Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
It's best to keep twins who are just born close to each other however, you must follow safety sleeping guidelines. The right crib arrangement will help your twins develop a consistent sleep routine.
A double bassinet with an divider is a great option for twins. These portable beds let parents keep their children close during middle-of-the-night feeds and diaper changes. They are also great for infants who might outgrow their bassinets before 2 years old.
Space-Saving
As long as you follow safe sleeping guidelines, twins can sleep in a crib that is bedside side-by-side. They should be positioned on their backs, with their heads touching and their feet at the opposite ends. When they're big enough, they can also sleep together in a Moses Basket or regular crib.
This Delta double bassinet features mesh dividers that allow 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 so that you can bring fussy twins nearer to you to feed them and soothe them. The sides can be raised and lowered to allow access, and they are secured to ensure safety. It's a bit bigger and heavier than other models, but great for second-floor or grandparent's homes. wooden bedside cot comes with a carry-on bag. It's also a lot less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
It is not recommended that parents of twins place their babies in the same crib or bassinet. Instead, the group Rednose recommends that twins be given their own safe sleeping space (crib, bassinet or portable crib) in the room of the parent or caregiver until they turn 12 months old to reduce the chance of SIDS. This is known as co-bedding. It has been demonstrated that twins who grew in this type of environment have a more synchronized sleeping pattern.
One of the easiest methods to accomplish this is by using twin bedside cots, like the Teknum FELLOW 2 which comes with two separate bedding sets to ensure that each baby has an area that is comfortable and private. The bedside cot can be easily moved from one room to the next as needed. It provides an easy and convenient way to check on your children without disrupting their sleep or awakening them.
Double bassinets are another option. They permit infants to sleep side-by-side and they're perfect for diaper changes or feedings in the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a mesh panel that is breathable and adjustable in height that allows each baby to be easily accessible and visible at all times. The sides of the sleeper can lower and raise for 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 a mesh panel that allows babies to see one another, and the entire sleeper can rotate 360 degrees to give an easy access to every infant.
Many parents have found that bedding twins together with moses baskets or a small bassinette could be a good option for situations that are temporary, like hospital stays or a visit to the family. However, this should be done only under the supervision of a medical professional to ensure that the babies are properly positioned in a cot, with their feet at the foot of the cot and their bedding is securely tucked in to avoid them from becoming suffocating.
Safety
When twins sleep together, the most crucial security feature is that each baby has his or her own sleep space. This will prevent each baby from being smothered, choked, or otherwise being choked by the other. This also helps to avoid 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 done with an individual bassinet or twin bedside crib that you can bring up to your bed to feed or sooth one of the babies throughout the night.
While the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently issued guidelines to lower the SIDS risk by encouraging room sharing and avoiding cobedding, a lot of families with twins and multiples find it difficult to adhere to these guidelines (1). In a previous study, it was found that the majority of twin families that co-bedded their children during the first three months of their lives at home engaged in unsafe sleep practices.
Parents of twins may not follow current SIDS recommendations due to a desire to sleep longer and lack of space at home to accommodate multiple cribs. Furthermore, socioeconomic status may influence family decisions regarding the arrangement of their sleep.
If twins are put in a small Moses basket or crib, their bedding could easily entangle them and they could choke on each other. If you decide to put your twins in the same cot ensure they are in a position that their feet are right next to their heads and their bedding is placed in each cot securely. This will reduce the chance of them choking on each one.
A bassinet for bed, such as the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the safer and easier options for twins who want to sleep in a separate bed. This double bassinet features a mesh wall that separates twins to give them each their own secure flat bed. It swivels a full 360 degrees, allowing you to bring one of your babies closer to you for feedings or soothing while still in the comfort of your bed, and its sides lower and auto-return with each movement. It is also easy to clean and can be tucked away into the standard twin-sized bed frame. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, look into the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet, which is available at Walmart and has similar features to the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
It's a huge change to welcome twins or multiples into the world. They require lots of planning and consideration, not least when it comes to where they will sleep and how they'll get a good night's sleep. While decisions regarding their bedroom space can be taken later in life parents are often unsure of what they can do to help them get comfortable in the early stages.
It is possible for twins to share a cot if they are small. Co-bedding is a method for soothing newborns by reminding them of their mother's womb. The most important thing is to ensure that the beds are large enough for babies to be comfortable, without touching or bouncing around. Also, keep in mind that the baby who is the first to wake up should be fed. It is helpful to coordinate feeding times at night in order to get one baby up before the other.
However, it is important to keep in mind that twins can be quite different and could have their own sleep routines. You may find that one child sleeps better than the other or is more comfortable being close to you. In this instance, it might be best for the twins to have their own bassinet or crib in their room.
When shopping for a twin bedside cot look for models that feature ventilated mesh dividers that can create separate sleeping zones. This is particularly important for babies more prone to overheating or families with c-section moms. Other helpful features include the reversible base, built-in storage space for blankets and toys, as well as easy-to-use wheels. The Arm's Reach cot, which is specifically designed for mothers who have a c-section is a fantastic choice due to its large sleeping area and is easy to move. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel are other options, but have a smaller sleeping space than the Arm's Reach cot.
Even if they're close, it is not recommended for twins to share a bed with an adult. There is a higher risk of SIDS and can cause suffocation, strangulation or entrapment. Instead, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins remain in their safe sleeping spaces, such as bassinets or cribs in their parents' rooms for the first six months.