Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
Twins in the newborn stage sleep best close to one another However, it's crucial to follow safe sleeping recommendations. The right crib arrangement will aid your twins in developing an established routine for sleep.
A double bassinet with a divider can be the ideal choice for twins. These beds can be used as portable beds to allow parents to keep their infants close for middle-of-the-night feeds and diaper changes. They are also ideal for infants that may outgrow their bassinets prior to 2.
Space-Saving
As long as you adhere to safe sleeping guidelines, twins are able to sleep 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 co-sleep in a Moses basket or regular crib once they're big enough.
We really love this Delta double bassinet. It features a mesh partition to allow babies to remain separated but still close to one the other. It has a handy storage compartment that can keep wipes and snacks nearby and also snacks. Plus, it folds flat, making it easy to manoeuvre around the house or on trips.
This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart is swivelling to allow you to bring fussy twins nearer to you to feed them and calm them. The sides lower and raise to allow access and secure themselves to ensure your child's safety. It's a little larger and heavier than other options, but it's great for second floors or grandparents houses, and it comes with its own travel bag. It's also less expensive 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 recommends that twins be given their own secure sleeping space (crib or bassinet or portable crib) in the parent/caregiver's room until they turn 12 months old to reduce the risk of SIDS. This arrangement is also referred to as co-bedding. It has been proven that twins who are accustomed to this type of sleeping environment often form a more synchronized sleep pattern than those who sleep in separate rooms.
One of the easiest ways to achieve this is with a twin bedside cot, like the Teknum FELLOW 2, that comes with two distinct bedding sets, so that each baby has an area that is comfortable and private. The bedside cot can also be easily moved from one room to another depending on the need. It provides a convenient and easy way to check on your children without disturbing their sleep patterns or wake them up.
Double bassinets are another option. They allow babies to sleep side-byside, and are ideal for feedings or diaper changes during the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a mesh panel that breathes and is adjustable in height to allow each baby to be easily accessible and visible at all times. The sides of the sleeper can adjust to lower and raise for quick access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet, which is a cheaper alternative, has two sleeping zones that are separated by a mesh panel, which allows babies to see each one another. The sleeper also rotates around 360 degrees to give an easy access for infants.
best bedside cots have realized that bedding twins in moses baskets, or a smaller bassinette, can be a good solution for situations that are temporary, such as hospitalization or a family visit. This should only be done under the supervision a healthcare provider. They will make sure that the infants are correctly placed on their feet placed at the foot of the crib and all bedding put in.
Safety
When twins sleep together, the most crucial security factor is that each baby has his or her individual space to sleep. This ensures that each baby is not smothered or otherwise choked by the other. It also helps prevent the death of a cot, which is more frequent in infants who are single than in multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that triplets, twins and higher-order multiples have their own sleeping space. This can be done by using an additional bassinet, or twin bedside crib that you can place on your bed to feed or comfort one of your babies during the night.
While the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently issued guidelines to lower the risk of SIDS by encouraging room sharing and disabling cobedding, many families of twins and multiples have found it difficult to adhere to these guidelines (1). A previous study documented 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 because of a desire to prolong their own sleep and a lack of space to accommodate multiple cribs at home. Furthermore, socioeconomic status may influence family decisions regarding sleep arrangements.
If twins are put in a small Moses basket or crib, their bedding can easily entangle them and they may choke on each other. If you choose to put your twins in the same cot, make sure they are in a position in which their feet are close to their heads and that their bedding is tucked into each cot with a secure. This will lessen the possibility of them colliding on 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 has an enclosed mesh wall that can separate twins and give them their own safe, flat sleep surface. It swivels a full 360 degrees so you can bring one of your babies closer to you for feedings or to soothe without leaving the comfort of your bed. Its side walls lower and auto-return every time you move. It is easy to clean, and fits in the standard twin-sized bed frame. Take a look at the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet at Walmart. It has similar features as the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
It is a major life change to welcome twins or multiples into the world. They require a lot of planning and thought not to mention when it comes to the place they will sleep and how they'll get a good night's sleep. Parents often ask themselves what they can do to help their children feel at ease at an early age.
When twins are very young, they are able to share a cot. Co-bedding is a method of helping newborns feel at ease by bringing them back to their womb. It is essential to ensure that the beds are large enough to allow infants to be comfortable without having to touch one other or roll around. It is also important to keep in mind that the baby who waks first needs to be fed. It is helpful to coordinate night feeds in order to get one baby up before the other.
It is important to be aware that twins can have very different sleep patterns. You may find that one baby sleeps more than the other or is more comfortable being close to you. In this situation it could be beneficial for the twins to share their own bassinet or crib in their room.
When you are looking for a twin bedside cot, ensure that it has breathable mesh dividers to create separate sleeping zones. This is particularly important for babies who are prone to overheating, or for families with c-section mothers. A reversible base and wheels that are easy to move are also helpful features. The Arm's Reach cot is a great option for this purpose, as it offers a spacious sleeping area and is designed with c-section moms in mind. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel are other options, but offer a smaller sleeping space than the Arm's Reach cot.
It is not recommended that twins sleep in the same bed with an adult, even if they are very close. It is an increased risk of SIDS, and can cause suffocation, strangulation or entrapment. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins should be in their own bassinets or cribs in their parents' rooms for the first 6 months.