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 proper crib arrangement will help your twins develop a consistent sleeping routine.
A double bassinet that comes with a divider can be a great choice for twins. These portable beds let parents keep their infants close for mid-night feedings and diaper changes. They are also great for babies who may outgrow their bassinets before 2.
Space-Saving
Twins can sleep side-by-side in a bedside cot, provided you adhere to safe sleeping guidelines (that's to say that they should be laid on their backs, with the tops of their heads facing each other, and their feet on opposite sides of the cot). When they're old enough, they can also share a bed in a Moses Basket or regular crib.
We are in love with this Delta double bassinet, which includes a mesh divider, so that babies can stay separate, yet close to each other. It also comes with a storage compartment for snacks and wipes. It is also foldable, making it easier to move around the house or travel with on trips.
Another alternative is this EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart that swivels to bring your twins' fluttery little ones closer to you for feedings and calming. The sides can be raised and lowered for easy access, and are locked to ensure safety. It is a little longer and heavier than other options, but great for second floor or grandparents' homes. It also comes with a bag for travel. It's also less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
It is not recommended that parents of twins sleep their babies in the same crib or bassinet. Rednose recommends that twins have their own secure sleeping space (crib, portable crib, or bassinet) in the room of the parents or caregivers until they reach 12 months old to lower the risk for SIDS. This is referred to as co-bedding. It has been demonstrated that twins who have grown up in this environment have a more synchronized sleeping pattern.
A twin bedside cot such as the Teknum FELLOW 2 is a great way to accomplish this. It includes two sets of bedding so that each baby gets their own personal space. The bedside cot can also be easily moved from one room to the next when needed. It offers an easy and convenient way to check on your children without disturbing their sleep patterns or awakening them.
Other options include double bassinets that have been specifically designed to allow the infants to remain side-by-side and are ideal for nighttime feeding or changing diapers. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for instance, features an air-tight mesh partition and an adjustable height to ensure that each child is visible and reachable throughout the night, and the sides of the sleeper are raised and lower to give easy access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet which is a more affordable alternative, has two sleeping zones separated by a mesh, which allows babies to see each the other. The sleeper also swivels around 360 degrees to allow an easy access for infants.
Many parents have found that co-bedding twins with a moses basket, or a smaller bassinette, can be a good solution in situations of a short duration, such as hospitalization or a visit to the family. However it is recommended to do this only under the supervision of a healthcare provider to ensure that babies are properly positioned and with their feet towards the floor of the cot, and all bedding is securely tucked in to avoid them from becoming suffocating.
Safety
The most important safety feature when it comes to twins is that both babies have their own sleeping space. This ensures that every infant is not smothered or otherwise infected by the other. It also helps prevent the death of a cot, which is more frequent with single infants than multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that tritons, twins and higher-ordered triplets have their own sleeping area. The best way to do this is by having an additional bassinet or twin bedside cot that can be brought up close to your bed while you're feeding or soothing one of the babies during the night.
While recent SIDS risk reduction recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with parents and avoid cobedding but the reality is that a lot of families of twins and other higher-order multiples have difficulty complying with 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 sleep practices (room sharing without cobedding).
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 the socioeconomic standing of a family could influence their decisions about sleeping arrangements.
If twins are positioned side-by-side in a tiny crib or Moses basket, they may easily get caught in their bedding and potentially choke on one another. If you decide to place your twins in the same cot, make sure they are in a position in which their feet are close to their heads, and that their bedding is tucked into the cots securely. This will decrease the possibility of them colliding on each other.
One of the safest and more comfortable alternatives for twins to sleep separately is a bedside bassinet like the Halo Bassinest Twin. The double bassinet has a mesh wall that separates twins to give them each their own safe, flat sleep surface. It can be turned 360 degrees, meaning you can bring your baby closer to you without leaving your bed. The side walls automatically lower and return with every movement. It's also easy to clean and can be tucked away in the standard twin bed frame. If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, consider the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet available at Walmart. available at Walmart and offers similar features as the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
It is a major life change to welcome twins or multiples into the world. They require plenty of planning and consideration not to mention when it comes to the place they will sleep and how they'll get a good night's sleep. Parents often ask themselves what they can do to help their children feel comfortable from an early age.
It is possible for twins to share a cot if they are small. This is referred to as co-bedding, and it can be a excellent comfort for babies as it helps them remember the mother's womb. The most important thing is to ensure that the beds are big enough for the babies to feel comfortable without touching or bouncing around. It is important to be aware that the baby who awakes first must be fed. It is helpful to coordinate feeding times at night in order to wake up one baby before the other.
It is important to keep in mind that twins can have very different sleep routines. It is possible that one child sleeps better than the other or is more comfortable being close to you. In this situation, it may be best to provide each twin with their own crib or bassinet.
When bedside cot newborn are looking for a twin bedside cot look for models that feature breathable mesh dividers to create distinct sleeping spaces. This is particularly important for babies that are prone to overheating, or families with mothers who have had c-sections. A reversible base and wheels that are easy to move are also helpful features. The Arm's Reach cot is a great choice for these purposes, as it offers an ample sleeping space and is designed with moms who have c-sections in mind. Other options are the Graco Pack 'n Play and the Fisher-Price Easy Swivel however, they have a smaller sleeping area than the Arm's Reach cot.
It is not recommended to sleep with twins in the same bed as an adult, even if they are close. There is a higher risk of SIDS, and could lead to suffocation, strangulation or entrapment. Instead it is recommended that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins sleep in their own safe sleeping spaces, such as cribs or bassinets, in their parent's room for the first six months.