Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
Newborn twins sleep best when close to each other However, it's crucial to follow safe sleeping recommendations. The right crib arrangement will aid your twins in developing a consistent routine of sleep.
A double bassinet with an divider is a great option for twins. These portable beds let parents keep their babies close for diaper changes and mid-night feedings. These beds are also ideal for babies who might outgrow their bassinets for baby when they reach toddlerhood.
Space-Saving
If you follow the safe sleeping guidelines, twins can sleep in a crib that is bedside side-by-side. They should sleep on their backs with their heads pointing towards each other and their feet at opposite ends. When funny post enough, they can sleep together in a Moses Basket or a regular crib.
We love this Delta double bassinet, which features a mesh partition to allow babies to remain separate, yet close to each the other. It comes with a handy storage compartment to keep snacks and wipes in the vicinity and also snacks. It folds flat and makes it easy to move around the house or on trips.
Another alternative is the 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 or lowered for easy access, and are secured for safety. It's a little heavier and longer than some other options, but it's perfect for grandparents' or second-floor' houses and comes with a travel bag. It's also much less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
It is not recommended that parents of twins sleep their babies in the same crib or bassinet. Rednose recommends that twins have their own secure sleeping area (crib or portable crib or bassinet) in the room of the caregivers/parents until they reach 12 months to reduce the risk of SIDS. This arrangement is also referred to as co-bedding. It has been observed that twins who are used to this sleep environment will often form a more synchronized sleeping pattern than twins who sleep in separate rooms.
A twin bedside cot, such as the Teknum FELLOW 2 is a fantastic method to accomplish this. It comes with two separate sets of bedding to ensure that each baby gets their own space. This bedside cot is also easily moved from one room to another depending on the need. It offers a convenient and easy way to monitor your baby without disrupting their sleep or waking them up.
Double bassinets are an alternative. They permit babies to sleep side-byside, and are ideal for feedings or diaper changes in the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a mesh panel that is breathable and adjustable in height that allows each baby to be seen and reachable at all times. The sides of the sleeper lower and raise to allow for easy access. If you're looking for an affordable alternative, the Walmart exclusive Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet is similar, with two separate sleeping zones, separated by mesh panels that allow babies to view each other and the entire mattress is able to rotate 360 degrees, giving an easy access to every infant.
For short-term situations like an unexpected family visit or hospital stay, many parents have found the benefits of co-bedding twins using the large moses basket or small bassinette with divider. This should only be done with the supervision of by a medical professional. They will make sure that the babies are appropriately placed, with their feet at the foot of the crib, and all bedding tucked into.
Safety
When it comes to twins sleeping together, the most crucial safety feature is that each baby has their individual space to sleep. This ensures that every infant isn't smothered or choked by the other. It also helps prevent deaths in cots, which are more frequent with single infants than multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins, tritons and higher-ordered multis have their own sleeping space. The best way to do this is by having an additional bassinet or twin bedside cots that can be brought up close to your bed while you feed or soothe one of the babies throughout the night.
Although the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently issued guidelines to lower the SIDS risk by encouraging room sharing and disabling cobedding, many families with twins and multiples find it difficult to follow these guidelines (1). In a prior study, it was discovered that the majority of twin families who cobedded their children in the first three months of life at home were engaged in dangerous sleep habits.
Parents of twins might not adhere to current SIDS guidelines due to a desire to sleep longer and the lack of space in their home to accommodate multiple cribs. In addition the socioeconomic standing of a family could influence their decisions about the arrangement of their sleep.
When twins are placed together in a crib or Moses basket, they could easily be entangled by their bedding and potentially choke on one another. If you decide to put your twins in the same cot, it is essential to place them in the position of feet-to-head and have their bedding tucked securely into each cot to limit the chance of them smothering each one.
A bassinet for bed, such as the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the most secure and more convenient options for twins that want to sleep in a separate bed. This double bassinet has mesh walls to divide twins and give them their own flat, safe mattress to sleep on. It can be swiveled 360 degrees, so you can bring your child closer to you without leaving your bed. The side walls automatically lower and then return with each movement. It's easy to clean and fits in the standard twin 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 also require a lot of preparation and thought in regards to their sleeping arrangements and how they can have a restful night. While the decisions regarding their future bedroom space can be taken later in life parents are often unsure of what they can do to help them to feel comfortable in the beginning stages.
When twins are still young, they are able to share one cot. Co-bedding is a method of helping newborns feel at ease by reminding them of their womb. It is crucial to make sure that the beds are large enough for infants to be comfortable without having to touch each the other or move around. It is important to be aware that the baby who is the first to wake up should be fed. It is helpful to coordinate nighttime feeds so that you can awake one baby prior to the other.
However, it is important to keep in mind that twins are quite different and could develop their own sleep patterns. It could be that one of them wakes more frequently than the other or that they prefer to be nearer to you. In this case, it may be best to give each twin their own bassinet or crib.
Find twin bedside cots with mesh dividers that are breathable for sleeping areas that are separate. This is crucial for infants who are susceptible to heat stroke or for families in which moms have had a c-section. Reversible bases 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 an ample sleeping space and is designed with c-section moms in mind. Other options are the Graco Pack 'n Play and the Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel but they offer a smaller sleeping area than the Arm's Reach cot.
Even if they're close, it is not recommended for twins to share a bed with an adult. It is an increased risk of SIDS, and could lead to suffocation, strangulation or entrapment. Instead it is recommended that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins have their own secure sleeping areas, such as bassinets or cribs in their parents' rooms for the first six months.