Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
Twins in the newborn stage sleep best close to each other It's vital to adhere to safe sleeping guidelines. A proper crib arrangement can help your twins develop a consistent sleeping routine.
A double bassinet that comes with a divider can be a great choice for twins. These portable beds allow parents to keep their babies close for diaper changes and mid-night feedings. They are also great for infants who might outgrow their bassinets prior to 2.
Space-Saving
Twins can sleep together in a bedside crib, so long as you follow the safe guidelines for sleeping (that's to say that they should be lying on their backs with the tops of their heads facing each other and their feet placed at opposite ends of the cot). When they're big enough, they may also share a bed in a Moses Basket or regular crib.
This Delta double bassinet features a mesh partition that allows babies to be separated, but still close. It comes with a handy storage compartment that can keep snacks and wipes close by, too. Additionally, it folds flat and makes it easy to move around the house or on trips.
This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart, swivels to allow you to bring fussy twins nearer to you to feed them and soothe them. The sides can be raised and lowered for access and are secured to ensure safety. It's a bit bigger and heavier than the other options but is great for the second-floor or grandparents' homes. It also comes with a travel bag. It's also much less expensive 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 provided with their own private sleeping space (crib or bassinet, or a portable crib) in the room of the parent or caregiver until they are 12 months old to reduce the risk of SIDS. This is known as co-bedding. It has been proven that twins who have grown in this environment develop a more synchronized sleeping patterns.
A twin bedside cot, such as the Teknum FELLOW 2 is a great way to accomplish this. It comes with two separate sets of bedding to ensure that each baby gets their own space. This bedside cot can also easily be moved from room to another as required, and makes it easy to check on babies without having to wake them up by re-entering their sleep zone or disrupting their sleep patterns.
Other options include double bassinets which have been designed specifically to allow the infants to stay side-by-side and are perfect for mid-night feeding or changing diapers. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for instance, comes with a breathable mesh divider and an adjustable height to ensure that each baby can be observed and reached throughout the night, and the sides of the sleeper can be raised and lowered to give easy access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet which is a less expensive alternative, has two sleeping zones separated by a mesh panel, allowing babies to see each other. The sleeper also rotates around 360 degrees to allow easy access to infants.
Many parents have found that co-bedding twins with moses baskets, or a small bassinette, could be a good option for situations that are temporary, like hospital stays or a visit to the family. However, this should be done only under the supervision of a healthcare provider to ensure that the babies are properly positioned, with their feet to the foot of the cot and their bedding properly tucked in to prevent them from suffocating.
Safety
When twins sleep together, the most important safety feature is that each baby has his or her own space to sleep in. This will prevent each baby from being smothered, choked, or otherwise being choking by the other. It also helps prevent the death of a cot, which is more frequent with single infants than multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that triplets, twins, and higher-order multiples get their own sleeping space. This can be accomplished with an additional bassinet, or a twin bedside crib you can put on your bed to feed or soothe one of your babies during the night.
Although recent SIDS risk reduction guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage room sharing with parents and discourage cobedding but 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 revealed that a majority of families of twins that were cobedded during the first 3 months at home used unsafe sleep practices (room sharing without cobedding).
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 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 could easily be pulled together and they could choke on each other. If you decide to put your twins in the same cot it's important to place them in the position of feet-to-head and have their bedding tucked securely into each cot to minimize the possibility of them colliding with each other.
A bassinet that is positioned at the bedside, like the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the safest and most convenient alternatives for twins who wish to sleep in a separate bed. The double bassinet has an insulated mesh wall that separates twins, giving them their own secure and comfortable, flat sleeping surface. It can be rotated 360 degrees, so you can bring your baby closer to you without having to leave your bed. The side walls automatically lower and return with every movement. It is also easy to clean and can be tucked away into the standard twin-sized bed frame. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, consider the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet available at Walmart. available at Walmart and offers similar features as the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
It's a huge change to welcome twins or multiples into the world. They require lots of thought and preparation, not least when it comes to where they will sleep and how they will get a good night's rest. Parents often ask themselves what they can do to help their children feel at ease at an early age.
It is possible for twins to share a cot if they are small. This is known as co-bedding and can provide excellent comfort for babies as it reminds them of the womb. The key is to make sure the beds are large enough to allow the infants to be comfortable without touching each other or rolling around. You should also remember that the baby that awakes first must be fed. It is helpful to co-ordinate night feeds so that you can wake one of them up earlier than the other.
However, it is important to remember that twins are distinct and may develop their own sleep routines. It could be that one baby is waking more than the other or that they prefer to be nearer to you. In this situation it may be beneficial for the twins to have their own bassinet or crib in their room.
Choose a cot with twin beds with mesh dividers that are breathable for separate sleeping areas. This is especially important for babies that are prone to overheating, or for families with mothers who have had c-sections. A reversible base as well as wheels that are easy to maneuver are also beneficial features. The Arm's Reach cot, which is designed for c-section mothers is a great option due to its large sleeping space and is easy to maneuver. The Graco Pack 'n Play or Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel are also options, but offer a smaller sleeping space than the Arm's Reach cot.
Even if they're extremely close, it's not recommended that twins share a bed with an adult. This could increase the risk of SIDS and lead to strangulation or suffocation. Instead, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins have their own secure sleeping areas, like bassinets or cribs, in their parents' rooms for the first six months.