Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
Twins in the newborn stage sleep best close to each other, but it's important to adhere to safe sleeping guidelines. The proper crib arrangement will help your twins establish a consistent sleeping routine.
A double bassinet that comes with an divider is an ideal option for twins. These portable beds let parents keep their babies close for diaper changes and feedings at night. They are also great for infants that may outgrow their bassinets before 2 years old.
Space-Saving
As long as you follow the safe guidelines for sleeping, twins can be in a bedside crib side-by-side. They should be positioned on their backs with their heads in a straight line and their feet on the opposite ends. When they're big enough, they may also share a bed in a Moses Basket or regular crib.
We really love this Delta double bassinet. It has a mesh divider so that babies can stay separated but still close to one the other. It also comes with a storage compartment for snacks and wipes. It is also foldable which makes it easy to move around the house or take on trips.
Another alternative is this EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart that swivels to bring your twins' fluttery little ones closer to you for feeding and calming. The sides lower and raise to make it easier for you to get in, and they secure themselves to ensure your child's security. It's a little heavier and longer than some other options, but it's perfect for second floors or grandparent' houses, and it comes with a travel bag. It's also much cheaper than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
Many parents of twins may be tempted to sleep the babies together in a single bassinet or crib, this is generally not recommended. Rednose recommends that twins have their own safe sleeping area (crib, 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 is known as co-bedding. It has been proven that twins who grew in this type of environment have a more synchronized sleeping pattern.
A twin bedside cot such as the Teknum FELLOW 2 is a fantastic option to achieve this. It comes with two sets of bedding to ensure that each baby gets their own personal space. This bedside cot is also easily moved from one room to another when needed. It offers an easy and convenient way to check on your children without disrupting their sleep or wake them up.
Double bassinets are another option. They allow infants to be side-by-side, and are perfect for diaper changes or feedings during the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a mesh panel that breathes and is adjustable in height that allows each baby to be seen and reachable at all times. The sides of the sleeper lower and raise for easy access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet which is a less expensive alternative, comes with two sleep zones that are separated by a mesh panel, permitting babies to view each one another. The sleeper also swivels around 360 degrees, allowing easy access to infants.
Many parents have realized that co-bedding twins with a moses basket, or a small bassinette could be a good option for temporary situations like hospital stays or a family visit. This should only be done under the supervision a healthcare provider. They will make sure that the babies are properly placed on their feet at the foot of the crib, and all bedding is tucked into.
Safety
When it comes to twins sleeping together, the most crucial security factor is that each baby has their own sleep space. This helps prevent every baby from being smothered, choked or otherwise being choked by the other. This also helps avoid cot death, which is more common in single babies than in multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that triplets, twins, and higher-order multiplications have their own space to sleep in. The best way to accomplish this is to have an additional bassinet or twin bedside cots that could be placed close to your bed while you're feeding or soothing one of the babies during the night.
Although recent SIDS risk reduction guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with parents and disallow cobedding, the reality is that a lot of families of twins and higher-order multiples have trouble adhering to these guidelines (1). In a previous study it was discovered that the majority of twin families who co-bedded their children in the first three months of life at home were engaged in dangerous sleeping habits.
Parents of twins might not adhere to the current SIDS risk reduction guidelines because of a desire to increase their own sleep duration and a lack of space to accommodate multiple cribs in the home. Furthermore, socioeconomic status may influence family decisions regarding sleeping arrangements.
If twins are placed side-by-side in a tiny crib or Moses basket, they can easily get caught in their bedding and potentially choke on one another. If you decide to put your twins in the same cot together ensure that they are placed in an area where their feet are next to their heads, and that their bedding is placed in each cot securely. This will decrease the possibility of them colliding on each one.
A bassinet that is positioned at the bedside, like the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the most secure and more convenient options for twins that want to sleep separately. This double bassinet has mesh walls to separate twins and give them their own safe, flat sleep surface. It rotates 360 degrees, allowing you to bring one of your children closer to you for feedings or calming while still in the peace of your bed. Its side walls lower and auto-return with each movement. It is also easy to clean and fits in the standard twin-sized bed frame. Check out the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet at Walmart. It has similar features to the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
It is a major life change to welcome twins or multiples into the world. Not only that, they require a lot of planning and consideration regarding their sleeping arrangements and how they can get a good night's sleep. Parents often wonder what they can do to make their children feel at ease at an early age.
When twins are very young, they are able to share a crib. Co-bedding is a method for helping newborns feel at ease by bringing them back to their mother's womb. It is important to ensure that the beds are large enough for the babies to feel comfortable without touching or rolling around. It is also important to keep in mind that the baby who awakes first needs to be fed. It is helpful to coordinate feeding times at night in order to get one baby up before the other.
It is important to remember that twins have different sleep routines. You may find that one of them wakes more than the other or that they prefer to be closer to you. In this instance it is possible to give each twin their own crib or bassinet.
When looking for a twin bedside cot look for models with ventilated mesh dividers that can create distinct sleeping areas. This is crucial for babies who are more prone to overheating or for families with c-section moms. Other beneficial features include a reversible base, built-in storage for blankets and toys, and easy-to-maneuver wheels. The Arm's Reach cot, which is specifically designed for mothers with c-sections is a fantastic choice because it has a large sleeping area and is easy to maneuver. Other options include the Graco Pack 'n Play and the Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel, 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 increases the 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 areas, like cribs or bassinets, in their parent's room for the first six months.