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 sleep routine.
A double bassinet with the option of dividing it is a great choice for twins. These portable beds let parents keep their infants close for diaper changes and mid-night feedings. They also work well for infants who might outgrow their bassinets before baby 2.
Space-Saving
Twins can sleep together in a bedside cot as long as you follow the safe sleeping guidelines (that's to say that they should lie 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 a crib once they're large enough.
This Delta double bassinet features a mesh partition that allows babies to be separated but still close. It also has a convenient storage pocket to keep snacks and wipes in the vicinity, too. It's also foldable, making it easier to move around the home and travel with on trips.
This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart can swivel so that you can bring fussy twins nearer to you to feed them and comfort them. The sides lower and raise to allow access, and they are secured to ensure security. It is a little longer and heavier than the other options but is great for the second floor or grandparent's homes. It also comes with a travel bag. It's also a lot cheaper than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
While many parents of twins might be enticed to sleep the babies together in a single crib or bassinet however, this is not recommended. Instead, the group Rednose suggests that twins are given their own secure sleeping space (crib, bassinet or portable crib) in the parents' or caregiver's room until they are 12 months old in order to reduce the risk of SIDS. This arrangement is also known as co-bedding and it has been observed that twins who are accustomed to this sleeping environment will generally have a more coordinated sleeping pattern than twins who sleep separately.
A twin bedside cot such as the Teknum FELLOW 2 is a fantastic way to accomplish this. It comes with two sets of bedding so that each baby has their own space. The bedside cot can easily be moved from room to another as required, and allows you to monitor the baby without having to wake them by re-entering their sleeping zone or disrupting their rhythms.
Other options include double bassinets, which have been designed specifically to allow the infants to be side-by-side, and are perfect for mid-night feedings or diaper changes. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a breathable mesh panel and adjustable height that allows each baby to be easily accessible and visible at all times. The sides of the sleeper lower and raise for easy access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet which is a more affordable alternative, comes with two sleep zones separated by a mesh panel allowing babies to see each other. travel cot bedside can also rotate around 360 degrees, allowing an easy access for infants.
For temporary situations like a family visit or hospitalization Parents have reported the benefits of co-bedding twins using large moses baskets or a small bassinette with divider. This should only be done under the supervision of by a medical professional. They will ensure that the babies are appropriately placed in a crib with their feet at the bottom of the crib, and all bedding put in.
Safety
When it comes to twins sleeping together, the most important safety feature is that each infant has his or her individual space to sleep. This prevents the baby from being smothered, choked, or otherwise being choking 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 tritons, twins, and higher-ordered multiples have their own sleeping area. 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're feeding or soothing 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 avoid cobedding however, the reality is that many families of twins and higher-order multiples aren't able to comply with these guidelines (1). A previous study found that a 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 due to a desire prolong their own sleep and the inability to accommodate multiple cribs at home. In addition the socioeconomic status of a family can affect their the arrangement of their sleep.
If twins are positioned together in a crib or Moses basket, they can easily get caught in their bedding and could choke on one another. If you're planning to sleep your twins in the same cot it's important to place them in a head-to-foot position and have their bedding securely tucked into the cots to reduce the possibility of them colliding with each one.
One of the safest and more convenient options for twins to sleep independently is a bedside bassinet like the Halo Bassinest Twin. The double bassinet features mesh walls to separate twins and give them their own flat, safe sleep surface. It can be swiveled 360 degrees, so you can bring your baby closer to you without leaving your bed. 4-in-1 bedside crib and return with every movement. It's easy to clean and can be tucked away in a standard twin bed frame. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, consider the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet that is available at Walmart and comes with similar features to the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
It's a huge change to welcome twins or multiples into the world. They require plenty of planning and thought, not least when it comes to where they will sleep and how they will get a good night's sleep. While decisions regarding their room can be made as they age parents often ask how they can help them get comfortable in the early stages.
It is possible for twins to share a single crib when they are small. This is called co-bedding and it can be a great comfort to newborns as it reminds them of the womb. The most important thing is to ensure that the beds are big enough to allow the infants to feel comfortable without touching each other or rolling around. It is also important to remember that the baby who waks first must be fed. It is beneficial to coordinate night feeds so that you can awake one baby prior to the other.
It is crucial to remember that twins are quite different and could develop their own sleeping routines. You may find that one child wakes more frequently than the other or that they prefer to be nearer to you. In this instance, it might be best for the twins to share their own crib or bassinet in their room.
Look for twin bedside cots with breathable mesh dividers for separate sleeping areas. This is crucial for infants who are susceptible to heat stroke or for families where mothers 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, 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, however, they have a smaller sleeping area than the Arm's Reach cot.
It is not recommended that twins sleep in the same bed as an adult even if they're close. This can increase the risk of SIDS and lead to strangulation or suffocation. Instead it is recommended that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins remain in their safe sleeping areas, like bassinets or cribs in their parents' rooms for the first six months.