Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
Twins in the newborn stage sleep best close to each other It's vital to follow safe sleeping recommendations. The right crib arrangement will aid in the development of an established routine for sleep.
A double bassinet that has a divider can be an ideal option for twins. These portable beds let parents keep their infants close for diaper changes and mid-night feedings. These beds are also great for babies who may outgrow their bassinets for baby when they reach the age of toddlerhood.
Space-Saving
Twins can sleep together in a bedside crib, so long as you follow the safe sleeping guidelines (that's to say that they should be lying 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 regular crib when they're old enough.
We really love this Delta double bassinet, which has 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 wipes and snacks nearby, too. It is also foldable, making it easier to move around the home and take on excursions.
This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart, swivels to allow you to bring fussy twins nearer to you to feed them and comfort them. The sides lower and raise to allow access, and they are secured to ensure security. It's a little heavier and longer than other options, but it's great for second floors or grandparents homes and comes with a travel bag. It's also much less expensive 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 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 are 12 months old to help reduce the chance of SIDS. This arrangement is also referred to as co-bedding, and it has been proven that twins who have been accustomed to this sleep environment will generally have a more coordinated sleep pattern than those who sleep separately.
One of the easiest ways to achieve this is to use twin bedside cots, like the Teknum FELLOW 2, that comes with two distinct bedding sets so every baby can have a personal and comfortable space. The bedside cot can be easily moved from one room to the next as needed. It is an easy and convenient way to check on your children without disturbing their sleep patterns or waking them up.
Double bassinets are another option. They permit infants to sleep side-by-side and they're perfect for diaper changes or feedings in the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a mesh panel that is breathable and adjustable in height to allow each baby 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 less expensive alternative, comes with two sleep zones that are separated by a mesh, allowing babies to see each one another. The sleeper also swivels around 360 degrees to allow easy access to infants.
Many parents have discovered that bedding twins together with moses baskets or a small bassinette, could be a good option in situations of a short duration, such as a hospital stay or a family visit. However it is recommended to do this only under the supervision of a healthcare professional to ensure that the babies are properly placed in a cot, with their feet at the foot of the cot and their bedding properly tucked in to prevent them from suffocating.
Safety
When twins sleep together, the most important safety feature is that each infant has his or her own space to sleep in. This will prevent the baby from being smothered, choked, or otherwise choking by the other. It also helps to prevent deaths in the cot, which are more prevalent in infants with one parent than in multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that triplets, twins, and higher-order multiplications have their own sleeping space. This can be accomplished by using an individual bassinet or a twin bedside crib you can place on your bed to feed or soothe one of your babies during the night.
Although the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently issued recommendations to decrease the SIDS risk by encouraging room sharing and discouraging cobedding, a lot of families with twins and multiples have found it difficult to follow these guidelines (1). A previous study revealed that a large majority of families of twins who were cobedded in the first three months at home, used unsafe sleep practices (room sharing without cobedding).
Parents of twins may not adhere to current SIDS risk reduction recommendations due to a desire extend their own sleep time and a lack of space to accommodate multiple cribs in the home. In addition, the socioeconomic status of a family can influence their choices regarding sleeping arrangements.
If twins are put in a small Moses basket or crib, their bedding could easily be pulled together and they could choke on each other. 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 their bedding secured in the cots to reduce their chances of smothering each other.
A bassinet for bed, such as the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the safest and more convenient alternatives for twins who wish to sleep in a separate bed. This double bassinet comes with mesh walls that separate twins to give them each their own secure and comfortable, flat sleeping surface. It rotates 360 degrees, allowing you to bring one of your babies closer to you for feedings or calming without leaving the peace of your bed. Its sides lower and auto-return every time you move. It is also easy to clean, and fits into a standard twin-sized bed frame. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, look into the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet available at Walmart. available at Walmart and offers similar features to the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
It's a huge change to welcome twins or multiples into the world. travel bedside crib require lots of thought and preparation especially in regards to where they will sleep and how they will get a good night's rest. While the decisions regarding their future bedroom space are made as they age parents often ask what they can do to help them get comfortable in the early stages.
When twins are young, it is possible to share a cot. Co-bedding is a method of helping newborns feel at ease by reminding them of their womb. It is essential to ensure that the beds are large enough to allow the infants to be comfortable without having to touch each the other or move around. It is also important to remember that the baby who waks first needs to 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 are distinct and may develop their own sleep routines. It is possible that one child sleeps better than the other or prefers to be near you. In this case it may be beneficial for twins to have their own crib or bassinet in their room.
When shopping for a twin bedside cot look for models with breathable mesh dividers to create distinct sleeping zones. This is crucial for infants who are susceptible to heat stroke or for families in which mothers have had a c-section. Other helpful features include the reversible base, built-in storage space for blankets and toys, as well as easy-to-use wheels. The Arm's Reach cot, specifically designed for mothers who have a c-section is a fantastic choice because it offers a huge sleeping area and is easy to move. Other options are the Graco Pack 'n Play and the Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel, however, they have smaller sleeping areas than the Arm's Reach cot.
It is not recommended to sleep with twins in the same bed as an adult even if they're very close. It is an increased risk of SIDS, and may result in suffocation strangulation or entrapment. Instead it is recommended that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins have their own secure sleeping areas, like bassinets or cribs, in their parents' room for the first six months.