cot is possible for twins to share a single cot when they are very small. This is referred to as co-bedding, and can provide wonderful comfort for newborns since it reminds them of the mother's womb. It is crucial to ensure that the beds are large enough for newborns to feel at ease without having to touch one other or roll around. It is important to keep in mind that the baby who wakes up first must be fed. It is beneficial to coordinate night feeds so that you can wake up one baby before the other.
It is important to be aware that twins can have very different sleep patterns. It could be that one baby is waking more frequently than the other or prefers to be closer to you. In this instance it may be beneficial for the twins to share their own crib or bassinet in their room.
When shopping for a twin bedside cot, ensure that it has ventilated mesh dividers that can create distinct sleeping spaces. This is essential for babies that are prone to heat stroke or for families where moms have had a c-section. A reversible base as well as wheels that are easy to maneuver are also helpful features. The Arm's Reach cot is a good option for this purpose because it has an ample sleeping space and is designed with c-section moms in mind. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel are other alternatives, but they have smaller sleeping areas 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 could lead to suffocation, strangulation or entrapment. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins sleep in their own bassinets or cribs in their parents' rooms for the first 6 months.