Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
Newborn twins sleep best when close to each other However, it's crucial to adhere to the safe sleep guidelines. A proper crib arrangement can help your twins develop the same routine of sleeping.
A double bassinet with the option of dividing it is a great option for twins. These portable beds allow parents to keep their children close during middle-of-the-night feeds and diaper changes. They are also great for infants that may outgrow their bassinets prior to 2.
Space-Saving
If you adhere to 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 the opposite ends. They can also sleep together in a Moses basket or a regular crib once they're big enough.
This Delta double bassinet features a mesh partition that allows babies to be separated, but still close. It also comes with a storage compartment for wipes and snacks. It folds flat making it easy to move around the house or on trips.
Another option is the EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart that swivels to bring fussy twins closer to you for feeding and comfort. The sides can be raised and lowered for access and lock into place for security. It's a bit bigger and heavier than other models however it is ideal for the second floor or homes for grandparents. It also comes with a bag for travel. It's also 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 Rednose group Rednose suggests that twins are given their own secure sleeping space (crib or bassinet, or a portable crib) in the parents' or caregiver's room until they turn 12 months old to reduce the risk of SIDS. This arrangement is also known as co-bedding. It has been found that twins who are used to this sleep environment will often form a more synchronized sleeping pattern than twins who sleep on their own.
A twin bedside cot like the Teknum FELLOW 2 is a fantastic option to accomplish this. It comes with two separate sets of bedding to ensure that each baby gets their own space. The bedside cot can easily be moved from room to another as required, and makes it easy to monitor the baby without needing to wake them by re-entering their sleep zone or disrupting their sleep patterns.
Other alternatives include double bassinets which have been designed specifically for infants that allow them to remain side-by-side and are perfect for mid-night feeds or diaper changes. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a mesh panel that breathes and is adjustable in height that allows each baby to be seen and reachable at all times. The sides of the sleeper can lower and raise for easy access. If you're looking for a more affordable alternative, the Walmart exclusive Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet is similar, with two sleep zones separated by a mesh panel that allows babies to view each other and the entire bed swivels 360 degrees for an easy access to every infant.
Many parents have found that co-bedding twins with moses baskets or a smaller bassinette, is a great option for temporary situations such as a hospital stay or a family visit. This should only be done under the supervision of by a healthcare professional. They will make sure that the babies are properly placed, with their feet at the bottom of the crib and all bedding is tucked into.
Safety
The most important safety aspect when it comes to twins is that each baby have their own sleeping space. This prevents every baby from being smothered, choked or otherwise being choking by the other. It also helps prevent the death of a cot, which is more prevalent in infants with one parent than in multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that triplets, twins, and higher-order multiplications have their own sleep space. The best method to achieve this is to have a separate bassinet or twin bedside cots that could be positioned close to your bed while you're feeding or soothing one of the babies during the night.
While the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently issued recommendations to decrease 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). In small bedside cot , it was found that the majority of twin families that co-bedded their children in the first three months of life at home were engaged in dangerous sleep habits.
Parents of twins might not follow the current SIDS guidelines due to the desire to sleep longer and absence of space in the home to accommodate multiple cribs. Furthermore, socioeconomic status may affect the family's decisions regarding the arrangement of their sleep.
If twins are put in a small Moses basket or crib, their bedding may easily entangle them and they could choke on eachother. If you're planning to sleep your twins in the same cot, it's important to place them in the feet-to-head position and their bedding securely tucked 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 safer and more convenient alternatives for twins who wish to be able to sleep independently. This double bassinet comes with a mesh wall that separates twins, giving them their own secure, flat sleep surface. It swivels a full 360 degrees, allowing you to bring one of your children closer to you for feedings or to soothe without having to leave the comfortable bed, and its side walls lower and auto-return with each movement. It's 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 available at Walmart. available at Walmart and offers similar features to the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
It is a major life change to welcome twins or multiples into the world. They require plenty of planning and thought, not least when it comes to where they will sleep and how they'll get a restful night's sleep. While decisions about their future bedroom space can be taken when they are older, parents often wonder how they can help their children to feel comfortable in the beginning stages.
When twins are still young, they are able to share one crib. Co-bedding is a method for comforting newborns by reminding them of their mother's womb. It is crucial to ensure that the beds are large enough to allow infants to be comfortable without having to touch one other or roll around. You should also keep in mind that the baby who awakes first must be fed. It is beneficial to coordinate night feeds so that you can awake one baby prior to the other.
It is important to keep in mind that twins may have different sleep patterns. You might find that one baby sleeps more than the other or prefers to be near you. In this case it may be beneficial for twins to have their own crib or bassinet in their room.
When looking for a twin bedside cot, look for models with breathable mesh dividers to create distinct sleeping spaces. This is crucial for babies who are susceptible to overheating, or for families with c-section moms. Other helpful features include the reversible base, built-in storage space for toys and blankets, and easy-to-use wheels. The Arm's Reach cot, specifically designed for mothers with c-sections is a great option because it has a large sleeping area and is easy to move. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price's Easy Swaivel are both options, but offer smaller sleeping spaces than the Arm's Reach cot.
Even if they're extremely 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. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins should be in their own cribs or bassinets in their parents' bedrooms for the first 6 months.