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. Selecting the best crib arrangement can aid in the development of an established routine for sleep.
A double bassinet with a divider can be the ideal choice for twins. These portable beds allow parents to keep their babies near for mid-night feedings and diaper changes. They are also ideal for infants who might outgrow their bassinets prior to 2 years old.
Space-Saving
Twins can sleep together in a bedside cot, so 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 facing each other and feet at opposite sides of the cot). When they're big enough, they may also share a bed in a Moses Basket or a regular crib.
We really love this Delta double bassinet. bedside cot reviews includes a mesh divider, so that babies can stay separated but still close to one the other. It also has a pocket for storage for snacks and wipes. It's also foldable, making it easier to move around the house or take on trips.
Another option is this EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart It can swivel to bring the twins who are fussy closer to you for feedings and calming. The sides are lowered and raised to allow access, and they secure themselves to ensure your child's security. It is a little longer and heavier than the other options, but great for second floor or grandparent's homes. It also comes with a bag for travel. It's also a lot less expensive 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 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 proven that twins who have been accustomed to this sleeping environment will generally have a more coordinated sleep pattern than those who sleep in separate rooms.
One of the easiest ways to achieve 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. This bedside cot is able to easily be moved from room to room when required, and makes it easy to check on the babies without having to wake them up by re-entering their sleeping zone or disrupting their rhythms.
Double bassinets are an alternative. They allow babies to sleep side-byside, and are ideal for feedings and diaper changes during the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a breathable mesh panel and adjustable height that allows each baby to be easily accessible and visible at all times. The sides of the sleeper lower and raise for easy access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet which is a less expensive alternative, has two sleeping zones separated by a mesh panel, which allows babies to see each the other. The sleeper can also rotate around 360 degrees to allow easy access to the infants.
For temporary situations, such as an unexpected family visit or hospitalization, many parents have found the benefits of co-bedding twins using the large moses basket or small bassinette with divider. This should only be done with the supervision of by a healthcare professional. They will make sure that the babies are appropriately placed, with their feet placed at the foot of the crib, and all bedding is tucked into.
Safety
The most important safety aspect for twins is that each baby have their own sleeping space. This ensures that each infant isn't smothered, or choked by the other. This also helps avoid the death of a cot, which is more prevalent in infants with one parent than in multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins, tritons and higher-ordered triplets have their own sleeping area. The best way to do this is by having an additional bassinet or twin bedside cots that could be placed close to your bed when you feed or soothe one of the babies throughout the night.
While recent SIDS risk reduction guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with a parent and avoid cobedding but the reality is that a lot of families of twins and higher-order multiples have trouble adhering to these guidelines (1). A previous study documented that a large majority of families of twins that were cobedded during the first 3 months at home used unsafe sleep practices (room sharing without cobedding).
Parents of twins may not follow the current SIDS risk reduction guidelines because of a desire to prolong their own sleep and the inability to accommodate multiple cribs in the home. Additionally the socioeconomic status of a family can influence their choices regarding the arrangement of their sleep.
When twins are placed side-by-side in a tiny crib or Moses basket, they may easily be entangled by their bedding and potentially choke on each other. If you're planning to sleep your twins in the same cot, it is essential to place them in a head-to-foot position and have their bedding securely tucked into each cot to limit the chance of them smothering each other.
A bassinet that is positioned at the bedside, like the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the safest and more convenient options for twins who want to sleep separately. This double bassinet comes with mesh walls that separate twins so that they each have their own secure, flat sleep surface. It swivels a full 360 degrees so you can bring your baby closer to you for feedings or to soothe without having to leave the comfortable bed, and its side walls lower and automatically return when you move. It's also easy to clean and can be tucked away in the standard twin bed frame. If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, check out the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet, which is available at Walmart and offers similar features to the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
Being welcomed by twins or multiples to the world is a huge life altering. Not least, they require a great deal of preparation and thought in regards to their sleeping arrangements and how they will get a good night's sleep. While decisions about their future bedroom space are made as they age parents often ask how they can help their children to settle in the early stages.
When twins are still young, it is possible to share one crib. Co-bedding is a method of soothing newborns by reminding them of their mother's womb. It is important to make sure that the beds are big enough to allow the newborns to feel at ease without touching each other or roll around. You should also remember that the baby that is the first to wake up must be fed. It can be beneficial to coordinate nighttime feeds to ensure that you wake one of them up earlier than the other.
It is important to remember that twins can have very different sleep patterns. You might find that one baby is waking more than the other or that they prefer to be closer to you. In this instance it may be beneficial for the twins to have their own crib or bassinet in their room.
When shopping for a twin bedside cot look for models that feature breathable mesh dividers to create distinct sleeping areas. This is particularly important for babies more prone to overheating or for families with mothers who have had c-sections. Other helpful features include an adjustable base, built-in storage space for blankets and toys, and easy-to-maneuver wheels. The Arm's Reach cot, which is designed for c-section mothers is a great option due to its large sleeping space and is easy to move. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel are other options, but offer a smaller sleeping space than the Arm's Reach cot.
It is not recommended to sleep with twins in the same bed as an adult, even if they are very close. This could increase the risk of SIDS and cause strangulation or suffocation. Instead, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins have their own secure sleeping areas, like cribs or bassinets, in their parent's room for the first six months.