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 aid your twins in establishing the same routine of sleeping.
A double bassinet that has a divider can be the ideal choice for twins. These portable beds allow parents to keep their babies close for diaper changes as well as mid-night meals. They are also ideal for infants who might outgrow their bassinets before baby 2 years old.
Space-Saving
If you follow the safe sleeping guidelines, twins are able to sleep in a crib that is bedside side-by-side. They should be positioned on their backs with their heads pointing towards each other and their feet at the opposite ends. They can also share a bed in a Moses basket or a crib once they're large enough.
We love this Delta double bassinet. It features a mesh partition to keep babies separated but still close to one the other. It also has a storage pocket for snacks and wipes. It is also foldable, making it easier to move around the home and travel with on trips.
This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart is swivelling to allow you to bring your twins who are fussy closer to you to feed them and comfort them. The sides can be raised or lowered to make it easier to access them and they are locked to ensure security. It's a little larger and heavier than other alternatives, but it's a great choice for second floors or grandparent homes, and it comes with a travel bag. It's also a lot cheaper than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
It is not recommended that parents of twins sleep their babies in the same bassinet or crib. Instead the Rednose group Rednose suggests that twins be given their own secure sleeping space (crib or bassinet or portable crib) in the parents' or caregiver's room until they are 12 months old in order to reduce the chance of SIDS. This is referred to as co-bedding. It has been proven that twins who have grown up in this environment develop a more coordinated sleeping pattern.
One of the easiest ways to make this work is with a twin bedside cot, like the Teknum FELLOW 2, that comes with two distinct bedding sets so each baby has an individual and comfortable space. The bedside cot can be easily moved from one room to another as needed. It is a convenient and easy way to check on your children without disturbing their sleep patterns or wake them up.
Other options include double bassinets, specially designed to allow the infants to stay 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 easily accessible and visible at all times. The sides of the sleeper can adjust to lower and raise for quick access. If you prefer a more affordable alternative, the Walmart exclusive Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet is similar, with two sleep zones separated by a mesh panel that allows babies to view each other and the entire mattress can rotate 360 degrees to give an easy access to every infant.
For temporary situations, such as a family visit or hospital stay Many parents have had the benefits of co-bedding twins using a large moses basket or small bassinette with a divider. This should only be done under the supervision a healthcare provider. They will ensure that the infants are correctly placed, with their feet at the bottom of the crib and all bedding is tucked into.
Safety
The most important safety aspect when it comes to twins is that each baby have their own sleeping space. This ensures that every infant isn't smothered or infected by the other. It also helps prevent the death of a cot, which is more prevalent in infants with one parent than in multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins, triplets and higher-order multiples have their own sleeping space. The best way to do this is by having 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.
Although recent SIDS risk reduction guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with parents and disallow cobedding however, the reality is that a lot of families of twins and other higher-order multiples have difficulty complying with these guidelines (1). A previous study found that a large majority of families of twins who were cobedded in the first three months at home used unsafe sleeping practices (room sharing without cobedding).
Parents of twins may not adhere to current SIDS risk reduction recommendations due to a desire to prolong their own sleep and a lack of space to accommodate multiple cribs in the home. In addition, the socioeconomic status of a family can influence their choices regarding the arrangement of their sleep.
When twins are placed side-by-side in a small crib or Moses basket, they may easily become entangled by their bedding and could choke on one another. If you're planning to put your twins in the same cot, it's important to place them in a head-to-foot position and with their bedding secured in each cot to limit the chance of them smothering each one.
One of the safer and more comfortable options for twins to sleep independently is a bassinet that sits beside the bed like the Halo Bassinest Twin. This double bassinet features an insulated mesh wall that separates twins so that they each have their own secure, flat sleep surface. resources can be turned 360 degrees, so you can bring your child closer to you without having to leave your bed. The side walls automatically lower and return with each movement. It is easy to clean, and can be tucked away into the standard twin-sized bed frame. Take a look at 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 will have a restful night. While decisions regarding their room can be made as they age, parents often wonder what they can do to help them get comfortable in the early stages.
It is possible for twins to share a cot when they are very small. This is known as co-bedding and can provide wonderful comfort for newborns since it reminds them of the womb. The most important thing is to ensure that the beds are large enough for babies to be comfortable without touching each other or rolling around. It is also important to keep in mind that the baby who awakes first needs to be fed. It can be helpful to coordinate feeding times at night so that you can get one of them up earlier than the other.
It is crucial to keep in mind that twins can be very different and they might develop their own sleeping routines. You might find that one of them wakes more than the other, or prefers to be nearer to you. In this situation it might be best to provide each twin with their own crib or bassinet.
Look for twin bedside cots that have breathable mesh dividers for sleeping areas that are separate. This is particularly important for babies who are prone to overheating, or for families with mothers who have had c-sections. Reversible bases and wheels that are easy to maneuver are also helpful features. The Arm's Reach cot is a good choice for these purposes because it has a spacious sleeping area and is designed with moms who have c-sections in mind. Other options are the Graco Pack 'n Play and the Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel, but they have smaller sleeping areas than the Arm's Reach cot.
It is not recommended to sleep with twins in the same bed with an adult, even if they are close. This could increase the risk of SIDS and result in suffocation or strangulation. Instead, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins sleep in their own safe sleeping areas, such as bassinets or cribs, in their parent's room for the first six months.