Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
Newborn twins sleep best when close to each other It's vital to adhere to the safe sleep guidelines. Choosing the right crib arrangement can aid in the development of an established routine for sleep.
A double bassinet with an divider is a great choice for twins. These beds can be used as portable beds to let parents keep their children close during feedings in the middle of the night and diaper changes. They also work well for infants that may outgrow their bassinets prior to 2 years old.
Space-Saving
As long as you follow the safe sleeping guidelines, twins are able to be in a bedside crib side-by-side. They should be positioned on their backs, with their heads touching and their feet on the opposite ends. They can also share a bed in a Moses basket or a crib once they're large enough.
We are in love with this Delta double bassinet, which includes a mesh divider, to keep babies separated but still close to one other. It also has a storage pocket for wipes and snacks. It's also foldable making it easy to move around the home and take on trips.
Another option is this EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart that swivels to bring fussy twins closer to you for feeding and soothing. The sides are lowered and raised for access and lock into place for safety. It's a bit heavier and longer than some other options, but it's great for second floors or grandparents' houses and comes with a travel bag. It's also much cheaper than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
It is not recommended that parents of twins put their babies in the same crib or bassinet. Rednose suggests that twins have their own secure sleeping area (crib or portable crib or bassinet) in the room of the parents or caregivers until they reach 12 months to reduce the risk of SIDS. This arrangement is also referred to as co-bedding and it has been proven that twins who are used to this sleeping environment will typically have a more synchronized sleep pattern than twins who sleep separately.
One of the most convenient methods to accomplish this is with a twin bedside cot, like the Teknum FELLOW 2 that comes with two distinct bedding sets so every baby can have an area that is comfortable and private. The bedside cot can easily be moved from room to room as required, and allows you to check on the babies without having to wake them by re-entering their sleeping zone or disrupting their routines.
Other alternatives include double bassinets which have been designed specifically to allow infants to stay side-by-side and are ideal for middle-of-the-night feedings or diaper changes. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a mesh panel that breathes and is adjustable in height to allow each infant to be easily accessible and visible at all times. The sides of the sleeper adjust to lower and raise for quick access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet, which is a cheaper option, has two sleep zones that are separated by a mesh panel permitting babies to view each the other. The sleeper also swivels around 360 degrees, allowing easy access to infants.
Many parents have realized that bedding twins together with moses baskets, or a small bassinette, is a great option in situations of a short duration, such as hospitalization or a visit to the family. However it is recommended to do this only under the supervision of a healthcare provider to ensure that babies are placed properly and with their feet towards the floor of the cot and their bedding is securely tucked in to prevent them from suffocating.
Safety
When twins are sleeping together, the most important security factor is that each infant has his or her own sleep space. This ensures that every infant isn't smothered, or trapped by the other. It also helps to prevent deaths in cots, which are more common with single babies than multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins, triplets and higher-order multiples get their own sleep space. The best way to accomplish this is to have a separate bassinet or twin bedside cots that could 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 a parent and disallow cobedding but the reality is that many families of twins and higher-order multiples aren't able to comply with these guidelines (1). In bedside crib and travel cot , it was found that the majority of twin families that co-bedded their children during the first three months of their lives at home were engaged in dangerous sleep habits.
Parents of twins may not follow current SIDS recommendations due to a desire to sleep longer and the lack of space at home to accommodate multiple cribs. Additionally the socioeconomic status of a family can influence their decisions about sleep arrangements.
If twins are placed in a small Moses basket or crib, their bedding could easily be pulled together and they could choke on each other. If you decide to put your twins in the same cot ensure they are placed in a position in which their feet are close to their heads and their bedding is placed in each cot securely. This will lessen the chances of them choking on each other.
One of the safest and more practical alternatives for twins to sleep independently is a bedside bassinet like the Halo Bassinest Twin. The double bassinet has a mesh wall that separates twins to give them each their own secure and comfortable, flat sleeping surface. It swivels a full 360 degrees, allowing you to bring one of your babies closer to you for feedings or calming without leaving the comfortable bed, and its sides lower and auto-return with each movement. It is easy to clean, and can be tucked away into a standard twin-sized bed frame. If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, check out the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet available at Walmart. available at Walmart and has similar features as the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
It's a huge change to welcome twins or multiples into the world. Not least, they require a great deal of planning and thinking regarding their sleeping arrangements and how they'll get a good sleep. Parents often ask themselves what they can do to help their children feel comfortable from an early age.
When twins are young, they can be able to share one cot. This is known as co-bedding and it can be a great comfort to newborns as it brings them back to the birthing process. It is essential to ensure that the beds are large enough for babies to feel comfortable without having to touch each other or roll around. Also, remember that the baby that wakes up first must be fed. It is beneficial to coordinate feeding times at night to ensure that you awake one baby prior to the other.
It is crucial to keep in mind that twins can be distinct and may have their own sleep patterns. bedside crib and travel cot might find that one child wakes more frequently than the other or that they prefer to be close to you. In this situation it may be beneficial for the twins to share their own crib or bassinet in their room.
Find twin bedside cots with mesh dividers that are breathable for sleeping areas that are separate. This is particularly important for babies susceptible to overheating, or families with c-section moms. bedside crib travel cot include an adjustable base, built-in storage for blankets and toys, and easy-to-maneuver wheels. The Arm's Reach cot, which is specifically designed for mothers who have a c-section is a great option due to its large sleeping area and is easy to move. Other options are the Graco Pack 'n Play and the Fisher-Price Easy Swivel but they offer less sleeping space than the Arm's Reach cot.
Even if they're very close, it's not recommended for twins to share the bed with an adult. This increases the risk of SIDS and could lead to suffocation, strangulation, or entrapment. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins be kept in their bassinets or cribs in the parents' rooms for the first 6 months.