Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
Twins who are just born sleep best close to each other It's vital to adhere to safe sleeping guidelines. Selecting the best crib arrangement will aid your twins in developing a consistent routine of sleep.
A double bassinet that comes with the option of dividing can be the ideal choice 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. These beds are also great for babies who may outgrow their bassinets for baby before they reach toddlerhood.
Space-Saving
As long as you follow the safe sleeping guidelines, 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. They can also sleep together in a Moses basket or a regular crib once they're big enough.
This Delta double bassinet has a mesh partition that allows babies to be separated, but still close. It also has a convenient storage pocket to keep snacks and wipes in the vicinity and also snacks. Additionally, it folds flat, making it easy to move around the house or on trips.
This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart is swivelling so that you can bring fussy twins nearer to you to feed them and comfort them. The sides lower and raise for access and secure themselves to ensure your child's safety. It's a bit longer and heavier than other options however it is ideal for the second-floor or grandparent's homes. It also comes with a bag for travel. It's also much cheaper than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
It is not recommended that parents of twins put their babies in the same bassinet or crib. Rednose recommends that twins have their own secure sleeping space (crib, portable crib, or bassinet) in the room of the caregivers/parents until they reach the age of 12 months to reduce the risk for SIDS. This arrangement is known as co-bedding. It has been demonstrated that twins who have grown in this type of environment have a more synchronized sleeping patterns.
A twin bedside cot, such as the Teknum FELLOW 2 is a fantastic method to accomplish this. It includes two sets of bedding so that each baby gets their own space. The bedside cot can easily be moved from room to another as necessary, and also makes it easy to monitor the baby without needing to wake them by re-entering their sleep zone or disrupting their sleep patterns.
Other alternatives include double bassinets which have been designed specifically to allow infants to stay side-by-side and are ideal for middle-of-the-night feeding or changing diapers. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a breathable mesh panel and adjustable height to allow each infant to be easily accessible and visible at all times. The sides of the sleeper can lower and raise to allow for easy access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet which is a more affordable alternative, has two sleeping zones separated by a mesh panel, permitting babies to view each other. The sleeper also swivels around 360 degrees to allow an easy access for infants.
For situations that are temporary, such as an unexpected family visit or hospitalization, many parents have found success in co-bedding twins in the large moses basket or small bassinette with divider. However this should be done only under the supervision of a medical professional to ensure that the babies are properly placed, with their feet to the floor of the cot and all bedding securely tucked in, to avoid them from becoming suffocating.
Safety
When it comes to twins sleeping together, the most crucial security feature is that each baby has their individual space to sleep. This ensures that each baby is not smothered or otherwise trapped by the other. It also helps to prevent cot death, which is more common in single babies than in multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that triplets, twins, and higher-order multiples get their own sleep space. The best method to achieve this is with a separate bassinet or twin bedside cot that can be placed close to your bed while you're feeding or soothing one of your babies throughout the night.
Although the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently issued recommendations to decrease the SIDS risk by encouraging room sharing and discouraging cobedding, many families with multiples and twins find it difficult to follow these guidelines (1). In a previous study, it was found that the majority of twin families who cobedded their children in the beginning of their life at home engaged in unsafe sleep practices.
Parents of twins may not adhere to current SIDS risk reduction recommendations due to a desire extend their own sleep time and the inability to accommodate multiple cribs at home. Additionally the socioeconomic standing of a family may affect their sleep arrangements.
If twins are positioned side-by-side in a small crib or Moses basket, they may easily be entangled by their bedding and could choke on each other. If you decide to place your twins in the same cot ensure they are in the position that their feet are right next to their heads and that their bedding is tucked into each cot securely. This will lessen the chance of them choking on each one.
One of the safest and more convenient options for twins to sleep independently is a bassinet that sits beside the bed like the Halo Bassinest Twin. This double bassinet has an enclosed mesh wall that can divide twins and give them their own flat, secure sleep surface. It can rotate 360 degrees so you can bring one of your children closer to you for feedings or calming without having to leave the comfort of your bed, and its sides lower and auto-return when you move. It's easy to clean and fits into the standard twin bed frame. Check out the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet at Walmart. It has the same features to the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
The arrival of twins or multiples into the world is a huge life altering. They require plenty of planning and consideration especially in regards to where they will sleep and how they will get a restful night's sleep. Parents often ask themselves what they can do to help their children feel more comfortable at an early age.
When twins are very young, they are able to share one cot. Co-bedding is a method for helping newborns feel at ease by reminding them of their mother's womb. It is essential to make sure that the beds are big enough to allow the infants to be comfortable without having to touch one other or roll around. best bedside cots should also remember that the baby that is the first to wake up must be fed. It can be beneficial to coordinate feeding times at night to ensure that you wake one up before the other.
It is crucial to remember that twins are quite different and could develop their own sleeping routines. It could be that one child wakes more than the other, or prefers to be nearer to you. In this case it might be best to give each twin a separate bassinet or crib.
Look for twin bedside cots that have breathable mesh dividers to create separate sleeping areas. This is especially important for babies prone to overheating, or families with mothers who have had c-sections. Other useful features include an adjustable base, built-in storage space for blankets and toys, as well as easy-to-maneuver wheels. The Arm's Reach cot is an excellent choice for these purposes because it has a spacious sleeping area and is designed with moms who have c-sections in mind. Other options include the Graco Pack 'n Play and the Fisher-Price Easy Swivel but they offer smaller sleeping areas than the Arm's Reach cot.
Even if they're extremely close, it's not recommended that twins share a 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 their parents' room for the first six months.