Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
Twins who are just born sleep best close to each other It's vital to follow safe sleeping recommendations. The proper crib arrangement will help your twins establish an established routine for sleeping.
A double bassinet that has an divider is a great choice for twins. These beds can be used as portable beds to allow parents to keep their infants close for middle-of-the-night feeds and diaper changes. These beds are also great for babies who are likely to outgrow their bassinets when they reach the age of toddlerhood.
Space-Saving
As long as you adhere to safe sleeping guidelines, twins can sleep in a crib that is bedside side-by-side. They should sleep on their backs, with their heads touching and their feet at opposite ends. They can also share a bed in a Moses basket or regular crib once they're big enough.
We are in love with this Delta double bassinet, which features a mesh partition to allow babies to remain separated but still close to one and each other. It also has a pocket for storage for wipes and snacks. It can also fold, making it easier to move around the house and take on trips.
Another alternative is the EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart It can swivel to bring fussy twins closer to you for feeding and calming. The sides can be raised or lowered for easy access, and are secured for security. It's a bit longer and heavier than other models however it is ideal for the second-floor or homes for grandparents. It also comes with a bag for travel. It's also much cheaper than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
It is not recommended that parents of twins place their babies in the same crib or bassinet. Rednose recommends that twins have their own secure sleeping space (crib, portable crib, or bassinet) in the room of the parents or caregivers until they reach 12 months to reduce the risk of SIDS. This is referred to as co-bedding. It has been proven that twins who have grown in this type of environment develop a more coordinated sleeping pattern.
A twin bedside cot, such as the Teknum FELLOW 2 is an excellent method to achieve this. It includes two sets of bedding to ensure that each baby has their own personal space. This bedside cot is able to easily be moved from room to room as needed, and it makes it easy to monitor the baby without having to wake them up by re-entering their sleeping zone or disrupting their routines.
Other alternatives include double bassinets specially designed for infants that allow them to remain side-by-side and are ideal for nighttime feeds or diaper changes. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a mesh panel that breathes and is adjustable in height to allow each infant to be seen and reachable at all times. The sides of the sleeper also adjust to lower and raise for quick access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet which is a less expensive option, has two sleep zones that are separated by a mesh, allowing babies to see each other. The sleeper also swivels around 360 degrees, allowing easy access to the infants.
Many parents have found that bedding twins together 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, this should be done only under the supervision of a healthcare provider to ensure that the babies are properly positioned in a cot, with their feet at the floor of the cot and their bedding properly tucked in to prevent them from being suffocated.
Safety
The most important security feature for twins is that each baby have their own bed. This will prevent each baby from being smothered, choked or otherwise being choked by the other. It also helps prevent the death of a cot, which is more common in single infants than 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 do this is with an additional bassinet or twin bedside cots that could be placed 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 guidelines to lower the SIDS risk by encouraging room sharing and avoiding cobedding, many families of twins and multiples have found it difficult to adhere to these guidelines (1). A previous study documented that the majority of families with twins that were cobedded during the first three months at home used unsafe sleeping practices (room sharing without cobedding).
Parents of twins may not follow the current SIDS risk reduction guidelines because of a desire to increase their own sleep duration and the inability to accommodate multiple cribs at home. In addition, socioeconomic status could affect the family's decisions regarding the arrangement of their sleep.
If twins are positioned side-by-side in a tiny crib or Moses basket, they can easily become entangled by their bedding, and possibly choke on one another. If you choose to put your twins in the same cot, make sure they are placed in a position in which their feet are close to their heads and their bedding is tucked into each cot securely. This will lessen the chances of them choking on each other.
A bedside bassinet, such as the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the safest and most convenient alternatives for twins who wish to sleep separately. This double bassinet has an enclosed mesh wall that can separate twins and give them their own flat, safe mattress to sleep on. It can be swiveled 360 degrees, which means you can bring your child closer to you without leaving your bed. The walls on the sides automatically lower and then return with each movement. It's easy to clean and can be tucked away in the standard twin bed frame. For a less expensive alternative, consider the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet that is available at Walmart and offers similar features to the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
It is a major life change to welcome twins or multiples into the world. They require a lot of thought and preparation especially in regards to where they will sleep and how they'll get a good night's sleep. While decisions regarding their bedroom space are made when they are older parents are often unsure of how they can help their children get comfortable in the early stages.
When twins are young, it is possible to share a crib. bedside cot 6 months plus is called co-bedding and it can be a great comfort to newborns as it helps them remember the womb. It is important to ensure that the beds are large enough to allow the infants to be comfortable without touching or bouncing around. You should also remember that the baby that awakes first should be fed. It is beneficial to coordinate nighttime feeds so that you can get one baby up before the other.
It is crucial to keep in mind that twins are quite different and could have their own sleep patterns. You might find that one child sleeps better than the other or prefers to be near you. In this instance, it might be best for the twins to have their own crib or bassinet in their room.
Choose a cot with twin beds with mesh dividers that are breathable to create separate sleeping areas. This is crucial for babies prone to overheating, or for families with mothers who have had c-sections. Other helpful features include an adjustable base, built-in storage space for blankets and toys, as well as easy-to-use wheels. The Arm's Reach cot, which is specifically designed for mothers who have a c-section is a great option because it has a large sleeping space and is easy to move. Other options are the Graco Pack 'n Play and the Fisher-Price Easy Swivel but they have smaller sleeping areas 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 close. There is a higher risk of SIDS and could lead to suffocation, strangulation or entrapment. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins should be in their own bassinets or cribs in their parents' room for the first 6 months.