Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
Twins in the newborn stage sleep best close to one another, but it's important to adhere to safe sleeping guidelines. Selecting the best crib arrangement will help your twins develop an established routine for sleep.
A double bassinet that has an divider is a great option for twins. These beds can be used to keep their babies close for diaper changes as well as mid-night meals. They are also great for infants that may outgrow their bassinets prior to 2.
Space-Saving
If you adhere to safe guidelines for sleeping, twins can be in a bedside crib side-by-side. They should be positioned on their backs, with their heads touching and their feet at opposite ends. When they're old enough, they may also share a bed in a Moses Basket or regular crib.
We are in love with this Delta double bassinet. It features a mesh partition to allow babies to remain separate but close to each other. It also has a pocket for storage for snacks and wipes. It's also foldable making it easy to move around the home and travel with on trips.
Another alternative is the EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart, which swivels to bring fussy twins closer to you for feeding and soothing. The sides are lowered and raised for access and secure themselves to ensure your child's safety. It is a little longer and heavier than other models, but great for second floor or grandparents' homes. It also comes with a carry-on bag. It's also less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
It is not recommended that parents of twins place their babies in the same bassinet or crib. Instead, the group Rednose recommends that twins be given their own safe sleeping space (crib or bassinet, or a portable crib) in the parents' or caregiver's room until they reach 12 months old to help reduce the chance of SIDS. This arrangement is also known as co-bedding and it has been observed that twins who are used to this sleeping environment will often form a more synchronized sleeping pattern than twins who sleep on their own.
One of the most convenient ways to make this work is to use twin bedside cot s, like the Teknum FELLOW 2, that comes with two separate bedding sets so each baby can have an individual and comfortable space. The bedside cot can easily be moved from room to another as necessary, and also makes it easy to monitor the baby without having to wake them by re-entering their sleeping space or disrupting their rhythms.
Other alternatives include double bassinets specially designed to allow the infants to be side-by-side, and are perfect for mid-night feedings or diaper changes. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for instance, features a breathable mesh divider and adjustable height so that every baby is visible and reachable at all times, while the sides of the sleeper can be raised and lowered to allow easy access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet which is a more affordable alternative, has two sleeping zones that are separated by a mesh, permitting babies to view each the other. The sleeper also swivels around 360 degrees to allow easy access to the infants.
Many parents have found that bedding twins together with moses baskets or a small bassinette can be a good solution for situations that are temporary, like hospital stays or a family visit. This should only be done under the supervision by a medical professional. They will ensure that the babies are appropriately placed on their feet at the foot of the crib, and all bedding put in.
Safety
When twins sleep together, the most important security feature is that each infant has their individual space to sleep. This ensures that each infant is not smothered or otherwise trapped by the other. It also helps to prevent deaths in cots, which are more common with single babies than multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that tritons, twins and higher-ordered multis have their own space to sleep in. This can be done with an individual bassinet or twin bedside crib that you can put on your bed to feed or comfort one of the babies during the night.
While recent SIDS risk reduction guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with a parent and discourage cobedding however, the reality is that many 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 that co-bedded their children in the beginning of their life at home were engaged in dangerous sleep practices.
Parents of twins might not follow the current SIDS guidelines due to the desire to sleep longer and a absence of space in the home to accommodate multiple cribs. Furthermore, socioeconomic status may affect the family's decisions regarding sleeping arrangements.
If twins are put in a small Moses basket or crib, their bedding may easily be pulled together and they could choke eachother. If you're planning to sleep your twins in the same cot it is important to put them in the feet-to-head position and their bedding tucked securely into each cot to minimize the chance of them smothering each other.
A bedside bassinet, such as the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the most secure and most convenient options for twins that want to sleep in a separate bed. This double bassinet comes with an insulated mesh wall that separates twins so that they each have their own safe flat bed. It can be rotated 360 degrees, meaning you can bring your child closer to you without leaving your bed. The side walls automatically lower and then return with each movement. It is also easy to clean and can be tucked away into the standard twin-sized bed frame. Take a look at the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet at Walmart. It has similar features to 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 planning and thinking in regards to their sleeping arrangements and how they can have a restful night. Parents often wonder what they can do to help their children feel comfortable at an early age.
When twins are very young, it is possible to share a crib. Co-bedding is a method of soothing newborns by reminding them of their womb. The key is to make sure the beds are large enough to allow the infants to feel comfortable without touching each other or rolling around. It is also important to remember that the baby who awakes first needs to be fed. It is helpful to coordinate nighttime feeds so that you can wake one of them up earlier than the other.
However, it is important to keep in mind that twins can be very different and they might develop their own sleep routines. You might find that one of them wakes more than the other, or prefers to be closer to you. In this instance it might be best to give each twin a separate crib or bassinet.
When shopping for a twin bedside cot look for models that feature air-tight mesh dividers that create separate sleeping areas. This is essential for babies that are prone to heat stroke or for families where moms have had a c-section. Reversible bases and wheels that are easy to maneuver are also beneficial features. The Arm's Reach cot is an excellent option for these needs since it provides a spacious sleeping area and is designed with c-section moms in mind. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel are also options, but have smaller sleeping areas than the Arm's Reach cot.
Even if they're very close, it is not recommended that twins share a bed with an adult. This could increase the risk of SIDS and lead to strangulation or suffocation. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins be kept in their bassinets or cribs in their parents' rooms for the first six months.