Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
It's best to keep twins in the infant stage close together However, you must adhere to the safety guidelines for sleeping. A proper crib arrangement can help your twins establish the same routine of sleeping.
A double bassinet that has a divider can be a great choice for twins. These portable beds let parents keep their children close during middle-of-the-night feeds and diaper changes. They are also ideal for infants that may outgrow their bassinets prior to 2 years old.
Space-Saving
As long as you follow the safe sleeping guidelines, twins are able to sleep in a crib that is bedside side-by-side. They should be placed on their backs, with their heads touching and their feet at the opposite ends. They can also share a bed in a Moses basket or a crib once they're large enough.
We love this Delta double bassinet, which has a mesh divider so that babies can stay separate, yet close to each other. It comes with a handy storage compartment that can keep snacks and wipes close by and also snacks. It can also fold which makes it easy to move around the house and take on excursions.
This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart can swivel to allow you to bring your twins closer to you to feed them and calm them. The sides are lowered and raised to allow access and lock into place for safety. It's a bit longer and heavier than other models, but great for second-floor or grandparents' homes. It also comes with a travel bag. It's also less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
While many parents of twins may be tempted to place their babies in a single bassinet or crib, this is generally not recommended. Instead, the group Rednose recommends that twins be given their own safe sleeping space (crib or bassinet, or a portable crib) in the parents' or caregiver's room until they turn 12 months old to reduce the chance of SIDS. This arrangement is also referred to as co-bedding, and it has been observed that twins who are used to this type of sleeping environment typically have a more synchronized sleeping pattern than twins who sleep on their own.
A twin bedside cot, such as the Teknum FELLOW 2 is a great way to accomplish this. It includes two sets of bedding, so that each baby gets their own personal space. This bedside cot is also easily moved from one room to another when needed. It is an easy and convenient method to check on your children without disrupting their sleep or awakening them.
Double bassinets are another option. They permit infants to sleep side-by-side and are perfect for feedings and diaper changes during 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 easily accessible and visible at all times. The sides of the sleeper can adjust to lower and raise for quick access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet which is a more affordable alternative, has two sleeping zones that are separated by a mesh panel, which allows babies to see each one another. The sleeper also swivels around 360 degrees, allowing easy access to infants.
For temporary situations, such as a family visit or hospital stay Many parents have had success in co-bedding twins in a large moses basket or small bassinette that has dividers. However this should be done 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 all bedding properly tucked in to avoid them from becoming suffocating.
Safety
The most important safety aspect when it comes to twins is that they has their own space to sleep. This ensures that each infant is not smothered or otherwise trapped by the other. It also helps to prevent the death of a cot, which is more common with single babies than multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that triplets, twins, and higher-order multiplications have their own space to sleep in. The best way to do this is with an additional bassinet or twin bedside cots that can be placed close to your bed while you're feeding or soothing one of the babies during the night.
While recent SIDS risk reduction recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with parents and discourage cobedding but the reality is that many families with twins and higher-order multiples aren't able to comply with these guidelines (1). A previous study found that a majority of families with twins that were cobedded during the first 3 months at home opted for unsafe sleeping practices (room sharing without cobedding).
Parents of twins may not adhere to the current SIDS risk reduction guidelines due to a desire to prolong their own sleep and a lack of space to accommodate multiple cribs in the home. Furthermore, socioeconomic status may affect the family's decisions regarding sleep arrangements.
If twins are put in a small Moses basket or crib, their bedding could easily get caught in their midst and they may choke on eachother. If you decide to put your twins in the same cot it is important to put them in the feet-to-head position and have their bedding securely tucked into each cot to minimize the possibility of them colliding with each one.
A bedside bassinet, such as the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the safest and most convenient options for twins who want to sleep separately. The double bassinet comes with mesh walls to divide twins and give them their own flat, safe sleep surface. It rotates 360 degrees, allowing you to bring one of your children closer to you for feedings or calming without leaving the peace of your bed, and its side walls lower and automatically return when you move. baby bedside crib 's also easy to clean and can be tucked away in the standard twin bed frame. If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, look into the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet available at Walmart. available at Walmart and offers similar features as the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
The arrival of twins or multiples into the world is a huge life altering. They require plenty of planning and thought not to mention in regards to where they will be sleeping and how they will get a restful night's sleep. Parents often wonder what they can do to help their children feel at ease at an early age.
It is possible for twins to share a single crib when they are small. This is known as co-bedding and can provide great comfort to newborns as it helps them remember the mother's womb. It is essential to make sure that the beds are big enough for newborns to feel at ease without having to touch one others or roll around. It is also important to keep in mind that the baby who waks first needs to be fed. It can be helpful to coordinate feeding times at night to ensure that you wake one up earlier than the other.
It is important to keep in mind that twins may have different sleeping patterns. You might find that one baby is waking more than the other, or they prefer to be close to you. In this instance it could be beneficial for twins to have their own crib or bassinet in their room.
Look for twin bedside cots with mesh dividers that are breathable for sleeping areas that are separate. This is crucial for infants who are susceptible to heat stroke or for families where mothers have had a C-section. A reversible base as well as wheels that are easy to move are also helpful features. The Arm's Reach cot is a great option for these needs, as it offers a large sleeping area and is designed with c-section moms in mind. bedside baby bed or Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel are other options, but have a smaller sleeping space than the Arm's Reach cot.
Even if they're very close, it's not recommended to let twins share a bed with an adult. This increases the risk of SIDS, and can cause suffocation, strangulation or entrapment. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins should be in their own cribs or bassinets in their parents' rooms for the first six months.