Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
It is best to keep your twins who are just born close to each other however, you must adhere to safety sleep guidelines. Selecting the best crib arrangement can aid in the development of a consistent sleep routine.
A double bassinet that has an divider is a great choice for twins. These portable beds let parents keep their infants close for middle-of-the-night feeds and diaper changes. They are also ideal for infants who might outgrow their bassinets prior to 2 years old.
Space-Saving
As long as you follow the safe sleeping guidelines, twins can sleep in a crib that is bedside 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 co-sleep in a Moses basket or a crib once they're large enough.
This Delta double bassinet features mesh dividers that allow babies to be separated, but still close. It also has a pocket for storage 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, which swivels to bring fussy twins closer to you for feedings and soothing. The sides can be raised and lowered to make it easier for you to get in and lock into place for security. It is a little longer and heavier than other models, but great for second-floor or grandparent's homes. It also comes with a travel bag. It's also a lot less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
While many parents of twins may be tempted to put the twins together in a single crib or bassinet, this is generally not recommended. Rednose suggests that twins have their own secure sleeping space (crib or portable crib or bassinet) in the room of the caregivers/parents until they reach 12 months to reduce the risk for SIDS. This arrangement is also known as co-bedding, and it has been proven that twins who have been accustomed to this sleep environment will typically have a more synchronized sleep pattern than those who sleep on their own.
A twin bedside cot, such as the Teknum FELLOW 2 is an excellent option to accomplish this. It comes with two sets of bedding so that each baby gets their own space. The bedside cot can also be easily moved from one room to the next as needed. It offers an easy and convenient way to check on your children without disrupting their sleep or waking them up.
Double bassinets are an alternative. They allow infants to be side-by-side, and they're perfect for diaper changes or feedings in the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for instance, comes with a breathable mesh divider and adjustable height so that each baby is visible and reachable at all times, and the sides of the sleeper lower and raise to allow easy access. If you're looking for an affordable alternative, the Walmart exclusive Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet is similar, with two sleeping zones separated by mesh panels that allow babies to see each other and the entire mattress can rotate 360 degrees to give an easy access to every infant.
Many parents have discovered that bedding twins together with moses baskets or a smaller bassinette, is a great option for temporary situations such as hospitalization or a visit to the family. However this should be done only under the supervision of a healthcare professional to ensure that the babies are properly positioned 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 have their own bed. This helps prevent every baby from being smothered, choked or otherwise being choking by the other. This also helps to avoid deaths in cots, which are more frequent with single infants than multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that tritons, twins, and higher-ordered triplets have their own sleeping space. This can be achieved with an additional bassinet, or twin bedside crib that you can put on your bed to feed or soothe one of your babies during the night.
While 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 of twins and other higher-order multiples have difficulty complying with these guidelines (1). A previous study revealed that a majority of families with twins who were cobedded in the first three months at home used unsafe sleeping practices (room sharing without cobedding).
Parents of twins might not follow current SIDS recommendations due to the desire to rest longer and lack of space at home to accommodate multiple cribs. In addition, socioeconomic status could affect the family's decisions regarding sleep arrangements.
If twins are placed side-by-side in a tiny crib or Moses basket, they could easily get caught in their bedding and potentially choke on one another. If you decide to sleep your twins in the same cot, it's important to place them in the feet-to-head position and with their bedding secured in each cot to limit the possibility of them colliding with each other.
A bassinet that is positioned at the bedside, like the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the safer and easier alternatives for twins who wish to sleep in a separate bed. The double bassinet features mesh walls to divide twins and give them their own safe, flat sleeping surface. It can be rotated 360 degrees, meaning you can bring your child closer to you without leaving your bed. The walls on the sides automatically lower and return with each movement. It is easy to clean, and fits in a standard twin-sized bed frame. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, check out the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet available at Walmart. available at Walmart and has similar features as the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
baby bedside crib of twins or multiples into the world is an enormous life altering. They require a lot of thought and preparation, not least in regards to where they will be sleeping and how they will get a restful night's sleep. Parents often wonder what they can do to help their children feel comfortable in the early years of their lives.
When twins are young, it is possible to share a cot. This is known as co-bedding and it can be a excellent comfort for babies as it reminds them of the womb. The key is to ensure that the beds are big enough to allow the infants to be comfortable, without touching each other or rolling around. You should also remember that the baby that is the first to wake up must be fed. It can be helpful to co-ordinate night feeds so that you can get one up earlier than the other.
It is important to keep in mind that twins can have very different sleeping routines. You may find that one of them wakes more than the other or they prefer to be nearer to you. In this instance, it might be best for the twins to share their own bassinet or crib in their room.
When shopping for a twin bedside cot, look for models with breathable mesh dividers to create separate sleeping zones. This is crucial for infants who are at risk of heat stroke or for families in which mothers have had a C-section. Other useful features include an adjustable base, built-in storage for blankets and toys, and easy-to-maneuver wheels. The Arm's Reach cot, specifically designed for mothers who have a c-section, is a great choice due to its large sleeping area and is easy to maneuver. Other options are the Graco Pack 'n Play and the Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel, but they offer a smaller sleeping area than the Arm's Reach cot.
It is not recommended to sleep with twins in the same bed with an adult, even if they are very close. It is an increased risk of SIDS, and can cause suffocation, strangulation, or entrapment. Instead, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins have their own secure sleeping areas, such as cribs or bassinets, in their parents' room for the first six months.