Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
Twins in the newborn stage sleep best close to one another However, it's crucial to adhere to the safe sleep guidelines. The right crib arrangement can help your twins develop a consistent sleeping routine.
A double bassinet with an divider is a great option for twins. These beds can be used as portable beds to allow parents to keep their infants close for mid-night feedings and diaper changes. These beds are also great for babies who might outgrow their bassinets when they reach toddlerhood.
Space-Saving
If you follow 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 pointing towards each other and their feet at the opposite ends. They can also sleep together in a Moses basket or a regular crib once they're big enough.
We are in love with this Delta double bassinet. It features a mesh partition to keep babies separate but close to each the other. It also has a storage pocket for snacks and wipes. Additionally, it folds flat making it easy to move around the house or take on trips.
This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart can swivel to allow you to bring your twins closer to you to feed them and comfort them. The sides lower and raise to make it easier for you to get in and lock into place for security. It's a bit longer and heavier than other models however it is ideal for the second-floor or grandparents' homes. It also comes with a bag for travel. It's also less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
It is not recommended that parents of twins place their babies in the same bassinet or crib. Rednose recommends that twins have their own safe sleeping area (crib or 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 arrangement is also referred to as co-bedding, and it has been observed that twins who are accustomed to this type of sleeping environment generally have a more coordinated sleep pattern than those who sleep separately.
A twin bedside cot like the Teknum FELLOW 2 is a great way to accomplish this. It comes with two sets of bedding, so that each baby has their own space. This bedside cot is able to easily be moved from room to room as necessary, and also makes it easy to check on babies without having to wake them by re-entering their sleeping space or disrupting their rhythms.
Double bassinets are a different option. They allow 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 mesh panel that is breathable and adjustable in height that allows each baby to be seen and reachable at all times. The sides of the sleeper also lower and raise to allow for easy access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet which is a more affordable alternative, comes with two sleep zones that are separated by a mesh panel, permitting babies to view each other. The sleeper also swivels around 360 degrees, allowing an easy access for infants.
Many parents have realized that bedding twins together with moses baskets or a smaller bassinette, can be a good solution in situations of a short duration, such as a hospital stay or a visit to the family. This should only be done under the supervision of a healthcare provider. They will make sure that the infants are correctly placed in a crib with their feet at the bottom of the crib, and all bedding put in.
Safety
The most important security feature for twins is that they has their own space to sleep. This ensures that each infant isn't smothered or choked by the other. This also helps avoid deaths in the cot, which are more common in single babies than in multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins, tritons and higher-ordered multis have their own sleeping space. This can be achieved by using an individual bassinet or a twin bedside crib you can place on your bed to feed or soothe one of the babies throughout the night.
While recent SIDS risk reduction recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with a parent and discourage cobedding but the reality is that a lot of families of twins and other higher-order multiples aren't able to comply with these guidelines (1). In bedside co sleeper was found that the majority of twin families that co-bedded their children during the first three months of life at home engaged in unsafe sleep habits.
Parents of twins may not follow the current SIDS guidelines due to the desire to rest longer and a absence of space in the home to accommodate multiple cribs. Additionally, the socioeconomic status of a family can influence their decisions about sleeping arrangements.
When twins are placed side-by-side in a small crib or Moses basket, they may easily get caught in their bedding and potentially choke on each other. If you decide to place your twins in the same cot together ensure they are placed in an area that their feet are right next to their heads, and that their bedding is tucked into each cot securely. This will reduce the chance of them choking on each other.
One of the safer and more practical options for twins to be able to sleep independently is a bedside bassinet like the Halo Bassinest Twin. This double bassinet has an enclosed mesh wall that can separate twins and provide them with their own safe, flat sleeping surface. It rotates 360 degrees to bring your baby closer to you for feedings or soothing while still in the comfortable bed. Its side walls lower and auto-return every time you move. It's also easy to clean and fits in a 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
Welcoming twins or multiples to the world is a major life change. They also require a great deal of planning and consideration in regards to their sleeping arrangements and how they can have a restful night. Parents often ask themselves what they can do to make their children feel comfortable in the early years of their lives.
It is possible for twins to share a cot when they are very small. Co-bedding is a method for comforting newborns by bringing them back to their mother's womb. The key is to ensure that the beds are big enough for babies to be comfortable, without touching or bouncing around. It is also important to keep in mind that the baby who wakes first needs to be fed. It is helpful to coordinate night feeds so that you can wake up one baby before the other.
However, it is important to keep in mind that twins can be distinct and may develop their own sleep routines. It could be that one baby is waking more than the other or that they prefer to be nearer to you. In this situation, it may be best to give each twin their own crib or bassinet.
Look for twin bedside cots with breathable mesh dividers to create separate sleeping areas. This is important for babies that are prone to heat stroke or for families in which mothers have had a C-section. Other useful features include an adjustable base, built-in storage for blankets and toys, and easy-to-maneuver wheels. The Arm's Reach cot, designed for c-section mothers is a fantastic choice due to its large sleeping area and is easy to maneuver. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price's Easy Swaivel are both options, but have a smaller sleeping space than the Arm's Reach cot.
Even if they're very close, it is not recommended that twins share a bed with an adult. This could increase the risk of SIDS and result in strangulation or suffocation. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins should be in their own bassinets or cribs in their parents' rooms for the first six months.