Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
Twins who are just born sleep best close to one another It's vital to follow safe sleeping recommendations. A proper crib arrangement can help your twins establish the same routine of sleeping.
A double bassinet with a divider is a great option for twins. These beds can be used as portable beds to allow parents to keep their babies near for middle-of-the-night feeds and diaper changes. They also work well for infants that may outgrow their bassinets before baby 2.
Space-Saving
If you follow the safe sleeping guidelines, twins can be in a bedside crib side-by-side. They should sleep on their backs, with their heads touching and their feet at opposite ends. When they're big enough, they may also sleep together in a Moses Basket or a regular crib.
We really love this Delta double bassinet, which includes a mesh divider, to keep babies separated but still close to one the other. It has a handy storage pocket to keep snacks and wipes close by, too. It's also foldable which makes it easy to move around the home and take on excursions.
This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart, swivels so that you can bring your twins who are fussy closer to you to feed them and calm them. The sides can be lowered and raised to make it easier to access them and they are secured for security. It's a bit heavier and longer than other alternatives, but it's a great choice for second floors or grandparents houses, and it comes with its own travel bag. It's also much less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
It is not recommended that parents of twins sleep their babies in the same bassinet or crib. Rednose suggests that twins have their own safe sleeping area (crib, portable crib, or bassinet) in the room of the parents or caregivers until they reach 12 months to reduce the risk of SIDS. This arrangement is also referred to as co-bedding and it has been found that twins who have been accustomed to this sleep environment will typically have a more synchronized sleep pattern than twins who sleep on their own.
One of the most efficient methods to accomplish this is with a twin bedside cot like the Teknum FELLOW 2 which comes with two separate bedding sets so each baby has an individual and comfortable space. The bedside cot can be easily moved from one room to the next depending on the need. It offers a convenient and easy way to check on your babies without disrupting their sleep or waking them up.
Other alternatives include double bassinets specially designed for infants that allow them to stay side-by-side and are ideal for middle-of-the-night feeds or diaper changes. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for instance, comes with an air-tight mesh partition and a height that can be adjusted so that every baby can be seen and reached at all times, while the sides of the sleeper lower and raise to allow easy access. If you prefer a more affordable option, the Walmart-exclusive Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet is similar, featuring two separate sleeping zones, separated by a mesh panel that allows babies to see one another and the entire bed swivels 360 degrees for an easy access to every infant.
Many parents have found that bedding twins in a moses basket, or a small bassinette, could be a good option for situations that are temporary, like hospital stays or a visit to the family. This should only be done under the supervision a healthcare provider. They will ensure that the infants are correctly placed, with their feet at the foot of the crib and all bedding put into.
Safety
The most important safety aspect when it comes to twins is that each baby have their own sleeping space. This helps prevent each baby from being smothered, choked, or otherwise being choked by the other. It also helps to prevent deaths in cots, which are more common in single infants than multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins, tritons and higher-ordered multiples have their own sleeping area. This can be accomplished with an individual bassinet or twin bedside crib that you can bring up to 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 a parent and avoid cobedding however, 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 found that the majority of twin families who co-bedded their children in the beginning of their life at home were engaged in dangerous sleep practices.
Parents of twins may not adhere to current SIDS risk reduction recommendations because of a desire to extend their own sleep time and a lack of space to accommodate multiple cribs in the home. Additionally bedside crib that turns into cot of a family could influence their choices regarding sleep arrangements.
When twins are placed side-by-side in a small crib or Moses basket, they could easily get caught in their bedding and could choke on one another. If you're planning to sleep your twins in the same cot it is essential to place them in the feet-to-head position and their bedding securely tucked into the cots to reduce the possibility of them colliding with each other.
One of the safer and more practical options for twins to be able to sleep separately is a bedside bassinet like the Halo Bassinest Twin. This double bassinet has an enclosed mesh wall that can separate twins and provide them with their own flat, secure mattress to sleep on. It swivels a full 360 degrees, allowing you to bring your baby closer to you for feedings or to soothe while still in the comfort of your bed. Its sides lower and auto-return when you move. It is also easy to clean and fits into the standard twin-sized 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 comes with similar features as the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
It's a huge change to welcome twins or multiples into the world. They require a lot of thought and preparation not to mention when it comes to where they will be sleeping and how they will get a good night's rest. While decisions about their future bedroom space can be taken as they age parents are often unsure of how they can help them get comfortable in the early stages.
When twins are still young, it is possible to share one crib. Co-bedding is a method of comforting newborns by bringing them back to their mother's womb. It is important to make sure that the beds are large enough for babies to feel comfortable without having to touch each other or roll around. You should also keep in mind that the baby who awakes first should be fed. It can be helpful to coordinate nighttime feeds so that you can wake one of them up earlier than the other.
It is important to remember that twins can have very different sleeping routines. You might find that one baby is more sleepy than the other or prefers to be near you. In bedside crib that turns into cot might be best to provide each twin with their own bassinet or crib.
Look for twin bedside cots that have breathable mesh dividers for separate sleeping areas. This is crucial for babies that are prone to overheating, or families with mothers who have had c-sections. A reversible base as well as wheels that are easy to maneuver are also beneficial features. The Arm's Reach cot, designed for c-section mothers, is a great choice because it has a large sleeping space and is easy to maneuver. Other options are the Graco Pack 'n Play and the Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel, but they have smaller sleeping areas than the Arm's Reach cot.
Even if they're close, it's not recommended for twins to share the bed with an adult. It is an increased 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 areas, such as cribs or bassinets, in their parents' room for the first six months.