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 can aid in the development of an established routine for sleep.
A double bassinet with a divider can be a great choice for twins. These portable beds allow parents to keep their babies near for mid-night feedings and diaper changes. These beds are also great for babies who are likely to outgrow their bassinets by the time they reach toddlerhood.
Space-Saving
Twins can share a bed in a bedside cots for newborns cot, provided you adhere to the safe sleeping guidelines (that's to say they should lie on their backs with the tops of their heads facing each other and their feet placed at opposite sides of the cot). They can also co-sleep in a Moses basket or a crib once they're big enough.
We are in love with this Delta double bassinet. It includes a mesh divider, to keep babies separate but close to each other. It also has a pocket for storage for snacks and wipes. Additionally, it folds flat making it easy to manoeuvre around the house or on trips.
Another option is the EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart It can swivel to bring fussy twins closer to you for feedings and comfort. The sides can be raised or lowered 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 grandparent's homes. It also comes with a bag for travel. It's also less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
While many parents of twins might be enticed to place their babies in a single bassinet or crib but this is not generally recommended. Instead the Rednose group Rednose suggests that twins be given their own secure sleeping space (crib, bassinet or portable crib) in the room of the parent or caregiver until they reach 12 months old in order to reduce the chance of SIDS. This arrangement is also known as co-bedding. It has been found that twins who have been accustomed to this type of sleeping environment often form a more synchronized sleep pattern than twins who sleep in separate rooms.
One of the easiest ways to make this work is with a twin bedside cot like the Teknum FELLOW 2 which comes with two separate bedding sets, so that every baby bedside co sleeper can have an area that is comfortable and private. This bedside cot is able to easily be moved from room to room when required, and allows you to check on the babies without having to wake them by re-entering their sleep zone or disrupting their routines.
Double bassinets are a different option. They allow infants to sleep side-by-side and are perfect for diaper changes or feedings in the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for instance, features an air-tight mesh divider and an adjustable height to ensure that each child can be observed and reached at all times, and the sides of the sleeper are raised and lower to allow easy access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet which is a less expensive alternative, has two sleeping zones separated by a mesh panel which allows babies to see each one another. The sleeper also rotates around 360 degrees to allow easy access to the infants.
Many parents have realized that bedding twins in moses baskets or a smaller bassinette, is a great option for situations that are temporary, such as hospitalization or a visit to the family. This should only be done under the supervision of by a medical 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 into.
Safety
When twins are sleeping together, the most important safety feature is that each infant has their own sleep space. This ensures that each baby is not smothered or otherwise choked by the other. This also helps to avoid the death of a cot, which is more common in single infants than multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins, triplets and higher-order multiples have their own sleeping space. This can be achieved by using an individual bassinet or twin bedside crib that you can bring up to your bed to feed or soothe one of the babies during the night.
Although the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently issued recommendations to reduce the SIDS risk by encouraging room sharing and avoiding cobedding, many families of twins and multiples have found it difficult to follow these guidelines (1). A previous study revealed that a majority of families of twins who were cobedded in the first 3 months at home, used unsafe sleep practices (room sharing without cobedding).
Parents of twins might not adhere to the current SIDS risk reduction guidelines because of a desire to increase their own sleep duration and the inability to accommodate multiple cribs at home. In addition, socioeconomic status could influence family decisions regarding the arrangement of their sleep.
If twins are placed side-by-side in a small crib or Moses basket, they may easily be entangled by their bedding and could choke on one another. If you choose to sleep your twins together in the same cot, it is important to put them in a head-to-foot position and with their bedding securely tucked into each cot to limit the chance of them smothering each other.
A bassinet that is positioned at the bedside travel crib - these details -, like the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the safest and most convenient options for twins who want to sleep separately. This double bassinet has a mesh wall to separate twins and give them their own flat, secure sleeping surface. It can be rotated 360 degrees, which means you can bring your child closer to you without having to leave your bed. The walls on the sides automatically lower and then return with each movement. It is easy to clean, and fits in a standard twin-sized bed frame. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, consider the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet, which is available at Walmart and comes with similar features to the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
It's a significant life change to welcome twins or multiples into the world. They require lots of planning and thought especially when it comes to where they will sleep and how they will get a good night's rest. Parents often ask themselves what they can do to help their children feel more comfortable in the early years of their lives.
It is possible for twins to share a single crib when they are small. Co-bedding is a method for helping newborns feel at ease by reminding them of their mother's womb. It is important to ensure that the beds are large enough for babies to be comfortable without touching or rolling around. It is also important to remember that the baby who wakes first needs to be fed. It can be beneficial to co-ordinate night feeds so that you can wake one up before the other.
It is important to be aware that twins can have very different sleeping routines. It could be that one child wakes more frequently than the other or that they prefer to be closer to you. In this instance it could be beneficial for the twins to share their own bassinet or crib in their room.
Find twin bedside cots with breathable mesh dividers for sleeping areas that are separate. This is particularly important for babies who are prone to overheating, or families with c-section mothers. Other beneficial features include a reversible base, built-in storage for blankets and toys, as well as easy-to-maneuver wheels. The Arm's Reach cot, specifically designed for mothers who have a c-section is a great option because it has a large sleeping space and is easy to move. Other options include the Graco Pack 'n Play and the Fisher-Price Easy Swivel but they offer a smaller sleeping area than the Arm's Reach cot.
Even if they're very close, it is not recommended to let twins share the bed with an adult. It is an increased risk of SIDS, and could lead to suffocation, strangulation or entrapment. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins be kept in their bassinets or cribs in their parents' bedrooms for the first six months.