Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
It is recommended to keep the newborn twins close together however, you must adhere to safety sleep guidelines. A proper crib arrangement can help your twins develop a consistent sleeping routine.
A double bassinet with an divider is a great choice for twins. These beds can be used as portable beds to allow parents to keep their infants close for middle-of-the-night feeds and diaper changes. They are also ideal for infants who might outgrow their bassinets before baby 2.
Space-Saving
As long as you follow safe sleeping guidelines, twins can be in a bedside crib side-by-side. They should sleep on their backs with their heads in a straight line and their feet at opposite ends. When they're big enough, they may also sleep together in a Moses Basket or a regular crib.
We really love this Delta double bassinet. It includes a mesh divider, to keep babies separated but still close to one other. It comes with a handy storage compartment that can keep snacks and wipes close by, too. It folds flat and makes it easy to move around the house or on trips.
This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart can swivel to allow you to bring fussy twins nearer to you to feed them and comfort them. The sides can be raised and lowered for easy access, and are secured for security. It is a little longer and heavier than other options however it is ideal for the second floor or homes for grandparents. It also comes with a travel bag. It's also a lot less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
It is not recommended that parents of twins put their babies in the same bassinet or crib. Rednose recommends that twins have their own safe sleeping area (crib, portable crib, or bassinet) in the room of the parents/caregivers until they reach 12 months to lower the risk for SIDS. This is referred to as co-bedding. It has been shown that twins who have grown up in this environment develop a more coordinated sleeping patterns.
A twin bedside cot, such as the Teknum FELLOW 2 is a fantastic option to accomplish this. It includes two sets of bedding so that each baby has their own space. The bedside cot can also be easily moved from one room to another depending on the need. It is a convenient and easy way to monitor your baby without disturbing their sleep patterns or awakening them.
Double bassinets are a different option. They allow infants to sleep side-by-side and are ideal for diaper changes or feedings in the middle of the night. The Halo Bassinest Twin has a mesh panel that breathes and is adjustable in height to allow each infant to be seen and reachable at all times. The sides of the sleeper adjust to lower and raise for quick access. If you prefer a more affordable alternative, the Walmart-exclusive Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet is similar, with two sleeping zones separated by a mesh panel that allows babies to see each other and the entire mattress is able to rotate 360 degrees, giving an easy access to every infant.
Many parents have realized that co-bedding twins with a moses basket, or a small bassinette, is a great option for temporary situations like hospital stays or a visit to the family. This should only be done with the supervision of by a medical professional. They will ensure that the infants are correctly placed, with their feet at the foot of the crib, and all bedding tucked in.
Safety
The most important security feature for twins is that they have their own bed. This ensures that every infant is not smothered or otherwise choked by the other. This also helps to avoid cot deaths, which are more common in single infants than multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins, tritons and higher-ordered multis have their own sleeping space. The best way to accomplish this is with an additional bassinet or twin bedside cot that can be positioned close to your bed when you're feeding or soothing one of the babies during 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 of twins and multiples have found it difficult to adhere to these guidelines (1). A previous study revealed that a majority of families with twins who were cobedded during the first three months at home used unsafe sleeping practices (room sharing without cobedding).
Parents of twins may not follow the current SIDS risk reduction guidelines because of a desire to increase their own sleep duration and the inability to accommodate multiple cribs at home. Additionally, socioeconomic status can affect the family's decisions regarding the arrangement of their sleep.
If twins are positioned side-by-side in a tiny crib or Moses basket, they can easily be entangled by their bedding and potentially choke on each other. If you choose to put your twins in the same cot, make sure they are in the position in which their feet are close to their heads and their bedding is tucked into each cot with a secure. This will lessen the chances of them choking on each one.
A bassinet that is positioned at the bedside, like the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the most secure and more convenient alternatives for twins who wish to sleep in a separate bed. The double bassinet comes with a mesh wall to separate twins and give them their own safe, flat sleeping surface. It can be rotated 360 degrees, which means you can bring your baby closer to you without having to leave your bed. The walls on the sides automatically lower and return with every movement. It is easy to clean, and can be tucked away into the standard twin-sized bed frame. Take a look at 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 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 more comfortable from an early age.
It is possible for twins to share a cot when they are very small. Co-bedding is a method of helping newborns feel at ease by bringing them back to their womb. It is crucial to ensure that the beds are big enough for infants to be comfortable without having to touch one the other or move around. It is important to be aware that the baby who is the first to wake up must be fed. It is helpful to coordinate nighttime feeds to ensure that you awake one baby prior to the other.
It is important to keep in mind that twins have different sleep routines. You might find that one of them wakes more frequently than the other or they prefer to be close to you. In this instance, it may be best to give each twin a separate bassinet or crib.
When bedside cots are looking for a twin bedside cot look for models that feature ventilated mesh dividers that can create separate sleeping areas. This is particularly important for babies more prone to overheating or families with mothers who have had c-sections. Other beneficial features include a reversible base, built-in storage for blankets and toys, as well as easy-to-use wheels. The Arm's Reach cot, designed for c-section mothers is a fantastic choice due to its large sleeping area and is easy to move. Other options are the Graco Pack 'n Play and the Fisher-Price Easy Swivel however, they have smaller sleeping areas than the Arm's Reach cot.
Even if they're close, it is not recommended to let twins share a bed with an adult. This can increase the risk of SIDS and lead to strangulation or suffocation. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins be kept in their bassinets or cribs in the parents' bedrooms for the first six months.