Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
Twins who are just born sleep best close to each other It's vital to follow safe sleeping recommendations. Choosing the right crib arrangement will aid your twins in developing an established routine for sleep.
A double bassinet with the option of dividing can be a great choice for twins. These beds can be used as portable beds to allow parents to keep their babies near for feedings in the middle of the night and diaper changes. These beds are also great for babies who may outgrow their baby bassinets by the time they reach toddlerhood.
Space-Saving
If you follow safe sleeping guidelines, twins are able to sleep in a bedside crib side-by-side. They should be positioned on their backs with their heads in a straight line and their feet on the opposite ends. They can also share a bed in a Moses basket or regular crib once they're big enough.
This Delta double bassinet has a mesh divider that allows children to be separated but still close. It also comes with a storage compartment for snacks and wipes. It's also foldable making it easy to move around the home and take on excursions.
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 calm them. The sides can be lowered and raised for easy access and are secured for safety. It's a bit longer and heavier than the other options however it is ideal for the second-floor or grandparents' homes. It also comes with a travel bag. It's also less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
Parents of twins might be enticed to put the twins together in a single crib or bassinet but this is not generally recommended. Instead the group Rednose suggests that twins be given their own secure sleeping space (crib or bassinet, or a portable crib) in the parent/caregiver's room until they reach 12 months old to help 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 type of sleeping environment often form a more synchronized sleeping pattern than twins who sleep on their own.
One of the most convenient methods to accomplish this is to use twin amazon bedside cot cots, like the Teknum FELLOW 2, that comes with two separate bedding sets so every baby can have a personal and comfortable space. This bedside cot can also easily be moved from room to another as necessary, and also makes it easy to check on the babies without needing to wake them by re-entering their sleeping zone or disrupting their sleep patterns.
Double bassinets are a different option. They allow infants to sleep side-by-side and are ideal for feedings or diaper changes in the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a breathable mesh panel and adjustable height to allow each infant to be easily accessible and visible at all times. The sides of the sleeper can lower and raise for easy access. If you're looking for an affordable alternative, the Walmart exclusive Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet is similar, having two separate sleeping zones, separated by mesh panels that allow babies to see one another and the entire mattress can rotate 360 degrees to give an easy access to every infant.
Many parents have discovered that bedding twins in moses baskets, or a small bassinette, could be a good option for temporary situations such as a hospital stay or a visit to the family. However it is recommended to do this only under the supervision of a medical professional to ensure that the babies are placed properly, with their feet to the foot of the cot and their bedding properly tucked in to prevent them from being suffocated.
Safety
The most important security feature for twins is that they have their own sleeping space. This helps prevent every baby from being smothered, choked or otherwise choking by the other. It also helps prevent deaths in the cot, which are more common in single babies than in multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that tritons, twins and higher-ordered triplets have their own space to sleep in. This can be achieved with an additional bassinet, or twin newborn bedside cot crib that you can bring up to your bed to feed or soothe one of your babies during the night.
While recent SIDS risk reduction recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with a parent and disallow cobedding however, the reality is that many families with twins and higher-order multiples have trouble adhering to these guidelines (1). A previous study found that the 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 a desire to sleep longer and lack of space at home to accommodate multiple cribs. In addition the socioeconomic standing of a family can influence their choices regarding the arrangement of their sleep.
If twins are placed in a small Moses basket or crib, their bedding can easily entangle them and they could choke on each other. If you decide to put your twins in the same cot it is essential to place them in the feet-to-head position and have their bedding securely tucked into the cots to reduce the possibility of them colliding with each other.
A bassinet that is positioned at the bedside, like the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the safer and most convenient options for twins that want to sleep separately. The double bassinet features mesh walls to divide twins and give them their own safe, flat sleep surface. It can rotate 360 degrees, allowing you to bring one of your children closer to you for feedings or to soothe while still in the comfort of your bed. Its side walls lower and auto-return when you move. It is also easy to clean, and fits into a standard twin-sized 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 major life altering. They require lots of planning and thought especially when it comes to the place they will be sleeping and how they will get a good night's sleep. Parents often ask themselves what they can do to make their children feel at ease in the early years of their lives.
It is possible for twins to share a crib when they are small. This is known as co-bedding and it can be a excellent comfort for babies as it reminds them of the birthing process. The most important thing is to make sure the beds are large enough for the babies to be comfortable without touching or rolling around. It is also important to keep in mind that the baby who awakes first must be fed. It is helpful to coordinate night feeds so that you can awake one baby prior to the other.
It is crucial to remember that twins are very different and they might have their own sleep patterns. You might find that one baby is more sleepy than the other or is more comfortable being close to you. In this case it could be beneficial for the twins to have their own crib or bassinet in their room.
When looking for a twin bedside cosleeper cot, look for models that feature ventilated mesh dividers that can create separate sleeping spaces. This is crucial for babies more prone to overheating or families with c-section moms. A reversible base and wheels that are easy to move are also beneficial features. The Arm's Reach cot, designed for c-section mothers is a great option because it offers a huge sleeping space and is easy to move. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price's Easy Swaivel are both options, but have smaller sleeping spaces than the Arm's Reach cot.
It is not recommended that twins sleep in the same bed with an adult even if they're close. This increases the risk of SIDS, and could lead to suffocation, strangulation, or entrapment. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins sleep in their own bassinets or cribs in their parents' room for the first six months.