Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
It's best to keep twins who are just born close to each other however, you must adhere to safety sleep guidelines. The right crib arrangement can aid your twins in establishing an established routine for sleeping.
A double bassinet that has the option of dividing it is a great option for twins. These beds can be used as portable beds to let parents keep their children close during middle-of-the-night feeds and diaper changes. These beds are also great for babies who are likely to outgrow their bassinets for baby before they reach toddlerhood.
Space-Saving
If you adhere to safe guidelines for sleeping, twins can be in a bedside crib side-by-side. They should be placed 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 large enough.
We love this Delta double bassinet, which has a mesh divider so that babies can stay separate, yet close to each the other. It has a handy storage pocket to keep snacks and wipes in the vicinity, too. It's also foldable, making it easier to move around the home and travel with on trips.
This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart is swivelling so that you can bring fussy twins nearer to you to feed them and calm them. The sides can be raised and lowered to allow access and secure themselves to ensure your child's security. It's a bit bigger and heavier than other models but is great for the second-floor or homes for grandparents. It also comes with a carry-on bag. It's also a lot cheaper than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
While many parents of twins may be tempted to sleep the babies together in one crib or bassinet, this is generally not recommended. Instead the Rednose group Rednose suggests that twins be given their own safe sleeping space (crib or bassinet or portable crib) in the parents' or caregiver's room until they are 12 months old to reduce the risk of SIDS. This arrangement is also referred to as co-bedding and it has been observed that twins who are accustomed to this sleep environment will typically have a more synchronized sleep pattern than those who sleep separately.
A twin bedside cot like the Teknum FELLOW 2 is a fantastic way to accomplish this. It comes with two separate sets of bedding to ensure that each baby gets their own space. This bedside cot is also easily moved from one room to the next when needed. It provides an easy and convenient way to check on your babies without disrupting their sleep or wake them up.
Other alternatives include double bassinets that have been specifically designed to allow the infants to stay side-by-side and are perfect for mid-night feeds or diaper changes. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a breathable mesh panel and adjustable height that allows each baby to be easily accessible and visible at all times. The sides of the sleeper adjust to lower and raise for quick access. If you're looking for an affordable alternative, the Walmart-exclusive Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet is similar, featuring two sleeping zones separated by mesh panels that allow babies to see one another and the entire mattress swivels 360 degrees for 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. This should only be done under the supervision by a medical professional. They will ensure that the babies are appropriately placed on their feet at the bottom of the crib and all bedding is tucked in.
Safety
The most important safety aspect when it comes to twins is that both babies have their own sleeping space. This will prevent each baby from being smothered, choked or otherwise being choked by the other. It also helps to prevent the death of a cot, which is more frequent with single infants than multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins, tritons and higher-ordered multiples have their own sleeping area. This can be accomplished by using an additional bassinet, or twin bedside crib that you can put on your bed to 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 disallow cobedding however, the reality is that many families with twins and higher-order multiples have trouble adhering to these guidelines (1). In a prior study, it was found that the majority of twin families that co sleeper bedside cot-bedded their children during the first three months of life at home were engaged in dangerous sleep habits.
Parents of twins may not follow the current SIDS risk reduction guidelines due to a desire to increase their own sleep duration and a lack of space to accommodate multiple cribs in the home. Additionally, socioeconomic status can influence family decisions regarding the arrangement of their sleep.
If twins are put in a small Moses basket or crib, their bedding can easily entangle them and they could choke on eachother. If you're planning to sleep your twins in the same cot it is important to put them in the position of feet-to-head and have their bedding tucked securely into each cot to limit the chance of them smothering each one.
One of the safest and more comfortable options for twins to be able to sleep independently 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 sleep surface. It rotates 360 degrees, allowing you to bring one of your babies closer to you for feedings or to soothe without leaving the peace of your bed, and its side walls lower and automatically return with each movement. It is also easy to clean and fits into a standard twin-sized bed frame. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, consider the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet that is available at Walmart and has similar features to the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
Being welcomed by twins or multiples to the world is an enormous life-changing. They require a lot of planning and consideration not to mention in regards to where they will sleep and how they will get a restful night's sleep. While the decisions regarding their future bedroom space are made later in life parents are often unsure of how they can help their children to settle in the early stages.
It is possible for twins to share a single cot if they are small. Co-bedding is a method of helping newborns feel at ease by reminding them of their mother's womb. The key is to make sure the beds are big enough for babies to be comfortable, without touching or rolling around. You should also be aware that the baby who is the first to wake up must be fed. It is beneficial to coordinate night feeds to ensure that you get one baby up before the other.
It is important to remember that twins have different sleep routines. You might find that one baby bedside co sleeper is waking more than the other, or that they prefer to be close to you. In this instance it could be beneficial for the twins to share their own bassinet or crib in their room.
Look for twin bedside cots that have breathable mesh dividers to create separate sleeping areas. This is important for babies who are at risk of heat stroke or for families where mothers have had a C-section. A reversible base and wheels that are easy to move are also beneficial features. The Arm's Reach cot, specifically designed for mothers who have a c-section, is a great choice because it has a large sleeping area and is easy to move. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel are other options, but have smaller sleeping areas than the Arm's Reach cot.
It is not recommended that twins sleep in the same bed with an adult, even if they are very close. This increases the risk of SIDS, and can cause suffocation, strangulation or entrapment. Instead the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins sleep in their own safe sleeping areas, such as bassinets or cribs in their parent's room for the first six months.