Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
It is recommended to keep the twins who are just born close to each other however, you must adhere to the safety guidelines for sleeping. Choosing the right crib arrangement will help your twins develop a consistent routine of sleep.
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 and feedings at night. These beds are also ideal for babies who are likely to outgrow their baby bassinets by the time they reach toddlerhood.
Space-Saving
Twins can sleep side-by-side in a bedside crib, as long as you follow safe guidelines for sleeping (that's to say that they should be laid on their backs, with the tops of their heads overlapping each other and their feet placed at opposite ends of the cot). Once they are big enough, they can also share a bed in a Moses Basket or regular crib.
We are in love with this Delta double bassinet. It has a mesh divider to allow babies to remain separated but still close to one other. It also comes with a storage compartment for snacks and wipes. Plus, it folds flat, making it easy to manoeuvre around the house or on trips.
This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart can swivel to allow you to bring fussy twins nearer to you to feed them and calm them. The sides lower and raise for access and are secured to ensure safety. It's a bit bigger and heavier than other options but is great for the second-floor or grandparents' homes. It also comes with a carry-on bag. It's also less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
Many parents of twins might be enticed to put the twins together in one crib or bassinet however, this is not recommended. Rednose recommends that twins have their own secure sleeping area (crib, portable crib, or bassinet) in the room of the parents or caregivers until they reach the age of 12 months old to lower the risk of SIDS. This is referred to as co-bedding. It has been shown that twins who have grown in this environment develop a more coordinated sleeping pattern.
One of the most convenient ways to make this work is to use a twin bedside cot like the Teknum FELLOW 2 that comes with two separate bedding sets, so that every baby can have an area that is comfortable and private. This bedside cot can also easily be moved from room to room when required, and makes it easy to check on the babies without needing to wake them by re-entering their sleeping zone or disrupting their routines.
Other options include double bassinets which have been designed specifically to allow infants to remain side-by-side and are perfect for mid-night feedings or diaper changes. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a mesh panel that is breathable and adjustable in height to allow each baby to be easily accessible and visible at all times. The sides of the sleeper can lower and raise to allow for easy access. If bedside cots looking for a more affordable alternative, the Walmart exclusive Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet is similar, with two separate sleeping zones, separated by a mesh panel that allows babies to see one another, and the entire sleeper can rotate 360 degrees to give ease of access for each infant.
For short-term situations like an emergency family visit or hospital stay, many parents have found success with co-bedding twins in the large moses basket or small bassinette with a divider. This should only be done with the supervision of by a medical professional. They will make sure that the babies are appropriately placed on 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 they have their own bed. This prevents the baby from being smothered, choked or otherwise choking by the other. It also helps to prevent the death of a cot, which is more frequent with single infants than multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins, tritons and higher-ordered triplets have their own sleeping space. This can be accomplished by using a separate bassinet, or twin bedside crib that you can put on your bed to feed or sooth one of the babies throughout the night.
While recent SIDS risk reduction guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with parents and avoid cobedding, the reality is that a lot of families of twins and higher-order multiples have trouble adhering to these guidelines (1). In a prior study, it was found that the majority of twin families who cobedded their children in the first three months of life at home engaged in unsafe sleep practices.
Parents of twins might not follow the current SIDS guidelines due to a desire to sleep longer and lack of space at home to accommodate multiple cribs. In addition 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 can easily entangle them and they may choke on eachother. If you decide to place your twins in the same cot together ensure that they are placed in an area in which their feet are close to their heads and their bedding is put into each cot securely. This will decrease the possibility of them colliding on each other.
One of the safest and more practical options for twins to be able to sleep independently is a bassinet that sits beside the bed like the Halo Bassinest Twin. The double bassinet features an enclosed mesh wall that can divide twins and give them their own flat, secure mattress to sleep on. It can be turned 360 degrees, so you can bring your child closer to you without leaving your bed. The walls on the sides automatically lower and return with every movement. It's easy to clean and fits into a standard twin bed frame. If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, consider the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet available at Walmart. available at Walmart and comes with similar features as the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
It is a major life change to welcome twins or multiples into the world. Not least, they require a lot of planning and thinking when it comes to their sleeping arrangements and how they will get a good night's sleep. Parents often ask themselves what they can do to make their children feel more comfortable from an early age.
When twins are young, they are able to share one crib. Co-bedding is a method of helping newborns feel at ease by reminding them of their mother's womb. The key is to ensure that the beds are big enough to allow the infants to be comfortable without touching or bouncing around. It is also important to remember that the baby who waks first needs to be fed. It is helpful to co-ordinate night feeds so that you can wake one up before the other.
However, it is important to keep in mind that twins are very different and they might have their own sleep routines. You might find that one baby sleeps more than the other or is more comfortable being close to you. In this situation it may be beneficial for the twins to share their own bassinet or crib in their room.
When you are looking for a twin bedside cot look for models with air-tight mesh dividers that create distinct sleeping areas. This is especially important for babies susceptible to overheating, or for families with c-section moms. A reversible base as well as wheels that are easy to maneuver are also helpful features. The Arm's Reach cot, specifically designed for mothers with c-sections is a fantastic choice because it has a large sleeping area and is easy to move. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price's Easy Swaivel are both options, but offer smaller sleeping spaces than the Arm's Reach cot.
It is not recommended that twins sleep in the same bed as an adult even if they're very close. It is an increased risk of SIDS, and can cause suffocation, strangulation, or entrapment. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins be kept in their cribs or bassinets in their parents' room for the first six months.