Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
Newborn twins sleep best when close to one another, but it’s important to adhere to the safe sleep guidelines. Choosing the right crib arrangement will aid in the development of a consistent routine of sleep.
A double bassinet that has a divider can be a great choice for twins. These portable beds allow parents to keep their children close during diaper changes and mid-night feedings. They are also great for babies who may outgrow their bassinets before baby 2 years old.
Space-Saving
If you follow the safe guidelines for sleeping, twins can sleep in a crib that is rocking bedside Crib side-by-side. They should be positioned on their backs with their heads in a straight line and their feet on the opposite ends. They can also co-sleep in a Moses basket or a crib once they’re large enough.
We are in love with this Delta double bassinet. It features a mesh partition so that babies can stay separated but still close to one the other. It also comes with a storage compartment for wipes and snacks. It’s also foldable, making it easier to move around the house or take on excursions.
This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart, swivels so that you can bring your twins who are fussy closer to you to feed them and calm them. The sides lower and raise for access, and they lock into place for safety. It’s a bit larger and heavier than other alternatives, but it’s a great choice for grandparents’ or second-floor houses, and it comes with its own travel cot bedside bag. It’s also less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
It is not recommended that parents of twins sleep their babies in the same crib or bassinet. Rednose suggests that twins have their own safe sleeping space (crib, portable crib, or bassinet) in the room of the parents or caregivers until they reach the age of 12 months to reduce the chance of SIDS. This arrangement is also known as co-bedding, and it has been found that twins who have been accustomed to this type of sleeping environment typically have a more synchronized sleep pattern than twins who sleep on their own.
A twin bedside cot, such as the Teknum FELLOW 2 is a great method to accomplish this. It includes two sets of bedding, so that each baby has their own personal space. The bedside cots uk travel cot bedside crib can be easily moved from one room to another as needed. It provides an easy and convenient method to check on your babies without disturbing their sleep patterns or awakening them.
Other options include double bassinets, that have been specifically designed for infants that allow them to stay side-by-side and are perfect for mid-night feeding or changing diapers. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a mesh panel that breathes and is adjustable in height to allow each infant to be easily accessible and visible at all times. The sides of the sleeper also lower and raise to allow for easy access. If you prefer a more affordable alternative, the Walmart-exclusive Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet is similar, having two sleep zones separated by mesh panels that allow babies to see each other and the entire mattress swivels 360 degrees for an easy access to every infant.
For situations that are temporary like a family visit or hospitalization, many parents have found the benefits of co-bedding twins using a large moses basket or small bassinette with a divider. However, this should be done only under the supervision of a medical professional to ensure that the babies are placed properly in a cot, with their feet at the foot of the cot and their bedding is securely tucked in to prevent them from suffocating.
Safety
The most important safety feature for twins is that both babies have their own sleeping space. This ensures that each infant isn’t smothered or choked by the other. It also helps prevent cot deaths, which are more common with single babies than multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that triplets, twins and higher-order multiples get their own space to sleep in. This can be accomplished by using an additional bassinet, or a twin bedside crib and travel cot crib you can place on your bed to feed or soothe one of your babies during the night.
Although the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently issued guidelines to lower the SIDS risk by encouraging room sharing and disabling cobedding, many families of multiples and twins find it difficult to follow these guidelines (1). In a previous study, it was discovered that the majority of twin families that co-bedded their children in the first three months of their lives at home were engaged in dangerous sleep practices.
Parents of twins may not follow current SIDS risk reduction recommendations due to a desire prolong their own sleep and the inability to accommodate multiple cribs in the home. Furthermore, socioeconomic status may affect family decisions about sleeping arrangements.
If twins are placed together in a crib or Moses basket, they could easily be entangled by their bedding and could choke on one another. If you choose to put your twins in the same cot ensure they are in the position where their feet are next to their heads and their bedding is put into each cot securely. This will reduce the chance of them choking on each one.
One of the safer and more convenient options for twins to sleep independently is a bassinet that sits beside the bed like the Halo Bassinest Twin. This double bassinet has an enclosed mesh wall that can separate twins and provide them with their own safe, flat sleep surface. It swivels a full 360 degrees to bring one of your babies closer to you for feedings or calming without having to leave the comfortable bed, and its sides lower and auto-return with each movement. It’s also easy to clean and fits into the standard twin bed frame. Check out the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet at Walmart. It has similar features as the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
It is a major life change to welcome twins or multiples into the world. They require lots of planning and consideration, not least in regards to where they will sleep and how they will get a good night’s sleep. While decisions about their future bedroom space are made later in life parents often ask what they can do to help them to settle in the early stages.
When twins are still young, it is possible to share one cot. Co-bedding is a method of helping newborns feel at ease by reminding them of their womb. It is important to ensure that the beds are large enough for babies to feel comfortable without touching or bouncing around. You should also keep in mind that the baby who wakes up first should be fed. It is helpful to coordinate feeding times at night in order to get one baby up before the other.
It is crucial to keep in mind that twins are distinct and may develop their own sleep patterns. It could be that one baby is waking more than the other, or that they prefer to be close to you. In this instance, it may be best to provide each twin with their own crib or bassinet.
Look for twin bedside cots with breathable mesh dividers for sleeping areas that are separate. This is crucial for babies prone to overheating, or families with mothers who have had c-sections. Other helpful features include a reversible base, built-in storage for blankets and toys, and easy-to-use wheels. The Arm’s Reach cot is a great choice for these purposes because it has an ample sleeping space and is designed with mothers who have c-sections in mind. Other options are the Graco Pack ‘n Play and the Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel but they offer less sleeping space than the Arm’s Reach cot.
Even if they’re very close, it is not recommended for twins to share a bed with an adult. This can increase the risk of SIDS and cause strangulation or suffocation. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins be kept in their bassinets or cribs in their parents’ room for the first 6 months.