Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
Twins who are just born sleep best close to each other, but it's important to adhere to the safe sleep guidelines. Selecting the best crib arrangement can help your twins develop a consistent routine of sleep.
A double bassinet that has a divider is a great option for twins. These beds can be used to keep their babies close for diaper changes and mid-night feedings. They also work well for babies who may outgrow their bassinets before baby 2.
Space-Saving
If you follow the safe sleeping guidelines, twins can sleep in a crib that is bedside side-by-side. They should be placed on their backs with their heads in a straight line and their feet at opposite ends. They can also share a bed in a Moses basket or regular crib once they're big enough.
We are in love with this Delta double bassinet. It has a mesh divider to keep babies separate but close to each and each other. It also has a storage pocket for wipes and snacks. It can also fold which makes it easy to move around the house or take on excursions.
This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart can swivel to allow you to bring your twins closer to you to feed them and soothe them. The sides can be raised and lowered to allow access, and they are secured to ensure security. It's a bit longer and heavier than other options however it is ideal for the second floor or homes for grandparents. It also comes with a carry-on bag. It's also less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
Many parents of twins may be tempted to place their babies in one crib or bassinet, this is generally not recommended. Instead the Rednose group Rednose suggests that twins be provided with their own private sleeping space (crib or bassinet or portable crib) in the parents' or caregiver's room until they reach 12 months old to help reduce the risk of SIDS. This arrangement is also referred to as co-bedding and it has been found that twins who have been accustomed to this sleeping environment will often form a more synchronized sleep pattern than twins who sleep on their own.
A twin bedside cot like the Teknum FELLOW 2 is a great option to achieve this. It comes with two sets of bedding, so that each baby has their own space. The bedside cot can also be easily moved from one room to another when needed. It provides an easy and convenient method to check on your babies without disturbing their sleep patterns or waking them up.
Other alternatives include double bassinets which have been designed specifically to allow infants to remain side-by-side and are ideal for middle-of-the-night feeding or changing diapers. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for example, has a breathable mesh divider and a height that can be adjusted so that each baby is visible and reachable at all times, while 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 separated by a mesh panel permitting babies to view each other. The sleeper also rotates around 360 degrees, allowing easy access to infants.
Many parents have discovered that bedding twins in moses baskets or a small bassinette is a great option 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 by a medical professional. They will ensure that the babies are properly placed in a crib with their feet at the foot of the crib, and all bedding is tucked into.
Safety
When it comes to twins sleeping together, the most important security factor is that each infant has their individual space to sleep. This ensures that each infant isn't smothered, or infected by the other. It also helps to prevent cot deaths, which are more frequent with single infants than multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that tritons, twins, and higher-ordered multiples have their own sleeping area. The best way to accomplish this is by having a separate bassinet or twin bedside cots that could be brought up close to your bed while you feed or soothe one of the babies throughout the night.
Although recent SIDS risk reduction recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with parents and avoid cobedding but the reality is that a lot of families of twins and higher-order multiples aren't able to comply with these guidelines (1). In a previous study it was found that the majority of twin families that cobedded their children in the beginning of their life at home engaged in unsafe sleep habits.
Parents of twins may not follow the current SIDS risk reduction guidelines because of a desire to increase their own sleep duration and the inability to accommodate multiple cribs in the home. Furthermore, socioeconomic status may affect the family's decisions regarding sleep arrangements.
If twins are put in a small Moses basket or crib, their bedding may easily entangle them and they may choke on eachother. If you choose to sleep your twins in the same cot it is important to put them in a head-to-foot position and have their bedding tucked securely into each cot to limit their chances of smothering each other.
One of the safer and more convenient options for twins to sleep independently is a bassinet that sits beside the bed like the Halo Bassinest Twin. The double bassinet features an enclosed mesh wall that can separate twins and give them their own safe, flat sleep surface. It rotates 360 degrees to bring your baby closer to you for feedings or to soothe while still in the peace of your bed. Its side walls lower and automatically return every time you move. It is easy to clean, and can be tucked away into the standard twin-sized bed frame. For a less expensive alternative, look into the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet available at Walmart. available at Walmart and comes with similar features as the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
It's a huge change to welcome twins or multiples into the world. They require plenty of planning and thought, not least when it comes to the place they will sleep and how they'll get a restful night's sleep. Parents often wonder what they can do to help their children feel comfortable at an early age.
When twins are young, it is possible to share a cot. Co-bedding is a method for helping newborns feel at ease by bringing them back to their mother's womb. It is crucial to make sure that the beds are large enough to allow the newborns to feel at ease without having to touch one others or roll around. It is also important to remember that the baby who awakes first needs to be fed. It is beneficial to coordinate night feeds in order to get one baby up before the other.
However, travel bedside crib is important to keep in mind that twins can be quite different and could develop their own sleeping routines. You may find that one of them wakes more than the other or they prefer to be close to you. In this instance it might be best to give each twin a separate bassinet or crib.
When looking for large bedside cot for models that feature air-tight mesh dividers that create distinct sleeping areas. This is important for babies who are at risk of heat stroke or families whose moms have had a c-section. A reversible base and wheels that are easy to move are also helpful features. The Arm's Reach cot, which is specifically designed for mothers who have a c-section, is a great choice because it has a large sleeping area and is easy to maneuver. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel are other alternatives, but they have smaller sleeping areas than the Arm's Reach cot.
It is not recommended that twins sleep in the same bed with an adult, even if they are close. This can increase the risk of SIDS and result in strangulation or suffocation. Instead it is recommended that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins have their own secure sleeping areas, like bassinets or cribs in their parents' room for the first six months.