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. A proper crib arrangement can aid your twins in establishing the same routine of sleeping.
A double bassinet that has an divider is a great option for twins. These beds can be used as portable beds to allow parents to keep their children close during middle-of-the-night feeds and diaper changes. They are also ideal for infants that may outgrow their bassinets before 2.
Space-Saving
As long as you follow safe sleeping guidelines, twins are able to sleep in a crib that is bedside side-by-side. They should sleep on their backs, with their heads touching and their feet at opposite ends. When they're big enough, they may also share a bed in a Moses Basket or a regular crib.
We love this Delta double bassinet. It has a mesh divider so that babies can stay separate, yet close to each the other. It comes with a handy storage pocket to keep snacks and wipes in the vicinity, too. It can also fold which makes it easy to move around the house or take on excursions.
This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart can swivel to allow you to bring fussy twins nearer to you to feed them and comfort them. The sides can be lowered and raised to make it easier to access them and they are secured for safety. It's a bit longer and heavier than other options however it is ideal for the second-floor or homes for grandparents. It also comes with a bag for travel. It's also a lot cheaper than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
It is not recommended that parents of twins place their babies in the same crib or bassinet. Rednose recommends that twins have their own safe sleeping area (crib, portable crib, or bassinet) in the room of the parents or caregivers until they reach 12 months to lower the risk of SIDS. This arrangement is known as co-bedding. It has been proven that twins who grew in this type of environment develop a more coordinated sleeping pattern.
One of the easiest ways to achieve this is by using twin bedside cots, like the Teknum FELLOW 2 that comes with two separate bedding sets to ensure that each baby has an individual and comfortable space. This bedside cot can also easily be moved from room to room when required, and provides a convenient way to check on the babies without having to wake them by re-entering their sleeping zone or disrupting their routines.
Other alternatives include double bassinets which have been designed specifically to allow infants to remain side-by-side and are ideal for middle-of-the-night feeding or changing diapers. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for instance, comes with an air-tight mesh partition and an adjustable height to ensure that each baby can be observed and reached at all times, while the sides of the sleeper can be raised and lowered to make it easy to access. If you prefer a more affordable alternative, the Walmart exclusive Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet is similar, having two sleeping zones separated by mesh panels that allow babies to see one another, and the entire sleeper can rotate 360 degrees to give easy access to each infant.
For short-term 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 that has dividers. However it is recommended to do this only under the supervision of a healthcare professional to ensure that babies are placed properly in a cot, with their feet at the bottom of the cot and all bedding properly tucked in to prevent them from suffocating.
Safety
The most important security feature for twins is that both babies has their own space to sleep. This will prevent each 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 in infants who are single than in multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that tritons, twins, and higher-ordered multiples have their own sleeping area. This can be accomplished by using an additional bassinet, or twin bedside crib that you can put on your bed to feed or sooth 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 a lot of families of twins and higher-order multiples aren't able to comply with these guidelines (1). A previous study revealed that the majority of families with twins who were cobedded in the first three months at home used unsafe sleeping practices (room sharing without cobedding).
Parents of twins may not follow the current SIDS risk reduction guidelines due to a desire to increase their own sleep duration and a lack of space to accommodate multiple cribs at home. In addition, the socioeconomic status of a family may influence their decisions about sleep arrangements.
If twins are positioned side-by-side in a tiny crib or Moses basket, they can easily get caught in their bedding, and possibly choke on one another. If you choose to sleep your twins together in the same cot, it is important to put them in the feet-to-head position and with their bedding tucked securely into each cot to limit the possibility of them colliding with each other.
A bedside bassinet, such as the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the safer and easier options for twins that want to be able to sleep independently. This double bassinet has an enclosed mesh wall that can divide twins and give them their own safe, flat sleeping surface. 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's also easy to clean and fits in the standard twin bed frame. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, look into the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet that is available at Walmart and offers similar features as the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
Welcoming twins or multiples to the world is an enormous life change. They also require a great deal of preparation and thought in regards to their sleeping arrangements and how they'll get a good night's sleep. best bedside cot for newborn cots4tots wonder what they can do to help their children feel comfortable at an early age.
It is possible for twins to share a crib when they are small. Co-bedding is a method for helping newborns feel at ease by reminding them of their womb. It is essential to ensure that the beds are big enough to allow the infants to be comfortable without having to touch each others or roll around. It is also important to keep in mind that the baby who awakes first needs to be fed. It can be beneficial to coordinate feeding times at night to ensure that you wake one up before the other.
It is crucial to remember that twins are very different and they might develop their own sleeping patterns. You might find that one child wakes more than the other, or that they prefer to be nearer to you. In this situation it is possible to give each twin their own crib or bassinet.
Look for twin bedside cots with breathable mesh dividers to create 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. A reversible base and wheels that are easy to move are also helpful features. The Arm's Reach cot, which is specifically designed for mothers with c-sections, is a great choice because it offers a huge sleeping space and is easy to move. Other options are the Graco Pack 'n Play and the Fisher-Price Easy Swivel however, they have less 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're close. This can increase the risk of SIDS and lead to suffocation or strangulation. Instead it is recommended that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins have their own secure sleeping areas, such as bassinets or cribs in their parent's room for the first six months.