Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
It is recommended to keep the twins in the infant stage close together, but you should also adhere to the safety guidelines for sleeping. The right crib arrangement can aid your twins in establishing a consistent sleeping routine.
bedside crib and travel cot with an divider is a great choice for twins. These beds can be used to keep their children close during diaper changes as well as mid-night meals. They also work well for infants who might outgrow their bassinets before 2.
Space-Saving
If you adhere to safe guidelines for sleeping, twins can sleep 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 sleep together in a Moses basket or a regular crib once they're large enough.
This Delta double bassinet has mesh dividers that allow babies to be separated but still close. It has a handy storage compartment that can keep snacks and wipes in the vicinity, too. Additionally, it folds flat, making it easy to move around the house or 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 comfort them. The sides can be raised or lowered to make it easier to access them and they are secured for safety. It's a bit heavier and longer than other options, but it's perfect for grandparents' or second-floor' houses, and it comes with a travel bag. It's also much cheaper than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
While many parents of twins may be tempted to place their babies in one crib or bassinet but this is not generally recommended. Instead, the group Rednose suggests that twins be given their own secure sleeping space (crib, bassinet or portable crib) in the parent/caregiver's room until they turn 12 months old to help reduce the risk of SIDS. This is known as co-bedding. It has been proven that twins who grew in this type of environment develop a more synchronized sleeping patterns.
One of the most convenient ways to make this work is by using twin bedside cots, like the Teknum FELLOW 2, that comes with two separate bedding sets so each baby can have an individual and comfortable space. The bedside cot can easily be moved from room to room as necessary, and also makes it easy to check on babies without needing to wake them by re-entering their sleeping space or disrupting their sleep patterns.
Double bassinets are a different option. They allow infants to be side-by-side, and are perfect for feedings and diaper changes during the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a mesh panel that breathes and is adjustable in height to allow each infant to be easily accessible and visible at all times. The sides of the sleeper can lower and raise for easy access. If you prefer a more affordable option, the Walmart-exclusive Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet is similar, having two sleep zones separated by mesh panels that allow babies to see one another and the entire mattress can rotate 360 degrees to give an easy access to every infant.
For temporary situations like a family visit or hospital stay, many parents have found success with co-bedding twins in a large moses basket or small bassinette with divider. However it is recommended to do this only under the supervision of a healthcare professional to ensure that babies are properly positioned and with their feet towards the bottom of the cot and all bedding securely tucked in, to prevent them from being suffocated.
Safety
The most important safety aspect for twins is that they has their own space to sleep. This ensures that every infant isn't smothered or choked by the other. bedside crib travel cot helps prevent cot death, which is more common in single babies than in multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that triplets, twins and higher-order multiples have their own sleep space. This can be done by using a separate bassinet, or twin bedside crib that you can put on your bed to feed or soothe one of your babies during the night.
Although recent SIDS risk reduction guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with a parent and disallow cobedding but the reality is that many families with 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 cobedded their children in the beginning of their life at home engaged in unsafe sleep habits.
Parents of twins may not follow current SIDS recommendations due to a desire to sleep longer and the lack of space at home to accommodate multiple cribs. Additionally, socioeconomic status can affect the family's decisions regarding sleeping arrangements.
If twins are put in a small Moses basket or crib, their bedding may easily be pulled together and they could choke each other. If you're planning to sleep your twins in the same cot, it's important to place them in the feet-to-head position and with their bedding tucked securely into each cot to minimize the possibility of them colliding with each one.
A bassinet for bed, such as the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the safest and more convenient options for twins who want to be able to sleep independently. The double bassinet features an enclosed mesh wall that can divide twins and give them their own flat, secure sleep surface. It rotates 360 degrees so you can bring one of your babies closer to you for feedings or to soothe without having to leave the comfort of your bed, and its side walls lower and auto-return every time you move. It's also easy to clean and can be tucked away in the standard twin 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 comes with similar features to the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
It's a huge change to welcome twins or multiples into the world. They require plenty of planning and consideration especially when it comes to the place they will be sleeping and how they will get a good night's rest. Parents often wonder what they can do to help their children feel comfortable at an early age.
When twins are still young, it is possible to share a cot. This is called co-bedding and can provide excellent comfort for babies as it brings them back to the birthing process. The most important thing is to ensure that the beds are big enough for babies to feel comfortable without touching each other or rolling around. It is also important to remember that the baby who waks first needs to be fed. It is helpful to co-ordinate night feeds so that you can wake one up earlier than the other.
It is important to keep in mind that twins may have different sleep patterns. You may find that one baby sleeps more than the other or prefers to be near you. In this instance, it may be best to give each twin a separate crib or bassinet.
Find twin bedside cots with mesh dividers that are breathable for separate sleeping areas. This is particularly important for babies who are susceptible to overheating, or for families with mothers who have had c-sections. Other beneficial features include the reversible base, built-in storage for blankets and toys, as well as easy-to-maneuver wheels. The Arm's Reach cot, designed for c-section mothers is a great option due to its large sleeping area and is easy to maneuver. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel are also options, but have smaller sleeping areas than the Arm's Reach cot.
It is not recommended to sleep with twins in the same bed with an adult even if they're very close. There is a higher risk of SIDS and may result in suffocation strangulation, or entrapment. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins should be in their own bassinets or cribs in their parents' room for the first six months.