Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
Twins in the newborn stage sleep best close to each other However, it's crucial to follow safe sleeping recommendations. The right crib arrangement can aid your twins in establishing a consistent sleeping routine.
A double bassinet with the option of dividing it is a great option for twins. These beds can be used as portable beds to allow parents to keep their children close during mid-night feedings and diaper changes. These beds are also great for babies who are likely to outgrow their bassinets for baby before they reach the age of toddlerhood.
Space-Saving
Twins can sleep side-by-side in a bedside cot so long as you follow safe guidelines for sleeping (that's to say that they should be lying on their backs, with the tops of their heads touching each other and feet at opposite ends of the cot). They can also co-sleep in a Moses basket or a crib when they're old enough.
This Delta double bassinet features a mesh partition that allows babies to be separated but still close. It has a handy storage pocket to keep wipes and snacks nearby, too. Plus, it folds flat, making it easy to move around the house or take on trips.
This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart, swivels so that you can bring your twins who are fussy closer to you to feed them and soothe them. The sides can be raised or lowered to make it easier to access them and they are secured for security. It is a little longer and heavier than the 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 much less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
It is not recommended that parents of twins sleep their babies in the same bassinet or crib. Instead, the group Rednose suggests that twins be given their own secure sleeping space (crib, bassinet or portable crib) in the parent/caregiver's room until they reach 12 months old to reduce the chance of SIDS. This arrangement is also known as co-bedding, and it has been proven that twins who are accustomed to this sleep environment will generally have a more coordinated sleep pattern than twins who sleep in separate rooms.
A twin bedside cot like the Teknum FELLOW 2 is an excellent option to accomplish this. It comes with two sets of bedding so that each baby gets their own space. This bedside cot can also easily be moved from room to room as required, and allows you to check on the babies without having to wake them up by re-entering their sleep zone or disrupting their rhythms.
Double bassinets are another option. They permit babies to sleep side-byside, and they're perfect for feedings and diaper changes in the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for instance, features an air-tight mesh partition and adjustable height so that each child is visible and reachable at all times, while the sides of the sleeper are raised and lower to make it easy to access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet which is a more affordable option, has two sleep zones that are separated by a mesh panel, which allows babies to see each one another. 4-in-1 bedside crib can also rotate around 360 degrees to give an easy access for infants.
Many parents have discovered that bedding twins in a moses basket, or a smaller bassinette, could be a good option in situations of a short duration, like hospital stays or a visit to the family. However, this should be done only under the supervision of a healthcare professional to ensure that the babies are placed properly in a cot, with their feet at the foot of the cot and their bedding properly tucked in to prevent them from being suffocated.
Safety
The most important safety aspect for twins is that both babies have their own bed. This will prevent each baby from being smothered, choked, or otherwise choking by the other. It also helps prevent cot deaths, which are more common with single babies than multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that triplets, twins and higher-order multiples get their own sleeping space. This can be accomplished with a separate bassinet, or twin bedside crib that you can put on your bed to feed or comfort one of your babies during the night.
Although the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently issued recommendations to reduce the risk of SIDS by encouraging room sharing and avoiding cobedding, many families with twins and multiples find it difficult to adhere to these guidelines (1). A previous study revealed that a majority of families with twins who were cobedded in the first 3 months at home opted for unsafe sleep practices (room sharing without cobedding).
Parents of twins may not follow the current SIDS risk reduction guidelines because of a desire to prolong their own sleep and a lack of space to accommodate multiple cribs at home. Additionally, socioeconomic status can affect family decisions about the arrangement of their sleep.
If twins are positioned side-by-side in a tiny crib or Moses basket, they can easily become entangled by their bedding, and possibly choke on each other. If you decide to place your twins in the same cot together ensure that they are placed in an area where their feet are next to their heads and that their bedding is placed in each cot securely. This will reduce the chance of them choking on each one.
A bedside bassinet, such as the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the safer and most convenient options for twins that want to be able to sleep independently. The double bassinet features a mesh wall to separate twins and provide them with 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 walls on the sides automatically lower and return with every movement. It is also easy to clean and fits in a standard twin-sized bed frame. Check out the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet at Walmart. It comes with the same features as the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
It's a significant life change to welcome twins or multiples into the world. Not only that, they require a lot of preparation and thought in regards to their sleeping arrangements and how they can get a good sleep. While decisions about their future bedroom space are made as they age parents are often unsure of what they can do to help them to feel comfortable in the beginning stages.
It is possible for twins to share a single cot if they are small. This is referred to as co-bedding, and can provide great comfort to newborns as it brings them back to the womb. It is crucial to make sure that the beds are large enough for babies to feel comfortable without touching each the other or move around. It is also important to keep in mind that the baby who awakes first must be fed. It is beneficial to coordinate feeding times at night in order to awake one baby prior to the other.
It is important to keep in mind that twins may have different sleep routines. You might find that one baby is more sleepy than the other or prefers to be near you. In this case it could be beneficial for the twins to have their own bassinet or crib in their room.
Look for twin bedside cots with breathable mesh dividers to create separate sleeping areas. This is particularly important for babies who are more prone to overheating or for families with c-section mothers. A reversible base and wheels that are easy to maneuver are also helpful features. The Arm's Reach cot, specifically designed for mothers with c-sections is a great option because it offers a huge sleeping space and is easy to maneuver. Other options are the Graco Pack 'n Play and the Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel, but they offer less sleeping space than the Arm's Reach cot.
It is not recommended that twins sleep in the same bed as an adult, even if they are close. This increases the risk of SIDS and can cause suffocation, strangulation or entrapment. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins should be kept in their bassinets or cribs in their parents' rooms for the first 6 months.