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. The right crib arrangement can help your twins develop a consistent routine of sleep.
A double bassinet that comes with a divider can be a great choice for twins. These portable beds allow parents to keep their babies near for middle-of-the-night feeds and diaper changes. These beds are also great for babies who may outgrow their bassinets by the time they reach the age of toddlerhood.
Space-Saving
Twins can share a bed in a bedside cot as 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 overlapping each other, and their feet on opposite sides of the cot). They can also sleep together in a Moses basket or a regular crib once they're big enough.
We really love this Delta double bassinet, which features a mesh partition to allow babies to remain separated but still close to one the other. It also has a pocket for storage for wipes and snacks. It can also fold making it easy to move around the home and travel with on trips.
Another option is this EZ Fold Twin Bassinet from Walmart, which swivels to bring fussy twins closer to you for feeding and soothing. The sides can be lowered and raised for easy access and are locked in place for safety. It is a little longer and heavier than other models however it is ideal for the second floor or homes for grandparents. It also comes with a bag for travel. It's also much less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
Parents of twins might be enticed to put the twins together in a single crib or bassinet, this is generally not recommended. Instead the group Rednose recommends that twins be given their own secure sleeping space (crib, bassinet or portable crib) in the parents' or caregiver's room until they turn 12 months old to reduce the risk of SIDS. This arrangement is also known as co-bedding and it has been proven that twins who have been accustomed to this sleeping environment will generally have a more coordinated sleep pattern than twins who sleep on their own.
A twin bedside cot such as the Teknum FELLOW 2 is a great method to achieve this. It comes with two sets of bedding to ensure that each baby has their own space. This bedside cot can also easily be moved from room to room as necessary, and also allows you to check on babies without having to wake them up by re-entering their sleeping space or disrupting their sleep patterns.
Other alternatives include double bassinets which have been designed specifically to allow the infants to be side-by-side, and are ideal for nighttime feedings or diaper changes. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a mesh panel that breathes and is adjustable in height to allow each baby to be seen and reachable at all times. The sides of the sleeper also lower and raise to allow for easy access. If you're looking for a more affordable option, the Walmart-exclusive Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet is similar, with two sleeping zones separated by mesh panels that allow babies to view each other and the entire mattress swivels 360 degrees for easy access to each infant.
Many parents have realized that bedding twins in moses baskets or a small bassinette, is a great option for situations that are temporary, such as a hospital stay or a family visit. best bedside cot for newborn should only be done under the supervision by a medical professional. They will ensure that the babies are properly placed on their feet at the bottom of the crib and all bedding put in.
Safety
When it comes to twins sleeping together, the most crucial safety feature is that each baby has his or her own space to sleep in. This ensures that each baby isn't smothered, or trapped by the other. It also helps prevent cot death, which is more frequent in infants who are single than in multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that tritons, twins and higher-ordered multis have their own sleeping space. The best way to accomplish this is by having a separate bassinet or twin bedside cots that can be brought up close to your bed while you're feeding or soothing one of the babies during the night.
While the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently issued recommendations to decrease the SIDS risk by encouraging room sharing and avoiding cobedding, many families with multiples and twins find it difficult to follow these guidelines (1). In a previous study it was found that the majority of twin families who co-bedded their children in the first three months of life at home were engaged in dangerous sleep habits.
Parents of twins may not follow the current SIDS risk reduction guidelines because of a desire to prolong their own sleep and the inability to accommodate multiple cribs at home. In addition the socioeconomic standing of a family could influence their choices regarding the arrangement of their sleep.
If twins are put in a small Moses basket or crib, their bedding could easily entangle them and they could choke on eachother. If you choose to put your twins in the same cot together ensure that they are placed in the position in which their feet are close to their heads and their bedding is tucked into each cot securely. This will lessen the chances of them choking on each other.
best bedside cot uk of the safer and more practical alternatives for twins to sleep independently is a bedside bassinet like the Halo Bassinest Twin. The double bassinet features mesh walls to separate twins and give them their own flat, safe mattress to sleep on. It rotates 360 degrees, allowing you to bring your baby closer to you for feedings or soothing without having to leave the comfort of your bed. Its side walls lower and automatically return when you move. It is easy to clean, and fits into a standard twin-sized bed frame. If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, check out the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet that is available at Walmart and comes with similar features to the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
It is a major life change to welcome twins or multiples into the world. They require plenty of planning and thought not to mention when it comes to the place they will sleep and how they'll get a good night's sleep. While the decisions regarding their future bedroom space are made later in life parents often ask how they can help their children to feel comfortable in the beginning stages.
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 brings them back to the birthing process. It is essential to ensure that the beds are big enough to allow infants to be comfortable without touching each others or roll around. You should also keep in mind that the baby who is the first to wake up should be fed. It is helpful to co-ordinate night feeds so that you can wake one of them up earlier than the other.
It is important to be aware that twins have different sleep patterns. You may find that one baby is more sleepy than the other or prefers to be close to you. In this situation it could be beneficial for the twins to share their own bassinet or crib in their room.
When shopping for a twin bedside cot look for models with breathable mesh dividers to create separate sleeping areas. This is particularly important for babies who are susceptible to overheating, or families with c-section mothers. Reversible bases and wheels that are easy to move are also useful features. The Arm's Reach cot is a good option for this purpose since it provides a large sleeping area and is designed with moms who have c-sections in mind. Other options are the Graco Pack 'n Play and the Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel, but they have less sleeping space than the Arm's Reach cot.
Even if they're close, it is not recommended that twins share a bed with an adult. There is a higher risk of SIDS, and could lead to suffocation, strangulation or entrapment. Instead the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins remain in their safe sleeping spaces, such as bassinets or cribs, in their parent's room for the first six months.