Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
Newborn twins sleep best when close to each other It's vital to follow safe sleeping recommendations. A proper crib arrangement can help your twins develop the same routine of sleeping.
A double bassinet that has a divider is a great choice for twins. These portable beds let parents keep their children close during middle-of-the-night feeds and diaper changes. They are also ideal for babies who may outgrow their bassinets prior to 2 years old.
Space-Saving
As long as you follow the safe sleeping guidelines, twins are able to sleep 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 co-sleep in a Moses basket or a crib once they're large enough.
We love this Delta double bassinet, which includes a mesh divider, so that babies can stay separated but still close to one other. It comes with a handy storage pocket to keep snacks and wipes in the vicinity and also snacks. It can also fold, making it easier to move around the house and travel with on trips.
This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart, swivels to allow you to bring your twins who are fussy closer to you to feed them and comfort them. The sides can be lowered and raised for easy access, and are locked in place for security. It's a bit heavier and longer than other options, but it's great for grandparents' or second-floor homes, and it comes with its own travel 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 bassinet or crib but this is not generally recommended. Instead the Rednose group Rednose suggests that twins are provided with their own private sleeping space (crib or bassinet or portable crib) in the parent/caregiver's room until they are 12 months old to reduce the risk of SIDS. This arrangement is known as co-bedding. It has been shown that twins who have grown in this type of environment have a more synchronized sleeping patterns.
One of the most convenient ways to make this work is with a twin bedside cot like the Teknum FELLOW 2 that comes with two distinct bedding sets so each baby can have a personal and comfortable space. The bedside cot can easily be moved from room to room as required, and allows you to check on babies without having to wake them up by re-entering their sleep zone or disrupting their sleep patterns.
Double bassinets are a different option. They permit babies to sleep side-byside, and are ideal for feedings and diaper changes in the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for instance, comes with an air-tight mesh partition and a height that can be adjusted so that every baby can be observed and reached at all times, and the sides of the sleeper can be raised and lowered to give easy access. If you prefer a more affordable alternative, the Walmart exclusive Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet is similar, featuring two sleep zones separated by mesh panels that allow babies to view each other and the entire mattress swivels 360 degrees for easy access to each infant.
Many parents have realized that bedding twins together with moses baskets, or a small bassinette is a great option for situations that are temporary, such as a hospital stay or a family visit. bedside rocking crib should only be done under the supervision a healthcare provider. They will ensure that the babies are appropriately placed in a crib with their feet placed at the foot of the crib, and all bedding is tucked in.
Safety
When twins are sleeping together, the most crucial safety feature is that each baby has their own sleep space. This will prevent the baby from being smothered, choked or otherwise being choked by the other. This also helps to avoid the death of a cot, which is more frequent with single infants than multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that tritons, twins, and higher-ordered triplets have their own sleeping area. This can be done by using a separate bassinet, or a twin bedside crib you can bring up to your bed to feed or comfort one of the babies throughout the night.
While the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently issued recommendations to decrease the risk of SIDS by encouraging room sharing and disabling cobedding, many families with multiples and twins find it difficult to adhere to these guidelines (1). A previous study found that the 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 current SIDS risk reduction recommendations due to a desire extend their own sleep time and a lack of space to accommodate multiple cribs at home. In addition, socioeconomic status could affect family decisions about sleeping arrangements.
If twins are put in a small Moses basket or crib, their bedding could easily entangle them and they could choke eachother. If you decide to put your twins in the same cot it's important to place them in the position of feet-to-head and with their bedding tucked securely into each cot to limit the chance of them smothering each one.
A bassinet for bed, such as the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the most secure and easier alternatives for twins who wish to be able to sleep independently. The double bassinet comes with a mesh wall to separate twins and give them their own flat, safe sleeping surface. It rotates 360 degrees so you can bring one of your children closer to you for feedings or to soothe while still in the comfort of your bed, and its sides lower and auto-return with each movement. It's easy to clean and fits in a standard twin bed frame. Take a look at the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet at Walmart. It comes with the same features to the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
Welcoming twins or multiples to the world is an enormous life-changing. They require a lot of planning and consideration especially when it comes to where they will sleep and how they will get a restful night's sleep. While decisions about their future bedroom space can be taken when they are older, parents often wonder what they can do to help them get comfortable in the early stages.
When twins are still young, they can be able to share a crib. This is called co-bedding and can provide great comfort to newborns as it brings them back to the mother's womb. The most important thing is to ensure that the beds are big enough to allow the infants to be comfortable without touching or bouncing around. It is important to remember that the baby that wakes up first should be fed. It can be beneficial to coordinate nighttime feeds so that you can get one up earlier than the other.
It is important to be aware that twins have different sleep routines. It could be that one of them wakes more than the other, or they prefer to be close to you. In this situation it may be beneficial for twins to have their own bassinet or crib in their room.
Choose a cot with twin beds with breathable mesh dividers for separate sleeping areas. This is crucial for infants who are susceptible to heat stroke or for families where moms have had a c-section. A reversible base and wheels that are easy to move are also useful features. The Arm's Reach cot is a great option for this purpose, as it offers a large sleeping area and is designed with moms who have c-sections in mind. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel are also alternatives, but they have smaller sleeping areas than the Arm's Reach cot.
It is not recommended that twins sleep in the same bed as an adult even if they're close. This could increase the risk of SIDS and cause suffocation or strangulation. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins should be kept in their bassinets or cribs in the parents' bedrooms for the first six months.