Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
It is best to keep your newborn twins close together, but you should also adhere to the safety guidelines for sleeping. The proper crib arrangement will help your twins develop an established routine for sleeping.
A double bassinet that comes with a divider can be an ideal option for twins. These beds can be used to keep their infants close for diaper changes and feedings at night. These beds are also ideal for babies who may outgrow their baby bassinets by the time they reach toddlerhood.
Space-Saving
Twins can sleep side-by-side in a bedside cot, as long as you follow safe sleeping guidelines (that's to say they should lie on their backs, with the tops of their heads touching each other and their feet placed at opposite sides of the cot). Once they are big enough, they can also sleep together in a Moses Basket or regular crib.
This Delta double bassinet comes with a mesh divider that allows children to be separated but still close. It also has a storage pocket for wipes and snacks. It is also foldable making it easy to move around the house or take on trips.
Another alternative is the EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart that swivels to bring your twins' fluttery little ones closer to you for feeding and comfort. bedside cot for twins and raise to make it easier for you to get in, and they lock into place for safety. It is a little longer and heavier than other models, but great for second-floor or grandparent's homes. It also comes with a bag for travel. It's also less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
Parents of twins might be enticed to sleep the babies together in one crib or bassinet, this is generally not recommended. Rednose suggests that twins have their own secure sleeping space (crib, portable crib, or bassinet) in the room of the caregivers/parents until they reach 12 months to reduce the chance of SIDS. This arrangement is also known as co-bedding. It has been found that twins who are used to this sleeping environment will generally have a more coordinated sleeping pattern than twins who sleep in separate rooms.
One of the most efficient methods to accomplish this is by using a twin bedside cot, like the Teknum FELLOW 2 that comes with two distinct bedding sets, so that each baby has 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 needing to wake them by re-entering their sleep zone or disrupting their sleep patterns.
Double bassinets are a different option. They allow infants to be side-by-side, and they're perfect for feedings and diaper changes in the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a mesh panel that breathes and is adjustable in height that allows each baby to be seen and reachable at all times. The sides of the sleeper also 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 allowing babies to see each one another. The sleeper also rotates around 360 degrees, allowing easy access to the infants.
Many parents have found that bedding twins in a moses basket, or a smaller bassinette, is a great option in situations of a short duration, such as hospitalization or a visit to the family. This should only be done under the supervision of by a healthcare professional. They will ensure that the babies are appropriately placed on their feet at the foot of the crib, and all bedding put into.
Safety
The most important security feature when it comes to twins is that each baby have their own bed. This ensures that each infant isn't smothered, or choked 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 recommends that triplets, twins and higher-order multiples get their own sleep space. The best way to do this is with an additional bassinet or twin bedside cots that could be brought up close to your bed when you feed or soothe one of your babies throughout the night.
While recent SIDS risk reduction guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with a parent and discourage cobedding but the reality is that a lot of families of twins and other higher-order multiples aren't able to comply with these guidelines (1). In a prior study, it was discovered that the majority of twin families that cobedded their children in the first three months of life at home were engaged in dangerous sleeping habits.
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, socioeconomic status could affect the family's decisions regarding the arrangement of their sleep.
If twins are placed in a small Moses basket or crib, their bedding could easily be pulled together and they could choke eachother. If you choose to sleep your twins in the same cot, it is essential to place them in the position of feet-to-head and their bedding secured in each cot to minimize their chances of smothering each one.
A bassinet that is positioned at the bedside, like the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the safest and easier alternatives for twins who wish to sleep separately. The double bassinet has a mesh wall that separates twins, giving them their own secure flat bed. It swivels a full 360 degrees to bring one of your children closer to you for feedings or calming while still in the comfort of your bed, and its sides lower and auto-return every time you move. It is easy to clean, and can be tucked away into the standard twin-sized bed frame. Check out the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet at Walmart. It has the same features to the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
Being welcomed by twins or multiples to the world is a huge life-changing. bedside cot for twins require a great deal of planning and thinking in regards to their sleeping arrangements and how they can have a restful night. Parents often wonder what they can do to make their children feel more comfortable at an early age.
When twins are still young, it is possible to share one crib. Co-bedding is a method for comforting newborns by reminding them of their womb. It is crucial to ensure that the beds are big enough for babies to feel comfortable without having to touch each others or roll around. Also, keep in mind that the baby who is the first to wake up should be fed. It is helpful to coordinate feeding times at night to ensure that you wake up one baby before the other.
It is important to be aware that twins may have different sleep routines. It could be that one baby is waking more frequently than the other or that they prefer to be close to you. In this case, it might be best for twins to have their own crib or bassinet in their room.
Find twin bedside cots that have breathable mesh dividers to create separate sleeping areas. This is especially important for babies more prone to overheating or families with c-section mothers. Other beneficial features include the reversible base, built-in storage for blankets and toys, and easy-to-maneuver wheels. The Arm's Reach cot, which is specifically designed for mothers who have a c-section, is a great choice because it has a large sleeping area and is easy to move. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel are other alternatives, but they have a smaller sleeping space than the Arm's Reach cot.
It is not recommended that twins sleep in the same bed with an adult, even if they are close. This can increase the risk of SIDS and cause suffocation or strangulation. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins sleep in their own cribs or bassinets in their parents' bedrooms for the first six months.