Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
Newborn twins sleep best when close to each other However, it's crucial to adhere to the safe sleep guidelines. The proper crib arrangement will help your twins develop a consistent sleeping routine.
A double bassinet that has the option of dividing it is a great choice for twins. These beds can be used as portable beds to allow parents to keep their infants close for feedings in the middle of the night and diaper changes. They are also great for babies who may outgrow their bassinets prior to 2.
Space-Saving
If you follow the safe sleeping guidelines, twins are able to be in a bedside crib side-by-side. They should be placed on their backs, with their heads touching and their feet at the opposite ends. They can also co-sleep in a Moses basket or regular crib once they're big enough.
We really love this Delta double bassinet. It includes a mesh divider, so that babies can stay separate, yet close to each and each other. It also comes with a storage compartment for wipes and snacks. Plus, it folds flat and makes it easy to move around the house or on trips.
Another option is this EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart, which swivels to bring fussy twins closer to you for feedings and calming. The sides are lowered and raised to make it easier for you to get in and lock into place for safety. It's a bit longer and heavier than other options, but great for second-floor or grandparents' homes. It also comes with a travel bag. 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 suggests that twins have their own secure sleeping space (crib or portable crib or bassinet) in the room of the parents or caregivers until they reach 12 months old to lower the risk for SIDS. This arrangement is known as co-bedding. It has been shown that twins who grew in this type of environment develop a more synchronized sleeping patterns.
A twin bedside cot, such as the Teknum FELLOW 2 is an excellent way to achieve this. It includes two sets of bedding, so that each baby gets their own personal space. This bedside cot is able to easily be moved from room to room when needed, and it provides a convenient way to monitor the baby without needing to wake them by re-entering their sleeping space or disrupting their sleep patterns.
Double bassinets are another option. They permit babies to sleep side-byside, and they're perfect for feedings and diaper changes during the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for instance, comes with an air-tight mesh partition and adjustable height so that every baby can be seen and reached throughout the night, and the sides of the sleeper are raised and lower to make it easy to access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet which is a less expensive option, has two sleep zones separated by a mesh panel allowing babies to see each one another. The sleeper also rotates around 360 degrees to allow an easy access for infants.
For situations that are temporary 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. However it is recommended to do this only under the supervision of a healthcare professional to ensure that the babies are properly positioned, with their feet to the bottom of the cot and their bedding properly tucked in to avoid them from becoming suffocating.
Safety
When it comes to twins sleeping together, the most crucial security feature is that each baby has his or her own space to sleep in. This ensures that each baby isn't smothered, or infected by the other. It also helps prevent cot deaths, which are more common in single infants than multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that triplets, twins, and higher-order multiples get their own sleeping space. The best way to do this is with a separate bassinet or twin bedside cots that could be placed close to your bed while you're feeding or soothing one of your babies throughout the night.
Although recent SIDS risk reduction guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with parents and disallow cobedding however, 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 documented that a large majority of families with twins who were cobedded in the first 3 months at home used unsafe sleep practices (room sharing without cobedding).
Parents of twins may not follow the current SIDS guidelines due to the desire to rest longer and lack of space at home to accommodate multiple cribs. In addition the socioeconomic standing of a family can influence their decisions about sleep arrangements.
If twins are placed side-by-side in a tiny crib or Moses basket, they could easily get caught in their bedding and could choke on one another. If you're planning to sleep your twins in the same cot it's important to place them in the position of feet-to-head and their bedding tucked securely into each cot to limit the chance of them smothering each other.
A bassinet for bed, such as the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the most secure and most convenient options for twins who want to be able to sleep independently. The double bassinet features an enclosed mesh wall that can separate twins and provide them with their own flat, safe sleeping surface. It rotates 360 degrees so you can bring your baby closer to you for feedings or soothing while still in the comfortable bed. Its sides lower and auto-return every time you move. It is also easy to clean, and can be tucked away into the standard twin-sized 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
It's a significant life change to welcome twins or multiples into the world. They require a lot of planning and thought not to mention in regards to where they will sleep and how they'll get a good night's sleep. Parents often wonder what they can do to help their children feel more comfortable in the early years of their lives.
It is possible for twins to share a single cot when they are very small. This is called co-bedding and it can be a great comfort to newborns as it reminds them of the womb. It is important to ensure that the beds are large enough for babies to be comfortable, without touching or rolling around. It is important to be aware that the baby who is the first to wake up must be fed. It is helpful to coordinate nighttime feeds so that you can get one of them up earlier than the other.
It is important to remember that twins have different sleep routines. You may find that one baby is waking more than the other, or that they prefer to be closer to you. In this situation it is possible to give each twin a separate crib or bassinet.
Look for twin bedside cots with breathable mesh dividers to create separate sleeping areas. This is especially important for babies who are susceptible to overheating, or families with c-section mothers. A reversible base and wheels that are easy to maneuver are also beneficial features. The Arm's Reach cot, specifically designed for mothers with c-sections, is a great choice due to its large sleeping area and is easy to move. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel are also options, but offer smaller sleeping areas than the Arm's Reach cot.
Even if they're very close, it's not recommended for twins to share a bed with an adult. This could increase the risk of SIDS and result in strangulation or suffocation. Instead, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins sleep in their own safe sleeping areas, like bassinets or cribs in their parents' room for the first six months.