Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins
Newborn twins sleep best when close to one another However, it's crucial to follow safe sleeping recommendations. The right crib arrangement can help your twins establish the same routine of sleeping.
A double bassinet with an divider is an ideal option for twins. These portable beds allow parents to keep their children close during diaper changes as well as mid-night meals. They also work well for babies who may outgrow their bassinets before baby 2.
Space-Saving
Twins can share a bed in a bedside cot provided you adhere to safe guidelines for sleeping (that's to say they should be lying on their backs with the tops of their heads facing each other and feet at opposite ends of the cot). When they're old enough, they can sleep together in a Moses Basket or regular crib.
This Delta double bassinet features a mesh divider that allows babies to be separated, but still close. It has a handy storage pocket to keep snacks and wipes in the vicinity, too. Plus, it folds flat and makes it easy to move around the house or on trips.
This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart is swivelling so that you can bring your twins who are fussy closer to you to feed them and calm them. The sides are lowered and raised for access and secure themselves to ensure your child's security. It's a little larger and heavier than other options, but it's perfect for second floors or grandparent homes and comes with a travel bag. It's also less expensive than the Halo Bassinest Twin.
Convenience
While many parents of twins might be enticed to sleep the babies together in one crib or bassinet, this is generally not recommended. Rednose recommends that twins have their own safe sleeping area (crib, portable crib, or bassinet) in the room of the caregivers/parents until they reach the age of 12 months old to lower the risk for SIDS. This is referred to as co-bedding. It has been shown that twins who grew 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 includes two sets of bedding to ensure that each baby gets their own personal space. This bedside cot can also easily be moved from room to room when required, and allows you to check on the babies without needing to wake them by re-entering their sleeping zone or disrupting their sleep patterns.
Other options include double bassinets that have been specifically designed to allow the infants to remain side-by-side and are ideal for middle-of-the-night feedings or diaper changes. Suggested Web site has a mesh panel that breathes and is adjustable in height that allows each baby to be easily accessible and visible at all times. The sides of the sleeper lower and raise to allow for easy access. Walmart's Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet, which is a cheaper alternative, has two sleeping zones separated by a mesh panel, allowing babies to see each other. The sleeper also swivels around 360 degrees to allow easy access to the infants.
For situations that are temporary, such as an unexpected family visit or hospitalization Parents have reported success with co-bedding twins in large moses baskets or a small bassinette with divider. However it is recommended to do this only under the supervision of a healthcare professional to ensure that the babies are properly positioned and with their feet towards the foot of the cot and all bedding securely tucked in, to prevent them from suffocating.
Safety
The most important safety feature when it comes to twins is that they have their own sleeping space. This ensures that each infant isn't smothered or infected by the other. It also helps to prevent cot deaths, which are more frequent with single infants than multiples.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that tritons, twins and higher-ordered triplets have their own sleeping space. This can be achieved by using an individual bassinet or a twin bedside crib you can put on your bed to feed or comfort one of your babies during the night.
Although the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently issued recommendations to reduce the risk of SIDS by encouraging room sharing and disabling cobedding, many families of multiples and twins find it difficult to adhere to these guidelines (1). In a previous study, it was discovered that the majority of twin families who cobedded their children in the beginning of their life at home were engaged in dangerous sleeping habits.
Parents of twins may not adhere to current SIDS guidelines due to the desire to sleep longer and lack of space in their home to accommodate multiple cribs. In addition the socioeconomic status of a family could influence their decisions about sleeping arrangements.
When twins are placed side-by-side in a small crib or Moses basket, they can easily get caught in their bedding and could choke on one another. If you decide to put your twins in the same cot together ensure they are placed in a position in which their feet are close to their heads and their bedding is placed in each cot with a secure. This will reduce the chances of them choking on each other.
A bedside bassinet, such as the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the most secure and most convenient options for twins that want to sleep in a separate bed. This double bassinet features a mesh wall that separates twins to give them each their own safe, flat sleep surface. It can be turned 360 degrees, which means you can bring your baby closer to you without leaving your bed. The side walls automatically lower and return with every movement. It's also easy to clean and fits in a standard twin bed frame. Check out the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet at Walmart. It has similar features as the Halo Bassinest.
Comfort
Being welcomed by twins or multiples to the world is an enormous life-changing. They also require a great deal of planning and consideration in regards to their sleeping arrangements and how they will get a good night's sleep. While decisions about their future bedroom space can be taken later in life parents are often unsure of what they can do to help them get comfortable in the early stages.
It is possible for twins to share a single cot when they are very small. This is called co-bedding and can provide wonderful comfort for newborns since it reminds them of the birthing process. The key is to ensure that the beds are large enough for babies to feel comfortable without touching or rolling around. You should also be aware that the baby who is the first to wake up must be fed. It is beneficial to coordinate nighttime feeds so that you can wake up one baby before the other.
However, it is important to keep in mind that twins can be very different and they might develop their own sleeping routines. You might find that one child wakes more than the other, or that they prefer to be nearer to you. In this instance it might be best to give each twin a separate bassinet or crib.
Look for twin bedside cots with breathable mesh dividers for sleeping areas that are separate. This is especially important for babies who are prone to overheating, or for families with c-section mothers. Other useful features include the reversible base, built-in storage space for blankets and toys, as well as easy-to-use wheels. The Arm's Reach cot, specifically designed for mothers who have a c-section, is a great choice due to its large sleeping space and is easy to move. Other options include the Graco Pack 'n Play and the Fisher-Price Easy Swaivel however, they have less sleeping space than the Arm's Reach cot.
Even if they're extremely close, it is not recommended for twins to share the bed with an adult. This can increase the risk of SIDS and cause suffocation or strangulation. 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.