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. Selecting the best crib arrangement will aid in the development of a consistent routine of sleep.
A double bassinet with the option of dividing it is a great option for twins. These portable beds let parents keep their infants close for diaper changes as well as mid-night meals. They are also great for infants that may outgrow their bassinets prior to 2.
Space-Saving
As long as you adhere to safe guidelines for sleeping, twins can sleep in a crib that is bedside side-by-side. They should be positioned on their backs, with their heads touching and their feet at the opposite ends. Once they are big enough, they can also share a bed in a Moses Basket or regular crib.
We love this Delta double bassinet, which features a mesh partition so that babies can stay separated but still close to one other. It comes with a handy storage compartment to keep wipes and snacks nearby as well. It is also foldable making it easy to move around the house and take on trips.
Another option is this EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart It can swivel to bring fussy twins closer to you for feeding and calming. The sides can be raised and lowered for easy access, and are secured for security. It's a little heavier and longer than some other options, but it's great for second floors or grandparent houses, and it comes with a travel bag. It's also much cheaper than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
Many parents of twins may be tempted to sleep the babies together in a single bassinet or crib, this is generally not recommended. Rednose suggests that twins have their own safe sleeping area (crib or portable crib or bassinet) in the room of the parents/caregivers until they reach 12 months to reduce the chance of SIDS. travel cot bedside is also known as co-bedding and it has been observed that twins who have been accustomed to this type of sleeping environment often form a more synchronized sleep pattern than those who sleep on their own.
A twin bedside cot, such as the Teknum FELLOW 2 is an excellent method to accomplish this. It comes with two sets of bedding to ensure that each baby gets their own space. The bedside cot can be easily moved from one room to another as needed. It is an easy and convenient method to check on your children without disrupting their sleep or waking them up.
Other options include double bassinets, specially designed to allow infants to be side-by-side, and are ideal for middle-of-the-night feeds or diaper changes. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a breathable mesh panel and adjustable height to allow each infant to be seen and reachable at all times. The sides of the sleeper can lower and raise for easy 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, allowing babies to see each one another. The sleeper also rotates around 360 degrees to give easy access to infants.
For temporary situations, such as an unexpected family visit or hospital stay Many parents have had success with co-bedding twins in large moses baskets or a small bassinette with divider. This should only be done with the supervision of by a healthcare professional. They will make sure that the babies are properly placed on their feet placed at the foot of the crib, and all bedding tucked in.
Safety
When twins sleep together, the most important safety feature is that each baby has their own space to sleep in. This ensures that each baby is not smothered or otherwise infected by the other. This also helps avoid the death of a cot, which is more prevalent in infants with one parent than in multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that tritons, twins and higher-ordered multiples have their own sleeping area. The best method to achieve this is to have an additional bassinet or twin bedside cot that can be positioned close to your bed while you feed or soothe one of your babies throughout the night.
Although recent SIDS risk reduction guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with parents and discourage cobedding however, the reality is that many families with twins and higher-order multiples have difficulty complying with these guidelines (1). A previous study documented that a 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 may not follow current SIDS recommendations due to the desire to rest longer and the lack of space in their home to accommodate multiple cribs. Additionally, socioeconomic status can 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 each other. If you choose to sleep your twins in the same cot, it's important to place them in the position of feet-to-head and have their bedding securely tucked into the cots to reduce the chance of them smothering each one.
One of the safer and more comfortable alternatives for twins to sleep separately is a bedside bassinet like the Halo Bassinest Twin. The double bassinet features mesh walls to separate twins and provide them with their own safe, flat sleeping surface. It can be rotated 360 degrees, so you can bring your baby closer to you without having to leave your bed. The walls on the sides automatically lower and return with every movement. It is easy to clean, and can be tucked away into the standard twin-sized bed frame. Check out the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet at Walmart. It has the same features as the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
It is a major life change to welcome twins or multiples into the world. They require lots of planning and consideration not to mention when it comes to where they will be sleeping and how they will get a restful night's sleep. Parents often wonder what they can do to help their children feel more comfortable in the early years of their lives.
When twins are still young, they are able to share one crib. This is referred to as co-bedding, and can provide excellent comfort for babies as it reminds them of the womb. The most important thing is to make sure the beds are big enough for babies to be comfortable, without touching each other or rolling around. You should also remember that the baby that is the first to wake up must be fed. It can be helpful to co-ordinate night feeds so that you can get one of them up earlier than the other.
However, it is important to keep in mind that twins can be distinct and may develop their own sleeping patterns. You might find that one baby is waking more frequently 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 bassinet or crib in their room.
When shopping for a twin bedside cot, look for models with breathable mesh dividers to create distinct sleeping areas. This is crucial for infants who are susceptible to heat stroke or for families in which moms have had a c-section. Other useful features include the reversible base, built-in storage space for toys and blankets, and easy-to-use wheels. The Arm's Reach cot is an excellent option for these needs, as it offers an ample sleeping space and is designed with moms who have c-sections in mind. Other options include the Graco Pack 'n Play and the Fisher-Price Easy Swivel but they offer less sleeping space than the Arm's Reach cot.
It is not recommended that twins sleep in the same bed with an adult even if they're very close. This increases the risk of SIDS and can cause suffocation, strangulation, or entrapment. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins should sleep in their own bassinets or cribs in their parents' bedrooms for the first six months.