Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
It is recommended to keep the twins who are just born close to each other, but you should also follow safety sleeping guidelines. The right crib arrangement can help your twins develop a consistent sleep routine.
A double bassinet that has a divider can be a great choice for twins. These portable beds allow parents to keep their children close during diaper changes as well as mid-night meals. These beds are also ideal for babies who might outgrow their bassinets when they reach toddlerhood.
Space-Saving
Twins can sleep side-by-side in a bedside cot as long as you follow the safe sleeping guidelines (that's to say that they should be lying on their backs with the tops of their heads overlapping each other and feet at opposite sides of the cot). They can also sleep together in a Moses basket or a crib once they're large enough.
This Delta double bassinet has mesh dividers that allow babies to be separated, but still close. It also has a convenient storage compartment to keep snacks and wipes in the vicinity and also snacks. Plus, it folds flat and makes it easy to move around the house or on trips.
bedside co sleeper cot is this EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart that swivels to bring the twins who are fussy closer to you for feeding and soothing. The sides lower and raise to allow access and secure themselves to ensure your child's security. It's a bit heavier and longer than other options, but it's great for second floors or grandparents houses, and it comes with a travel bag. It's also a lot cheaper than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
Parents of twins may be tempted to put the twins together in one crib or bassinet however, this is not recommended. Instead the Rednose group Rednose suggests that twins be provided with their own private sleeping space (crib, bassinet or portable crib) in the parent/caregiver's room until they turn 12 months old in order to reduce the risk of SIDS. This is known as co-bedding. It has been demonstrated that twins who have grown up in this environment develop a more synchronized sleeping patterns.
A twin bedside cot such as the Teknum FELLOW 2 is a fantastic way to achieve this. It comes with two sets of bedding to ensure that each baby has their own space. This bedside cot is also easily moved from one room to the next depending on the need. It provides a convenient and easy way to monitor your baby without disrupting their sleep or wake them up.
Double bassinets are a different option. They allow infants to be side-by-side, and are perfect for diaper changes or feedings in the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a mesh panel that breathes and is adjustable in height that allows each baby to be seen and reachable at all times. The sides of the sleeper lower and raise for easy access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet which is a more affordable alternative, has two sleeping zones separated by a mesh, allowing babies to see each other. The sleeper also rotates around 360 degrees to allow easy access to the infants.
For situations that are temporary, such as a family visit or hospitalization Many parents have had the benefits of co-bedding twins using the large moses basket or small bassinette with a divider. This should only be done under the supervision a healthcare provider. They will make sure that the babies are properly placed in a crib with their feet at the foot of the crib, and all bedding is tucked into.
Safety
The most important safety feature when it comes to twins is that they have their own bed. This ensures that every infant isn't smothered or choked by the other. It also helps prevent deaths in cots, which are more common in single infants than multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that tritons, twins and higher-ordered multis have their own sleeping area. The best method to achieve this is with a separate bassinet or twin bedside cots that could be brought up close to your bed while you feed or soothe one of the babies during the night.
Although the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently issued guidelines to lower the SIDS risk by encouraging room sharing and discouraging cobedding, many families with twins and multiples have found it difficult to follow these guidelines (1). A previous study documented that a majority of families with twins who were cobedded during the first 3 months at home used unsafe sleeping practices (room sharing without cobedding).
Parents of twins may not follow current SIDS recommendations due to the desire to rest longer and the absence of space in the home to accommodate multiple cribs. Additionally the socioeconomic standing of a family can influence their decisions about the arrangement of their sleep.
If twins are put in a small Moses basket or crib, their bedding could easily be pulled together and they could choke eachother. If you choose to sleep your twins in the same cot it is important to put them in the feet-to-head position and with their bedding securely tucked into the cots to reduce the chance of them smothering each other.
One of the safest and more practical options for twins to be able to sleep independently is a bedside bassinet like the Halo Bassinest Twin. The double bassinet has an insulated mesh wall that separates twins, giving them their own safe, flat sleep surface. It can rotate 360 degrees so you can bring your baby closer to you for feedings or to soothe while still in the peace of your bed. Its side walls lower and automatically return when you move. It's easy to clean and fits into the standard twin bed frame. If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, look into the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet available at Walmart. available at Walmart and comes with similar features as the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
Being welcomed by twins or multiples to the world is a huge life change. Not least, they require a lot of preparation and thought in regards to their sleeping arrangements and how they will have a restful night. While the decisions regarding their future bedroom space can be taken later in life, parents often wonder how they can help their children to feel comfortable in the beginning stages.
It is possible for twins to share a cot if they are small. This is called co-bedding and can provide excellent comfort for babies as it helps them remember the womb. It is important to ensure that the beds are large enough to allow newborns to feel at ease without touching each other or roll around. It is important to remember that the baby that awakes first should be fed. It can be beneficial to co-ordinate night feeds so that you can get one up earlier than the other.
However, it is important to keep in mind that twins are very different and they might develop their own sleep patterns. You may find that one child sleeps better than the other or prefers to be near you. In this situation it could be beneficial for the twins to share their own crib or bassinet in their room.
When you are looking for a twin bedside cot, ensure that it has breathable mesh dividers to create separate sleeping zones. This is crucial for babies who are prone to overheating, or for families with c-section mothers. A reversible base and wheels that are easy to move are also useful features. The Arm's Reach cot is a good option for this purpose, as it offers an ample sleeping space and is designed with moms who have c-sections in mind. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel are other alternatives, but they have smaller sleeping spaces than the Arm's Reach cot.
Even if they're extremely close, it's not recommended to let twins share the bed with an adult. This increases the risk of SIDS and may result in suffocation strangulation or entrapment. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins sleep in their own bassinets or cribs in the parents' bedrooms for the first six months.