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. Choosing the right crib arrangement can aid your twins in developing a consistent routine of sleep.
A double bassinet with a divider is a great choice for twins. These portable beds allow parents to keep their children close during feedings in the middle of the night and diaper changes. They are also ideal for infants who might outgrow their bassinets prior to 2.
Space-Saving
Twins can sleep side-by-side in a bedside cot, as long as you follow safe guidelines for sleeping (that's to say they should be laid on their backs with the tops of their heads overlapping each other and their feet placed at opposite sides of the cot). They can also co-sleep in a Moses basket or a regular crib once they're big enough.
This Delta double bassinet comes with a mesh partition that allows children to be separated but still close. It also has a pocket for storage for snacks and wipes. Additionally, it folds flat, making it easy to move around the house or on trips.
Another option is the EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart that swivels to bring the twins who are fussy closer to you for feedings and comfort. The sides can be raised and lowered to allow access and secure themselves to ensure your child's security. It is a little longer and heavier than the other options however it is ideal for the second floor or grandparent's 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 sleep their babies in the same bassinet or crib. Instead the group Rednose recommends that twins be given their own secure sleeping space (crib or bassinet, or a portable crib) in the parent/caregiver's room until they reach 12 months old to help reduce the risk of SIDS. This is referred to as co-bedding. It has been proven that twins who grew in this environment have a more synchronized sleeping patterns.
A twin bedside cot like the Teknum FELLOW 2 is a great method to accomplish this. It includes two sets of bedding to ensure that each baby has their own space. baby bedside cot cots4tots is also easily moved from one room to another depending on the need. It provides a convenient and easy way to check on your babies without disturbing their sleep patterns or waking them up.
Double bassinets are a different option. They allow infants to be side-by-side, and are perfect for feedings and diaper changes in the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for instance, features an air-tight mesh partition and an adjustable height to ensure that each baby can be observed and reached at all times, and the sides of the sleeper lower and raise to make it easy to access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet, which is a cheaper option, has two sleep zones separated by a mesh panel, permitting babies to view each one another. The sleeper also rotates around 360 degrees to give easy access to infants.
For short-term situations, such as a family visit or hospitalization, many parents have found the benefits of co-bedding twins using a large moses basket or small bassinette with divider. However, this should be done only under the supervision of a medical professional to ensure that the babies are properly placed in a cot, with their feet at the bottom of the cot, and all bedding properly tucked in to prevent them from being suffocated.
Safety
When twins sleep together, the most crucial security factor is that each baby has their own space to sleep in. This will prevent each baby from being smothered, choked or otherwise choking by the other. This also helps to avoid cot deaths, which are more frequent with single infants than multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins, triplets and higher-order multiplications have their own sleeping space. The best method to achieve this is by having a separate bassinet or twin bedside cots that could be placed close to your bed when you're feeding or soothing one of your babies throughout the night.
While the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently issued guidelines to lower the SIDS risk by encouraging room sharing and disabling cobedding, many families with twins and multiples have found it difficult to adhere to these guidelines (1). A previous study revealed that a majority of families of twins who were cobedded in the first 3 months at home used unsafe sleep practices (room sharing without cobedding).
Parents of twins might not adhere to the current SIDS risk reduction guidelines due to a desire extend their own sleep time and the inability to accommodate multiple cribs at home. Additionally, socioeconomic status can affect the family's decisions regarding sleeping arrangements.
If twins are put in a small Moses basket or crib, their bedding may easily get caught in their midst and they may choke on each other. If you decide to put your twins in the same cot it is important to put them in a head-to-foot position and with their bedding secured in each cot to minimize the possibility of them colliding with each one.
One of the safest and more comfortable options for twins to be able to sleep independently is a bassinet that sits beside the bed like the Halo Bassinest Twin. The double bassinet comes with mesh walls to divide twins and give them their own flat, safe mattress to sleep on. It can be swiveled 360 degrees, meaning you can bring your child closer to you without leaving your bed. The walls on the sides automatically lower and return with each movement. It's easy to clean and fits into the standard twin bed frame. Take a look at the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet at Walmart. It has the same features as the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
It's a significant life change to welcome twins or multiples into the world. They require lots of planning and thought, not least when it comes to where they will sleep and how they will get a good night's rest. While the decisions regarding their future bedroom space can be taken when they are older, parents often wonder what they can do to help them to settle in the early stages.
It is possible for twins to share a single crib when they are small. This is known as co-bedding and it can be a excellent comfort for babies as it helps them remember the womb. It is essential to make sure that the beds are big enough for babies to feel comfortable without touching each the other or move around. It is also important to remember that the baby who waks first needs to be fed. It can be helpful to coordinate nighttime feeds to ensure that you wake one up before the other.
It is important to keep in mind that twins may have different sleep routines. You might find that one baby is waking more than the other or they prefer to be closer to you. In this situation it is possible to give each twin a separate crib or bassinet.
When shopping for a twin bedside cot, look for models with ventilated mesh dividers that can create distinct sleeping zones. This is crucial for babies that are more prone to overheating or for families with mothers who have had c-sections. Other beneficial features include an adjustable base, built-in storage for blankets and toys, and easy-to-use wheels. The Arm's Reach cot, which is specifically designed for mothers with c-sections, is a great choice because it has a large sleeping area and is easy to maneuver. 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.
It is not recommended that twins sleep in the same bed as an adult even if they're very close. There is a higher risk of SIDS, and could lead to suffocation, strangulation or entrapment. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins sleep in their own bassinets or cribs in their parents' room for the first six months.