Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
It is best to keep your twins in the infant stage close together, but you should also adhere to the safety guidelines for sleeping. Selecting the best crib arrangement can aid in the development of a consistent routine of sleep.
A double bassinet with an divider is an ideal option for twins. These portable beds allow parents to keep their children close during diaper changes as well as mid-night meals. These beds are also ideal for babies who are likely to outgrow their bassinets by the time they reach the age of toddlerhood.
Space-Saving
As long as you adhere to safe sleeping guidelines, twins are able to sleep in a bedside crib side-by-side. They should be positioned on their backs with their heads pointing towards each other and their feet at the opposite ends. They can also share a bed in a Moses basket or a regular crib once they're big enough.
We love this Delta double bassinet. It features a mesh partition to keep babies separate, yet close to each and each other. It comes with a handy storage compartment to keep snacks and wipes in the vicinity, too. It is also foldable which makes it easy to move around the house and take on trips.
Another alternative is this EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart that swivels to bring the twins who are fussy closer to you for feedings and soothing. The sides lower and raise for access, and they lock into place for safety. It's a bit heavier and longer than other options, but it's perfect for grandparents' or second-floor homes and comes with its own travel bag. It's also less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
It is not recommended that parents of twins put their babies in the same bassinet or crib. Rednose recommends that twins have their own secure sleeping area (crib, portable crib, or bassinet) in the room of the caregivers/parents until they reach the age of 12 months old to lower the risk for SIDS. This arrangement is also referred to as co-bedding. It has been observed that twins who have been accustomed to this sleep environment will typically have a more synchronized sleeping pattern than twins who sleep on their own.
One of the easiest ways to achieve this is with twin bedside cots, like the Teknum FELLOW 2 which comes with two separate bedding sets so every baby can have an individual and comfortable space. The bedside cot can also be easily moved from one room to another depending on the need. It provides a convenient and easy way to check on your babies without disrupting their sleep or awakening them.
Double bassinets are an alternative. They allow babies to sleep side-byside, and they're perfect for feedings and diaper changes in the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for instance, features an air-tight mesh partition and a height that can be adjusted so that each child is visible and reachable throughout the night, and the sides of the sleeper can be raised and lowered to give easy access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet, which is a cheaper alternative, comes with two sleep zones separated by a mesh panel which allows babies to see each the other. The sleeper also rotates around 360 degrees to allow easy access to the infants.
Many parents have found that co-bedding twins with a moses basket, or a small bassinette, could be a good option in situations of a short duration, like hospital stays or a visit to the family. This should only be done with the supervision of by a medical professional. They will make sure that the infants are correctly placed on their feet at the bottom of the crib and all bedding put into.
Safety
The most important safety aspect for twins is that each baby have their own sleeping space. This ensures that each infant isn't smothered, or trapped by the other. It also helps prevent the death of a cot, which is more frequent in infants who are single than in multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that tritons, twins, and higher-ordered triplets have their own space to sleep in. The best method to achieve this is to have a separate bassinet or twin bedside cot that can be placed close to your bed when you feed or soothe one of your babies throughout the night.
While recent SIDS risk reduction guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with parents and discourage cobedding but the reality is that a lot of families of twins and higher-order multiples have trouble adhering to these guidelines (1). In a previous study, it was discovered that the majority of twin families who co-bedded their children in the first three months of life at home engaged in unsafe sleep habits.
Parents of twins might not adhere to current SIDS risk reduction recommendations due to a desire to increase their own sleep duration and a lack of space to accommodate multiple cribs at home. In addition the socioeconomic status of a family may affect their sleep arrangements.
If twins are placed in a small Moses basket or crib, their bedding may easily entangle them and they could choke on eachother. If you decide to place your twins in the same cot ensure that they are in a position that their feet are right next to their heads and that their bedding is tucked into the cots securely. This will lessen the chances of them choking on each other.
A bassinet that is positioned at the bedside, like the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the most secure and easier alternatives for twins who wish to be able to sleep independently. The double bassinet has an insulated mesh wall that separates twins to give them each their own secure and comfortable, flat sleeping surface. It can rotate 360 degrees to bring one of your children closer to you for feedings or soothing without having to leave the comfort of your bed. Its sides lower and auto-return when you move. It is also easy to clean and can be tucked away into a standard twin-sized bed frame. If baby bedside co sleeper looking for a cheaper alternative, check out the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet available at Walmart. available at Walmart and offers similar features as the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
The arrival of twins or multiples into the world is a major life change. They require a lot of planning and thought not to mention when it comes to where they will sleep and how they'll get a restful night's sleep. Parents often ask themselves what they can do to make their children feel more comfortable at an early age.
When twins are very young, they can be able to share one cot. This is referred to as co-bedding, and it can be a excellent comfort for babies as it brings them back to the birthing process. It is crucial to make sure that the beds are large enough for newborns to feel at ease without having to touch one other or roll around. It is important to keep in mind that the baby who awakes first should be fed. It is helpful to coordinate feeding times at night so that you can get one up before the other.
It is important to remember that twins have different sleeping routines. You may find that one child wakes more than the other or they prefer to be closer to you. In this situation, it might be best for the twins to share their own bassinet or crib in their room.
When looking for a twin bedside cot, look for models with air-tight mesh dividers that create separate sleeping zones. This is crucial for infants that are prone to heat stroke or for families in which moms have had a c-section. A reversible base as well as wheels that are easy to move are also beneficial features. The Arm's Reach cot is an excellent choice for these purposes, as it offers an ample sleeping space and is designed with c-section moms in mind. Other options are the Graco Pack 'n Play and the Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel, but they have less sleeping space than the Arm's Reach cot.
Even if they're extremely close, it is not recommended to let twins share the bed with an adult. This can increase the risk of SIDS and result in strangulation or suffocation. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins sleep in their own cribs or bassinets in their parents' room for the first six months.