Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
It is recommended to keep the twins in the infant stage close together, but you should also adhere to the safety guidelines for sleeping. Choosing the right crib arrangement will aid in the development of an established routine for sleep.
A double bassinet that has an divider is an ideal option for twins. These beds can be used as portable beds to allow parents to keep their babies near for mid-night feedings and diaper changes. These beds are also ideal for babies who may outgrow their bassinets for baby when they reach toddlerhood.
Space-Saving
Twins can sleep together in a bedside cot, so long as you follow the safe sleeping guidelines (that's to say that they should be lying on their backs with the tops of their heads touching each other and their feet placed at opposite sides of the cot). They can also share a bed in a Moses basket or regular crib once they're large enough.
This Delta double bassinet comes with a mesh divider that allows babies to be separated, but still close. It also has a storage pocket for snacks and wipes. It can also fold which makes it easy to move around the home and take on excursions.
Another alternative is this EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart that swivels to bring the twins who are fussy closer to you for feeding and comfort. The sides lower and raise to allow access, and they secure themselves to ensure your child's security. It is a little longer 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 a lot cheaper than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
Parents of twins may be tempted to place their babies in a single crib or bassinet, this is generally not recommended. Rednose recommends that twins have their own secure sleeping area (crib, portable crib, or bassinet) in the room of the caregivers/parents until they reach the age of 12 months old to lower the chance of SIDS. This arrangement is also known as co-bedding and it has been proven that twins who are accustomed to this type of sleeping environment generally have a more coordinated sleeping pattern than twins who sleep in separate rooms.
A twin bedside cot like the Teknum FELLOW 2 is a fantastic method to accomplish this. It comes with two separate sets of bedding so that each baby has their own personal space. This bedside cot is able to easily be moved from room to another as required, and allows you to monitor the baby without needing to wake them by re-entering their sleep zone or disrupting their routines.
Other options include double bassinets that have been specifically designed for infants that allow them to remain side-by-side and are ideal for nighttime feeds or diaper changes. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a breathable mesh panel and adjustable height to allow each infant to be seen and reachable at all times. The sides of the sleeper can adjust to lower and raise for quick access. If you prefer a more affordable option, the Walmart-exclusive Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet is similar, having two separate sleeping zones, separated by a mesh panel that allows babies to see one another and the entire mattress swivels 360 degrees for an easy access to every infant.
Many parents have discovered that bedding twins together with a moses basket, or a smaller bassinette, is a great option for situations that are temporary, like hospital stays or a visit to the family. This should only be done under the supervision by a healthcare professional. They will make sure that the babies are appropriately placed in a crib with their feet placed at the foot of the crib and all bedding put in.
Safety
The most important safety feature when it comes to twins is that they have their own bed. This will prevent the baby from being smothered, choked or otherwise choking by the other. It also helps to prevent deaths in cots, which are more frequent with single infants than multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that triplets, twins and higher-order multiplications have their own sleeping space. The best method to achieve this is by having an additional bassinet or twin bedside cots that could be positioned close to your bed while you feed or soothe one of the babies during the night.
While the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently issued recommendations to reduce the SIDS risk by encouraging room sharing and avoiding cobedding, many families with twins and multiples have found it difficult to adhere to these guidelines (1). In a previous study, it was discovered that the majority of twin families who cobedded their children in the first three months of their lives at home engaged in unsafe sleeping habits.
Parents of twins might not follow current SIDS recommendations due to the desire to sleep longer and the absence of space in the home to accommodate multiple cribs. In addition, socioeconomic status could affect the family's decisions regarding the arrangement of their sleep.
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 each other. If you decide to sleep your twins together 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 other.
One of the safer and more practical alternatives for twins to sleep independently is a bedside bassinet like the Halo Bassinest Twin. The double bassinet comes with mesh walls to separate twins and provide them with their own flat, safe mattress to sleep on. It can be turned 360 degrees, so you can bring your child closer to you without having to leave your bed. The side walls automatically lower and then return with each movement. It's also easy to clean and fits into 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 as the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
The arrival of twins or multiples into the world is a major life-changing. Not only that, they require a lot of preparation and thought regarding their sleeping arrangements and how they will get a good sleep. While decisions regarding their bedroom space can be taken as they age parents often ask what they can do to help them to feel comfortable in the beginning stages.
It is possible for twins to share a cot when they are very small. Co-bedding is a method of comforting newborns by reminding them of their mother's womb. It is important to make sure the beds are big enough for babies to be comfortable, without touching or bouncing around. Also, be aware that the baby who wakes up first should be fed. It can be beneficial to coordinate nighttime feeds to ensure that you wake one up earlier than the other.
It is crucial to keep in mind that twins can be quite different and could develop their own sleeping routines. You may find that one baby sleeps more than the other or prefers to be near you. In this instance it may be beneficial for the twins to have their own bassinet or crib in their room.
When looking for a twin bedside cot, look for models with air-tight mesh dividers that create distinct sleeping spaces. This is particularly important for babies susceptible to overheating, or families with c-section moms. Other beneficial features include an adjustable base, built-in storage for blankets and toys, as well as easy-to-use wheels. The Arm's Reach cot, which is designed for c-section mothers 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 have a smaller sleeping space than the Arm's Reach cot.
Even if they're extremely close, it is not recommended that twins share the bed with an adult. foldable bedside crib is an increased risk of SIDS, and may result in suffocation strangulation or entrapment. Instead it is recommended that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins sleep in their own safe sleeping areas, like cribs or bassinets, in their parents' room for the first six months.