Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
Twins in the newborn stage sleep best close to one another However, it's crucial to follow safe sleeping recommendations. Selecting the best crib arrangement can aid your twins in developing a consistent sleep routine.
A double bassinet with the option of dividing can be an ideal option for twins. These portable beds allow parents to keep their children close during diaper changes and mid-night feedings. They also work well for babies who may outgrow their bassinets before baby 2 years old.
Space-Saving
As long as you adhere to safe sleeping guidelines, twins are able to be in a bedside crib side-by-side. They should be positioned on their backs with their heads in a straight line and their feet on the opposite ends. They can also sleep together in a Moses basket or regular crib when they're old enough.
This Delta double bassinet features mesh dividers that allow babies to be separated but still close. It comes with a handy storage compartment to keep snacks and wipes in the vicinity as well. It's also foldable making it easy to move around the house and take on trips.
Another alternative is this EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart that swivels to bring the twins who are fussy closer to you for feedings and comfort. The sides can be raised and lowered for easy access, and are locked in place for security. It's a bit bigger 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
Parents of twins may be tempted to sleep the babies together in a single crib or bassinet, this is generally not recommended. Instead, the group Rednose recommends that twins be provided with their own private sleeping space (crib, bassinet or portable crib) in the parent/caregiver's room until they reach 12 months old to help reduce the chance of SIDS. This arrangement is also referred to as co-bedding, and it has been proven that twins who are accustomed to this sleeping environment will typically have a more synchronized sleep pattern than twins who sleep separately.
One of the most convenient ways to achieve this is by using a twin bedside cot like the Teknum FELLOW 2, which comes with two separate bedding sets, so that each baby can have an area that is comfortable and private. This bedside cot can also easily be moved from room to room as necessary, and also allows you to monitor the baby without having to wake them by re-entering their sleeping zone or disrupting their rhythms.
Other options include double bassinets which have been designed specifically to allow the infants to remain side-by-side and are ideal for nighttime feedings or diaper changes. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a mesh panel that breathes and is adjustable in height to allow each baby to be seen and reachable at all times. The sides of the sleeper adjust to lower and raise for quick access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet which is a more affordable option, has two sleep zones that are separated by a mesh panel which allows babies to see each other. The sleeper also rotates around 360 degrees, allowing an easy access for infants.
Many parents have found that co-bedding twins 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. This should only be done under the supervision of by a healthcare professional. They will ensure that the infants are correctly placed in a crib with their feet at the foot of the crib, and all bedding is tucked into.
Safety
When twins are sleeping together, the most crucial security feature is that each infant has his or her individual space to sleep. This helps prevent the baby from being smothered, choked or otherwise choking by the other. It also helps to prevent cot death, 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 space to sleep in. The best method to achieve this is to have an additional bassinet or twin bedside cots that could be positioned close to your bed when you feed or soothe one of the babies throughout the night.
Although recent SIDS risk reduction recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with a parent and avoid cobedding, the reality is that many families with twins and higher-order multiples have difficulty complying with these guidelines (1). In a previous study it was found that the majority of twin families who co-bedded their children during the beginning of their life at home engaged in unsafe sleep habits.
Parents of twins might not follow current SIDS recommendations due to a desire to sleep longer and a lack of space in their home to accommodate multiple cribs. Additionally over here of a family may influence their decisions about sleeping arrangements.
If twins are positioned side-by-side in a small crib or Moses basket, they can easily get caught in their bedding and potentially choke on one another. If you decide to sleep your twins together in the same cot, it is important to put them in the position of feet-to-head and with their bedding tucked securely into the cots to reduce their chances of smothering each other.
One of the safer and more practical alternatives for twins to sleep separately is a bedside bassinet like the Halo Bassinest Twin. The double bassinet features a mesh wall to divide twins and give them their own safe, flat mattress to sleep on. It can be swiveled 360 degrees, meaning you can bring your child closer to you without leaving your bed. The side walls automatically lower and return with every movement. It is easy to clean, and fits in a standard twin-sized bed frame. Check out the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet at Walmart. It has similar features as the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
Being welcomed by twins or multiples to the world is a huge life altering. They require plenty of planning and consideration, not least when it comes to where they will be sleeping and how they will get a good night's rest. Parents often ask themselves what they can do to make their children feel more comfortable from an early age.
When twins are still young, they are able to share a crib. Co-bedding is a method of soothing newborns by reminding them of their mother's womb. It is essential to ensure that the beds are large enough for infants to be comfortable without having to touch one others or roll around. It is also important to keep in mind that the baby who wakes first must be fed. It is helpful to coordinate night feeds to ensure that you wake up one baby before the other.
It is important to keep in mind that twins have different sleep patterns. You may find that one baby is more sleepy than the other or prefers to be near you. In this situation it might be best to give each twin a separate bassinet or crib.
Look for twin bedside cots with breathable mesh dividers for separate sleeping areas. This is important for babies that are prone to heat stroke or for families in which moms have had a c-section. Reversible bases and wheels that are easy to maneuver are also helpful features. The Arm's Reach cot, which is specifically designed for mothers with c-sections, is a great choice because it has a large sleeping area and is easy to move. 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 close, it's not recommended for twins to share a bed with an adult. It is an increased risk of SIDS, and can cause suffocation, strangulation or entrapment. Instead it is recommended that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins remain in their safe sleeping areas, such as cribs or bassinets, in their parents' rooms for the first six months.