Twin Bedside Cot: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
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. The right crib arrangement can aid your twins in developing an established routine for sleep.
A double bassinet with an divider is the ideal choice for twins. These portable beds allow parents to keep their infants close for feedings in the middle of the night and diaper changes. These beds are also ideal for babies who may outgrow their bassinets by the time they reach the age of toddlerhood.
Space-Saving
Twins can sleep together in a bedside cot provided you adhere to safe guidelines for sleeping (that's to say that they should be laid on their backs, with the tops of their heads touching each other and their feet placed at opposite ends of the cot). They can also co-sleep in a Moses basket or a regular crib once they're large enough.
This Delta double bassinet features a mesh partition that allows babies to be separated but still close. It also has a convenient storage compartment to keep wipes and snacks nearby as well. Additionally, it folds flat, making it easy to move around the house or go on trips.
This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart is swivelling so that you can bring fussy twins nearer to you to feed them and comfort them. The sides are lowered and raised for access and are secured to ensure security. It's a bit heavier and longer than some other options, but it's perfect for second floors or grandparents' houses, and it comes with its own travel bag. It's also a lot cheaper than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
Parents of twins may be tempted to sleep the babies together in a single bassinet or crib however, this is not recommended. Instead the Rednose group Rednose suggests that twins be given their own secure sleeping space (crib, bassinet or portable crib) in the parent/caregiver's room until they reach 12 months old in order to reduce the chance of SIDS. This arrangement is also known as co-bedding, and it has been proven that twins who are accustomed to this type of sleeping environment often form a more synchronized sleep pattern than twins who sleep on their own.
One of the most convenient ways to make this work is with twin bedside cots, like the Teknum FELLOW 2 which comes with two separate bedding sets to ensure that each baby has a personal and comfortable space. This bedside cot can also easily be moved from room to room when required, and provides a convenient way to check on babies without having to wake them by re-entering their sleeping zone or disrupting their rhythms.
bedside co sleeper include double bassinets, which have been designed specifically for infants that allow them to be side-by-side, and are perfect for mid-night feeds or diaper changes. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for instance, features a breathable mesh divider and an adjustable height to ensure that every baby is visible and reachable throughout the night, and the sides of the sleeper can be raised and lowered to allow easy access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet, which is a cheaper alternative, has two sleeping zones that are separated by a mesh panel, permitting babies to view each one another. The sleeper can also rotate around 360 degrees to allow an easy access for infants.
Many parents have discovered that bedding twins in a moses basket, or a small bassinette is a great option for temporary situations such as a hospital stay or a family visit. This should only be done under the supervision by a healthcare professional. They will ensure that the babies are properly placed in a crib with their feet at the bottom of the crib and all bedding is tucked in.
Safety
When it comes to twins sleeping together, the most important safety feature is that each infant has their own sleep space. This ensures that each infant isn't smothered or trapped by the other. This also helps avoid deaths in the cot, which are more frequent in infants who are single than in multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that twins, tritons and higher-ordered multis have their own space to sleep in. This can be accomplished with an additional bassinet, or twin bedside crib that you can place on your bed to feed or sooth one of the babies during the night.
While the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently issued recommendations to reduce the SIDS risk by encouraging room sharing and avoiding cobedding, a lot of families with 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 opted for unsafe sleeping practices (room sharing without cobedding).
Parents of twins might not follow current SIDS recommendations due to a desire to sleep longer and lack of space in their home to accommodate multiple cribs. Additionally, the socioeconomic status of a family may affect their sleep arrangements.
If twins are put in a small Moses basket or crib, their bedding could easily get caught in their midst and they could choke on each other. If you decide to place your twins in the same cot together ensure they are in an area in which their feet are close to their heads and that their bedding is tucked into the cots securely. This will decrease the possibility of them colliding on each one.
One of the safest and more comfortable options for twins to sleep independently is a bedside bassinet like the Halo Bassinest Twin. This double bassinet comes with mesh walls that separate twins so that they each have their own safe and comfortable, flat sleeping surface. It can be rotated 360 degrees, which means you can bring your baby closer to you without leaving your bed. The walls on the sides automatically lower and return with every movement. It is easy to clean, and fits in a standard twin-sized 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
Being welcomed by twins or multiples to the world is an enormous life altering. Not only that, they require a lot of planning and thinking in regards to their sleeping arrangements and how they can get a good sleep. While decisions regarding their bedroom space are made as they age parents often ask what they can do to help them get comfortable in the early stages.
When twins are young, it is possible to share a crib. This is known as co-bedding and it can be a excellent comfort for babies as it brings them back to the womb. It is essential to make sure that the beds are large enough to allow newborns to feel at ease without having to touch one the other or move around. It is also important to remember that the baby who wakes first must be fed. It is beneficial to coordinate nighttime feeds to ensure that you awake one baby prior to the other.
However, it is important to keep in mind that twins can be very different and they might have their own sleep patterns. You may find that one of them wakes more than the other, or that they prefer to be close to you. In this instance it could be beneficial for the twins to share their own bassinet or crib in their room.
Look for twin bedside cots with mesh dividers that are breathable for separate sleeping areas. This is particularly important for babies that are prone to overheating, or for families with c-section moms. Other useful features include the reversible base, built-in storage space for blankets and toys, and easy-to-maneuver wheels. The Arm's Reach cot is an excellent option for these needs 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 offer a smaller sleeping area 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 increases the risk of SIDS and can cause suffocation, strangulation or entrapment. Instead, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins sleep in their own safe sleeping areas, like bassinets or cribs in their parent's room for the first six months.