Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
Twins in the newborn stage sleep best close to one another It's vital to adhere to the safe sleep guidelines. The right crib arrangement will aid your twins in developing a consistent routine of sleep.
A double bassinet that has an divider is an ideal option for twins. These portable beds let parents keep their infants close for diaper changes and feedings at night. They are also ideal for infants that may outgrow their bassinets before baby 2 years old.
Space-Saving
Twins can sleep together in a bedside cot, 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 overlapping each other, and their feet on opposite ends of the cot). Once they are big enough, they can share a bed in a Moses Basket or a regular crib.
We are in love with this Delta double bassinet, which includes a mesh divider, to allow babies to remain separate, yet close to each other. It also has a pocket for storage for snacks and wipes. It folds flat, making it easy to move around the house or take on trips.
This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart can swivel to allow you to bring your twins who are fussy closer to you to feed them and calm them. The sides lower and raise to allow access and are secured to ensure security. It is a little longer and heavier than the other options, but great for second floor or homes for grandparents. It also comes with a bag for travel. It's also a lot 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, portable crib, or bassinet) in the room of the parents or caregivers until they reach the age of 12 months old to lower the chance of SIDS. This arrangement is also known as co-bedding and it has been proven that twins who are used to this sleep environment will typically have a more synchronized sleeping pattern than twins who sleep on their own.
One of the most efficient methods to accomplish this is by using a twin bedside cot, like the Teknum FELLOW 2 that comes with two distinct bedding sets to ensure that each baby has an area that is comfortable and private. The bedside cot can also be easily moved from one room to the next depending on the need. It is an easy and convenient way to monitor your baby without disrupting their sleep or wake them up.
Other alternatives include double bassinets which have been designed specifically to allow infants to stay side-by-side and are ideal for middle-of-the-night feeding or changing diapers. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a mesh panel that breathes and is adjustable in height to allow each baby to be easily accessible and visible at all times. The sides of the sleeper lower and raise for easy access. If you're looking for a more affordable option, the Walmart-exclusive Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet is similar, having two sleeping zones separated by a mesh panel that allows babies to see one another and the entire mattress swivels 360 degrees for easy access to each infant.
Many parents have found that co-bedding twins with moses baskets or a small bassinette, is a great option for temporary situations like hospital stays or a family visit. However, this should be done only under the supervision of a medical professional to ensure that babies are properly positioned in a cot, with their feet at the foot of the cot and all bedding securely tucked in, to avoid them from becoming suffocating.
Safety
When twins are sleeping together, the most important security feature is that each baby has their own sleep space. This ensures that each infant is not smothered or otherwise trapped by the other. This also helps to avoid deaths in cots, which are more frequent with single infants than multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins, triplets and higher-order multiplications have their own space to sleep in. The best way to accomplish this is to have a separate bassinet or twin bedside cot that can be placed close to your bed while you feed or soothe one of the babies throughout the night.
Although recent SIDS risk reduction guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with a parent and discourage cobedding but the reality is that a lot of families of twins and other higher-order multiples have difficulty complying with these guidelines (1). In a previous study it was discovered that the majority of twin families who co-bedded their children during the beginning of their life at home engaged in unsafe sleeping habits.
Parents of twins might not adhere to current SIDS guidelines due to the desire to rest longer and the lack of space in their home to accommodate multiple cribs. Additionally the socioeconomic standing of a family may affect their sleeping arrangements.
If twins are positioned side-by-side in a small crib or Moses basket, they may easily become entangled by their bedding, and possibly choke on one another. If you decide to put your twins in the same cot together ensure they are in an area that their feet are right next to their heads and that their bedding is put into each cot securely. This will reduce the possibility of them colliding on each other.
A bedside bassinet, 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 features a mesh wall that separates twins, giving them their own secure flat bed. It can be turned 360 degrees, so you can bring your child closer to you without having to leave your bed. The walls on the sides automatically lower and return with each movement. It's easy to clean and can be tucked away in the standard twin 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
The arrival of twins or multiples into the world is a major life altering. Not only that, they require a lot of planning and consideration when it comes to their sleeping arrangements and how they can get a good night's sleep. While decisions regarding their room can be made as they age, parents often wonder how they can help them to feel comfortable in the beginning stages.
It is possible for twins to share a single crib when they are small. Co-bedding is a method of helping newborns feel at ease by bringing them back to their womb. The most important thing is to ensure that the beds are large enough for babies to feel comfortable without touching each other or rolling around. It is also important to remember that the baby who waks first must be fed. It is beneficial to coordinate nighttime feeds in order to get one baby up before the other.
It is crucial to keep in mind that twins are quite different and could develop their own sleep routines. You might find that one baby sleeps more than the other or prefers to be close to you. In this instance it is possible to give each twin a separate crib or bassinet.
Find twin bedside cots with mesh dividers that are breathable for sleeping areas that are separate. baby bedside cot is particularly important for babies who are prone to overheating, or for families with c-section moms. Other beneficial features include a reversible base, built-in storage space for toys and blankets, and easy-to-use wheels. The Arm's Reach cot, which is designed for c-section mothers, is a great choice because it offers a huge sleeping area 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.
Even if they're very close, it's not recommended for twins to share a bed with an adult. This can increase the risk of SIDS and result in suffocation or strangulation. Instead, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins have their own secure sleeping spaces, such as bassinets or cribs, in their parents' rooms for the first six months.