Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
Newborn twins sleep best when close to each other It's vital to adhere to the safe sleep guidelines. Choosing the right crib arrangement will help your twins develop a consistent sleep routine.
A double bassinet with a divider can be an ideal option for twins. These beds can be used to keep their children close during diaper changes as well as mid-night meals. These beds are also ideal for babies who might outgrow their bassinets before they reach toddlerhood.
Space-Saving
Twins can sleep side-by-side in a bedside crib, as long as you follow safe sleeping guidelines (that's to say they should be laid on their backs with the tops of their heads facing each other, and their feet on opposite sides of the cot). Once they are big enough, they can share a bed in a Moses Basket or a regular crib.
This Delta double bassinet comes with a mesh divider that allows babies to be separated but still close. It also has a storage pocket for wipes and snacks. It can also fold which makes it easy to move around the house and take on excursions.
This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart can swivel so that you can bring your twins closer to you to feed them and comfort them. The sides can be lowered and raised for easy access and are secured for safety. It's a bit longer and heavier than the other options however it is ideal for the second floor or grandparents' homes. It also comes with a travel bag. bedside cot crib 's also a lot less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
Parents of twins might be enticed to put the twins together in a single crib or bassinet, this is generally not recommended. Rednose suggests that twins have their own safe sleeping space (crib or portable crib or bassinet) in the room of the parents/caregivers until they reach 12 months old to lower the risk for SIDS. This is known as co-bedding. It has been shown that twins who grew in this type of environment develop a more synchronized sleeping patterns.
One of the most convenient ways to make this work is with twin bedside cots, like the Teknum FELLOW 2, that comes with two separate bedding sets to ensure that each baby can have a personal and comfortable space. This bedside cot can also easily be moved from room to another as needed, and it provides a convenient way to check on babies without having to wake them up by re-entering their sleeping zone or disrupting their routines.
Other options include double bassinets which have been designed specifically to allow the infants to remain side-by-side and are perfect for mid-night feeding or changing diapers. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for example, has an air-tight mesh divider and adjustable height so that each child can be observed and reached throughout the night, and the sides of the sleeper can be raised and lowered to allow easy access. If you prefer a more affordable alternative, the Walmart-exclusive Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet is similar, with two sleep zones separated by mesh panels that allow babies to view each other and the entire mattress swivels 360 degrees for an easy access to every infant.
For short-term situations, such as a family visit or hospitalization Parents have reported success with co-bedding twins in the large moses basket or small bassinette with divider. However, this should be done only under the supervision of a healthcare provider to ensure that the babies are placed properly in a cot, with their feet at the foot of the cot and their bedding is securely tucked in to prevent them from suffocating.
Safety
The most important safety aspect for twins is that both babies have their own bed. This prevents every baby from being smothered, choked or otherwise being choked by the other. It also helps to prevent cot death, which is more frequent in infants who are single than in multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that triplets, twins, and higher-order multiplications have their own space to sleep in. The best way to do this is by having an additional bassinet or twin bedside cots that can be placed close to your bed when you feed or soothe one of your babies throughout the night.
While recent SIDS risk reduction recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with a parent and disallow cobedding however, the reality is that a lot of families of twins and higher-order multiples have trouble adhering to these guidelines (1). bedside cot crib revealed that the majority of families of twins who were cobedded during the first 3 months at home, used unsafe sleeping practices (room sharing without cobedding).
Parents of twins might not adhere to current SIDS guidelines due to the desire to sleep longer and the lack of space at home to accommodate multiple cribs. Additionally the socioeconomic status of a family may influence their choices regarding sleep arrangements.
If twins are placed side-by-side in a small crib or Moses basket, they may easily be entangled by their bedding, and possibly choke on each other. If you decide to put your twins in the same cot, it's important to place them in a head-to-foot position and have their bedding tucked securely into each cot to minimize the possibility of them colliding with each other.
A bassinet for bed, such as the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the safest and easier options for twins who want to be able to sleep independently. This double bassinet has an enclosed mesh wall that can separate twins and give them their own safe, flat sleep surface. It rotates 360 degrees, allowing you to bring your baby closer to you for feedings or to soothe without leaving the comfortable bed, and its side walls lower and automatically return when you move. It is also easy to clean, and fits into the standard twin-sized bed frame. Take a look at the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet at Walmart. It has similar features to the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
The arrival of twins or multiples into the world is a major life altering. They require a lot of planning and consideration, not least when it comes to where they will sleep and how they will get a good night's sleep. Parents often ask themselves what they can do to make their children feel more comfortable in the early years of their lives.
When twins are still young, they are able to share a cot. Co-bedding is a method for soothing newborns by reminding them of their womb. It is important to ensure that the beds are big enough for babies to be comfortable without touching or bouncing around. Also, keep in mind that the baby who awakes first must be fed. It can be beneficial to co-ordinate night feeds to ensure that you wake one of them up earlier than the other.
It is important to be aware that twins have different sleep routines. You might find that one baby is waking more than the other or that they prefer to be close to you. In this case it could be beneficial for twins to have their own crib or bassinet in their room.
When you are looking for a twin bedside cot look for models that feature air-tight mesh dividers that create distinct sleeping spaces. This is crucial for infants that are prone to heat stroke or for families where mothers have had a C-section. Other helpful features include the reversible base, built-in storage space for blankets and toys, and easy-to-maneuver wheels. The Arm's Reach cot, which is specifically designed for mothers who have a c-section is a great option due to its large sleeping space and is easy to move. Other options are the Graco Pack 'n Play and the Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel, however, they have smaller sleeping areas than the Arm's Reach cot.
It is not recommended that twins sleep in the same bed as an adult even if they're very close. It is an increased risk of SIDS and may result in suffocation strangulation, or entrapment. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins sleep in their own bassinets or cribs in their parents' rooms for the first 6 months.