Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
It's best to keep newborn twins close together However, you must adhere to safety sleep guidelines. bedside cot used will help your twins establish a consistent sleeping routine.
A double bassinet that has the option of dividing can be an ideal option for twins. These beds can be used to keep their infants close for diaper changes as well as mid-night meals. These beds are also great for babies who are likely to outgrow their baby bassinets when they reach the age of toddlerhood.
Space-Saving
If you follow the safe sleeping guidelines, twins are able to be in a bedside crib side-by-side. They should be placed on their backs with their heads in a straight line and their feet on the opposite ends. They can also co-sleep in a Moses basket or a regular crib once they're big enough.
This Delta double bassinet has mesh dividers that allow babies to be separated but still close. It comes with a handy storage pocket to keep wipes and snacks nearby and also snacks. It is also foldable making it easy to move around the house and take on trips.
Another alternative is this EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart It can swivel to bring fussy twins closer to you for feedings and soothing. The sides can be raised and lowered for access, and they secure themselves to ensure your child's safety. It's a bit bigger and heavier than other options but is great for the second-floor or homes for grandparents. It also comes with a travel bag. It's also much less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
It is not recommended that parents of twins sleep their babies in the same crib or bassinet. Instead the Rednose group Rednose suggests that twins are given their own safe sleeping space (crib or bassinet or portable crib) in the parent/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 found that twins who have been accustomed to this sleep environment will generally have a more coordinated sleep pattern than those who sleep separately.
One of the easiest ways to make this work is with twin bedside cots, like the Teknum FELLOW 2 which comes with two separate bedding sets so every baby can have an individual and comfortable space. This bedside cot is able to easily be moved from room to room as needed, and it allows you to check on the babies without having to wake them by re-entering their sleeping space or disrupting their routines.
Double bassinets are a different option. They permit infants to be side-by-side, and are 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 infant to be easily accessible and visible 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 less expensive alternative, comes with two sleep zones that are separated by a mesh panel which allows babies to see each the other. The sleeper can also rotate around 360 degrees to give an easy access for infants.
For temporary situations, such as a family visit or hospital stay, many parents have found success in co-bedding twins in a large moses basket or small bassinette that has dividers. This should only be done with the supervision of a healthcare provider. They will ensure that the babies are properly placed in a crib with their feet placed at the foot of the crib, and all bedding is tucked into.
Safety
The most important security feature for twins is that they have their own bed. This ensures that every infant isn't smothered or infected by the other. It also helps to prevent cot deaths, which are more common with single babies than 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 can be positioned close to your bed while you're feeding or soothing one of the babies during the night.
Although the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently issued recommendations to decrease the SIDS risk by encouraging room sharing and disabling cobedding, many families of twins and multiples find it difficult to adhere to these guidelines (1). A previous study documented that a large majority of families with twins who were cobedded during the first 3 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 extend their own sleep time and a lack of space to accommodate multiple cribs at home. In addition the socioeconomic status of a family can influence their choices regarding sleeping arrangements.
If twins are positioned together in a crib or Moses basket, they could easily become entangled by their bedding and potentially choke on one another. If you decide to put your twins in the same cot together, make sure 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 reduce the chances of them choking on each other.
A bedside bassinet, such as the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the most secure and most convenient options for twins that want to sleep separately. The double bassinet has mesh walls that separate twins to give them each their own safe and comfortable, flat sleeping surface. 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 return with every movement. It's also easy to clean and can be tucked away in the standard twin bed frame. Check out the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet at Walmart. It comes with 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 lot of planning and thinking in regards to their sleeping arrangements and how they can get a good night's sleep. Parents often ask themselves what they can do to make their children feel more comfortable from an early age.
It is possible for twins to share a single cot if they are small. Co-bedding is a method for soothing newborns by bringing them back to their mother's womb. It is crucial to ensure that the beds are large enough to allow the newborns to feel at ease without touching each others or roll around. Also, remember that the baby that wakes up first must be fed. It is helpful to co-ordinate night feeds to ensure that you wake one up before the other.
It is important to remember that twins can have very different sleeping patterns. You may find that one baby is more sleepy than the other or is more comfortable being close to you. In this instance it could be beneficial for the twins to share their own crib or bassinet in their room.
Find twin bedside cots that have breathable mesh dividers for separate sleeping areas. This is particularly important for babies prone to overheating, or for families with c-section moms. Other useful features include a reversible base, built-in storage space for toys and blankets, and easy-to-maneuver wheels. The Arm's Reach cot is a good option for this purpose because it has an ample sleeping space and is designed with mothers who have c-sections in mind. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel are also options, but offer smaller sleeping spaces than the Arm's Reach cot.
Even if they're very close, it's not recommended to let twins share the bed with an adult. There is a higher risk of SIDS, and may result in suffocation strangulation, or entrapment. Instead the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins sleep in their own safe sleeping spaces, such as cribs or bassinets, in their parents' room for the first six months.