Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
Newborn twins sleep best when close to each other, but it's important to adhere to safe sleeping guidelines. The proper crib arrangement will help your twins develop a consistent sleeping routine.
A double bassinet with an divider is a great option for twins. These beds can be used as portable beds to allow parents to keep their infants close for mid-night feedings and diaper changes. These beds are also ideal for babies who might outgrow their baby bassinets before they reach the age of toddlerhood.
Space-Saving
Twins can sleep together in a bedside cot provided you adhere to the safe guidelines for sleeping (that's to say they should be lying on their backs, with the tops of their heads facing each other and feet at opposite ends 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 has a mesh divider to keep babies separated but still close to one and each other. It also has a storage pocket for wipes and snacks. Additionally, it folds flat making it easy to move around the house or take on trips.
This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart can swivel to allow you to bring fussy twins nearer to you to feed them and soothe them. The sides can be raised and lowered to make it easier for you to get in and lock into place for safety. It's a bit bigger and heavier than the other options, but great for second floor or grandparent's homes. It also comes with a bag for travel. It's also much less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
While many parents of twins might be enticed to place their babies in a single crib or bassinet, this is generally not recommended. Instead, the group Rednose recommends that twins be given their own safe sleeping space (crib, bassinet or portable crib) in the room of the parent or caregiver until they are 12 months old in order to reduce the chance of SIDS. This is referred to as co-bedding. It has been shown that twins who have grown in this type of environment develop a more synchronized sleeping patterns.
One of the easiest ways to make this work is by using twin bedside cots, like the Teknum FELLOW 2 that comes with two separate bedding sets, so that each baby can have an individual and comfortable space. The bedside cot can also be easily moved from one room to another when needed. It offers a convenient and easy way to monitor your baby without disturbing their sleep patterns or wake them up.
Other options include double bassinets specially designed for infants that allow them to remain side-by-side and are ideal for middle-of-the-night feeds or diaper changes. cheap bedside cot has a breathable mesh panel and adjustable height to allow each baby to be seen and reachable at all times. The sides of the sleeper adjust to lower and raise for quick access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet which is a more affordable alternative, has two sleeping zones that are separated by a mesh panel permitting babies to view each the other. The sleeper also swivels around 360 degrees to allow easy access to the infants.
For bedside crib with wheels like an unexpected family visit or hospital stay Parents have reported the benefits of co-bedding twins using the large moses basket or small bassinette that has dividers. However it is recommended to do this only under the supervision of a healthcare provider to ensure that the babies are properly placed in a cot, with their feet at the foot of the cot, and all bedding is securely tucked in to avoid them from becoming suffocating.
Safety
The most important security feature for twins is that they has their own space to sleep. This ensures that every infant is not smothered or otherwise choked by the other. It also helps to prevent 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 triplets have their own sleeping space. This can be done with a separate bassinet, or twin bedside crib that you can place on your bed to feed or sooth one of the babies throughout the night.
Although recent SIDS risk reduction recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with parents and avoid cobedding however, the reality is that a lot of families with twins and higher-order multiples have trouble adhering to 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 the current SIDS risk reduction guidelines because of a desire to prolong their own sleep and the inability to accommodate multiple cribs in the home. In addition, the socioeconomic status of a family can influence their choices regarding sleep arrangements.
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 place your twins in the same cot ensure they are in the position that their feet are right next to their heads, and that their bedding is put into the cots securely. This will reduce the chances of them choking on each one.
A bedside bassinet, such as the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the safest and most convenient alternatives for twins who wish to sleep separately. The double bassinet features mesh walls to separate twins and provide them with their own safe, flat mattress to sleep on. It can rotate 360 degrees to bring one of your babies closer to you for feedings or to soothe without having to leave the comfortable bed. The sides lower and auto-return when you move. It's easy to clean and can be tucked away in the standard twin bed frame. For a less expensive alternative, consider the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet, which is available at Walmart and offers 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 consideration especially when it comes to the place they will sleep and how they'll get a good night's rest. While decisions about their future bedroom space can be taken when they are older, parents often wonder how they can help them get comfortable in the early stages.
When twins are very young, they are able to share a cot. Co-bedding is a method for comforting newborns by bringing them back to their mother's womb. It is crucial to make sure that the beds are big enough to allow babies to feel comfortable without having to touch each the other or move around. Also, remember that the baby that is the first to wake up must be fed. It is beneficial to coordinate feeding times at night to ensure that you wake up one baby before the other.
It is important to remember that twins have different sleep routines. You may find that one child sleeps better than the other or is more comfortable being close to you. In this situation it may be beneficial for the twins to share their own crib or bassinet in their room.
When you are looking for a twin bedside cot look for models with breathable mesh dividers to create distinct sleeping spaces. This is particularly important for babies who are more prone to overheating or families with c-section moms. Reversible bases and wheels that are easy to maneuver are also helpful features. The Arm's Reach cot, which is designed for c-section mothers, is a great choice because it offers a huge sleeping area and is easy to move. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel are other options, but offer a smaller sleeping space 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 close. This can increase the risk of SIDS and lead to suffocation or strangulation. Instead it is recommended that 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.