Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
It is recommended to keep the newborn twins close together However, you must adhere to safety sleep guidelines. The right crib arrangement can help your twins develop the same routine of sleeping.
A double bassinet that has a divider can be a great choice for twins. These portable beds allow parents to keep their babies close for diaper changes and feedings at night. They are also great for babies who may outgrow their bassinets prior to 2 years old.
Space-Saving
Twins can sleep together in a bedside cot as long as you follow the safe guidelines for sleeping (that's to say that they should be laid on their backs with the tops of their heads overlapping each other and their feet placed at opposite sides of the cot). They can also share a bed in a Moses basket or a regular crib once they're large enough.
We are in love with this Delta double bassinet, which includes a mesh divider, so that babies can stay separated but still close to one and each other. It also has a convenient storage pocket to keep snacks and wipes close by as well. Additionally, it folds flat and makes it easy to move around the house or go on trips.
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 locked to ensure security. It's a bit larger and heavier than other alternatives, but it's a great choice for second floors or grandparent houses, and it comes with its own travel bag. It's also much cheaper than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
It is not recommended that parents of twins place their babies in the same crib or bassinet. Instead, the group Rednose recommends that twins be 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 help reduce the chance of SIDS. This arrangement is also known as co-bedding, and it has been found that twins who are used to this sleeping environment will generally have a more coordinated sleeping pattern than twins who sleep on their own.
A twin bedside cot like the Teknum FELLOW 2 is a fantastic method to achieve this. It comes with two separate sets of bedding so that each baby gets their own personal space. The bedside cot can be easily moved from one room to another depending on the need. It provides an easy and convenient way to monitor your baby without disturbing their sleep patterns or wake them up.
large bedside crib are an alternative. They allow infants to sleep side-by-side and they're perfect for feedings and diaper changes in the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a mesh panel that breathes and is adjustable in height to allow each infant to be easily accessible and visible at all times. The sides of the sleeper also lower and raise to allow for easy access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet, which is a cheaper alternative, comes with two sleep zones separated by a mesh panel allowing babies to see each other. The sleeper can also rotate around 360 degrees to allow an easy access for infants.
For short-term situations like a family visit or hospital stay Parents have reported success in co-bedding twins in a large moses basket or small bassinette with a divider. However this should be done only under the supervision of a healthcare provider to ensure that babies are properly positioned, with their feet to the foot of the cot and all bedding properly tucked in to avoid them from becoming suffocating.
Safety
The most important safety aspect for twins is that each baby have their own sleeping space. This ensures that every infant isn't smothered or infected by the other. It also helps prevent deaths in cots, which are more common with single babies than multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that triplets, twins and higher-order multiples have their own sleeping space. The best way to accomplish this is to have a separate bassinet or twin bedside cots that could be brought up close to your bed while you feed or soothe one of your babies throughout the night.
Although recent SIDS risk reduction recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with parents and disallow cobedding but the reality is that many families with twins and higher-order multiples have difficulty complying with these guidelines (1). In a prior study, it was discovered that the majority of twin families that co-bedded their children during the beginning of their life at home were engaged in dangerous sleeping habits.
Parents of twins might not adhere to current SIDS guidelines due to a desire to sleep longer and a lack of space at home to accommodate multiple cribs. Additionally the socioeconomic standing of a family may affect their sleeping arrangements.
If twins are placed in a small Moses basket or crib, their bedding could easily be pulled together and they may choke on eachother. If you choose to sleep your twins in the same cot, it is essential to place them in the position of feet-to-head and with their bedding securely tucked into each cot to minimize their chances of smothering each one.
A bedside bassinet, such as the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the safest and easier options for twins that want to sleep in a separate bed. This double bassinet has an enclosed mesh wall that can divide twins and give them their own safe, flat sleep surface. It rotates 360 degrees to bring one of your children closer to you for feedings or soothing while still in the peace of your bed. Its side walls lower and automatically return with each movement. It's easy to clean and can be tucked away in the standard twin 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 huge life change. They also require a lot of planning and thinking when it comes to their sleeping arrangements and how they will get a good night's sleep. While the decisions regarding their future bedroom space are made when they are older 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 crib when they are small. This is referred to as co-bedding, and it can be a great comfort to newborns as it reminds them of the mother's womb. The key is to make sure the beds are big enough for the babies to be comfortable without touching or bouncing around. You should also be aware that the baby who is the first to wake up must be fed. It is helpful to coordinate feeding times at night so that you can get one up before the other.
It is important to remember that twins have different sleep routines. You might find that one baby sleeps more than the other or is more comfortable being close to you. In this instance, it may be best to give each twin their own crib or bassinet.
Choose a cot with twin beds that have breathable mesh dividers for separate sleeping areas. This is essential for babies who are susceptible to heat stroke or for families in which moms have had a c-section. Other useful features include an adjustable base, built-in storage for blankets and toys, as well as easy-to-maneuver wheels. The Arm's Reach cot is a great option for this purpose because it has a large sleeping area and is designed with c-section moms in mind. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price's Easy Swaivel are both options, but have a smaller sleeping space than the Arm's Reach cot.
Even if they're close, it is not recommended to let twins share a bed with an adult. This could increase the risk of SIDS and cause suffocation or strangulation. Instead, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins sleep in their own safe sleeping spaces, such as cribs or bassinets, in their parent's room for the first six months.