Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
It is best to keep your twins in the infant stage close together however, you must adhere to safety sleep guidelines. Selecting the best crib arrangement will aid in the development of a consistent sleep routine.
A double bassinet with the option of dividing it is a great choice for twins. These portable beds let parents keep their children close during feedings in the middle of the night and diaper changes. They are also great for babies who may outgrow their bassinets before baby 2.
Space-Saving
Twins can sleep side-by-side in a bedside crib, so long as you follow safe guidelines for sleeping (that's to say they should lie on their backs with the tops of their heads facing each other and feet at opposite ends of the cot). They can also sleep together in a Moses basket or a crib once they're large enough.
This Delta double bassinet features a mesh divider that allows babies to be separated but still close. It also has a convenient storage pocket to keep snacks and wipes in the vicinity as well. Additionally, it folds flat and makes it easy to move around the house or on trips.
This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart, swivels to allow you to bring your twins closer to you to feed them and soothe them. The sides lower and raise for access, and they are secured to ensure safety. It's a little heavier and longer than some other options, but it's perfect for grandparents' or second-floor homes, and it comes with a travel bag. It's also less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
While many parents of twins may be tempted to put the twins together in a single bassinet or crib, this is generally not recommended. Instead, the group Rednose suggests that twins are provided with their own private sleeping space (crib, bassinet or portable crib) in the parents' or caregiver's room until they reach 12 months old to help reduce the risk of SIDS. This arrangement is also referred to as co-bedding. It has been observed that twins who are accustomed to this sleeping environment will often form a more synchronized sleeping pattern than twins who sleep separately.
One of the most convenient ways to achieve this is with a twin bedside cot like the Teknum FELLOW 2 that comes with two distinct bedding sets so every baby can have an area that is comfortable and private. This bedside cot is also easily moved from one room to another depending on the need. It provides an easy and convenient method to check on your babies without disrupting their sleep or wake them up.
large bedside cot cots4tots include double bassinets that have been specifically designed to allow the infants to remain side-by-side and are ideal for middle-of-the-night feeds or diaper changes. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a mesh panel that breathes and is 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, has two sleeping zones separated by a mesh panel, which allows babies to see each one another. The sleeper can also rotate around 360 degrees, allowing easy access to infants.
Many parents have found that bedding twins in a moses basket, or a small bassinette, could be a good option for temporary situations such as hospitalization or a family visit. This should only be done under the supervision a healthcare provider. They will ensure that the babies are properly placed on their feet at the foot of the crib, and all bedding tucked in.
Safety
When it comes to twins sleeping together, the most crucial security feature is that each infant has his or her own sleep space. This will prevent the baby from being smothered, choked or otherwise choking by the other. This also helps avoid deaths in the cot, which are more common in single babies than in multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins, triplets and higher-order multiples get their own sleeping space. This can be done by using an additional bassinet, or twin bedside crib that you can bring up to your bed to feed or sooth one of your babies during the night.
Although recent SIDS risk reduction recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with a parent and discourage cobedding, the reality is that a lot of families of twins and higher-order multiples aren't able to comply with these guidelines (1). A previous study revealed that the majority of families with twins that were cobedded during the first 3 months at home opted for unsafe sleeping practices (room sharing without cobedding).
Parents of twins may not follow the current SIDS guidelines due to the desire to sleep longer and a lack of space at home to accommodate multiple cribs. Additionally, socioeconomic status can affect the family's decisions regarding sleeping arrangements.
If twins are placed side-by-side in a small crib or Moses basket, they may easily become entangled by their bedding, and possibly choke on one another. If you decide to put your twins in the same cot, it is essential to place them in a head-to-foot position and their bedding securely tucked into each cot to minimize the chance of them smothering each other.
One of the safest and more practical alternatives for twins to sleep independently is a bassinet that sits beside the bed like the Halo Bassinest Twin. This double bassinet features a mesh wall that separates twins, giving them their own safe flat bed. It can rotate 360 degrees to bring your baby closer to you for feedings or soothing while still in the comfortable bed. The sides lower and auto-return with each movement. It's also easy to clean and fits into the standard twin bed frame. Check out the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet at Walmart. It comes with the same features as the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
It's a significant life change to welcome twins or multiples into the world. They also require a lot of planning and thinking regarding their sleeping arrangements and how they will get a good sleep. While the decisions regarding their future bedroom space are made as they age parents are often unsure of how they can help their children to feel comfortable in the beginning stages.
When twins are still young, they can be able to share one cot. Co-bedding is a method for helping newborns feel at ease by bringing them back to their womb. The most important thing is to ensure that the beds are big enough for the babies to be comfortable without touching each other or rolling around. You should also keep in mind that the baby who awakes first must be fed. It can be beneficial to coordinate nighttime feeds so that you can wake one up earlier than the other.
It is important to be aware that twins may have different sleep routines. You might find that one of them wakes more than the other, or they prefer to be close to you. In this case it could be beneficial for twins to have their own bassinet or crib in their room.
When you are looking for a twin bedside cot ensure that it has ventilated mesh dividers that can create distinct sleeping areas. This is particularly important for babies that are more prone to overheating or families with c-section moms. Reversible bases and wheels that are easy to move are also useful features. The Arm's Reach cot, which is designed for c-section mothers, is a great choice because it has a large sleeping space and is easy to maneuver. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel are other options, but have smaller sleeping areas than the Arm's Reach cot.
It is not recommended that twins sleep in the same bed as an adult even if they're close. This could increase the risk of SIDS and lead to strangulation or suffocation. Instead it is recommended that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins sleep in their own safe sleeping areas, like bassinets or cribs in their parents' room for the first six months.