Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
It is best to keep your newborn twins close together However, you must follow safety sleeping guidelines. The proper crib arrangement will aid your twins in establishing a consistent sleeping routine.
A double bassinet that has an divider is a great choice for twins. These portable beds allow parents to keep their children close during feedings in the middle of the night and diaper changes. They are also ideal for infants who might outgrow their bassinets before 2.
Space-Saving
If you follow safe guidelines for sleeping, twins can be in a bedside crib side-by-side. They should sleep on their backs with their heads pointing towards each other and their feet at the opposite ends. Once they are big enough, they can also sleep together in a Moses Basket or regular crib.
This Delta double bassinet has a mesh divider that allows children to be separated but still close. It comes with a handy storage pocket to keep wipes and snacks nearby, too. It is also foldable, making it easier to move around the house and take on trips.
Another alternative is this EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart that swivels to bring the twins who are fussy closer to you for feedings and calming. The sides can be raised and lowered to make it easier for you to get in and are secured to ensure security. It's a bit bigger and heavier than the other options however it is ideal for the second-floor or homes for grandparents. bedside baby sleeper comes with a travel bag. It's also a lot less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
While many parents of twins may be tempted to place their babies in a single crib or bassinet but this is not generally recommended. Rednose suggests that twins have their own secure sleeping area (crib or portable crib or bassinet) in the room of the caregivers/parents until they reach the age of 12 months to reduce the risk of SIDS. This arrangement is also known as co-bedding. It has been proven that twins who are used to this sleep environment will typically have a more synchronized sleep pattern than twins who sleep in separate rooms.
One of the most efficient ways to make this work is by using a twin bedside cot, like the Teknum FELLOW 2, which comes with two separate bedding sets to ensure that each baby has an individual and comfortable space. This bedside cot is also easily moved from one room to the next depending on the need. It is a convenient and easy way to monitor your baby without disturbing their sleep patterns or waking them up.
Other alternatives include double bassinets which have been designed specifically to allow the infants to remain side-by-side and are ideal for nighttime feeding or changing diapers. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for instance, comes with a breathable mesh divider and adjustable height so that each child can be seen and reached at all times, and the sides of the sleeper can be raised and lowered to give easy 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 one another. The sleeper can also rotate around 360 degrees, allowing easy access to infants.
Many parents have found that bedding twins together with moses baskets or a small bassinette, is a great option for situations that are temporary, such as hospitalization or a family visit. This should only be done with the supervision of by a medical professional. They will ensure that the babies are appropriately placed in a crib with their feet at the bottom of the crib, and all bedding put into.
Safety
The most important security feature for twins is that they have their own sleeping space. baby bedside sleeper helps prevent every baby from being smothered, choked, or otherwise being choking by the other. This also helps to avoid the death of a cot, which is more common with single babies than multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that tritons, twins and higher-ordered triplets have their own sleeping space. This can be achieved with a separate bassinet, or twin bedside crib that you can put on your bed to feed or comfort one of the babies throughout the night.
While the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently issued guidelines to lower the SIDS risk by encouraging room sharing and discouraging cobedding, many families with twins and multiples have found it difficult to follow these guidelines (1). A previous study documented that the majority of families of twins who were cobedded during the first 3 months at home opted for unsafe sleep practices (room sharing without cobedding).
Parents of twins may not follow the current SIDS guidelines due to a desire to sleep longer and the absence of space in the home to accommodate multiple cribs. In addition the socioeconomic standing of a family may influence their choices regarding sleep arrangements.
When twins are placed side-by-side in a tiny crib or Moses basket, they can easily get caught in their bedding, and possibly choke on each other. If you decide to put your twins in the same cot together ensure they are placed in the position where their feet are next to their heads and their bedding is tucked into the cots securely. This will lessen the chances of them choking on each one.
A bassinet that is positioned at the bedside, like the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the safer and more convenient options for twins that want to sleep in a separate bed. This double bassinet comes with a mesh wall that separates twins, giving them their own safe and comfortable, flat sleeping surface. It can be turned 360 degrees, which means you can bring your baby closer to you without leaving your bed. The side walls automatically lower and return with each movement. It's also easy to clean and fits in a standard twin bed frame. For a less expensive alternative, consider the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet that is available at Walmart and offers similar features as the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
The arrival of twins or multiples into the world is an enormous life-changing. Not least, they require a great deal of preparation and thought in regards to their sleeping arrangements and how they will have a restful night. Parents often ask themselves what they can do to help their children feel at ease from an early age.
It is possible for twins to share a cot when they are very small. This is referred to as co-bedding, and can provide excellent comfort for babies as it helps them remember the womb. It is important to make sure the beds are big enough to allow the infants to be comfortable, without touching or rolling around. It is also important to keep in mind that the baby who wakes first must be fed. It can be beneficial to coordinate feeding times at night so that you can wake one up before the other.
However, it is important to remember that twins are very different and they might develop their own sleeping patterns. You might find that one child wakes more frequently than the other or they prefer to be nearer to you. In this situation it is possible to give each twin their own crib or bassinet.
Choose a cot with twin beds with mesh dividers that are breathable for sleeping areas that are separate. This is especially important for babies susceptible to overheating, or families with c-section mothers. Reversible bases and wheels that are easy to maneuver are also beneficial features. The Arm's Reach cot is a great option for these needs, as it offers an ample sleeping space and is designed with c-section moms in mind. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel are other options, but have smaller sleeping spaces than the Arm's Reach cot.
Even if they're very close, it's not recommended that twins share the bed with an adult. This can increase the risk of SIDS and cause strangulation or suffocation. Instead the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins have their own secure sleeping areas, like cribs or bassinets, in their parents' rooms for the first six months.